Weebike.com

Another reason to avoid the Strider: Tires that DON'T grip

2011-12-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

A customer called us to inquire about our balance bikes, and indicated that they would be buying a different balance bike to replace their Strider, which was a big disappointment. The primary reason was safety. The Strider has no steering limiter and the tires are a very cheap foam-core material. They observed with horror while their son fell repeatedly while riding his Strider. The tires have extremely poor grip- such that when kids are cornering on smoother surfaces, the bike goes out from under them! Three year old kids should not be suffering from road rash due to an inferior bike!
We understand how attractive the $99 price point is to parents, but it's our opinion that the Strider is a $49 bike, masquerading as a $99 bike. When you add real rubber inflated tires, the price goes up to $151. The new ST-3 model has a few minor enhancements and costs $20 more than the old ST-2. Same poor quality tires, no brakes and no steering limiter.
Unfortunately, independent bike dealers are selling the Strider for the same reason that they should stop selling it: "because it's cheap"
Caveat emptor..

FirstBIKE is an unbreakable kid's bike!

2011-12-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

FirstBIKE USA Launches US Distribution of a Premium Toddler Balance Bike

2011-11-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

FirstBIKE USA Launches US Distribution of a Premium Toddler Balance Bike

WeeBIKE adds UVEX and Louis Garneau products for children

2011-10-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

The UVEX "HERO" helmet retails for $40

It's official. WeeBIKE persisted in wanting to sell only the best, and came out on top. UVEX and Louis Garneau are two top shelf brands which will now be available at WeeBIKE.com.

UVEX produces a German made child's helmet which is in a class by itself. One of the many safety lights that UVEX sells is compatible with these helmet as an attachment.

The LG "Flow" helmet retails for $30

Louis Garneau excels at apparel and is one of the few companies that takes an interest in the young future champions of our sport. WeeBIKE will feature children's sized cycling jerseys, lycra shorts, fingerless gloves and helmets from LG.

FirstBIKE vs Strider Comparison Chart

2011-10-05T22:21:00.000-07:00


In four years of selling balance bikes, we have never touched a Strider. A balance bike should not insult a parent's intelligence. Enough said!

WeeBIKE update

2011-10-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Liketobike 16 is completely sold out until further notice. ETA unknown.

Likeabike Jumper in Pink is sold out.

FirstBIKE is in stock and shipping all models except for Special Edition.

FirstBIKE bells and lowering kits are all in stock.

FirstBIKE baskets and skiing kits are expected mid November.

Fuji Rookie is in stock.

We have two Likeabike trailers being offered on Amazon for closeout price of $149.

We have approximately 15 FirstBIKE demo bikes- hardly used except to show prospective dealers. These will be offered for a discount. Boxes may be in rough shape but bikes are in fine condition.

All Kazam colors are in stock.

All Ybike colors are in stock. We will be adding the Kicker and the Glider very soon.

WeeBIKE is soon to be an authorized dealer of UVEX child helmets, Louis Garneau child helmets and apparel, and Footbike products. Stay tuned!

Scoot first pedal later

2011-09-24T15:40:00.001-07:00

8 hours and 25 minutes into a shopping mall expo where we are displaying and talking about our balance bikes with customers, it occurs to me that this industry (balance bikes) is really in it's infancy. Nine out of ten parents ask "where are the pedals?" Or worse, "Can we add training wheels?" And then we patiently and lovingly explain in 30 seconds or less how our bikes put their child's balance and motor skills on the fast track, giving them a boost of confidence and self esteem- two key ingredients for a child's academic success and social skills. Fortunately this mall has free wifi, so I was able to use my ipad to find this article- which is perhaps the most succinctly written summary of what I usually try to cram into 30 seconds: www.australiancyclist.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=11199

Likeabike Availability Update

2011-09-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

All colors of the Jumper are now in stock except for Pink. Arriving shortly.

Liketobike 16 is completely sold out in all colors. No ETA for new arrivals as of yet.

Red Mountain model is also sold out for a short period.

WeeBIKE is presenting FirstBIKE at interbike 9/14-16

2011-09-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

Come see FirstbikeUSA at interbike Las Vegas!
Our booth is No 35095.

Fully Assembled Balance Bikes- only from WEEBIKE!

2011-09-01T00:25:00.000-07:00

Announcement! WeeBIKE will soon be offering two new options for every bike we sell: 100% assembled bike delivery and WEEBIKE-installed brakesets on the Rookie and the Jumper. The added cost of this super-convenient enhancement is only $40 and includes shipping in a larger box.

Adding a front caliper brake to your Likeabike Jumper or Fuji Rookie? We will professionally install it for FREE when you choose to buy your bike fully assembled. (Brake kits are otherwise shipped in their own packaging for your DIY installation)

We understand that it can be a buzz-kill for your child when an unassembled bike is received. This new option makes it possible for you to give your child the gift of a fully assembled bike, ready to ride right out of the box. Original packaging will be discarded and your assembled bike will ship inside of a larger, unmarked box- perfect for avoiding the spoiler which our bikes' original packaging can sometimes cause.

FUJI Rookie Balance Bike

2011-08-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

White bikes always look high-end in our humble opinion.

We are big fans of FUJI Rookie balance bike for a few reasons:

Aluminum frame
Premium brand name & official sponsor of WeeBIKE-Hasyun Racing Team
Big comfortable shock dampening pneumatic tires
one color- pearl white- isn't gender specific and makes buying decision easy
Each bike has a serial number, just like every other Fuji Bike

WeeBIKE is privileged to be an authorized Fuji dealer- a distinction which we had to earn and which isn't given to just any online e-tailer. We're pretty sure that being on the pointy end of the balance bike field and our unwavering commitment to always give back to the sport of bike racing played a big part in Fuji's decision to welcome us to their family of dealers.

We are offering the FUJI Rookie with a few optional enhancements:

Unassembled with Free Shipping (in original box)
Fully assembled in larger box, shipping charges apply
Fully assembled with optional front hand brake installed, shipping charge apply

If your price point is around $100, we encourage you to give the Fuji Rookie your serious consideration. For about $40 more you get some high end features and benefits found on bike costing 2-3x more.

Balance bikes with foot rests: hot or not?

2011-08-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

We're not crazy about foot rests on balance bikes. Children learn to balance more successfully when they put their feet down as stabilizers whenever they need to. This instills confidence and puts them in control of [not] falling down. This is also partly why [for tots] a bike with pedals needs to have training wheels- because the pedals are in the way of using their feet for stability. So it stands to reason that giving kids a platform to rest their feet is counter-productive, though we recognize it as a feature that pays dividends when kids are rolling down looooong gradual hills (which hopefully aren't steep and which do not cross other streets!) Even so, foot pegs welded to a balance bike's frame defeat the purpose of removing the pedals in the first place- which is to get them out of the way and uncomplicate the learning process!

We have also observed that certain brands of balance bike which feature a foot rest can potentially injure a child because as children push off the ground to gain speed, sometimes their feet hit and get tangled with the foot rests. This is not so much a problem with the wildly popular KaZAM as it is with others on the market which have a welded tube added underneath the frame.

Bottom line: Foot rests are not a deal maker or breaker when it comes to balance bikes. Top of the line Likeabikes do not even offer them here in the US. Neither do the all-new FirstBIKE or the FUJI Rookie. It's just a gimmicky feature that doesn't add any real value to the learning process and which could potentially cause a lot of painful bruises on a child's ankles.

FirstBIKE USA is Live!

2011-08-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce that pre-orders for FirstBIKE are now being accepted at WeeBIKE.com

Here is a link to the product page where you can complete your transaction. ETA is mid September, but the limited quantity arriving at that time is not expected to last very long. We encourage you to reach out to your bike dealer of choice and direct them to us for dealer pricing. Just tell them to visit: www.Firstbikeusa.com for more information. Thanks!

FirstBIKE has landed at WeeBIKE

2011-06-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

WeeBIKE + FirstBIKE help your child achieve: confidence built on two wheels.

Well, at least some demo models are here.. The mother load is in process and expected here in September. You will be able to place a pre-order for your choice of FirstBIKE in July.

FIVE REASONS WHY TRAINING WHEELS ARE BAD

2011-06-25T01:09:00.000-07:00

FIVE REASONS WHY TRAINING WHEELS ARE BAD:

1. Weight: The typical children's bike with 12" tires and training wheels weighs nearly 30 pounds. Would a 160 pound adult want to ride a 160 pound bike? Sounds dangerous! Balance bikes typically weigh only 7 to 10 pounds.

2. Cornering: To ride a bike around a corner, a cyclist must lean in the direction of the turn. As we can see from the picture, any attempt to hold the bike perpendicular to the ground while cornering would be a failure. It is impossible to correctly corner with training wheels.

3. Bad habits: It IS possible to execute a turn with training wheels. Unfortunately, your child will have to lean left to turn right and lean right to turn left. Doing the opposite of what is supposed to come naturally is not recommended. This is a primary cause of crashes right after the "training wheels" are removed.

4. Safety: See No 3 above! It's more important to know how to balance and corner on a bike than it is to put force onto the pedals (that's the easy part). A balance bike has no pedals, so feet are instinctively used as stabilizers. With training wheels, there's no need to use feet for stability, making it unnecessary to ever put a foot down- another dangerous bad habit that needs to be un-learned.

5. Speed: Not only will a child on a balance bike easily pass a child on training wheels (how embarrassing!), their motor skills and balance will develop light-years faster too. Faster success is better for a child, especially when it boosts their self confidence. The training wheels are wasting your child's time and energy, and cheating them out of learning balance correctly - not to mention being slow and a lot less fun.

LikeaBike Jumper: Good news/Bad News

2011-06-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

First the good news: WeeBIKE now offers an optional aluminum front caliper brake and brake lever assembly which easily mounts to the Likeabike Jumper. Look for it listed in our website for $39, in both black and silver.

The second piece of good news is that WeeBIKE will be offering completely assembled Likeabike Jumpers to customers (shipped in a larger carton) for an additional charge. Fully assembled bikes will be sold with and without the front brake option. The brake option is installed for free when you order an assembled bike with a front brake.

Now the bad news: Price increase effective June 1st 2011 changes the Likeabike Jumper's retail price to $299. This does not include brake or assembly. We have three Jumpers left in stock which can still be sold at the old price. After those are gone, all Jumpers are $299.

WeeBIKE-Hasyun Spring 2011 Update!

2011-04-14T06:57:00.001-07:00

We have been shirking our blogging responsibilities lately- sorry for that! The spring season has been busier than we expected and so that's our excuse.. Here's a run-down of recent developments:

LikeTObikes are going fast! Our new 16 pound pedal bike is proving to be a very popular investment for parents- who know that it's built to last and has the resale value of a fine German car. You can't lose with the LiketoBike 16 because of it's all corrosion-proof aluminum construction, super light weight and top shelf components.
Our bike race team, WeeBIKE-Hasyun Racing, is off to a great start in 2011 with recent podium placings plus a win at our local Wells Avenue Criterium in Newton MA. The 2011 apparel order is in production at Pactimo and we're all riding our brand new FUJI SST 1.0 road bikes.
Red and White LikeaBike Jumpers are sold out until further notice! We have orange, green, blue and a few pink available. Demand has really picked up so if you do not order soon, it could be months before we have any new inventory arriving from Germany.
KaZaM bikes are hot! So much so that all but the PINK ones are sold out at the moment. There are no red, blue or green available for the next month or so. We will update when they arrive.
Keep an eye on our store for new products coming soon!: helmets, bike lights, patch kits, bike pumps, water bottles, spare tires and tubes, cycling shorts and jerseys for kids and more!

WeeBIKE continues to distinguish itself with superior customer service (when you call us you get a live person- imagine that!), advanced product knowledge, and by giving back to the sport of cycling: we sponsor four elite bike race teams in New England with cash and merchandise. Which of our opponents do that?

WeeBIKE, US Open Cycling, 2010 Providence Cyclocross Festival, YBike..

2010-10-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

Today's Elite Women's podium: Sally Annis, Andrea Smith, Amy Dombroski each autographed a Pink YBIKE donated by WeeBIKE.com and it is up for grabs tomorrow at the Providence Cyclocross Festival! Find the US Open Cycling tent and buy your raffle tickets. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer research.

WeeBIKE October News Letter

2010-09-28T21:39:00.001-07:00

LikeTObike is IN STOCK

2010-08-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

You can order now at our website!
Do you have a LikeAbike which you would like to trade in for store credit towards your LikeTObike?
Only WeeBIKE offers such a program!!!
LikeTObike quantities are LIMITED!

LIKEtoBIKEs are HERE!

2010-08-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

LIKEtoBIKES are expected to be in the hands of our USA importer tomorrow! We still do not have final USD pricing on these yet, and we don't even know how many are here. Please sit tight for updates.

LikeTOBike is almost here!

2010-07-15T02:22:00.000-07:00

The ETA on the 16" big boy version of the LikeaBike Jumper (The LikeTOBike) is on it's way here from Germany and expected to arrive in the next few days. Please check www.weebike.com for updates and a listing which will give you an opportunity to reserve yours with a deposit. Quantities will be limited from this first shipment!

RENOVO Hardwood Bicycles

2010-03-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

WeeBIKE is wild about these solid wood big boy bikes. Amazing quality and finish- these heirloom quality bikes are beautiful. I cant wait to ride one. It would also be an honor to sell these bikes. Maybe WeeBIKE would make the ideal dealer for Renovo, who knows!
The Real Beauty of a Renovo is the Ride... the Looks Are a Bonus:
The smoothest bike you'll ever ride, stealth quiet, light and responsive, stiff as you want. Renovo hollow wood and laminated bamboo frames will forever change your understanding of what a bicycle should be, and how these natural materials can perform when designed to their strengths.

WeeBIKE reminds you: training wheels teach nothing!

2009-12-15T21:39:00.000-08:00

A company overseas has done a first class job of properly informing people about the merits of teaching skill and balance with a LIKEaBIKE, instead of teaching dependence with training wheels.

WeeBIKE:Confidence built on two wheels

CASH FOR JUMPERS! BUY-BACK PROGRAM

2009-12-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that for a limited time beginning in 2010, WeeBIKE will be the only LIKEaBIKE retailer that is engaged in a BUY-BACK program, and the only LIKEaBIKE retailer offering store credit for the return of used LIKEaBIKES. If your child’s LIKEaBIKE is in good working order with only light wear and tear, WeeBIKE.com will buy it back from you for $100 cash or give you $150 store credit at WeeBIKE.com towards any product in the store, guaranteed. Call me for details about this offer.

Another exciting announcement: The highly anticipated 16” LIKEtoBIKE is expected to be the perfect follow-up for LIKEaBIKE adapted children. Made from lightweight aluminum, with brakes, pedals, and 16” wheels, the LIKEtoBIKE is built with the same top-shelf quality standards which attracted you to the LIKEaBIKE. Have you noticed that the typical children’s bike is made in the Far East from heavy steel and designed to be a low performing throw-away? Now you have a choice for your child. Give them the advantage of a high performance bike where they can put the skills and balance learned on their LIKEaBIKE, to good use.

We invite you to visit WeeBIKE.com and register yourself. When you do, we will add $10 store credit to you account which you can use for buying your child a pair of 100% merino wool pajamas, or to buy yourself a 100% merino wool base layer or stylish wool tights. We are the exclusive USA importer of Hasyun wool apparel. Call me anytime to inquire about these offers.

Again, many thanks for your purchase. We realize that you had choices and we appreciate that you included WeeBIKE.com in your buying decision.

Happy Holidays!

Best,

Murat Altinbasak

V.P. Sales and Marketing, WeeBIKE.com

(401) 654-0029

Nothing comes close to the Jumper

2009-11-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon!

2009-10-27T18:50:00.003-07:00

The WeeBike-mobile is being trimmed out> Look for it at the next New England regional bike race!

Parents love the Jumper!

2009-07-18T18:35:00.001-07:00

----- Original Message -----

From: private

To: reiscotools@yahoo.com

Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:05 PM

Subject: Update on Like A Bike Jumper

Hi,

I purchased a Like a Bike Jumper from you about a month ago (I was the customer whom you sent the extra wrench tool to in order to exchange the seat pole).

I wanted to provide you a update on this bike after a month of my 4 year old boy riding it. He absolutely LOVES this bike! This is a kid who would NEVER get on a pedal bike, because he was too frustrated with learning pedals, steering, etc... and just really disliked riding a bike. Bike riding felt like a chore to him vs. something he loved to do. Not anymore! He took to this bike immediately! The first time on the bike, he used it more like a stick horse. By the 4th time riding, he was picking up BOTH feet and gliding. Balancing on two wheels!!! By about the 10th time on the bike, now he's a pro. His favorite thing to do is to find a small hill, start at the top and just glide all the way down... made me a little nervous at first but boys will be boys and I just can't believe his ability to now balance on this bike! Amazing and worth every penny! Just yesterday they had a 'bike race' at the school, and it was worth every penny I spent on this bike to see the level of excitement and confidence he now had in riding his FAVORITE bike! He'll be ready for a regular bike (no training wheels) in a month I am sure... but the question is will he want to part from this bike of his now :) He absolutely loves bike riding now, I would recommend this to anyone! You provided excellent customer service, and I'm so glad that I spent the extra money on the high quality like a bike. Thank you so much! And the even better news... my other son's legs (22 months old) are just about long enough for him to use the bike, too, so double the use and value!!! He watches his older brother on this bike and always wants to get on, too!

One quick question I have... during the bike race, there was a clamp piece that was found on the ground (looked like the one on my son's like a bike seat, i.e. the clamp that keeps the seat locked in). Since there was 20+ bikes out there, we weren't sure which bike this piece fell off of, but my son's like a bike still had the seat clamp attached. However, the clamp looked almost identical to the like a bike clamp (only a little smaller)... so the school assumed it fell off of the like a bike??? Were there two clamps on that bike, b/c the seat clamp is still attached so I don't know where that clamp would have fallen off from? Clamp on handle bar or anywhere else? I don't recall another clamp when I assembled the bike. So my guess is this was from another child's bike, but wanted to double check to ensure I wasn't overlooking something and the bike was still put together properly. Thanks!

Sara

Christmas Shipping Information!

2008-12-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

For those of you in the Northeast/New England area, you have until 3:00 pm on Monday December 22nd to place your order and receive your LikeaBike JUMPER by close of business on December 24th! We will ship your bike using UPS Ground and there will be no added cost to you for shipping- UPS Ground is included in the price.

For those of you who are in New York/New Jersey and all other points West and South, there will be a surcharge for expedited delivery if you complete your purchase AFTER Friday December 19th at 3:00 pm. Please plan ahead buy your bike before 3:00 pm on Friday December 19th! We guarantee that your LikeaBike Jumper will reach you in time for Christmas, no added cost, if you complete your transaction by 3:00 pm on Friday December 19th.

Please use the "BUY NOW" link in the sidebar to complete your secure transaction using your Paypal account or your credit card.

Happy Holidays from WeeBike!

HOT PINK LikeaBike Jumpers are here!

2008-10-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

Buy a LIKEaBIKE Jumper

And just in time for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
If you don't already know, these little bikes are designed for ages two to five, built from aluminum, weigh only 7-1/2 pounds, use Schwalbe tires, have rear suspension, and are completely bullet proof. (Leave it in the yard in the rain overnight? no worries)
To do our part in the cancer war, (we lost my father to lung cancer this past May) I would like to offer all of the local here in New England a special deal. Since I normally ship these bikes for free all over the US, I will extend a $15 contribution to the cancer charity of your choice, if you buy a LikeaBike Jumper from me between now and December 31st. There is one caveat: The bike will be delivered in person, within Rhode Island state lines, at a location that is mutually convenient, such as a cross race, training ride meet-up, or at Providence Bike. The $15 I usually pay for shipping the bike goes to charity, in your name. A pretty good deal I think, and very green since we avoid using UPS. Please reach out to me if you're interested: reiscotools@yahoo.com

Buy a LIKEaBIKE Jumper

WeeBIKE.com sponsors the M1 Bike Racing Team!

2008-03-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Check in on the race reports of our ten person team they race throughout New England and proudly represent WeeBIKE and LikeaBike! Official M1 Racing Team website

Coming Soon!: JUMPERS in RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

2008-03-23T19:57:00.001-07:00

See our new ad in the next Rhode Island Kid's Directory

2008-01-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

Excellent LikeaBike Video from the UK

2007-11-25T20:29:00.001-08:00

Here's the best LikeaBike video I've ever encountered, from Helemill.com, in the UK.

Free Helmet or Frog Light with Purchase

2007-11-24T22:48:00.000-08:00

While supplies last, every LikeaBike bicycle purchase will include a FREE toddler helmet safety pack OR a Frog Light! Your choice. Please indicate color choice for the helmet (blue or pink) or for the Frog Light (clear or red). Or purchase for only $14.95 plus shipping and handling.

Remember, WeeBike sells LikeaBike products from our WeeBike Ebay Store, making it safe and convenient to purchase from us and easy to pay using any major credit card.

Shipping is FREE on all LikeaBikes!

Try Before You Buy!

2007-11-23T12:25:00.000-08:00

WeeBike keeps a complete fleet of "demo bikes" on hand, much like a professional bike shop does with their high end $5000 racing bikes. All LikeaBike models are available for our local Rhode Island customers to take home and try. For a small fee of $10, you can choose any model you prefer and take it home for your child to test ride for a week. Best of all, your $10 payment counts towards the purchase of a new LikeaBike if you decide to buy from WeeBike! It's just another way that WeeBike strives to make your buying decision an easy one. To coordinate pick-up/delivery of your demo bike, or for further inquiry, please click: Contact WeeBike

See our ad in December's Rhode Island Kid's Directory

2007-11-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

www.rikidsdirectory.com

Essential LikeaBike Accessory: The Frame Pouch

2007-11-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

Made from 100% machine washable cotton and offered in six vibrant colors, the Frame Pouch makes any wooden LikeaBike look like a Bichon Frise wearing a sweater. In a word, adorable! For those essentials which Junior shouldn't be without while riding. It will accommodate keys, money, identification, cell phone, candy or whatever your little explorer can fit inside. Hopefully the pictures tell the story- the pouch is designed for small items and really makes the LikeaBike appear complete. Both sides of the pouch offer a lift-up pocket tab that's held shut using velcro.
The pouch attaches itself to the frame with a concealed strip of velcro, as well as a hook/loop fastener at the bottom.Order it in the color of your choice, or to match the seat of your Likeabike: red, blue, light green, orange, magenta and dark green.

The Lightest LikeaBike: The Spoky

2007-11-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

All wooden LikeaBike models share many features in common, and there are some features which distinguish them and make each unique. The thing that sets the LikeaBike Spoky apart is basically one thing: the wheels. Of all of the wooden LikeaBikes, this is the only model with the "real" bike look of spoked wheels. Otherwise, it has the same frame, fork, handlebars, and saddle as all of the other wooden models. This enhancement seems to save some weight- the LikeaBike Spoky is only 7.5 pounds, making it the lightest. Here's a listing of all the features offered by Spoky, with it's one distinguishing feature high lighted:

Frame built from two CNC shaped pieces of 10mm thick baltic birch veneer core plywood (9 plies)
Fork built from a solid piece of CNC shaped 19mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (15 plies)
Inflatable 12" rubber tires with Schrader valved inner tubes
Wheels built from epoxy coated steel with welded maintenance free spokes.
Removable and washable padded cloth seat cover (red or blue standard, other colors, including leather are offered separately)
Seat height adjustable to four different positions (12" to 16") for fast growing toddlers
Limited steering range for extra safety (what happens when front wheel turns too far? Bad things! Ouch.)
Impact proof rubber hand grips (is Junior dropping the bike onto it's side? No worries!)
Suitable for use indoors and outdoors (tires will not mark your floors)
Handcrafted in Germany using wood grown in sustainable forests (FTSE certified?)
Shipped fully assembled except for handlebar, which is applied with two simple screws
Compatible with the optional LikeaBike Hopper handlebar basket and the LikeaBike trailer wagon
Overall dimensions: 14" wide x 21" high x 33" long
As with all wooden LikeaBike models, the frame is constructed of two durable layers of 9 ply birch plywood, shaped a lot like a skateboard. The felt which lines the joint between frame and fork is color coordinated with the saddle (unless of course, you change the seat cover to another optional color.. even leather)

The cotton saddle cover has a foam insert which can be removed [before] machine washing. It's held in place using four points of hook/loop Velcro.
One thing about the spoked wheels which is a real advantage is that it's much easier to inflate the tires. On wooden models, there is a cut-out in the wood for inflation, but we have found that not every bicycle pump will fit in the opening. No such worries with the Spoky.
An aggressive tread pattern lends itself to puncture resistance.
There is a steel pin driven through the top of the fork (concealed by the handlebars) and through the frame and back into the fork. Not only invisible, but maintenance free as well.

The tool required to remove a wheel is always included with your LikeaBike.
Sixteen spokes per wheel, all welded tight and maintenance free.
Nice close-ups pictures of the wheel hubs and spokes.
The wheel 's hub is a maintenance free sealed bearing system.
The handsome grips of our demo bike is adorned with hippos! We're not sure if they vary the grips which are included with the different models, but the Spoky seems to have the toughest, thickest grips of them all.
Some safety recommendations which serve to inform you of the best ways to protect your child from injury.

Accessorize your LikeaBike with Frog Light

2007-11-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

When the clocks are reversed by one hour on Sunday November 4th, there will be even less time in the afternoons for our children to be outside.. which reminds us..why not add an element of safety to your child's play time? The LikeaBike Frog Light is an excellent low cost way to increase Junior's visibility, in addition to giving their LikeaBike an enhancement usually reserved for grown up bikes.
The LikeaBike Frog Light is an inexpensive and effective way to make bike riding much safer for children. It is visible from a distance and will fit onto any typical round tube of any children's bike, not just a LikeaBike. Adding a clear unit to the handlebars and a red unit to the seatpost (facing in reverse) makes the most sense. Needless to say, the Frog Light also makes a delightful stocking stuffer.
Frog Lights are available in two colors: clear and red (which refers to the color of the light, not the actual unit) Made from a water resistant rubber and compatible with virtually every bicycle's handlebars, the Frog Light has a user replaceable battery (CR2032) and will last 160 continuous hours in blink mode.
The LikeaBike Frog Light is shipped in a clear plastic cylinder that's clearly marked with the lens color. The battery is included and pre-installed, of course. There are even some graphics in the package which can be applied to the top of the Frog Light to customize it's appearance.

The Shiniest LikeaBike: The Jumper!

2007-11-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

The LikeaBike Jumper is so eye catching, so sleekly designed, so light weight, so "I gotta have it" beautiful.. that I was sold on it before even knowing who made it or how much it costs. Love at first sight! As a masters competitor in elite regional bike races, I am all too familiar with the world of $5000+ racing bikes. I've paid more money for some bike parts than most adults spend on the best complete bike they'll ever own. The tires on my bike cost more than the tires on my car.. The seat and seatpost of my road racing bike alone, cost $350.. so you can just imagine what the rest of it is worth..

The point here is that I believe any well informed person with an experienced eye for quality will know at first glance that the LikeaBike products are not on the low-end of the pay scale, far from it. So when you first see a child riding a LikeaBike Jumper, you just know.. there is nothing better on the market in terms of materials, build quality, light weight, or life span.

Instead of listing all of the so-called features of the LikeaBike Jumper (there are enough internet retailers listing the same details and giving you only one picture to view, as if this is enough education for anyone to make a buying decision) I would like to walk you through the excitement of putting one together. The pictures will speak for themselves. All you need to know is that the LikeaBike Jumper is without any doubt the most durable child's bicycle in the world, and that it's designed for ages two to five.

Your new LikeaBike Jumper will arrive in this handsome box with built in carrying handle.

Inside you will find a very cleverly and effectively packed Jumper using environmentally friendly protection materials, no styrofoam, and a very small number of plastic bags.

Above, you see everything which comes out of the box, which include spare parts and instructions. The tires will have enough air pressure to be ridden on immediately.

Above, a naked Jumper frame with protection removed. Looks a lot like a grasshopper on steroids, and weighs about 3-4 pounds total. The green paint is impeccable. The aluminum begs to be touched. That main tube is ovalized, and it's the part of the bike you will reach for when you need to carry it.
Above you see the spare parts which are included with your LikeaBike Jumper investment: 1 stiffer suspension gasket for when Junior passes 35 pounds, a longer seatpost for when they grow over 36" tall, an allen key to attach the handlebars, a replacement steering limiter O-ring, a multi-tool for attaching the wheels (no need to run to the garage, I promise) and a pad which can be used to cover the handlebar stem (we haven't used ours)
That little hammer shaped pice of aluminum is a rear fork limiter. When you examine the welds of this bike's frame, you will be convinced that it is indeed "built like a brick...outhouse", as the saying sort of goes.
A view of the LikeaBike Jumper's rear suspension fork. This is the part of the bike which attracts the most attention from grown-up bike racers. The non-mechanical cushioning provided by the orange rubber is ingenious and maintenance free. The bike comes with the softer rubber pre-installed. If you child is over 35 pounds at the time of purchase, don't fret. You receive a stiffer one as a spare, for heavier children. Requires some patience and dish soap to switch them out though..
Adjusting the seat height requires no tools! The seat post clamp mechanism pictured above is a real time saver.
A rubber steering limiter keeps junior from accidentally turning the front wheel too far. This is a safety feature which prevents your child from flipping over the handlebars, which is what can happen when the front wheel is turned sharply at higher speeds.
You will be very impressed by the quality of the saddle and it's integral adjustment of tilt. Another screw makes sure that the seat never pivots on the seatpost- it's locked in place.
The infamous "floor saver" handlebar grips of the LikeaBike Jumper come pre-installed at the factory, so you don't need to bring out the dish soap. Our son has dropped his Jumper on it's side enough times that the rubber has been punctured, which attests to the grip's bike preserving qualities as well.
The two wheels which come out of the box are "unhanded"- you can install either of them front or back. No oily chains or sprockets to toil with either. We like the plastic caps provided to cover the nuts.. designed to discourage adventurous children who've found daddy's collection of open end wrenches. The "Schwalbe" tire is the same brand of $80 racing tires on my own personal $7000 road bike. These "Big Apple" Schwalbe tires pictured are nice and cushy with a bright reflective strip for safety. Twenty radially spoked rims. Can be trued with a spoke wrench if needed.

We can't tell whether this bike seat is covered in leather or "leatherette", but it sure looks like it's made to last. When the bike is laid down on it's side, the seat doesn't touch the ground, which is nice.

Above, a nice close up of the weld between the down tube and the head tube. The steering limiter O-ring is replaceable (a spare is included). And in case you bike racing moms and dads wondered, yes, that is a threadless headset.
Assembly is just too easy: Attach two wheels (tighten four nuts total), attach handlebars (tighten three bolts total), and insert seat/post (tighten quick release clamp). Done.
And we're done! The LikeaBike Jumper will survive years and years of abuse, such as throwing it in the trunk of the car, dropping it on it's side, ramming into things, and being left out in the rain.. It is also remarkably light at only 8 pounds. We've used our Jumper as an alternative to a 10 pound stroller, which do nothing to entertain or give freedom to a child. Most importantly, the LikeaBike Jumper will be ready to delight your next child, and the next, and you will decide quite early on that you will never part with it on Ebay for any price. (Check Ebay for used Jumpers.. don't get your hopes up though) When the bike which teaches your child to balance on two wheels is a rust-proof indestructible German engineered marvel like this, who can blame you?

The Off-Road LikeaBike: The FOREST!

2007-10-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

If you've been shopping around for a LikeaBike for your child, you have no doubt realized two things: 1) Everyone sells them for the same exact price. 2) No one sells any used LikeaBikes (who would want to sell Junior's FAVORITE toy?) 3) Some of the LikeaBikes look quite similar.. Okay three things.. let's discuss number three.

The FOREST is a balance bike that is fitted with a very aggressive tires which are designed to grip rough surfaces and make an off-road bike ride safer for your child. The added traction and puncture protection offered by the knobs on the tires makes Forest the official "mountain bike" of the prestigious LikeaBike fleet. It's confusing, in a way because another model offered by LikeaBike, the "Mountain", implies that it's also an off-road model. Not quite so.. We believe that after the "RACER" was introduced in 1997, there was demand for a model with pneumatic tires. (If we look at competitive bicycle racing, we find three disciplines: road, track and mountain.. really four if we count cyclocross). It seems to us that the "Racer" most resembles a track bike or a time trial bike (by virtue of it's hard skinny tires), and that the "Mountain" was the original road bike.. and that finally with the immense popularity of mountain biking, the FOREST was born as the model that's truly compatible with actual off road use. In the LikeaBike USA color brochure, the FOREST is referred to as "the masterpiece".

Main differences between the Mountain and the FOREST:

Mountain is offered in 5 different seat colors, FOREST only one- green.
The Mountain has color coordinated felt at the frame/fork union, while the Forest uses gray felt only.
The Mountain has a clear natural finished mud flap under the seat. The FOREST has a mud flap that is stained a very attractive green color.
The Mountain uses tires with an all purpose tread pattern, while the FOREST uses a very aggressive knobby pattern (much like a moto cross bike or a mountain bike)

Confused? Why not let these numerous pictures speak for themselves? Here's the FOREST, up close: Notice the color coordination? The Forest is offered only in green. The mudflap is stained to match, but you can still see the wood grain. Doesn't it look so much like a moto cross bike?
Which child has never flipped their bike upside down to spin the wheels?

Below, the signature gray felt lining in the fork, to keep tender fingertips safe..
Handgrips! The ends are specially shaped to absorb impact, protecting both the bike and your floors (though this model begs to always be outdoors..)
Another note about the hand grips: They're very hard to install! We definitely recommend using them though because the wood finish on the handlebar is quite slick.. Weebike will pre-install these grips for you upon request.
Aggressive knobby tires to tame the most unstable, soft, muddy, or leaf covered terrain.
Above, the wishbone shape of the frame is really pleasing to the eye.
The thru bolts at the tip of the fork appear useless, but don't be fooled. They guarantee that your Forest will have a long life span, by making delamination of the plywood impossible.
The floor model pictured above came out of the box with tires fully inflated. We love the "new bike smell" which they give off.

Some notable features of the LikeaBike Mini, common to most other LikeaBikes as well:

Frame built from two CNC shaped pieces of 10mm thick baltic birch veneer core plywood (9 plies)
Fork built from a solid piece of CNC shaped 19mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (15 plies)
Inflatable 12" rubber tires are inflatable to 45 pounds. Schrader valved inner tubes
Wheels built from solid disks of 15mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (11 plies), with a steel bike rim permanently bonded to the perimeter.
Removable and washable padded cloth seat cover (GREEN is the only color offered, other colors including leather are offered separately)
Seat height adjustable to four different positions (11" to 14") for fast growing toddlers
Limited steering range for extra safety (what happens when front wheel turns too far? Bad things! Ouch.)
Impact proof rubber hand grips (is Junior dropping the bike onto it's side? No worries!)
Suitable for use indoors and outdoors (tires will not mark your floors)
Handcrafted in Germany using wood grown in sustainable forests (FTSE certified?)
Shipped fully assembled except for handlebar, which is applied with two simple screws
Compatible with the optional LikeaBike Hopper handlebar basket and the LikeaBike trailer wagon
Overall dimensions: 14" wide x 21" high x 33" long

The Fastest LikeaBike: The RACER

2007-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

The LikeaBike Racer model is especially appealing to parents (like me) who compete on road bikes because of it's large diameter solid disk wheels and hard rubber tires, which make it the most aerodynamic LikeaBike, and give it the lowest amount of rolling resistance of any model. The fit and finish are impeccable, and it comes right out of the box almost ready to ride. We simply applied the boomerang shaped handlebar to the fork using the two connectors provided (tools are included), and it was ready to roll. No tire inflation necessary! Although we must admit, applying the rubber grips to the handlebar ends takes some horsepower. Moistening the inside of the grip and the ends of the handlebar is the only way to get them in place. This only works if you rotate it while gripping tight, similar to the way you would throttle a motorcycle. Next time, we'll try gently heating the grips with a blow dryer and see if that helps. The Racer was the original LikeaBike first introduced in 1997, and is still very popular today. It's also the fastest looking one!

The features of the LikeaBike Racer are as follows:

Frame built from two CNC machined bullet shaped pieces of 10mm thick baltic birch veneer core plywood (9 plies)
Fork built from a solid piece of CNC shaped 19mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (15 plies)
Hard rubber 12" tires do not require inflation. PLus they're narrow just like a time trial bike!
Wheels built from solid disks of 15mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (11 plies)
Removable and washable padded cloth seat cover (red or blue standard, other colors, including leather are offered separately)
Seat height adjustable to four different positions (12" to 16") for fast growing toddlers
Limited steering range for extra safety (what happens when front wheel turns too far? Bad things! Ouch.)
Impact proof rubber hand grips (is Junior dropping the bike onto it's side? No worries!)
Suitable for use indoors and outdoors (tires will not mark your floors)
Handcrafted in Germany using wood grown in sustainable forests (FTSE certified?)
Shipped fully assembled except for handlebar, which is applied with two simple screws
Compatible with the optional LikeaBike Hopper handlebar basket and the LikeaBike trailer wagon
Overall dimensions: 14" wide x 21" high x 33" long

Now for the close up photos which you'll find no where else:

We love the bullet shaped frame of the Racer, common to some of the other models.

Seat height adjust to four different positions, using an allen key which is provided with the Racer.

Peering down in the racer gives you an idea of just how narrow the wheels and tires are.

This rear wheel looks as slick as Lance Armstrong's time trial wheels in the Tour de France. What a great place to apply some of your own cool graphics or stickers..

Those pesky rubber grips are necessary, don't let junior ride without installing them properly. Besides.. they protect your investment in the bike (and your wood floors).Above, the frame and fork are pinned together permanently at the factory. Matching blue strips of felt protect fingers from being pinched.

Below, the seat cover has a comfy foam insert and is secured using velcro, both on top and underneath with flaps.
Below, this must be what it looks like to our little racers as they line up on the starting line..These views shows you the ingenious wishbone construction of the Racer's bullet shaped frame. The two pieces of plywood are joined where they meet the front fork, but they taper open into a fork of their own, for the rear wheel.

The Littlest LikeaBike!: The Mini Mountain

2007-10-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

People are astonished when they discover that a two wheel bicycle exists for toddlers as young as two years old. Here it is: The LikeaBike "Mini". A "balance bike" (or "run bike") designed for children between the ages of two and five. This LikeaBike is especially attractive because of the shape of it's frame. Instead of a bullet shape, it takes a more graceful "swoosh" shape to make it easier for little feet to reach the floor. Using the same outstanding attention to detail and quality materials, the Mini is a bike for the two year old who already has everything.

Some notable features of the LikeaBike Mini, common to most other LikeaBikes as well:

Frame built from two CNC shaped pieces of 10mm thick baltic birch veneer core plywood (9 plies)
Fork built from a solid piece of CNC shaped 19mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (15 plies)
Inflatable 12" rubber tires by Rubena (made in Czech Republic) with Schrader valved inner tubes
Wheels built from solid disks of 15mm baltic birch veneer core plywood (11 plies), with an aluminum bike rim permanently bonded to the perimeter.
Removable and washable padded cloth seat cover (red or blue standard, other colors, including leather are offered separately)
Seat height adjustable to four different positions (11" to 14") for fast growing toddlers
Limited steering range for extra safety (what happens when front wheel turns too far? Bad things! Ouch.)
Impact proof rubber hand grips (is Junior dropping the bike onto it's side? No worries!)
Suitable for use indoors and outdoors (tires will not mark your floors)
Handcrafted in Germany
Shipped fully assembled except for handlebar, which is applied with two simple screws
Compatible with the optional LikeaBike Hopper handlebar basket and the LikeaBike trailer wagon
Overall dimensions: 14" wide x 21" high x 32" long

Now that we're acquainted with all of the technical specs, let's explore the LikeaBike Mini Mountain up close and personal:
The bike pictured has a special optional attachment under the mud guard- a quick release device designed to attach the LikeaBike wagon trailer (sold separately)
The seat height is adjustable by way of two allen thru-bolts. The seat cover is removable and washable. Velcro keeps it in place.
The clear satin finished baltic birch frame and wheels match each other perfectly.

Notice the reinforcement of the fork tips using high grade steel bolts? The fork is pinned to the frame and little fingers are protected with two bands of felt.
The "floor saver" rubber grips not only protect your hardwoods and linoleum, they protect the bike too!

Close up look at the wheels and tires, which will not harm the floors of your home. Possibly the only Christmas gift bike which can be safely enjoyed indoors!
No cheap Far Eastern parts here.. This is a European Classic.

Welcome to Weebike!

2007-07-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Weebike is a Rhode Island family operated business which sells the best children's bicycles in the world. You can buy our products online using this site, you can call us for a free home trial, or you can buy from our mobile Bikea selling vehicle which will be making it's rounds at all of the regional elite bike races.
Using this site, you can learn about the revolution in children's bicycles: RUN BIKES!

Our goal is to provide an outstanding buying experience. Online interaction with us on this site, videos of our products, free home delivery within Rhode Island, and complimentary bike rentals for your little one's birthday party are what we believe will set us apart from our competition.

We are excited about developing the easiest and most informative ways to make our product line accessible to potential customers. We accept that people may use our service to try out the product and then proceed to buy elsewhere.. but we're cautiously optimistic that this won't happen. Even so, we're just happy to see children riding bicycles the way they were meant to be ridden- with TWO wheels, not four!

By October 29th we expect to receive our first large delivery and all models will be readily available, including the "Spoky", "Forest", "Mountain", "Race" and "Mini". Please check back for updates!