I seldom post negative reviews for balance bikes because of all the bikes I retail there rarely arises an issue of such consistent poor quality.
When I post this review of the Hobby Bike; I post it as one who has sold hundreds of the balance bikes since they arrived in the US as one of the first retailers of this balance bike. Actually I was probably second or third because REI and LL Bean both carried the bike before dropping it completely due to quality issues.
First off, I think the concept of the Hobby-Bike is great. A balance bike that allows for the pedals to be added after balance is learned. My son learned to ride a pedal bike on the first year Hobby-Bike.
I am not sure if the bike was rushed to the marketplace to quickly or a very poor manufacturer in China, but the first year Hobby-Bikes had numerous corrosion, paint and weld issues. Some bikes appeared to have been painted over existing rust; some had weld splatter at the pedal mechanism which prevented the allen bolts from being inserted into pre-drilled holes. Some bikes just appeared to be scratched all over or a non-sufficient amount of paint applied. Things like this you would never expect on a bike that retailed for $129.99!
I was assured these issues would be resolved with the second year models of the Hobby-Bike. There was a noticeable improvement in the frame and paint - many of the first year issues were resolved. The second year brought upon fundamental issues with the chain and pedal mechanism. Not properly engineered so that the chain ring would be parallel to the frame and discourage the chain from hopping off the crank. Although not every Hobby-Bike exhibited these issues; 6 out of 10 did!
When I post this review of the Hobby Bike; I post it as one who has sold hundreds of the balance bikes since they arrived in the US as one of the first retailers of this balance bike. Actually I was probably second or third because REI and LL Bean both carried the bike before dropping it completely due to quality issues.
First off, I think the concept of the Hobby-Bike is great. A balance bike that allows for the pedals to be added after balance is learned. My son learned to ride a pedal bike on the first year Hobby-Bike.
I am not sure if the bike was rushed to the marketplace to quickly or a very poor manufacturer in China, but the first year Hobby-Bikes had numerous corrosion, paint and weld issues. Some bikes appeared to have been painted over existing rust; some had weld splatter at the pedal mechanism which prevented the allen bolts from being inserted into pre-drilled holes. Some bikes just appeared to be scratched all over or a non-sufficient amount of paint applied. Things like this you would never expect on a bike that retailed for $129.99!
I was assured these issues would be resolved with the second year models of the Hobby-Bike. There was a noticeable improvement in the frame and paint - many of the first year issues were resolved. The second year brought upon fundamental issues with the chain and pedal mechanism. Not properly engineered so that the chain ring would be parallel to the frame and discourage the chain from hopping off the crank. Although not every Hobby-Bike exhibited these issues; 6 out of 10 did!
Hi! I am looking for a balance bike and I was directed to your website. What I am looking for is a bike like this - http://www.rei.com/product/825793/novara-zipper-balance-bike-boys
ReplyDeleteHe rides that bike around REI when I shop and loves it. Problem is, I don't want to buy another bike in a year (he is 3.5). So, I am looking for a balance bike that can later have pedals attached.
Know where I can find something like this?
Thanks!
The kinderbike Morph will be available in January and will have the removable pedal system - check out this product here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.balancebikeshop.com/Kinderbike_Morph_Hybrid_Balance_Bike_p/kb-morph1.htm