Customer Reviews

Solar Motion Bicycle Rider by Carlisle Co.

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the neatest thing. I purchased this for my daughter for Christmas as she had seen it at a museum some time ago at an unaffordable price. It is cute as can be and uses the sunlight for it's solar power which makes the figure on the bike pedal. Great night light also.

I bought this for a friend who enjoys bicycle riding (she talks about her adventures with such enthusiasm). I gave it to her one night after we were out shopping and she immediately went inside to open it up. Being night with no sun she plugged it in and the light bulb immediately blew. We were out a week later and we were looking for a replacement bulb (120v40w S-base)and we were unable to find a bulb anywhere. I have been on-line and because of the wattage and the base type this is not a bulb that can be replaced easily. Still looking. Very disappointed - that's what you get for "Made in China"

If you don't live in a sunny area - - beware, no bike riding will be done!!!!

I was given this as a "cool toy to put in my window" however the amount of solar energy required is direct sunlight here in Seattle. Well anyone who has been here a while will quickly realize that we get that maybe 2 months out of the year, maybe. The rest of the time, you are using a 40 watt lamp to power a toy. What a waste. A larger solar cell and a battery would make this fun, skip the stupid lamp. Let the solar panel charge the battery, at a given threshold of power run the bicycle. How hard is that? Apparently more than the manufacturer of this gizmo can handle. Returned immediately.

Pro:
If you use the light, the bicycle guy does "ride". Works as a night light.

Con:
Takes full sunlight, maybe good in LA or Phoenix. A bright cloudy day is not enough. And "toy", right, what does a kid actually get to do with this toy? Watch it move. Move the solar panel around to see that indeed sunlight does power it. And if they don't mind breaking it, unwire it, put an electrical meter on the wires and see how much power is generated.

Teaching value:
none, or nearly so.

Not Recommended: except as a science/toy store display device.