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IB14: Glide Bikes Builds a Balance Bike for Adults

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Glide Bikes Adult Balance Bike (2)

Many of us probably take the ability to ride bikes for granted, but not everyone is so lucky. Maybe they never had a bike to learn on, or perhaps have special needs, whatever the reason there’s a new tool balance bike in town and it’s not for kids. Small kids, that is.

Called the Super Glider, the balance bike features 20″ wheels wrapped in fat 2.35″ tires that is capable of holding up to 250 pounds. Like a few other balance bike designs, the Super Glider is constructed so that it can morph into a standard singlespeed bike when the rider is ready. Better still, the design makes it super easy to change…

Glide Bikes Adult Balance Bike (3)

Built with a solid aluminum channel as an attachment point, instead of removing the crank arms the Super Glider allows you to remove the bottom bracket assembly completely.

Glide Bikes Adult Balance Bike (1)

It comes shipped with the adjustable foot peg installed which can be turned 90 degrees so it is completely out of the way (can also be ordered with pedals installed). Once a rider is ready to make the transition from pegs to pedals, there are just two bolts to remove with the included wrench, which is also used to install the BB assembly, and finally the chain already cut to length is installed using a master link. The Super Glider is also shipped with folding pedals which should make the transition between the two a little easier. The geometry of the bike is also designed specially to operate at slow speeds to make the balancing process easier.

Equipped with 2 hand brakes and a rear kickstand, the Super Glider is available in Quick Silver or Ocean Blue for $289.99.

glidebikes.com

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Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
9 years ago

Ya know, this a good idea for sure. People do not realize how many special needs people require bikes to get around (can’t drive a car and buses are limiting). Most use tricycles but some can ride regular bike but need training to do so. Back in the day when I worked at shops this would have been used a few times a quarter. Also older people who want to get re-antiquated with cycling again could use this to get confident to sell them a regular bike. Shops in smaller towns have a decent amount of special needs public who use bikes.

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

It seems to me the more logical solution is simply to sell a bottom bracket inset that has pegs instead of cranks.

That would cost significantly less to produce, and a folding bike with similar characteristics can be purchased for around $200.

lonefrontranger
lonefrontranger
9 years ago

I’ve taught a few adults to ride by simply taking the pedals off a cheap mountain bike, lowering the saddle so they can comfortably reach the ground flat footed, and spending an hour or two with them.

that said, I could see a device like this being handy in urban community cycle shops as well as outlying isolated rural / small town shops. I have known so many disadvantaged adults who didn’t have the option to even use a cheap/free hand me down bike for transit because they never learned how to ride one, and were unable to drive (lost license, car broke down / couldn’t afford to fix it, whatever). Mobility is especially important for those in transition situations to be able to get and keep employment (in transition from dependency, homelessness, incarceration, whatever).

sceloglaux
sceloglaux
9 years ago

>> Von Kruiser
>> older people who want to get re-antiquated

Aren’t older people by definition already antiquated?

Bettye Pina, PT, MPP
Bettye Pina, PT, MPP
8 years ago

I like the idea because people who are partially weight bearing can get about without crutches or a walker! It is real sporty looking too!

The first bike was a glider and came from Mannheim, Germany.

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