Wooden balance bike: advantages, dimensions and design elements. Wooden balance bike: recommendations for choosing Do-it-yourself wooden balance bike

I’ve been wanting a balance bike for my little one for a long time, I found a bunch possible options to implement and create my own model for my son, but he is still small and the work has not begun.

I want to share with you what I found and what ideas can be brought to life, here is one of them. I came across it quite by accident on VKontakte, but couldn’t help but write to the author to hear a detailed story about the balance bike.

History of creation:

Vladislav Kondrashov and his son Kostya

“It all started when, once again, wandering through the Internet, I accidentally came across a picture of a cycling race.

I became interested and began to scour the forums in order to find reviews from those who had already bought a similar type of educational vehicle for their child. The key factor there was information that a balance bike, or run bike, as it is also called, uh That great way pass a 3-wheeler and a 2-wheeler with additional ones on the sides, and at the same time the child learns to maintain balance and does not constantly look at the pedals and get into trouble.

Moreover, before that, we bought a car for our son with a similar principle of movement, and he fell in love with it, but he grew out of it, and he doesn’t want to pedal on a 3-wheeled bike, so we came up with the idea of purchasing a similar type of alternative children’s transport.
The creation of the runbike itself began from the beginning based on financial considerations, then the idea grew into the creation of an exclusive runbike. Since the prices for materials on the building materials market are so high that it would be possible to buy a ready-made balance bike, but some of the materials were purchased and therefore it was decided to create a custom bike.
Like everything that is done by human hands, I started with simple calculations and a sketch. The first sketch was drawn first, but when I got to the process of cutting plywood and estimating the height of the balance bike and the height of the child, who is the “customer,” it became clear that either the legs reached the floor they won’t get it, or you’ll have to disfigure the balance bike model by cutting off the excess.

So I made a decision and, having little artistic skills, drew sketch No. 2, which was later brought to life.

To create the custom we purchased:
- plywood 150*150cm, 10mm (thickness) - 1 sheet;
- 12-inch wheels (pneumatic on spokes) - 2 pcs.;
- furniture fittings:
- pipe 2.5m, 25mm,
- connecting corners - 4 pcs.,
- support flanges - 2 pcs;
-metal sheet 50*50cm, 2.5mm (thickness);
-bolts, nuts, washers, grommets, screws, rivets;
-springs and bearing (for the front fork);
-leather (for the seat);
- finishing automotive putty NOVOL;
-paint: white (instead of primer), beige (ivory), black, red (NUTON aerosol enamel in cans);
-and some junk from the garage (small things);
- patience and good mood.

its price for me was approximately 2330 RUR. rubles or 75 dollars, for this money you can buy a German or Italian factory balance bike made of metal. My idea was to create an exclusive one for my son, this time and again this design will be equipped with an electric motor, but probably next year, let’s learn to keep balance first. »

Kostyan is testing his balance bike. On May 28th he will be 3 years old. As Vladislav told me: “at first my son was embarrassed to ride on the street and invited others to ride.”

The guys live in a small village where there is nothing special, so the balance bike attracts the attention of children.

“Children his age try to ride, but they don’t fully understand when they put their feet on the footpegs, the factory ones don’t have footpegs, but I put them on the engine with a long-range view, especially since they don’t interfere with the ride but confuse the children. The older children haven’t tried it, we are all about the same age, those with whom the little one is friends don’t let others, says my gin-gin.»

All photos from the article

In this article we are going to get acquainted with the design of a rather unusual vehicle– running bike. It is intended for training bikers and cyclists at the very beginning of their “career” - between two and four years. We will find out how a balance bike works, what size it should be and how to make it out of wood with your own hands.

What it is

A bicycle racer (or runbike, from the English runbike) looks like a regular one. children bicycle, but it completely lacks pedals and any transmission. You can move on it by alternately pushing off the ground with your feet ().

There are only three movable fastenings in this design:

Front wheel axle;
Rear wheel axle;
Steering column.

However: the market offers models with a hand brake. In practice, the child gets along just fine without it: the speeds developed by this vehicle are quite safe and allow you to easily brake with your feet if necessary.

The materials used for the frame are:

Metal. Metal balance bikes are the most durable, but somewhat heavier than competing solutions;
Plastic;
Wood and plywood.

Disputes about the advantages of this or that material on buyer forums do not subside. However, wood has one undoubted advantage: it allows you to assemble a toy for a child yourself.

In fact: even if you have welding and the corresponding skills, a structure welded from a water pipe and a corner will turn out to be excessively massive; well, an extruder for making plastic parts of complex shapes is unlikely to be found in a home workshop.

Why is it necessary to create a balance bike yourself if the modern market offers a variety of models of all shapes, sizes and colors to choose from?

There are two reasons:

The price of a new balance bike is at least 4,000 rubles. Meanwhile, a limited budget after the birth of a child is the rule rather than the exception for a young family. Self-production toys will save you a lot of money;
In addition, the product can be made completely non-standard. You can, for example, turn it into a custom bike, which will gather all the boys from the surrounding yards on their first trip, or a sportbike, which is no less popular.

Design elements

How and what exactly is the easiest way to assemble ours?

Wheels

In this capacity you can use:

Wheels from a broken or unnecessary children's bicycle;

Wheels for garden cart with a diameter of 10 - 12 inches.

The presence of rolling bearings is welcome: they will reduce rolling resistance and reduce wear on the wheel hub. Whether it is pneumatic or foam rubber under the tire does not matter: the loads on the wheels are so small that the difference in the quality of shock absorption does not play a special role.

A pin or bolt threaded through the frame elements is used as an axis. The frame is secured on the inside with a nut and washer.

Frame

The most practical material for the frame is FC plywood with a thickness of 12-15 millimeters. The frame is double, with a gap between the sidewalls corresponding to the width of the wheel, taking into account the nuts securing the axle.

Seat

The non-adjustable saddle is attached to the double frame with a pair of furniture corners. It is advisable to cover it with leather or leatherette with a foam rubber lining; the covering is fastened with a furniture stapler or glued from the back.

The instructions for creating an adjustable saddle are not much more complicated: the stand is assembled from a couple of layers of thick plywood with glue; the seat is again attached to the counter with furniture corners. Then a series of holes are drilled in the post and frame with the same distance between them. To fix and rearrange the saddle, screws with semi-countersunk heads are used.

Steering wheel

The steering column rotary assembly can be implemented in different ways.

Here are the two simplest:

A shovel handle is used as a stand. It is oiled to reduce friction and fixed to the frame cross member with two steel clamps; in this case, the plywood is again secured with nuts on both sides;
Instead of a cutting, you can use a piece of smooth reinforcement. In this case, both the clamps and the lining fixing the rod are made of thick plywood.

Conclusion

We hope that your child will enjoy this exotic type of transport. The attached video in this article will help the reader learn more about its design.

We look forward to your comments and wishes in the comments. Good luck!

A large number of synonyms are used for this type of children's transport. It is called a velokat, a bicycle scooter and many other similar words. But they mean one thing - a bicycle without pedals. This intricate type of children's transport has gained immense popularity around the world. The balance bike is quite easy to operate and has a positive effect on physical development child. You can read about all its advantages and selection rules in this article.

What is a balance bike?

It was invented back in 1817 and was called a “running machine,” but it gained popularity only in the 21st century. This was facilitated by the German designer Rolf Mertens, who made a balance bike for his two-year-old son. Then he and his brother founded a company and began actively selling the product. In 2010, a children's bicycle without pedals won consumers in the USA and Europe, after which it reached Russia. Today, a balance bike is on the list of mandatory purchases that contribute to the physical development of a child.

In its design, it is more like a regular bicycle, but without pedals. And in terms of mechanical control - a scooter, since you need to move on it using push-offs from the ground. This type of transport is the first step to mastering a bicycle. On it, the child will learn to set the driving direction using the steering wheel and maintain balance.

Are running bikes beneficial or harmful?

Due to the absence of pedals, movement on this vehicle is possible only with the help of pushing movements from the surface. This kind of riding does not cause fear, unlike cycling. The child is always in contact with the road, making it easy to maintain balance. And the presence of a seat evenly distributes the load on the spine. Thus, the balance bike promotes the development of the vestibular apparatus and improves coordination of movement, strengthens muscles and gives positive emotions to the child.

A bicycle scooter will also be useful for parents of a child. It weighs much less than a regular bicycle, which allows you to carry it in your hands if necessary. Its weight ranges from 3 to 5 kg, depending on the design. Also, buying a balance bike can save your family budget. You will enjoy it for several years if you choose a model with adjustable steering wheel and seat heights. And a child who is passionate about riding will be less likely to ask to be held.

How to choose the right balance bike?

When purchasing children's transport, you need to focus on two main criteria: the step size and the age of the child. These parameters will help you choose the right balance bike.

Step size - to determine it you need to measure inner side legs from groin area to the floor. When riding a balance bike, the child's legs should be in a bent position. To do this, you need to subtract 2-3 cm from the length of the step size. If the selected model has an adjustable seat, then you should focus on the minimum height.

Balance bikes, depending on the age of the child, are divided into:

For 1 year - the lightest model, Weight Limit up to 3 kg. This balance bike has three or four wheels.
From 2 to 2.5 years - the most optimal age to master this type of transport. This model weighs up to 4 kg.
3 years and older - the weight of such a product is up to 5 kg.

Which wheels are better?

There are 2 types of inner tubes for cycling: air, like on a bicycle, or made of foam concrete, which do not need to be inflated. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Airless - such wheels do not need to be pumped up, they do not puncture and have a long service life. These tires are quite light in weight and are suitable for off-road driving. But if the tire wears out, you will need to install a new wheel.

Air - this type of wheels is able to smooth out uneven roads, which provides a comfortable and soft ride. But they can puncture or tear during the trip. Also, air wheels are quite heavy compared to airless ones.

DIY wooden balance bike

In Europe and Japan, the popularity of products made from environmentally friendly materials has increased. That’s why plastic and wooden balance bikes for children are most in demand there. They are no less popular here. Distinctive feature wooden balance bikes is their unique, original design. Although there are many rumors around this product about their fragility. But this is not reality. Balance bikes are constructed from multiple layers of Baltic birch glued together, which gives the product strength. Compared to solid wood, which can crack due to changes in temperature or air humidity

Due to its popularity, the price of a bicycle without pedals has increased significantly. Therefore, many parents learned to make it themselves. A runbike is easy to make from available materials; plywood products are especially popular. You can make a two- or three-wheeled wooden balance bike.

It is usually made from birch, which is known for its strength and lightness. This product weighs from 4.1 to 5.4 kg. To make a wooden balance bike, you need to use 10-12 layers of Baltic birch plywood and a good sealant that will protect it from water. But you should not use such transport in the rain.

Materials needed to make a balance bike:

· Sheet of sanded plywood 12 mm.

· Set of bolts.

· A piece of hairpin or rod.

· A piece of plywood 4-5 mm for making a seat.

· Foam rubber 50 mm.

· A piece of leather or fabric for the seat.

· Wheels.

After which the balance bike is assembled according to the given drawing. After the product is made, you can decorate it.

You can make a wooden balance bike yourself, or you can use the recommendations described and buy it. In any case, the presence of such transport for a child will only have a positive effect on his physical development. Judging by the reviews, wooden balance bikes are gaining popularity every day.

I will try to tell you how the idea to make pipers - crafts made from pipes - came about. And, in particular, make a balance bike with your own hands.

In 2012, my family and I vacationed in Slovenia. My son turned one and a half years old there - a holiday, sort of. We took him to the Ljubljana Zoo (the capital of Slovenia, for those who don’t know). And at the zoo, on the central alley, some uncles and aunts grabbed children and put them on plywood bicycles without pedals. That's when I saw a balance bike for the first time. But I only found out what this crap is called and what it is for a year later. Because at that moment I was not at all impressed.
A few days later I saw a couple of four-year-olds on balance bikes, also called RunBikes. They confidently maintained high speed and looked very natural on balance bikes. And when we approached the cafe, we braked spectacularly: some with their heels, and some with the rear brake, some with a skid. It all looked somehow very deft and easy for such kids. And this picture has already impressed me. And it stuck in my brain: Venya and I approached them, seeming like we were walking, but in fact we were studying the structure (see photo below).

A year later, in a fit of tenderness for my son, I finally ordered a balance bike. Firstbike. Perhaps this time, I was the most patient online shopper in the world: I honestly waited two weeks - when the Russiandealer I’ll figure out where and who will place the order for me. And then the Moscow office didn’t get in touch for another two weeks. But the balance bike arrived, and the dealer paid for the delivery himself - to compensate for his slowness.

I chose a firstbike because of its low weight, the presence of a brake and its resistance to rain and dirt. But what is most important is vandal resistance. Yes, yes, kids - sometimes they are such vandals.
While I was waiting for the parcel, my friends were really freaking out about the cost and waiting time. By way of chit-chat, we discussed making things with our own hands. I considered making it only from plywood, because... The first balance bike I saw was a plywood one. It seemed to me that it would be easier to make from plywood.
But then, almost simultaneously, messages arrived from two friends: one suggested using polypropylene pipes to build a balance bike, the other sent link to the project of the Spaniard Bruno Gavira: he made balance bikes from a sewer pipe and wheels from a cargo wheelbarrow. The project was called “Pipe Bike”.

As far as I know, I think the weight turned out to be around 4...4.5 kg. Mainly because of the wheels. It’s a little heavy, of course, but not critical.
In general, a start has been made - I sketched out a sketch, determined the main dimensions of the balance bike and went to look for materials. It took two weeks of intensive searching to find all the materials. The hardest thing was to find the wheels: I found used ones for 500 rubles in a children's store. I haggled for a week and ended up haggling that it was almost taken off sale. I quickly stopped getting screwed and took it for full price..

It would seem that polypropylene is not plywood, but there was a lot of garbage.

The impossibility of using serious equipment, technologies and materials gave rise to the concept of making only from things available for sale and from technologies available in everyday life. And this already placed a requirement on the overall thoughtfulness of the design. It is necessary to make a reservation - propylene welds practically do not allow achieving a good presentation. But at the same time, it is an excellent and cheap material for rapid prototyping and single-piece production.

In general, polypropylene is quite difficult to process, and work-related injuries are possible. Although you can foolishly break the hell out of it.

Hence the name for the balance bike: Piper CutFinger.
The seat made from an iron corner, of course, turned out to be dangerous. My boy, while riding, hit the edge of the seat with his bare butt. But this is the fate of all test pilots.

In general, the boys liked the running bike. Later it was given to his nephew Ilyusha as a lifelong test of reliability. It just so happened that all the children around me are unwilling testers. Which, however, has not yet been complained about.

P.S. While I was writing a post and looking for a photo of a Spanish balance bike, I found

I will try to tell you how the idea to make pipers - crafts made from pipes - came about. And, in particular, make a balance bike with your own hands.

A year later, in a fit of tenderness for my son, I finally ordered a balance bike. Firstbike. Perhaps this time, I was the most patient online shopper in the world: I honestly waited two weeks - when the Russian dealer I’ll figure out where and who will place the order for me. And then the Moscow office didn’t get in touch for another two weeks. But the balance bike arrived, and the dealer paid for the delivery himself - to compensate for his slowness.

I chose a firstbike because of its low weight, the presence of a brake and its resistance to rain and dirt. But what is most important is vandal resistance. Yes, yes, kids - sometimes they are such vandals.
While I was waiting for the parcel, my friends were really freaking out about the cost and waiting time. By way of chit-chat, we discussed making things with our own hands. I considered making it only from plywood, because... The first balance bike I saw was a plywood one. It seemed to me that it would be easier to make from plywood.
But then, almost simultaneously, messages arrived from two friends: one suggested using polypropylene pipes to build a balance bike, the other sent a link to a project by the Spaniard Bruno Gavira: he made balance bikes from a sewer pipe and wheels from a cargo truck. The project was called “Pipe Bike”.

It would seem that polypropylene is not plywood, but there was a lot of garbage.

In general, polypropylene is quite difficult to process, and work-related injuries are possible. Although you can foolishly break the hell out of it.

P.S. While I was writing a post and looking for a photo of a Spanish balance bike, I found