About Training Wheels

Benefits

• The major benefit of training wheels is for safety. They allow the child to become comfortable riding on a bicycle without the precise balancing required to steer a traditional two-wheel design. As such, the possibility of the child falling and getting hurt is greatly reduced.
  
  

Types

• All training wheels are attached to the center hub of the main back wheel. This is done by way of bolts, with one training wheel on either side of the rear wheel. Some training wheels are designed so that they continually touch the ground. Others are designed so that they hover slightly above the ground, only assisting in balance when the bike leans one way or another.
  
  

Considerations

• Determining when children are ready to have their training wheels removed can be a difficult decision. The first indicator that your child may be ready to graduate to a big kid's bike is their personal motivation. If they are excited about the prospect of having their training wheels removed, then it may be time. However, it is important to first watch how well the child controls the bike with the training wheels on. If there is excessive weaving, leaning or other control problems, then it may be wise to wait.
  
  

Purchasing

• Training wheels can be found in a number of retail stores. Sporting goods stores and bike shops are likely to be your best bet. Toy stores that sell bicycles will likely carry training wheels. The price varies depending on the brand and design, but most models aren't very expensive.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Training wheels aren't always reserved for children. Serious cyclists also use training wheels, although the term has a slightly different meaning under such circumstances. During training, the cyclist may switch out a faster and more fragile wheel for an entry-level "training wheel." This allows the cyclist to practice without wearing out expensive equipment.