You’d be surprised at the number of people that buy a mountain bike but aren’t good at riding them! That’s why there’s no shame in asking, can you put training wheels on a mountain bike?
Well, what’s the deal? Can you put training wheels on a mountain bike?
In short, Yes. You can easily attach training wheels to your mountain bike without facing any potential issues. There are many different types of training wheels on the market, so finding something that fits with your mountain bike isn’t challenging.
Installing mountain bike training wheels isn’t particularly difficult. However, if it’s your first time doing the process yourself, it can get a little confusing. There’s no need to worry, though. We’re here to provide you with all the information you need on putting training wheels on a mountain bike.
What’s the benefit of training wheels?
Before you decide to install training wheels on your bike, it’s essential to look at the benefits that training wheels provide. For beginner riders, training wheels can make all the difference in whether they enjoy cycling or give up after a few falls.
The presence of training wheels will give cyclists confidence in their balance and make it easier for them to manage riding. While it might seem natural to some cyclists, it can be challenging for beginners to get the hang of the balance and ride comfortably.
It can also help cyclists looking to switch from riding a single-speed bike to a multi-speed version.
For new cyclists, pedaling itself can seem like a very unnatural motion. Combine the unnatural motion with maintaining your balance, and it’ll cause a lot of falls. That’s why training wheels are essential in helping cyclists get off the starting line with confidence.
However, many people argue against installing training wheels on a mountain bike. The main argument that they present is that training wheels prevent new cyclists from learning how to balance correctly.
It’s essential that after putting on the training wheels and getting used to cycling around, you need to take them off and practice as well!
Can you put training wheels on a bike with gears?
As mentioned before, it’s possible to put training wheels on a bike with gears. You won’t have to deal with any issues while installing training wheels with a bike that features gears.
In the modern market, multiple different types of training wheels work well with different types of bicycles. Certain training wheels in the market are also available in different heights and will easily fit any size mountain bike on the market.
Here are the necessary steps that you need to follow to learn how to install training wheels on a bike effectively.
What do you need to install training wheels on a bike?
Here’s a list of all the tools and components that are necessary to help you install training wheels on the bike;
- Wrench
- Adjustable Wrench
- 2x Wheels
- 2x Vertical Brackets
- 2x Shoulder Bolts
- 2x Serrated Washers
- 4x Washers
- 4x Lug Nuts
- 2x Bracket Brace Plates
How to install training wheels on a bike?
Many people like to overcomplicate the situation and make installing training wheels on a bike seem like a very challenging task. However, that’s simply not the case. Most of the time, the training wheels you order will come with an instruction manual that provides details on the installation process.
In the case that it doesn’t, here is a step-by-step guide to all the steps that you need to follow to install training wheels effectively.
Step 1 – Check the tire pressure
The first step you need to take before installing the training wheels is checking the tire pressure. Before installing the training wheels, it’s essential to ensure that your bicycle tires are operating at the optimal tire pressure.
Once you manage to ensure that tires are operating at optimal pressure, you can move on to the next step in the process.
Step 2 – Get the training wheels
After checking the tire pressure, you can move forward to putting the training wheels together. You won’t have to worry about setting up the training wheels in certain situations, as some manufacturers send pre-assembled training wheels.
If they don’t send the training wheels pre-assembled, here’s how you can install the training wheels properly.
First, take both wheels and connect them to the washer; stick them in place with the nuts so you can attach the vertical bracket. Then you’ll need to connect both the washer and the serrate washer to the vertical bracket screw everything in place with the lug nuts.
It might take a few tries but, there’s nothing too complex about putting training wheels together.
Step 3: Remove Axle and attach Brace Bracket
You’ll need to remove the axle washer and the axle nut from your rear wheel so you can install the training wheels. Be careful when you remove the axle and keep it nearby; you’ll need to use it again in the upcoming steps.
After you manage to remove the axle washer and the nut, you’ll need to place the bracket brace onto the axle. At this point, you shouldn’t try to fasten anything in place. All you need to do is put the bracket in the correct place.
Once the bracket is in the correct position, you can attach the training wheels.
Step 4 – Attach the training wheels
After you get the bracket brace in the correct position, you can now move on to attaching the training wheels. Once you attach them to the brace, you can then start adjusting the height as you see necessary.
Step 6 – Refit Axle Hardware
You’re nearly at the finish line, and your mountain bike with training wheels is ready to go! After you tighten the training wheels, all that’s left to do is fit the remaining hardware that’s left on the bike.
It’s essential to ensure that you fit everything correctly, so you don’t have to worry about anything getting in the way once you start riding.
Are the training wheels adjustable?
It’s pretty common for a lot of cyclists to feel like the training wheels aren’t fitting properly after the first time they install them. Luckily, you don’t have to take all the different bike parts off to adjust the height and fit of the training wheels.
You’ll need to use a wrench though, so you can loosen the nuts on the bracket and freely adjust the training wheels. Once you’ve found the most comfortable position, you can tighten the wheels to see how it feels.
Get back on and try riding your bike again. If it still feels off, then repeat the process. It may require a few attempts, but you’ll eventually find the perfect position.
What’s the optimal fit for training wheels?
One of the main reasons why people tend to struggle with training wheels and don’t see their utility is because they don’t know the optimal fit. All three wheels should never make contact at the same time.
When all three wheels are making contact with the ground, it shifts pressure away from the rear wheel and onto the training wheels. That’ll lead to a significant reduction in your child’s braking power.
The most optimal position for the training wheels is to rest slightly above the rear tire. This type of positioning will help ensure that there’s no decrease in the braking force. Additionally, it’ll also help the cyclist improve their balance.
When the training wheels hang a little higher, the cyclists have the opportunity to practice their balance freely. Upon losing balance, the wheel will come into contact with the ground. However, the wheel will always be in contact while you’re turning.
How soon can I remove the training wheels?
If you keep the training wheels on for too long, it’s only natural that you’ll start to rely on them too much. When you start relying on them too much, it completely defeats the purpose of the training.
As soon as you gain confidence in your pedaling, you should remove the training wheels. It might be an abrupt shift, but if you’ve been training properly, you won’t struggle too much without the training wheels.
If you’re still struggling to balance properly, try lowering the height of the seat. The lower seat will also mean that the balance height becomes lower, making things much easier.
Conclusion
Putting training wheels on a mountain bike is a lot simpler than most people make it seem! Reading through this article will help you gain a better idea of whether you should go with training wheels on your mountain bike or not!
No matter the choice, it’s important to remember that training wheels are just for training. You shouldn’t become dependent on them by using them for too long!
