24 INCH BICYCLES FOR AGE 9-13

A 26" bicycle should be comfortable for any one below the height of 5' 6".  A competent rider of 10 years of age should not have any problem mounting one to cycle.

But if height is an issue, there is always the 24" bicycle to consider.  Just make sure that when the rider straddle over the bicycle, his or her crotch is not rubbing hard against the toptube.  We do not want the cyclist to be hurt badly should he or she take a fall.

Similar 24" bicycles for kids can be purchased online at Amazon.

Bicycle for Timid Riders

What should you be riding if you have not been cycling for a while?  Especially, if you are a female rider who lacks confidence but would like to take your wee one for a ride with you.

First, you need to know the type of child seat that are available in the market.

I noticed that mothers with younger children tend to prefer child seats that can be mounted in front of the bicycle.

You have to think about the safety of your child by ensuring that your feet will land on the ground to hold the bicycle steady, should you fall. Choose a bicycle by standing over the top tube, just in front of your saddle.  Is it too close to your crotch for comfort?  If it is, check out another bike.

If you like the old school look, a cruiser bike is what you should check out next.  Here is a very good example of a 26" bicycle suitable for a less confident mummy who intends to ride with her child.

The handlebar of a cruiser bike is usually wider so the child will not feel squeezed between your arms as you cycle.  It also comes installed with mudguards.  It rains all year round in Malaysia.  You do not want your child splattered with mud after a rainfall, do you?

Similar frame mounted child carrier and breach cruiser for female or male riders can be purchased from Amazon.

Child Seat for your Bicycle

Do you know that some child seats will require you to install a rear carrier before you can even install them on your bicycle?  Just make sure that the ones you select are right for the weight of your child.



Some child seats are supplied with the carriers required to mount on the bicycle.

There are also some models that are frame mounted.  Here is one that you can mount in front of you so that you can monitor a younger child closely.

Now that you know what is in the market, ask your bike shop what kind of bicycle you should choose to have it installed on.  Be honest.  Admit it if you are a timid rider.

Where to this weekend?

If you can't decide where to cycle to this weekend, check out this list of top 10 places for cycling in Malaysia reported by The Star Online in 2015:

1. Shah Alam Cycling Lanes 
2. Kepong Metropolitan Park
3. Putrajaya Core Island
4. KL Car Free Morning
5. FRIM
6. Putrajaya Botanical Garden
7. Titiwangsa Lake Garden
8. Taman Saujana Hijau
9. National Botanical Garden Shah Alam
10. Desa Parkcity Central Park



If you are more ambitious, you can read, "Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die: Biking Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations" to discover more places you can cycle in worldwide.


Have a good weekend.

How wide should handlebars be?

How wide should handlebars be? Downhill riders think that the wider it is the better.

A wider handlebar can give you more control and slows down steering of your bicycle downhill. When your hands are spread wide over the handlebar, your chest is not obstructed, making it easier for you to breathe as you cycle uphill. 

So, how extreme are you?

You can purchase bicycle handlebars from Amazon.  Just make sure that you choose the right model and length, which can be from 680 to 740mm.

How to increase participation in races?

Some racers join events because of the freebies they are going to get.  Some are motivated to bring home a trophy.  The more unique the design of the trophy is, the more it will be appreciated.

Will this design makes the list to collector's item?  It is an eco creation.  Racers decide.

May it also inspire organisers to think outside the box when making choices in give-aways for events.

You may want to start by reading, "Think Outside the Cardboard Box: Surprising Statistics and Projects that will Make You Discover Your Creativity and Live an Upcycle Life!" by Heather Christian Iglesias.

Portable Shopping Cart for your Bike

How would you like it if you could cycle with your own shopping cart in tow? That way, you do not have to take bags of groceries home when you are done paying for them. Just push your own shopping cart back onto the bicycle and cycle home.

Berto shared how you can make your own in this video.

 

Now that your got that MTB...

Now that you have gotten yourself a mountain bike, what should you do?  Go for the ride of your life this way!

When the bicycle is too childish...

When your child is younger, there is a tendency for him or her to prefer a bicycle that have cartoons or attachments to it that would make it look very kiddie.

By the time he is seven years old, he may still be able to ride on it, provided, that is, he does not feel awkward still ridding it.

This is what you can do to extend the life of your children's bicycle.

1) Remove any attachment on it that looks kiddie.

2) Change the handle bar and grip if required.

Now take a look.  The modified bicycle looks much better now for an older child, right?