How to Put on Training Wheels

girl on the bike image by anna karwowska from Fotolia.com

Many young children use training wheels on their bikes before they graduate to riding a bicycle. Training wheels allow a child to practice balancing on a bike and propelling it without any danger of falling. Many children's bikes come with training wheels that can be installed and removed with ease, but you can also purchase training wheels from department stores and bike shops. Training wheels will let your child take his time when developing his bike-riding skills, and do so safely.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Training wheels
Bike
Crescent wrench

Step 1

Locate the axle nut at the axle of the rear tire. This is where the training wheels will be attached to the bike.

Step 2

Loosen and remove the nut, using a crescent wrench, if necessary.

Step 3

Place the training wheel bolt hole over the bolt. Place the nut back onto the bolt and spin it back on, but do not tighten it--you should be able to move the training wheel.

Step 4

Adjust the height of the training wheel so that, when the bike is erect, the training wheel is about 1/4 inch off the ground. You don't want it riding on the ground at all times, because your child will not develop any balancing skills that way. The training wheels are merely there to keep the bike from tipping over while being ridden.

Step 5

Tighten the nut with your crescent wrench, making sure the training wheel stays in place.

Step 6

Repeat this process on the other side of the bike.

Tips & Warnings

Always have your child wear a helmet when riding her bike.

Children should be restricted to sidewalks when using training wheels.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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