Recreational & Family - Training Wheels for 20" Bike?

Hello,

I hope someone can help me out.

I'm in need of traning wheels that fit on a 20" bike....

I bought a 20" BMX style bike for my 4 year old (who's the size of an 8 year old - 4ft tall, etc -- his first real bike).

He was way too big for the typical 4 year old's 16in bike. And I didn't feel like shelling out $80 for a 18" Huffy (w/ training wheels) at Toys R Us (even though he could ride it fine there).

The training wheels that we bought, I think were meant for a 16" bike, because when he rides it (he doesn't have balance down yet), one of the training wheels touch the ground, and the other ends up being 3-4" in the air. So it ends up getting out of balance quickly (unlike the 18" where it was only an inch at the most up in the air).

We have the traning wheels at low as they go -- but they're not low enough...

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone knew of where I could get some online (that are longer than the typical traning wheel that are available at the store)??

He absolutely loves his new bike (early xmas present), but unfortunately, he kind of hates it because he can't ride it without going off balance and falling.

Any suggestions?? I'm stuck because all the stores that I've been to this past week, have been made for 16" bikes.

Thanks in advance, and for all your help!

REI.com has training wheels for 20" bikes.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47784322&parent_category_rn=4500817&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Try a BIKE SHOP, not Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Toys 'R' Us, or Target. If the shop doesn't have the right ones in stock, they can order them. Just try ordering something at one of those stores listed above. The BIKE SHOP may even install them for you.

Spend the time and effort on a scooter for him, scooters give kids all the skills needed for riding such as balance, steering and applying power together in their comfort zone.

Leave the bike sitting around for him with a weekly trip to a flat area for a pressure free try of the bike and he will be riding like a champ when he's confident and ready.

Been there done that and watch two confident track riders every week for it. You may have picked up on my dislike of training wheels.

Find a shallow grass slope, preferably leading onto flat area. If the slope has varying gradients along its length, so much the better.

Remove pedals (rh thread on rh pedal, lh thread on lh pedal) and lower seat so h can get his feet comfortably on the ground.

Let him (encourage him) to roll down the slope with his feet down. He should soon get the hang of balancing and steering. Once he gets comfortable with the length of slope you start him off on, take him further up the slope, or on a steeper part of it.

He'll soon be able to control his steering and ride in a fairly straight line.

Then put the pedals back on and he'll be redy to start pedalling on his own. With a little judicious help from dad.

Tip: if you have to push him to get him started, push him, not the bike, otherwise the bike will go where you push it, which may not quite be where he is steering it.

If, at 4, he's not quite ready, the scooter is and excellent idea

Alternatively, if he doesn't like the slope idea, just leave the pedals off and keep the saddle low enough for him to be able to "walk" the bike along with his feet. This also works and he should get the knack of steering with his feet off the ground.

Good luck