Nash R
I have to buy a kids bicycle (20"). I noticed that pedals in many of these bicycles do not rotate freely in reverse direction. Is that a feature or a bug? It's useful to have them rotate freely so that you can easily bring to them to starting position when you're just starting your ride.
Answer
As others have noted that style of brake is known as a 'coaster' brake and is very common with bicycles designed for younger kids. It operates much like a drum brake in that when operated by pedalling backwards small internal plates are pressed against the internal shell of the rear hub. Kids bicycles have coaster brakes because smaller children for the most part do not have enough hand strength or have not developed enough coordination to operate a hand brake that you would see on most adult or larger kids bikes. Yet they do need to be able to stop, hence the coaster brake. On larger kids bikes -- with 20" wheels or BMX style frames -- you will often see a combination of a front hand brake with a coaster brake. This is sort of an inbetween bike, if you will, designed to allow the developement of the hand strength and coordination necessary to operate a normal hand brake.
As others have noted that style of brake is known as a 'coaster' brake and is very common with bicycles designed for younger kids. It operates much like a drum brake in that when operated by pedalling backwards small internal plates are pressed against the internal shell of the rear hub. Kids bicycles have coaster brakes because smaller children for the most part do not have enough hand strength or have not developed enough coordination to operate a hand brake that you would see on most adult or larger kids bikes. Yet they do need to be able to stop, hence the coaster brake. On larger kids bikes -- with 20" wheels or BMX style frames -- you will often see a combination of a front hand brake with a coaster brake. This is sort of an inbetween bike, if you will, designed to allow the developement of the hand strength and coordination necessary to operate a normal hand brake.
I need to adjust my bicycle brakes on my kids bike. When I release the handle one side of the brakes rubs?
losthose
Answer
This is assuming that the wheels on your son's bike are true (laterally straight and perfectly round).
If the bike has caliper style brakes, you should be able to center the brakes by taking an open ended box wrench to the centering bolt (commonly 13 mm). This bolt usually sits right behind the spring for the brake calipers.
If the brakes are cantilevers (mountain bike style, not disc), then you have two options. Some brakes will have a spring tension adjusting bolt on the side of each cantilever (a small, recessed allen bolt). To eliminate the rub, increase the spring tension on the side that is rubbing, or decrease the spring tension on the side that isn't.
If your cantilevers don't have these bolts, you can do it in a more crude fashion by preloading the spring by pulling the cantilever away from the wheel to try to increase the tension.
Good luck.
This is assuming that the wheels on your son's bike are true (laterally straight and perfectly round).
If the bike has caliper style brakes, you should be able to center the brakes by taking an open ended box wrench to the centering bolt (commonly 13 mm). This bolt usually sits right behind the spring for the brake calipers.
If the brakes are cantilevers (mountain bike style, not disc), then you have two options. Some brakes will have a spring tension adjusting bolt on the side of each cantilever (a small, recessed allen bolt). To eliminate the rub, increase the spring tension on the side that is rubbing, or decrease the spring tension on the side that isn't.
If your cantilevers don't have these bolts, you can do it in a more crude fashion by preloading the spring by pulling the cantilever away from the wheel to try to increase the tension.
Good luck.
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Title Post: Why do many kids bicycles' pedals not rotate freely in reverse direction?
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Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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