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Questions about a FATBIKE
Last Updated: 09/13/2024
Q. Hello, I don't have a bike yet for my 9 year old rider.

He has right-sided hemiplegia. His right arm and leg are weaker than his left. He can run and walk, but is struggling with balance on a bike and hasn't been able to ditch the training wheels.

He has had decent luck with a cheap kid's bike with training wheels from Target. Even with the training wheels, though, he still falls. And he has outgrown the size. I'd like to invest in a better bike, and his physical therapist suggested getting a FATWHEELS training wheels for better stability. I have a few questions.

I'm interested in FATWHEELS adaptive bike.
-Is it too large for a kid who's 48" tall and 50 pounds?
-I worry about the front brake. Doesn't that set him up for flying over the handlebars if he brakes too fast?
-Can the hand brake be moved to the left handlebar, so he can use his stronger hand?
-Can the FATWHEELS training wheels be removed when he's ready?
-Can the pedals be removed if we want to practice balance in a strider-fashion?
-Would I be better off buying a good bike elsewhere and attaching FATWHEELS training wheels?

A. These are all great questions, let's go over some of your points.
  1. The biggest thing I see here is the question of his height and will the FATBIKE be too big. Unlike sizing a two wheel bike, this becomes a question of inseam. Because this bike is supported when it stops by the trainers, your son wouldn't worry a lot about putting his feet down when he stops, the trainers will support him. So this is where inseam comes into play. You need to be sure his feet stay on the pedals as he spins the pedal crank. BCA has a suggested inseam of 19"-25".
  2. The bike is equipped with a front hand brake that can be swapped to his dominant side and also has a coaster brake (pedal backward to stop) for the rear. You could even have a bike shop add a rear hand brake or move the front brake to the back.
  3. Yes, the training wheels can be removed as your rider gains his balance.
  4. Yes, the pedals can be removed to use as a stride bike. You may want to consider moving the training wheels up as he gains confidence in riding, they are designed to do that. You would start with the trainers on the ground and move them up as he gets better with his balance. This will keep him using the cranks instead of switching his motive practice.
  5. As far as buying a different bike, I would suggest that only if he doesn't like the look of the FATBIKE or his inseam is incorrect. Either is fine.

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