What is there to do in New York City, for toddlers & kids?

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iwuvoni187

My family is taking a trip to New York, in just a few days and I wanted to know if there is anything to for the younger kids. I have a 2 year old who is very active and I was wondering if there are places for her to play and run around and burn some energy. Then my younger sister is 11years old and I know she'll get bored with sight seeing, so is there kid activities for them?
Thanks.

Answer
There is a children's museum. Make sure you check if its open before you go. I hear its really fun but when i went there with my sister it was closed :(
Go to Central Park and rent a bike and ride around. I did that and it was pretty fun.
Go to a concert or a broadway show. i watched the phantom of the opera and that was so good, i doubt your 2 year old will like it though. Try wicked or something more fun.
They have a HUGE toys r us or some toy store in times square. It has a ferris wheel. you probably can stay there for like a day.
They also have an m&m store and other candies that are yummy.
go to the empire state building. night is the best time because its so pretty.
take a boat tour around manhattan. Its not that fun but its informational.
go street shopping. bargain and look at stuff. Make sure the kids can walk alot and make sure they stay safe.
Hope i helped, Have Fun!!

Can someone explain the different types of Dyno GT BMX bikes to me?

knate

I wanted a Dyno GT bike when I was a kid(90's) II went & looked at some but never got one. Now I'm looking to get one cause I think they're vintage & cool. I want a mid 90's one. I would be street riding & doing a few tricks. I notice there are different kinds. I don't really know what I'm looking for. If someone could explain them to me I'd appreciate it. Also do they still make Dyno's? I want a older one but was just curious... Thanks so much in advance!!!

Answer
Dyno was a company all by itself until it found itself severely undercapitalized, and GT bought them in 1985 (I think). The former owner of Dyno then worked as a consultant for GT for a time. Up until 1993 Dyno and GT were separate brands, then they were represented in the same catalog until GT was purchased.

In 2004 Dyno was relegated to cheap bikes sold in places like Sports Authority and Toys R Us. The last of these were sold around 2006. There have been no bikes under the Dyno name since then.

Go to your local bike shop specializing in BMX and they can help you to determine what kind of bike suits you. Just call around until you find a place close to you.

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What Bike Parts Can Be Made From Alumnium Castings?

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himynameis

i know lugs can be made...
what are the other possibilities?
seat post collars? stems? dropouts?

Answer
Yes, lugs can be investment cast but they are usually steel, not aluminum.

Contrary to the other answers, MANY parts are die cast and are generally labeled as 'melt forged'. This is something the marketing people came up with to reduce the dubious reference to die casting. If you were to go to a U.S. factory they would tell you until they are blue in the face that die casting and melt forging are different things, but in the bicycle industry they are considered identical.

Commonly die cast bicycle parts in aluminum include dropouts, bottom brackets, stem and seat post heads, suspension fork crowns, chainstay reinforcements, brake levers and calipers, derailleur bodies, and accessory bosses like cable guides. Also, blanks are cast for head tubes, seat post collars, and other items.

In the past, there was a company called Trusty (later purchased by Yamaha) that made a cast aluminum fork for their road bike. The fork started failing- not because of the cast part, but because of the way the casting was attached to the steerer tube- and earned the name the "Death Fork" (although nobody actually died to my knowledge).

Huffy also had a kids bike called the Metaloid http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/huffy/31318, the frame was cast aluminum and looked like a piece of a steel bridge girder. Pretty cool. Kent currently markets a cast magnesium folding bicycle http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Ultra-Magnesium-Compact-Folding/dp/B000H6G146 , but I suspect it is aluminum alloy with an added dollop of magnesium to the mix.

Will change in sitting position affect the speed of riding the bicycle, What practical canbe done to prove it?

()

I have done a survey and over 80% responded yes to the above question. In order to prove it, I need to use physics to prove it.

I just want to know if you have any safe and suitable ideas which can allow students of the class to experiment this. I need to know the design of the experiment, variables, procedure and how and what will the graphs be?

Thanking You

Answer
You would have to look at the angle of the legs in relation to the pedals to get an idea of the actual force exerted. If the leg is exactly at right angles to the crank of the pedal for most of the time, there will be the greatest force and so be more efficient.
Constructing a model of a person seated on the bike would be the easiest way to demonstrate this and measure the angles etc. with different seat heights and sizes of frame , handlebars etc.
Flat models could easily be made from thick card with the moving parts fastened with paper clips . Kids could be given a photocopied template to trace onto card and then make the model themselves. Different positions, sizes could easily be found and then the project could then continue using protractors to measure angles .
You could make one for yourself out of clear perspex and put in on an overhead projector so that the whole class can see what variables you are going to measure
Graphs of two variables could be drawn - e.g. height of seat v angle of leg. with the optimium being at the 90 angle.
Should make an interesting project and keep them busy for a few lessons.
Good luck and have fun .

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what are some free fun things to do in Toronto?

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amourfauxx

I'll be there next week with friends and we're poor college kids so we have a few things planned but we want to do more...that isnt so costly :] thanks.

Answer
1. The Beaches
http://www.the-beaches.com/

The Beaches area is fun for walking along the board walk, cycling and sunbathing near the waters of Lake Ontario. The nearby commercial area is home to interesting shops for window shopping as well as cafes and restaurants.
2. Allan Gardens
Allan Gardens, Toronto, Ontario

The lovely Victorian style greenhouses of this conservatory house a unique botanical garden, free to the public. The conservatory provides a warm and beautiful reprieve from the winter cold or a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city at any time of year.
3. Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario

During the summer in Toronto, the Harbourfront area is alive with activity. Stroll around the area and experience live music, myriad festivals and educational camps, many of which have free admission. The walk along the waterfront is peaceful and relaxing if you would prefer to escape the commotion and enjoy the view of Lake Ontario.
4. Chinatown
Chinatown, Toronto, Ontario

The colors, sounds and movement of this vibrant area of town make it excellent for window shopping and exploring, or meeting new people.
5. Kensington Market
Kensington Market and Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

With its colorful corner fruit stands, many thrift stores and pubs, Kensington Market is a meeting place for some of Torontoâs most interesting people. Each month the neighborhood blocks off the narrow streets for a Sunday afternoon festival celebrating the diversity of the area with drums, dances and music.
6. Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm, Toronto, Ontario

Located in the midst of Torontoâs Cabbagetown in the downtown area, this 7.5 acre farm has wooded paths, flowered vegetable gardens and a number of animals, including cows, horses, donkey, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and rabbits, which you can view for free in the barns or outdoor paddocks.
7. Don Valley
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/brochures/walks/DW_DonValley.pdf

The ten kilometers of biking trails along the Don Valley are great for experts and beginners alike. The stretch of ravine between the Don Valley Brickworks up to Thornhill Park boasts some challenging trails, with exciting descents and climbs as well as some North Shore elements built in.
8. Wednesday nights at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario

Housing over 36,000 works of art in its collection, the AGO is an excellent gallery worth visiting. You can do so for free every Wednesday evening between six and nine oâclock pm, when the museum drops its admission fee for the night.
9. St. Lawrence Market and Market Gallery
St Lawrence Market, Toronto, Ontario

Now a bustling marketplace filled with vendors of delectable foods, the Victorian building that hosts the St. Lawrence Market was once home to Torontoâs City Hall. It is a great place to wander and visit, or just sit and watch people interact. The gallery on the second floor, in what once was the council chamber. Now that space hosts periodically changing exhibits of paintings, artifacts and furnishings that display the history and culture of the area. Admission to the market and the gallery are free.
10. Toronto Islands
Toronto Island Park, Toronto, Ontario

The trails, picnic areas and beaches of the Toronto Islands make them an ideal place to spend an afternoon. You may want to investigate the mysterious and perhaps macabre history of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, or enjoy the sun on the clothing-optional beach on the west side of Hanlanâs Point. There are a number of baseball diamonds, volleyball courts and wading pools to enjoy as well.

In the EU what is the standard measurements for products sold?

Folks,
I will be traveling to the EU in a fee months for work, so I am trying to get accustom to the metric system; however, I am having some issues. What is the standard unites of products that are comparable to what I purchase in the United States?

Example:
Can of Soda is 12 fl. Oz. -----what is the standard volume of a local drink for the EU?
1/4 burger ------- standard volume of food related in EU.

Thank you.

Answer
Instead of trying to "compare " the size of a drink or a hamburger, try this...........


Order a half litre of wine, and a sandwich, with black forest ham, and edam cheese, and enjoy it.

Now try this, go to your local American food store and find a 2 litre bottle of coke, and imagine a quarter of it, and you have a EU can of soft drink. A sandwich would have about 200 grams of ham and 100 grams of cheese on it. 454 grams is a pound of something. A kilo is 2,2 pounds in weight.

My car has a 50 litre gas tank, I'm 172 centimetres tall and I weigh 88 kilos.

Translation..........My car has a 14 US gallon gas tank, I'm 5 feet 9 inches tall and I weigh 193 pounds. And it is 560 kilometres from Toronto to Montreal, or about 350 miles.

The only country in the whole world that doesn't teach the metric system to their kids is the USA.

It is a system of tens, and multiples of tens, hundreds and thousands.

A metre is made up of 100 centimetres ( remember that a dollar is made up of 100 CENTS ? ) A kilometre is made up of 1000 metres . Distance is in metres ( 200 metres from your hotel to the subway station is about 200 yards ) a highway speed may be 100 kph ( 63 miles an hour ) and gas may be 3 Eu per litre.

You know that a Glock hand gun is a 9mm, right ? So weapon calibers are expressed in millimetres, so the M 16 is a 5,56 mm round. Engine sizes are expressed in litres, or cubic centimetres, so a Harley Davidson bike that is a 88 cubic inch V twin is going to be a 1400 cc im metric measurement, and a Mustang with a 302 is a 5 litre V8 engine.

Starting to become somewhat more clear ?

If you look at your medicine cabinet, you will find that most if not all of your "over the counter " meds are packaged in metric sizes. Grams, milligrams, and millilitres for liquids. American science and medicine uses metric for everything, it just hasen't penetrated to the majority of your population, yet.

Look at your car's speedo, does it have both miles and kilometres per hour on it ? If it was built in Canada it does. 70 percent of our automobile production is exported to the USA.

Ask your local auto mechanic what size wrenches he has in his rolling box ? I bet he has a complete set of metric ones plus a set of "imperial sizes " in fractions of a inch , as well. Most US built cars are now fitted with metric bots and nuts, as standard.

Ok I hope that I have been able to bring some information, and a light hearted approach to the subject at hand. Relax and enjoy your European adventure. Try the local food and learn some phrases to find your way around. Not every one speaks English, right ?

Jim B. Toronto. Ontario. Canada.

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How old were your kids when they learned to swim?

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Danielle

My son is almost 2, and he knows how to swim with arm floats. He almost has swimming down in general. My husband and all his brothers, learned at one. I taught myself at like 10. When did our kids and you, learn to swim?

Answer
I started trying to teach my daughter when she was 8, a few months after she learned to ride her bike. But we had two insanely hot summers, so we didn't get very far.

This summer was milder, but a lot of family drama. We almost lost her dad multiple times due to complications of an injury. She finally officially became a swimmer at age 10, a few weeks before her 11th birthday. Next summer we will improve her skill level.

I personally learned how to swim when I was 21. I saw how much my daughter loved playing in the water and decided that while she plays splashing games with Daddy, I would go out shoulder-deep and teach myself to swim. I am still not really good enough to save anybody, but at least if there was an emergency, I can keep my head above water while someone else saves the non-swimmers.

What age do kids normally learn to ride a bike without training wheels?

Jazmyn

My daughter is almost 7 and doesn't know how and is scared she will fall. I'm just trying to figure out if she is behind other kids.

Answer
It is just fine that kids are learning at 4 or 5, but 7 is not too old either. There are so many factors, most of which are exposure and opportunity, that come into play. The avid rider's kids may ride much more often than someone else's so that one kid has 40 hours on a bike by age 4 when it takes another child to age 7 to get 40 hours. My main point is not to be concerned with being behind; many kids learn up to age 9, with the average age being around 6.
If her fear is really preventing her from trying, suit her up with helmet, elbow and knee pads. Tap the pads while on her so that she can know what it feels like. Be silly about tapping the pads, like it hurt your finger or something.

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Name some good bicycle helmets for kids 9-15 yrs and why are they so good?

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mark_hensl

Is their any additional padding that a child should have on their little bodies, or will the helmet suffice?
Thanks.

P.S. is it a national law that parents must wear a helmet? If so what do you where and why? Any other pads? Thanks.

Answer
All Wal*Mart helmets or other chain / low cost store helmets have passed safety standards in the U.S. That's why thaey can be sold here...

So.. anything you buy will meet the same standards... Expensive or cheap.

Buy something that your child likes (color / graphics), otherwise they will fight wearing it...

The bigger the vents, the cooler they are.. probably not a critical thing for a child sitting in a bike seat not doing any strenuous exercise, but once your 9 to 15 year old is doing the hard work of pedaling, then a cooler helmet will be nice.

Expensive helmets are usually lighter, and have bigger vents... That's where the differences are... Not in the amount of protection they offer.

My state does not have a helmet law (bicycles or motorcycles). so there is nothing "National".. your state may have specific helmet laws.. you need to check on that.

BMX helmets give the illusion of offering more protection.. it may be more than an illusion though. They cover more of the skull. They are more like a hockey helmet... They have a higher "cool" factor than a regular bike helmet... since they are also used by the skateboard gang.. They may be a bit heavier though.

Fingerless gloves with padding in the palms are the only other riding item I would suggest...

What should I get my boyfriend for Christmas? I want to get him something we can do together.?

Christy Wi

My boyfriend of 1 year says he doesn't want anything for Christmas, and he HATES getting gifts. I was thinking that I could get him something we could do together, such as concert tickets or something of that sort. I'm still in high school, so a vacation is obviously out of the question. Any ideas?

Answer
Gift ideas for birthdays, mothers day, fathers day, Christmas....

Driving: a CLUB, steering wheel cover, back support pillow, window shades
Diving: Scuba gear, new flippers, weights, snorkel,
Swimming: cool swim suit, sun glasses, visors, beach towel
Golf: Personalized tees or balls, glove, golf bag, cart with wheels
Ball games: Ball, glove, mitt, or tickets to favorite team, baseball cap
Boating: Floating ice chest, floating flashlight, flag, canopy, life vest..
CDs of favorite artists, concert tickets
Quilt, comforter, Snuggy thing, booties, pretty umbrella
Lip gloss, spray-on hair shine, energy bars, votive candles, calendar, hair extensions, clips
Board games: checkers, chess, Upwords, Scrabble, Monopoly, card games...
Book covers
Badminton, ping pong set, croquet, horseshoes
2-man inflatable raft (canoe, boat, kayak) and paddles
bicycle built for 2

The best and easiest gift to receive and to give is a Gift Card/Certificate to a favorite store.
They can redeem it after the holidays when things are half price.

Especially for adults that are hard to buy for:
Make some "good for" tickets and put them in a stocking or card. Things that say:
Good for one free back/neck/foot massage.
Good for detailing your car (wash, wax, shampoo car carpets and seats)
Good for vacuuming the whole house
Good for cleaning the garage, attic and/or basement (whichever you have)
Good for babysitting the younger kids so you can have a peaceful bubble bath
Good for making dinner every nite for a week, doing the dishes and cleaning up afterward
Good for cleaning out the fireplace and chimney
Take down curtains and drapes, wash them and re-hang.
Clean upholstered furniture.
Wash windows
Shampoo carpets

I bet you can think of a lot more; you know them better than we do. Trust me, they'll be thrilled!!!

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How fit is the average cop?

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Jesus Chri

How fast can a police officer sprint and for how long can he keep up a pretty fast-paced run?

Answer
Never could sprint, even as a kid.
Just prior to retiring at age 60 I was still riding a bicycle on patrol for 7 hours a day.
Often I could get to a hot job faster than guys in squad cars.


Now one of the problems with foot chasing is that it is not like on TV. You are always going to be behind the bad guy running, no matter how fast. They are running with abandon, you have to be careful, not only for yourself but for others. They are not carrying 20 pounds of equipment on their belt and wearing a 4 pound non breathing Kevlar vest strapped tight to your body.

So in shape? Me, not very but I doubt most of the general public could ride a bike like me, jump off tackle and wrestle someone to the ground.
If I would needed to keep up a fast pace I used the super weapon, made by Motorola.

Why are so many young people turning to Communism as a way to govern in the USA?

Jake G

What is wrong with todays youth

Answer
I think you might be confusing Communism with Socialism. Socialism is a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. Young people are taught, in public schools, to question the status quo and hate big business. They are told the only way to keep them in check is government regulation. Once the government taxes corporations, or businesses, over 50% the government becomes the majority partner in any business.

They are also taught that the government can solve all your problems. People are dying in car accidents. Here's a mandatory seat belt law. Kids are getting hurt riding bikes. Here's a bicycle helmet law. Don't make enough money? Here's welfare. Don't have enough sense to get out of the way of a hurricane? Here's a trailer to live in and $2,000 to tide you over. Can't save money for your retirement? They provide Social Security. The phrase, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help" should scare the hell out of everybody!

If they learn to be self reliant and not think the world owes them a job or a pay check, there may be a chance for the youth in America.

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Do I have to wear a helmet when riding my bike to high school just over a kilometer away?

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quackfeet

Is it against the law in British Columbia Canada to not wear a helmet? It is in an average size town, not big at all- like no city just one town area. And like it isn't on the main road really or anything.

Answer
Forget the law, just wear the helmet.

Think about it, most of the drivers around you will be inexperienced teenagers.

Motorists are just as stupid, and the pavement just as hard regardless of your distance from home. The majority of my close calls are at the residential intersection 50 yards from my house - housewives yapping on the phone while driving the kids to school (500 meters away), lawyers, judges, and cops speeding and running the stop sign while taking the shortcut to the courthouse.

That said, I wouldn't bother taking the bike out of the garage for that short a distance. I'd walk.
-----
Edit: WLE, you crack me up!

I just won 1st prize from a contest and I was wondering what I should do with it?

Troy

I won a titan mountain bike and helmet and I don't neeed a bike. All of the kids in my family already have bikes so I was thinking about donating it to a child at Christmas. How do I go about doing this> I don't want to just give it to a charity because it might go to a greedy person who works there. Where can I find an actual child in need that could use this bike. Or is there a charity that is TRUSTWORTHY that I could give it to that would actually give the bike to a child in need? I live in Michigan.

Answer
I know what you mean about not being able to trust that your gift will not end up going to someone who deserves it. My credit union and other banking establishments offers names of needy children at Christmas time. The names are on tags hung on Christmas tress inside the banks. Each tag gives the name, age, sex, clothes and shoe size of each child, along with what the child wishes for from Santa for Christmas. You don't even have to wrap the gift. It will be wrapped for you. You can also give to "Toys for Tots", sponsored by the Marines.
It is hard to trust when it comes to gift giving. I just finally had to trust that God would see to it that the right person would get the gift I gave. God be with you.

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Does this sound normal for a 11 year old girl?

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I was in the orchard today and the neighbor kids rode there bikes across my property with a strange girl with them. So I yelled at them and ask if they wanted to take some peach's home with them. As they were headed homeward. After getting them some peach's of the tree and a bag the strange girl was afraid to try one. As at 11 or 12 had never ate a peach before in her life. Is it normal for a child to have never ate a peach at that age?

Answer
its normal its just somthing thats shes never been introduced to you should only be worried if shes like that with all food just saying as if she was starving

what are the best tips for an aggressive dirt biker for 16 years old girl?

lifegonecr

I have CR85 two stroke honda, I thought I might needed an upgrade. I'm only 5 feet tall. 119 pounds. I am looking forward to practicing for a race never been in one race yet. I've been practicing I've gotten faster and able to control over my bike, but I'm wondering what tips you can find for me for it's upgrade or it should be okay of what i have for race?

Answer
Quite often upgrades that will make your bike faster will only end up making you slower if you are unable to use all the power the bike has on offer in the first place. I have seen heaps of parents put add on's on their kids bikes or get the motor ported and the child ends up on a rocket ship unable to control it. The result is they go slower. Learning to race your bike and use every bit of power it has to offer will make you a better rider in the long run and once you have the bike completely tapped out and are starting to loose places as the bike doesn't have any more to offer then you can think about upgrades. The bike has to be then set up to suit those upgrades otherwise they are a waste of time.

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What would be a good way to start riding motorcycles?

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Mason

I need a mature response.
im looking in to getting my motorcycle license. with that would would be a good lasting easy to ride started crotch rocket? im looking for something not to terribly big but good enough to be a show off (kinda arrogant but yeah) i did some looking into the ninja line and the 300 seems ok but i want some input from experienced riders and what best helped them start riding.
im not looking near futur so dont worry about prices i really dont need to know that just a couple suggestions on how i should a start and what bike to get.
thanks for all the mature aduts who answer and to the little kids who think thier funny just dont post u are annoying.
Thank you bob i never though of that. ill look into the lincess system and also into that bike for off road practice and on lonly roads, any other suggestions about actuly driving with a good bike?

Answer
If your getting it to show off just stop where your at, and dont look any further. Your gonna kill yourself if you try and show off. A Ninja 300 is fun but you will get bored of it in a month or 2 guaranteed.

If you take the motorcycle safety course and pass, then i would suggest getting a Ninja zx6r. I have a 2005 Ninja zx6r (636) and i love it. For a First bike i suggest either a 500 or 600 (if you pass the safety course) Never EVER start on a 1000, unless you want to be in a casket. Riding isnt a joke, ive been riding for 6 months and ive had 15 close calls, 2 where my fault (guess why, because i was trying to show off) and the others where all other drivers fault, and 6 or 7 of those times i would have ended up dead if i didnt have the proper skills(that you learn in the course). Now which ever advice you try and take, make sure you take this down. when you do get a bike, which ever it is. DONT try messing around on it, Example of messing around is trying to do burnouts, wheelies, stoppies, standing on the seat, etc... yeah your gonna look cool, but trust me when i say this, all that shit is scary as hell, my first time attempting a wheelie i almost went 12o'clock and almost ate shit.

The first season of riding jsut ride, enjoy the ride, learn the bike, the power of it, become one with the bike, test you skills just a little, and i mean going on a freeway and getting used to going through traffic at 10 or 15 mph over the speed limit,

Im at the point where im lane splitting and cutting through traffic is 100-130 mph. The only reason im doing that is to enhance my skill SLOWLY. Im not jumping in to it. The first 2 months i just learned the bike, the next 2, i starting pushing it, seeing how much i can lean etc... then after that worked on higher speeds. Ive put 4000 miles on my bike this season and im still expecting another 1500.

Man i typed a lot. But in the end, take what ever advice you want, but just remember you can die in a heart beat. ive had 3 friends die, and then another 20+ ppl ive rode with before die, just this season alone. So dont jump in to it, i know its exciting but whats more exciting it living to grow old

If you got robbed at your job would you stay working there or quit?

KDG

Ok so you are working as a cashier at a neighborhood store. All of a sudden, this man comes in with a gun, cocks it, puts it to your cheek and demands all the money from your register. You give him the money and he runs out. The police are called, and a report is filed. Would you quit working there or would you go back and risk your life for a $7.75 an hour job?

Answer
No, I certainly wouldn't keep working for and putting my life on the line for $7.75 an hour at a local store.

Oddly though, this is a question which as concerned me in my real life job. I'm a farmer, on a small permaculture farm. All of my customers come to my farm/home to purchase the meat goats I raise. They are butchering the goats right here on my farm. That means there are always a lot of really big knives about, and in the hand of virtual strangers.

With new customers, whom I've never met before, I have at time openly carried. That means I have a firearm on my hip, completely in plain view, for everyone to see.

I also usually have a crook in my hand. The crook is taller than I am....I'm 5'2". It is a long rod, made of metal, with a hook on the end, looking rather like a cane. It is for going around the neck of goats or sheep, to make them easier to catch. The goats have made me very good, and very fast with the crook. I could whallop someone upside the head, and jerk their feet out from under them, in less than two second, with the crook.

Fortunatly in my job, I've never been threatend, not once, and I've been selling to the public since 1999.

On the local news, I saw that one of my customers was arrested for a gun crime, where he threatend a couple in a bar (with a gun). That was shocking to me. If someone had asked me, I would have stated he was one of my nicest customers

The truth of the matter is, one never knows where one might be threatend with a crime nowdays. When I was in my early 20's, I had the crap beat out of me by three Mexican girls. They were 16, 12, and 9 years old. I was riding my 10 speed on a warm sumers evening (rode to the local convience store). The girls jumped me on my way back.

I was screaming for help....it was a road, crowded with homes. As I was getting the crap beat out of me, I saw several people look out window, and turn on front porch lights...and then drapes were closed, and lights went out. I assume they just decided it was the Mexicans fighting amongst themselves. Some teenage kids finally came out into their fenced yard, and yelled, "What's going on." The girls grabbed my bike, and took off with it.

I ran to the teenagers, and begged to be allowed in....I was gushing blood (head wound). They took me in, and called the cops, and woke their Dad up.

Cops arrive...and arrive....and arrive. It was a dead end road. I had moved into the house on the end 8 days prior. The Mexican girls that jumped me lived in the house at the very end of the street, where you first turn in. Turns out the cops were just looking for an excuse to bust that house. THIRTY SIX cop cars arrive (no, I'm not kidding). They hauled ever adult male out of that home, and there were a lot of them. Then the drugs, cocaine, herroin, and pot started to come out, along with all the weapons. Then all the stollen goods, from local stores.

The adult Mexican women knew exactly which house I lived in. I went home after the cops had me fill out the report, gathered my two dogs, my purse, and a change of clothes, and left, miles out into the country to an ex- boyfriends house. I called my Mother, and said, "Come get me, my life is in danger."

Two days latter, mom showed up (armed) with her armed boyfriend, and loaded me out of the house (still packed, thankfully) and took me back to the other side of the mountains.

At that time, I'd been living on my own for over five years. People need to know when to stand and fight, and when prudence is the better part of valor. Being the reason for a major drug house being busted means your life is in danger...time to go.

You need to figure out what the risks are to your life, and what risk you personally are willing to take.

~Garnet

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What are some fun things to do in Burlington, VT with kids?

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gamma05772

My two daughters ages 9 and 11 and I will be in Burlington, Vermont for a few days. I've never been there before. What are some fun things to do there? We were planning on going on the bike path by Lake Champlain, and a tour of Ben & Jerry's, and the teddy bear factory, and maybe a boat ride on Lake Champlain. Any recommendations for a boat tour that would last a couple hours ? They love nature so activities centered on that would be great to hear about. Thanks.

Answer
WE took in the Fall the SUgarbush Express train from Middlebury, VT to Burlington. It was 1.5 hours and the same back. Good foliage. Burlington has had street performers in the past, but It's been 5 years since I went last. THere are plenty of restaurants, even one that allow you to order your specific breakfast, omelets to order, waffles freshly made and topped, etc. SHopping. Lots of hilly areas so be prepared. UVermont is there. Check the AAA guide or Mobile guide. I think they had paddle boats at one time too. You can cross into NY and go to Fort Ticonderoga.

What are my best options for toting three kids around with my bike?

B

Is there a trailer for 3 kids? Would it be ok to have a "trail-a-bike" type option then connect a trailer to that? Or get a child seat plus the trailer? Kids are 4 mos, 2.5 yrs, and 5 yrs old.. The 5 yr old can ride a bike, but very slowly and not very far.. Thanks!

Answer
You have a few option, although I agree with those who mention 4 mos may be a little young for any kind of biking. The only way I would bike with infants is if I can either carry them very close to me, or if I can strap them into a reclined seat where they don't have to fully support their head while going over bumps etc.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bend,OR&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.460237,67.763672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bend,+Deschutes,+Oregon&ll=44.05157,-121.315155&spn=0.28771,0.529404&t=h&z=11 Front mounted seat.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIH0EG?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FIH0EG Top Bar Mounted

In Denmark they often ride with the youngest in a front basket or cargo bay laying down in blankets.

I've tried my kids in trailers at 9 mos and found it didn't work for me with any of them because I couldn't watch how they were doing and couldn't attend to their needs at all without stopping, dismounting etc. AND until over a year they didn't do well enough with head control. The trailers actually ride fairly jouncy and bumpy because the kids are sitting right on top of the wheels.

Moving on....

I have seen people do the tag along and the trailer, but for regular use it seems to long and unwieldy to me.

I'd go the cargo bike / long tail route: Madsen Cycles has a model that seats 4 with seat belts (takes the optional extra seat to get to 4 - standard is 2) http://www.madsencycles.com/
A review of cargo bikes: http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/longtail-bikes-a-review-and-buying-guide.html
And Riding triple on a long tail http://surfabike.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mundo_bilby_side_m-preview1-jpg.jpeg

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Best pocket bike for kids?

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Asia D

I want to purchase a pocket bike, mini dirt bike, or mini quad for my nephew's graduation present. He is 6 years old, about 60 lbs, average Height. I want to know the best thing to get him, if there are any with speed lock-outs or remote shut offs. A few good name brands would be awesome. I also need something I can get training wheels for. I'm looking to spend no more than 500. Please no comments about how he doesn't need one or that he needs to be supervised he is well taken care and we understand this isn't a toy. I just need advice on what to buy. Thank you!

Answer
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.

With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.

Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.

If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.

The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.

When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.

If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.

This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.

Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.

If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.

Which is safer for a little kid to learn on: Dirt bike or ATV?

Lil Jordan

My son is 2 and and I am getting him into motocross. The dirtbike I have in mind is the pw50: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/40/home.aspx and I haven't decided on the quad yet. I just want to know which one is better and safer for him to learn on?

For anyone who will bash me and not answer the question, don't waste your time. For those who think these vehicles are dangerous, you are misinformed. They are safe when used properly and when the children are closely supervised and wearing the proper safety equip. For almost every story of serious injury/death, I can easily point out what was done wrong. For those who say they go 70 mph, no. Who in their right mind would produce a vehicle for kids that goes that fast? These dirt bikes/quads go up to 35 and the speed can be limited down to 5, plus they have a kill switch to shut off the engine if they get to far or are doing something they are not supposed to do. They also have a wrist strap to shut of the engine if they fall off for some reason. For those who say he is too young to operate a vehicle like this, then check these out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7Z3_WTIF0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cmDMPUyaus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0xbV_ixEk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COjlC8TQxmc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmmSBwohW9M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9QF6M3Xq2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4P47cO3s14
Yeah, small children can't possibly operate a quad/dirtbike... And there's PLENTY more where that came from! Just do a simple search on youtube.

I plan to teach him everything there is about riding and he can ride along with me. He won't be in any races until a few years from now. If you don't have an answer to the above question, then go away. Thanks in advance my peoples.

Answer
We're getting our 5 year old one this year. I'm not sure of the make of it. Hubby's taking care of that.

I've seen them with training wheels. You should visit the Yamaha shop with him and talk to the sales rep about the appropriate size for your son. He isn't too young to ride one.

Make sure you turn it down so he doesn't go very fast to begin with. Buy a helmet also and maybe some riding gear just in case he runs close to a tree and use other precautionary measures as I'm sure you will do.

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How old should a kid be before using a treadmill or other cardio equipment?

best kids bikes age 8 image

SoCal Dude

I have a friend who lives in a small town in the Upper Midwest. He and his wife have two kids, ages 8 and 6.

He told me that his kids were starting to get a little pudgy. The kids have PE class only once a week for 45 minutes.

Recess is indoors for at least 5 out of 9 months of the school year because of the weather. Their school has one gym, so the kids can't go the gym for recess because of PE classes. So they end up doing puzzles and board games instead.

The school doesn't have any after school sports for kids their age. The nearest YMCA is more than 20 minutes away in good weather, and very difficult to get to during the winter months.

He and his wife have a treadmill, but they think the kids are still too young to use a treadmill.

Any ideas on how his kids can get some regular physical activity during the cold weather months? Would a different cardio exercise machine (like a stationary bike) be okay for the kids to use?

Answer
Has everyone forgotten about playing OUTSIDE? Even in Minnesota, its reasonable to shag them out in the snow for an hour or so if they're dressed properly.

Jebus, we're raising a generation of hot house plants!!!

What age do kids typically start to learn to ride a bike?

Mikey's Mo

Sorry for such a silly question, but I'm just not sure.

I have a new toddler bike with training wheels for my niece. She is 2 now (3 in September). I'm not sure if she'll be able to start riding this summer, or if I should wait until her birthday or Christmas to give her the bike so she can ride next summer. Or, is 3 even too young?

Thanks in advance!

Answer
She can probably start riding now, depending on the size of the bike. You want a bike that is correctly sized. A child will go through several bikes. There is not a one size fits all. My kids are on their fourth set of bikes and they are 8 & 9. They began riding at 2 1/2. One was riding without training wheels at 3 1/2 and the other at 4 1/2.

I was without training wheels at 3 1/2 too.

It's easier when they are young. They have less of a fear. Only with age do we develop fear.

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what kind of dirt bike should I get my son?

kids bike 4 years image

Allison B

Looking for a decent beginners bike for my 4 year old son. Any advice on what kind to get him? I know nothing about the different brands of dirt bikes, and I don't want to end up with a piece of crap... Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer
Yes the Honda CRF 50 aka XR 50 is the most reliable bike out there. It will last for many years. The Yamaha PW 50 also works very well for smaller kids. Both have training wheel kits etc. just buy the newest bike you can afford. Do not by imported stuff from China. Make sure if buying used that to CRF 50 was not owned by a teen, many riders use the CRF 50 for a pit / play bike. My son has both of these bikes he loves his PW the best,it is a little smaller. The PW is a Two stroke oil injection, the CRF is a four stroke straight gas. The PW is one speed the CRF is a three speed. Both have automatic type clutches.

At what age can kids start riding dirt bikes?

Momof3kidd

I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old boy who are interested in dirt biking. What age would it be appropriate for them to start? I think they are a little young, my husband disagrees. What age did your kids start?

Answer
I think thats great that they want to start, there really is no age limit, you just have to go to a local dirt bike retailer and check some bikes out because they come in a bunch of sizes, i've been riding since i was 2 so i know what I'm talking about, its just takes practice. just make sure you teacher your kids and they should be fine.

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Why is it so hard to find a 14-Inch bike for my son?

kids bike 14 inch wheel image

Abigail

My son is 3 1/2 and sat on a 12-Inch bike yesterday. He rode it great but his knees already came up high so I was thinking he needed a 14-Inch bike but they are hard to find. 12 and 16-Inch are common but why no 14-Inch? I think a 16-Inch would be too big but the 12" look small. Any suggestions?
If 14" bikes aren't made, would a 16" bike be okay or should he be on a too small 12"?
I saw one 14" bike at Toys R Us and none, anywhere else.

Answer
The standard 12, 16, 20, 24 etc. exists because the 4" gap is considered small enough to accommodate all riders. Kids bikes are one size frame (in general - but there are size differences) At 3 1/2 I would think a 12" wheeled bike would work. Was the seat all the way down when he rode it? If so you can simply raise the seat - you'll need to do this a couple times a year to keep up with his growth. Usually, by the time the seat is as high as it can go, the next size with the seat set low will work. Because kids grow so fast the in-between sizes really aren't needed.

Unless your boy is very big for his age, I'm sure a 12" would be fine with the seat adjusted. He'll out grow it but kids bikes are so cheap it's usually not a cash issue. If you can't afford it, buy a used one at a garage sale etc. Also, friends, neighbors and family are usually looking to give old ones away, like you'll be doing in a few years. And if indeed a 16" is really in order check it out on him at the store. If he won't be riding until spring then maybe a 16" will fit in 6 months.

Be sure to check his bike out over the year. My kids are the only ones in the neighborhood with the seats adjusted right, tires pumped up, chain lubed and brakes in good working order.

I'm very attentive to my kid's bikes as I'm really into cycling. My 2 daughters have progressed fine from 12" to 16" to 24" now... and I'm a picky dad when it comes to bikes. The sizes worked fine.

How tall do you think I will be?

ALI

I'm 13 years old, I'm turning 14 in 2 months so you can call me 14 if you like. I'm 5'10.5'', yes, I know it's tall for my age. But I don't get enough sleep in weekdays, only about 6-7 hours. In weekends, I sleep about 11-13 hours and also in holidays. In summer, I would sleep about 13 hours in the beginning then later would become about 10 hours of sleep. I'm scared my lack of sleep will have an impact on my height greatly. I drink A LOT of milk, about half a gallon of whole milk a day. In the past 9 months, I grew a bit over 5 inches! I was 5'5 last summer and today I am 5'10.5''! But in the past couple months, I've only noticed a very slight change in my height. It seems I'm not getting as much taller as the past 9 months. I knew I grew about half an inch within the past 2 months.

My dad is 6' and my mother is about 5'7''. BUT one of my granddads is 6'8 and the other is 6'6, although both my grandmothers are very short. I want to know if it's possible to gain the inches you were destined to have. Say I was to grow 2 inches in 6 months, but I didn't sleep enough and grew only 1 inch. If I sleep enough later on a few months later, can I re-gain that 1 inch I lost? Here are the questions to answer since my paragraph is confusing:

1.) How tall do you think I will end up if I get my full sleep? (Just estimate)

2.) How tall do you think I will end up if I don't get full sleep on majority of the week and continue with my sleeping patterns? (Just estimate)

3.) Can I re-gain the missing height I should have already had if I catch up on all the missing sleep?

[Read the whole thing to understand the next question...]

4.) In the past 3 years, I've gotten very fat (about 40 pounds of fat) because I was always so hungry and could never get full then last summer, I started to get full with only eating a very small amount of food. I slimmed out whilst I got taller at an amazing speed. Right now, I'm slim but I'm started to get a little fat again. The two questions of #4 are here:
-Am I going through the same process again?
-Does this have anything to do with my lack of sleep?

5.) When do you think I'll stop getting taller in height according to the information I have provided you all? (Just guess according to the information given.)


Thank you if you actually read and answered it all!
I forgot to mention I have bad back pain in the bottom of my back in the muscles. It hurts whenever I twist. And the spine bone hurts at the top of my back.

Answer
You are tall.
Exercises to Increase Height
Chakrasana (wheel pose) stretches the trunk region of the body thereby helps in elongation of the body from the stomach region. It relaxes the stiff muscles of the back and the sides. Tadasana (Shoulder Stand) is another recommended asana for height increase. It involves standing upright on the ground by holding the back muscles and the shoulder upright. Other forms of exercises involve swimming and high jumps to dive in the pool. Swinging from a rod and stretching the body downwards towards the grounb also helps to increase the height of the people considerably. Generally kids are recommended to have these pull up and stretch down exercises so that their body can grow faster during growth spurts.
The Pranayama (breath exercises) of yoga work wonders for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases and they help in the general growth of the body too. The breathing exercise rejuvenates the body for the proper growth and metabolism of it. It also helps to provide relief from acute pain in various parts of the body. These postures should be carried out for a long time and a person should maintain a particular position of to gain better results.
ï§General Exercise â You donât have to join a gym to be able to exercise. Simply doing some basic aerobic exercises like jumping jacks at home will suffice. Even walking or biking home from work instead of commuting will help you burn fat, and provide a natural way to increase your height.
ï§Advanced Training Regimens â People who feel more dedicated to the cause of fitness may choose to join a gym, or make one at home. Weight training can strain the muscles and bones just enough for you to get a slight yet natural height increase; just be sure not to overdo it to avoid injury.
ï§Stretching â A variety of stretching techniques are also widely believed to give you an increase in height. Taking time every day to stretch out your body, or just remembering to after sitting down for a long time, will benefit your body, health and height to great lengths.
here are some tips to how to increase your height after 18+.
First and the most common is to exercise and do morning walk. This makes you grow well.
2 Eat as much breakfast as you can up to fill. This makes your metabolism* strong. Try to eat less meal but after every 2-3 hours.
3) The most important point is to sleep well. It is the dark or night time that matters for your growth. As muscles grow in dark only. Try to sleep in absolute dark or least light to make your muscles relax and they will grow well.
4) Try to keep your head and neck as much straight as possible. Your spinal cord will suppress your height increase if you bow your head most of the time.
5) Never do immoral acts as this suppresses your primary growth(increase of height, muscles etc) and initiate your secondary growth (puberty).
6) Finally, there is an homeopathic pill named "Baryta Carbonicam**" which is a great pill to increase your height with absolutely 0% side effects (consult a homeopath for this)
Food
1. Milk: Milk is the universal food for building body. It contains protein in abundance, which are the building blocks of our body cells. Milk is a easy digestable food and enables maximum assimilation of proteins. Take 2-3 glasses of Milk each day
2. Eggs: Eggs are a wonderful natural source of protein. The White albumen in eggs contain 100% protein, but you should not take the yolk since it contains fat .To increase your height, take 3-6 eggs daily. For better results, take 2 eggs along with each meal
3. SoyBeans: SoyBean has the greatest protein content among vegetarian plant foods. It contains pure protein which improves bone and tissue mass. Make sure that you take 50 gms of Soybeans each day
4. Oatmeals: Like SoyBeans, Oatmeal is another wonderful source of plant protein. In fact, it increases muscle mass and decreases fat. Take 50 gms of Oatmeal for breakfast every day
5. Skimmed Milk: Skimmed Milk contains 100% protein and is free from fat. A daily consumption of 50 gm of Skimmed Milk after exercise or physical sports will provide adequate protein for your body
6. Coral Calcium: Coral calcium is a natural source of Calcium obtained from sea corals. Coral calcium helps to increase bone mass and thereby helping your bones to grow in length. The younger you are, greater are the results of increasing bone mass through Coral calcium
Stop weight lifting, if u are doing !!
Good luck and God bless you


PLease give me ten points for the best answer

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Does anyone know the age od the youngest person to ride their bike across North America?

best bikes for young kids image

A7x

I am trying to set the world record for the youngest kid to ride their bike across North America. I am 13. I have been trying to find the age of the youngest person but can't find it anywhere!

Answer
cushwafamily.com
9 year old boy

How do I exercise while tending young children?

mommyem

This summer I will have 3 young children, ages 3 years, 18 months, and a newborn. Right now I'm having a hard time exercising, because my 2nd is so clingy and since it's winter all I can do is exercise videos. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what activities I can do while tending young kids?

Answer
Consider purchasing an elliptical machine, Treadmill, or exercise bike (or any combination there of). When the kids are asleep you can get a pretty good workout in, eitherin the morning before they wake or in the evening after they are asleep.

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Why do hipsters love 10 speed bikes so much?

kids bike lightweight image

Wes S

I see it every day a hipster on a 10 speed. Why do they all have the same taste in bikes? You would think that one of them might change it up and get a mountain bike or maybe a beach cruiser... Please if you are a hipster, please get a little originality!!!

Answer
By 10 speed bikes, I'm assuming you mean road bikes since any sort of bike can be arranged with 10 speeds. For instance my first bike as a kid was a mountain bike and it was a ten speed. The certain type of bike you are referring to that 'hipsters' tend to ride is a fixed gear (as mentioned above) Fixed gears have become very trendy especially in larger cities were there happens to be more of an urban scene. Some reason they might choose these over mountain bikes beach cruiser are due to the fact that they are

A. relatively easy to work on and can be easily "customized"
B. are super lightweight in comparison and typically faster than a clunky mountain bike or beach cruiser.
Have you ever ridden over 25 mph on a beach cruiser?
C. the bikes are normally built from old steel road bike frames which are not only normally cheap but they also give of a "vintage" vibe


Also as a a college student, avid cyclist, and daily bicycle commuter, it worries me that someone would even joke about running bikers over, no matter how you classify their appearance or "style".

What were those heavy steel-framed kids bicycles called that they had in schools back in the early 80s?

dutchboy80

Not BMX-- they were made completely of solid metal (even the seats) and were very "clunky". A lot of kindergartens had them for the kids to use at recess.

Answer
Hm. There was no such thing as a commercially produced mountain bike until about 1985, so I'm going to assume that is not what you mean.

The predecessor of a mountain bike was called a "clunker" which were made out of older balloon-tired bikes. Then there was the "lightweight" which included a variety of different bikes including the Schwinn Varsity, many different 24" and 26" wheeled bikes with single speed, 3 speed, 5 speed and 10 speed... some even had 12 speed!

Of course, there was the 20" bike which included BMX bikes and those called by a variety of names including "high rise", "spyder" and "Sting Ray" models.

All of the bikes of this era and prior were heavy compared to today, but in my opinion much more care was taken to machine and assemble them which makes some of those 30 and 40 pound bikes MUCH friendlier and more efficient than many 20 pounders today.

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What are all the parts that I need to assemble a bmx bike?

kids bike seat for front image

Jake

My diamondback is real messed up. I bought a DK frame off some kid and now I wanna assemble a decent bike. I just need to know the basic parts I will need. Please help.

Answer
Things You'll Need:
BMX Bike Brakes
BMX Bike Forks
BMX Bike Frame
BMX Bike Gloves
BMX Bike Parts
BMX Bike Pegs
Bike Pumps
Bike Tools
BMX Bike Helmets
BMX Bikes
Step
1
Start with a good flatland-specific frame. These usually have a short top tube, a short rear end and steep angles.

Step
2
Do a quick check of the frame and everything else on the bike to be sure nothing is cracked, bent or broken.

Step
3
Remove any pads, reflectors, chain guards or kickstands.

Step
4
Put axle pegs on the front and rear wheels and cable detanglers on the front and rear brake cables.

Step
5
Position your handlebars so they are straight up and down or in line with the fork. You may be more comfortable with your bars a little further forward or back, but don't go too far in either direction. Some riders like to cut their handlebars' width to just wider than shoulder-width.

Step
6
Remove old grips if they're torn or if the handlebar is showing through. Bar end caps will help protect the ends of the handlebar.

Step
7
Choose a wheel set that has a rear hub specifically designed for flatland, usually called a free coaster. Free coaster hubs allow you to set your pedals at one position, and they will stay there when rolling backward. Hubs with a regular free wheel make the pedals go backward when rolling backward, and coaster brake hubs don't let you set the pedals easily because of the brake in the hub.

Step
8
Use tires that have a smooth tread and inflate them to the maximum air pressure. Most flatlanders run at least 100 pounds of pressure in their tires, even though it is usually well above the recommended pressure on the tires. There are only a few tires rated to that pressure.

Step
9
Tighten all nuts and bolts to their specifications, including axle nuts, stem bolts, pedals, cranks, seat and seat post nuts, brakes, and headset.

Step
10
Lubricate all moving parts, such as brake cables, brake pivot bolts and your chain.

Step
11
Put the correct amount of tension on the chain so that it doesn't fall off when you're riding.

Step
12
Use the smallest front sprocket that you can find. The easier gearing makes it easier to ride away from tricks and the small sprocket will not get in the way.

Step
13
Choose platform pedals over caged pedals.

Step
14
Find the shortest crank arms you can.

Step
15
Adjust your seat to a height and angle that allows good mobility in front and in back.

Step
16
File down any sharp edges on the bike, such as the edges of the stem or handlebars.

How do you make a bicycle trailer?

Meady

I am 14 and i wanted to know how to make a push-bike trailer, made out of wood, as it is close to hard rubbish time and i would like to collect some rubbish. If you know how to make it , please reply to this question!

Answer
The important parts of a trailer are the wheels and the hitch. The in between part is what makes it useful but you can tie things on with rope or attach a large plastic bin - like a rubbermaid style bin, or a clothes basket... but that can be done after.

Wood is a pretty heavy material and not strong in the ways you need for a bike. Using steel welded together from old bikes is best. Also you could use chopped up old bikes if you don't weld or have metal tools by using a simple plumbing tube cutter and hose clamps.

However, if you insist on using wood... you can be creative.

First you definitely need bike wheels. Try to find an old maybe even broken - children's bike. You need 2 wheels of the same size. Smaller wheels are stronger than bigger wheels so kids bikes are perfect. Also they are much cheaper and thrown away more often so you are more likely to find them.

Next you need something like a bike fork to mount the wheels in. This could be as simple as using the fork from the kids bike you got the wheel from - and then finding another matching fork from an identical kids bike. Finding matching scrap bikes is sometimes hard though. And it isn't wood. If you are using wood you basically have to make something similar to a fork but out of wood. You could use two beams of wood of the same size on either side of the wheel - then drill a hole for the axle in each size - you can drill both holes or even all 4 (for both wheels) all at the same time to make them match up. You will need either very strong wood or thick wood and it may take some figuring out to have it strong but thin enough for the axle to have the bolt fit on the other side.

Now for the decisions. How big a trailer do you want? I suggest basing your design around the container you are going to use. Do you have a large plastic bin of a certain size? Metal or wood would also do but would be heavier/stronger.

For instance, If you have a wooden bin or crate it might be strong enough to be integral to the bike trailer frame. Then you just attach the wheels with the forks to either side of the crate. Put the wheel in the middle of the crate so that your trailer will be balanced in the middle with the wheels carrying the weight. Have the crate be oriented with the opening at the top (of course) and the wheels in the middle of the longer sides so that the trailer is longer than it is wide. Place the Wheels such that the ground clearance underneath the trailer is about 6 inches. The lower you can put the mass to the ground the more stable and balances the trailer will be. However, you need about 6 inches of clearance to go over bumps in the road - etc.

If you are going to use a plastic (or other material) bin/crate/basket/bucket that is not strong enough to form the frame of the trailer you will have to make a frame for the bin to sit on top of or in. This could be a rectangle that supports the bin from the edges. Or it could support the bin from underneath with a U shape. It depends on the material you use. Mount the wheels in the centre on the long sides with about 6" of underneath clearance just as you would if the bin/crate were part of the frame.

Now you will have an almost finished trailer than should be balanced if you hold it. Now test it out and load something in it. Test to see if it is strong enough or you have to add more structure.

Next you make the arm which attaches the trailer to the hitch on your bike. Steel or wood this is pretty simple. Attach in to the middle on (what you decide is) the front of your trailer that you have so far. The easiest place to pull the trailer from is from the seat post. So you basically just need an arm that goes from the top/front of the bin support frame towards just lower than your seat. This should have a curve in it or even a right angle. You need to allow space for the wheel to pass underneath the bar. You need 6" clearance there also because as you ride a bike and turn or go over bumps that distance gets closer.

Finally you have to add the hitch. The hitch could be very complicated if you want it to be very convenient. But since you are using wood we will keep it simple. The easiest place to attach the trailer hitch to your bicycle is to your seat post. There are lots of options but it needs to wrap around the seat post. You could use old bicycle inner tube or bicycle tire to make a flexible linkage. Or you could drill a seat post sized hole in your thick wood. Keep in mind the trailer has to pivot in all directions ideally - up/down, side to side, and twisting. so you have to be creative.

You might also consider attaching the trailer hitch instead to a bike rear rack or "rat trap" style rear race rack. If you have one on your bike already. This will probably not be as strong as attaching to the seat post but it may be easier. If you do that make sure the pivot point that you attach to is exactly above the centre of the rear bicycle wheel because that will make it work b

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