Customer Reviews

Bike USA Stabilizer Wheel Kit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this product based on the picture as the wheels touch the ground thereby allowing for a wider base of support. As per the professional who put the wheels on for me, they can NOT touch the ground because then the large wheel can NOT get traction. True, I did not understand the physic behind it, but I did call the company prior to the purchase. The "stability" the product affords is after the fact. First you have to lean over so that the side wheel can catch you. This product may work for individual with mild peripheral vestibular disorders, but it will NOT work for those with central and or combined vestibular disorders. So... I spent a lot of money for a product that I can not use and I spent additional money to have it put on my bike. Here's the final note... the gentleman who owns the bike shop will NOT sell these to his customers, He recommends that his customers purchase a three wheeler.

If you are thinking of using this product to teach someone/yourself to ride a bike, don't waste your money! There are more effective ways to do that (described at the end of this review). While the stabilizer wheels do help keep the bike upright, it does nothing to help the rider learn balance. Riding a bike with this kit installed feels very awkward, especially when turning. Since the wheels force the bike to remain (relatively) upright in a turn, the resulting effect is that the rider (and the bike) "leans" to the outside of the turn (opposite the direction of the turn). This is a very un-settling feeling (normally, the rider and bike would "lean" toward the direction (inside) of the turn). It is also un-safe while turning if the road is not nearly flat (even a slight bank may cause trouble for the rider) or if turning too quickly or sharply. The additional width added by the kit to the bike will make navigating obstacles more difficult if not impossible. Although the kit is sturdy, it is also quite heavy, as it is made of steel. The included hardware was not sufficient to properly install the kit on my bike (2008 Specialized HXRC, 26" wheels) to achieve the proper alignment. I purchased additional spacers (washers) and longer "U" (shaped) bolts in order to align the wheels properly.

The bottom line: after nearly a year of occasional use, the rider did not learn how to ride a "regular" bike. The rider and bike will be very noticeable once the kit in installed (this is not necessarily a good thing). If you want to teach/learn how to ride, do not buy this kit thinking it will help.

Try this: Instead, use a "regular" bike and lower the seat until the rider's feet can touch the ground while seated; and remove the pedals. Find a secluded, flat or gently sloping area/road to begin practicing coasting in a straight line for progressively longer distances. As the rider gains confidence/balance, incrementally raise the seat. Also practice turning, braking, and stopping in a controlled manner. Finally, reinstall the pedals and practice the same skills while pedaling. Whereas this kit failed to train my rider to ride over the span of a year, this method succeeded in a total riding/practicing time of maybe five hours (over the course of two weeks).

These wheels are awesome!! Because of this kit, Bike USA Stabilizer Wheel Kit, I can now ride a bike for the first time in 25 years!! I have balance issues and cannot ride a bike with only 2 wheels. These wheels, Bike USA Stabilizer Wheel Kit, solved my problem! They were not too difficult for my friend to put on for me.

It took some getting used to. The bike with these wheels has a bit of a different feel than just a 2 wheeler. But now I am totally used to it, and in just a few rides, it felt great!! I ride nearly every day now. People turn and look at my bike.

One of my friends, who is in a wheelchair wants to try my bike. She thinks my bike looks trendy. My mother thinks it looks cool. One woman asked me where I got the wheels because her son is disabled. I told her Bike USA makes the wheels and I bought them on Amazon.

As a kid and teenager, I rode my bike a lot until my balance got too bad. Now I am back on a bike, getting my exercise in a way I love! Thanks Amazon and Bike USA!!

L.H. in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I have been an avid cyclist for years, but due to a brain injury acquired from a motorcycle accident, I have no balance, so riding a bike without training wheels was impossible. After lots of practice with the wheels, these let me ride again. Although, it is a little embarassing for a 47 year old man to require training wheels.

I had high expectations for this product - I have Multiple Sclerosis, so balance issues are a problem for me. I missed being able to ride my bike, and hoped that this product would enable me to start riding again. Unfortunately, I was never able to adjust to the new "feel" these gave to riding a bike; mostly, they made my bike feel unnavigable. The seller of this product, Wishful thngs 4 U, did not include the installation instructions; I had to get these from the manufacturer, which caused a delay in getting the stabilizer wheels installed on my bike. When I was finally able to try out the stabilizer wheels and determine that they would not work for me, it had been over 30-days since I initially purchased them, and Wishful Things 4 U would not accept a return. A dissapointing product (for me anyway); and a poor experience with Wishful Things 4 U - I will not do business with this company again.

One of the tires was completely worn out after 6 days, which also destroyed the tube inside it. I would not recommend this to anyone.

I would not recommend this item at all. Took a long time to install and wheels cannot be aligned as they should be. this may work on some bikes, but not the one I was hoping to install on for an aging mother. The product over all is cheap and not all all well-designed. Don't waste your time.

The Bike USA Stabilizer Wheel Kit is ideal for an adult who has never ridden a bike. It provides instant stability and feelings of security and confidence. Detailed instructions with excellent photos make installation quite easy, although a bit of mechanical instinct does help. The mounting brackets provide a range of adjustments to fine tune the clearance between pavement and stabilizer wheels. A socket wrench set will be very useful during installation. Time from unpacking to riding - about 1 1/2 hours (including a careful reading of the instructions). I recommend this product wholeheartedly.

The stabilizer wheels came and my husband was so excited. Unfortunately, they were disappointing for him. He was not able to balance since the wheels do not touch the ground. He has had a stroke and has left sided weakness so balance is not easy. Unfortunately, he was not stabilized but actually fell off the bike 3 times! The wheels were expensive and did not work well for him. After the fact, and money spent, we purchased a 3 wheel bike for him yesterday. We wish we could have known this before we purchased the wheels. Hopefully, this information will help someone in similar circumstances to keep from making the same error. We are donating his bike and stabilizer wheels to a local rehabilitation center. Hopefully, someone will benefit from them.

I bought an expensive bike several years ago, but never road it because of my balance. Having MS makes riding a bike hard, if not impossible. When I saw I could get these wheels, I was so happy that I could ride a bike again. I loved riding my bike when I was younger and couldn't wait to get them. I may be 41 with training wheels, but at least I'm out riding.

I will say, when it came I had assembled by a friend and one of the tires wouldn't inflate. I contacted the company and within a week, they sent me a new tire. Now, thats great customer service to me.