 |
 |
 |
|
 See a Glider in action here!
If They Can Stand, They Can Glide
A glider is a brilliant asset for an active child. It is so brilliant, in fact, that the concept has been duplicated around the world. Let us tell you what to watch for so you don't get stuck with a lemon; but first, let us tell you why gliders are so revolutionary.
Training wheels and pedals hamper balance
The conventional children's bicycle relies on pedals and training wheels. Training wheels prevent a child from discovering that when a bike leans he should turn the wheel in the right direction to restore balance. Worse yet, by preventing a natural lean, training wheels can cause the bike to fall over in a turn. As a result, the average child spends two to three years on training wheels. And pedals can make it very difficult for a child to learn how to balance because he can't get his feet off the pedals and on the ground quickly enough to restore balance, so he falls over. Not fun. Remove pedals and training wheels from the mix and you have a glider. With gliders, children learn on their own at their own pace, starting by walking and pushing, then graduating to gliding on two wheels.
What to look for in a glider
If you are in the market for a glider, consider a Mini-Glider or a Go-Glider. They are both made of a lightweight, high-quality alloy, weigh just about eight pounds, and are super strong. There's nothing to rust, not even a chain, which in Washington's rain is significant! Theses gliders combine a lower center of gravity and seat height with the front wheel being placed further in front of the handlebars, making the bike easier to steer, and more importantly, making it nearly impossible for your child to go over the bars. Adjustable BMX-style handlebars have an upright ergonomic seating position that grows with your child, and the ergonomic seat has a quick release clamp for tool-free seat adjustments. Unlike others, Mini-Gliders and Go-Gliders come with a front hand brake. Of course, your child can always stop by dragging his feet, but the brake on these gliders introduces him, in a non-stressful way, to what will be a typical asset on a regular bike. The footpegs are another unique feature -- children love having a place to rest their feet. Finally, the tires are solid, no-pump EVA foam tires, with lots of traction.
Equally valuable for children with special needs
These gliders are suitable for children ages one to nine years old. While any child will have a blast with a glider, we have found that they are particularly valuable for special needs children. Autism and other neurological conditions make riding a conventional bike beyond the abilities of many children. Cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities may prohibit biking, but if the child is mobile enough to use a walker, he may be mobile enough for a glider. Every glider is guaranteed to be free of manufacturing defects for one year.
Sizing information
Your child's inseam should be a minimum of 13" to Fit the MINI GLIDER. The seat will adjust up 18.5". The 16" GO GLIDER model has a minimum inseam of 17.5". To measure your child's inseam, have him stand up straight with his legs slightly apart.
Using a measuring tape, measure from his crotch to the floor. Record the length in inches; this is his riding inseam.
The best fit will allow the child to place his feet flat on the ground with a 40 degree bend in the knee when seated. A bike too large does not promote learning.
If They Can Stand, They Can Glide
A glider is a brilliant asset for an active child. It is so brilliant, in fact, that the concept has been duplicated around the world. Let us tell you what to watch for so you don't get stuck with a lemon; but first, let us tell you why gliders are so revolutionary.
Training wheels and pedals hamper balance
The conventional children's bicycle relies on pedals and training wheels. Training wheels prevent a child from discovering that when a bike leans he should turn the wheel in the right direction to restore balance. Worse yet, by preventing a natural lean, training wheels can cause the bike to fall over in a turn. As a result, the average child spends two to three years on training wheels. And pedals can make it very difficult for a child to learn how to balance because he can't get his feet off the pedals and on the ground quickly enough to restore balance, so he falls over. Not fun. Remove pedals and training wheels from the mix and you have a glider. With gliders, children learn on their own at their own pace, starting by walking and pushing, then graduating to gliding on two wheels.
What to look for in a glider
If you are in the market for a glider, consider a Mini-Glider or a Go-Glider. They are both made of a lightweight, high-quality alloy, weigh just about eight pounds, and are super strong. There's nothing to rust, not even a chain, which in Washington's rain is significant! Theses gliders combine a lower center of gravity and seat height with the front wheel being placed further in front of the handlebars, making the bike easier to steer, and more importantly, making it nearly impossible for your child to go over the bars. Adjustable BMX-style handlebars have an upright ergonomic seating position that grows with your child, and the ergonomic seat has a quick release clamp for tool-free seat adjustments. Unlike others, Mini-Gliders and Go-Gliders come with a front hand brake. Of course, your child can always stop by dragging his feet, but the brake on these gliders introduces him, in a non-stressful way, to what will be a typical asset on a regular bike. The footpegs are another unique feature -- children love having a place to rest their feet. Finally, the tires are solid, no-pump EVA foam tires, with lots of traction.
Equally valuable for children with special needs
These gliders are suitable for children ages one to nine years old. While any child will have a blast with a glider, we have found that they are particularly valuable for special needs children. Autism and other neurological conditions make riding a conventional bike beyond the abilities of many children. Cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities may prohibit biking, but if the child is mobile enough to use a walker, he may be mobile enough for a glider. Every glider is guaranteed to be free of manufacturing defects for one year.
Sizing information
Your child's inseam should be a minimum of 13" to Fit the MINI GLIDER. The seat will adjust up 18.5". The 16" GO GLIDER model has a minimum inseam of 17.5". To measure your child's inseam, have him stand up straight with his legs slightly apart.
Using a measuring tape, measure from his crotch to the floor. Record the length in inches; this is his riding inseam.
The best fit will allow the child to place his feet flat on the ground with a 40 degree bend in the knee when seated. A bike too large does not promote learning.
Glide bikes keep children of varied abilities on balance
by Ana Valle-Greene
Star-News Correspondent
Additional information from the publisher
The secret is the geometry...
Check out these key features and see why the Glider is much better than training wheels:
* Adjustable seat height - You can adjust the height of the seat so your child can put both feet flat on the ground. They can walk along while seated on the bike until they start figuring out how to balance. It builds confidence quickly knowing they can put their feet on the ground easily.
* Slack head angle - What this means is the front wheel is further in front of the handlebar, making the bike easier to steer and more importantly, making it nearly impossible for your child to go over the bars. This is because their weight is now further back over the rear wheel. If they hit a rock or branch and the bike stops they simply stand up.
* No pedals - Pedals can make it very difficult for a child to learn how to balance because they can't get their feet off the pedals and on the ground quickly enough and they fall over. It is difficult enough for a child to learn to balance when you also have pedaling and braking to learn at the same time.
* Footpegs - These are important. Other designs leave them out. We think that's crazy. A child needs these to rest their feet while gliding. Some children will even put one foot on the peg and push with the other. Trust us. We've done our research.
* No training wheels - The key to learning to balance is to learn what to do when the bike leans to either side. Training wheels do not allow the bike to lean and so kids never learn what this feels like. In a turn this inability to lean can cause the bike to fall over instead which is unsafe. As a result, the average time a child spends on training wheels is two to three years. With the Glider, kids learn to balance right off the bat, so most children can ride a bike within a month or two, even two-year olds. Amazing!
* Lightweight and strong - Who wants to lug around a heavy steel bike, especially a small child. The MiniGlider is made out of out of high quality alloy so it is light and durable and designed to last for years. There's nothing to rust, not even a chain. Left out in the rain? No problem!
Why training wheels slow the learning process
Ed has been in the bike industry a long time and also knew that training wheels are not as safe as most folks think they are. And it can take years to learn with training wheels because it doesn't teach kids the most important thing about learning to ride a bike in the first place - how to balance. When a bike leans, or falls to one side, you start to go out of balance. To restore balance, you turn the wheel into the lean. Training wheels do not allow the bike to lean and therefore kids do not learn to turn the wheel in the right direction to restore balance. Further, by preventing lean, training wheels can cause the bike to fall over in a turn. When a child has a bad fall they are less likely to want to try it again, delaying the learning process further. So Ed set about finding a better way.
The Glider is the result of years of his bike industry experience.
The Glider is much safer than training wheels. You don't even need to stand next to your child as he learns how to balance and start to glide. No more worries about falling down and skinned knees, elbows or worse. The reason it is so safe is in the design.
But what truly amazed Ed was that his son, just two years old, and after having the Glider for only one month, could now ride a bike without training wheels. Unbelievable? Not really. This product was designed to teach kids to balance while being safe so kids can build confidence more quickly as well. And that's exactly what it does. Find out more here.
Ed also realized that even after Max could ride a bike, Max still loved to play with the Glider. Just like a scooter or skateboard, the Glider is FUN!
The Story of the PV Glider
The MiniGlider provides young children, eighteen months to seven years old, a safe and fun way to both enjoy bicycling and learn how to balance.
Many parents report that the Glider exceeded their expectations in enabling their children to ride and balance upon two wheels with confidence. Most children prefer the ease of maneuvering, control and smooth action of the Glider to the traditional bicycle.
Designed by a Dad: A father who is also an avid cyclist designed the Glider. When the designer's children were eighteen months and three years old he decided to develop a lightweight, safe bicycle alternative that would help his children learn to balance on two wheels without bruises and training wheels. Both children were quickly gliding effortlessly. His son was riding a traditional bicycle by age two without the help of training wheels and his daughter was not too far behind! As the family traveled with the Gliders in tow, many parents along the way asked for Gliders for their own children. It is from this interest and demand that the Glider is now offered to the public.
Conventional children's bicycles and learning methods rely on both steel frames and training wheels. This method places children in an unsteady and threatening position. The Glider is made of a lightweight material, combining a lower center of gravity and seat height with a relaxed steering angle and hand brake for easier control. This design allows children to build both their confidence and skill simultaneously. A child starts by walking and pushing while seated, trusting his/her own abilities while quickly graduating to gliding on two wheels.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
