| I'd suggest not using training wheels at all - more following. As far
as the derailleurs, just pick a good middle speed, and leave the gear
there. Hand brakes will make the task of learning to ride easier.
The way I have found to teach older (and larger) children to ride is to
find a park or someplace with a grassy, gentle slope (I used my yard).
The idea is to learn to *coast* down the hill (no peddling), using the
hand brake to control the speed of the bike. Teacher trots alongside,
providing support, starting with a hand on the torso/shoulders.
Start from a stop, with the rider holding the brakes. Let up on the
brakes, and roll a few feet before stopping the bike with the brakes
again. I've found that once the learner discovers that the bike is
controllable (by braking), the confidence factor kicks in. You may
need to manipulate the brakes the first couple of times. ALSO - a nine
year old does not have the hand span to comfortably reach across a
brake. Use the set screw to hold the brake closer to the handlebar
(adjusting the cable to accomodate this, of course).
Anyway, the first trips down the hill is stop/go stop/go until the
brakes are mastered. Walk the bike back up after each trip. The next
few trips are coasting down the hill, riding the brakes to control the
speed, with teacher holding up the rider. You will be amazed how
little support is necessary. As the rider progresses, lessen the
support until you are basically just holding the seat back. Once the
balance is acheived, do a couple of coasts down the hill "hands off"
before you tell the student they have been riding by themselves. After
a couple of reassurance type trots, the student will be able to
graduate to "solo" coasts.
This really goes very quickly - bikes are inherently stable, and once
the learner loses the fear of being unable to control the bike they
relax into the process much better. You are also simplifying the
process by not peddling, turning, etc. That all comes later. It's not
really that tough on the teacher either, because you are trotting
downhill, and really don't need that much speed.
I prefer this to training wheels because at the speeds necessary for a
novice to control a two-wheeler, the training wheels are not only
detrimental, I believe they contribute to falls, even for little kids.
They are really useful only for toddlers to tool around on the
driveway.
They can learn to pedal after they have the braking and balance part.
Then you can move to a parking lot and practice turning, stopping, and
barrel jumping. Have a good time, dad.
Later,
Mike
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