How to make a runbike with your own hands. Wooden balance bike: recommendations for choosing. Which wheels are better

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 - this is a bicycle without pedals. This intricate type of children's transport has gained immense popularity around the world. The balance bike is quite simple 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 runbike?

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, together with his brother, founded a company and began to actively sell the product. In 2010 year children bicycle without pedals won consumers in the USA and Europe, after which he reached Russia. Today, a balance bike is included in the list of must-have purchases that contribute to the physical development of the child.

In its design, it is more like a regular bicycle, but without pedals. And for mechanical control - on a scooter, since you need to move on it with the help of repulsions from the ground. This type of transport is the first step to the development of a bicycle. On it, the child will learn to set the direction of the ride with the help of the steering wheel and maintain balance.

Benefits or harms of a treadmill?

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

Also, the scooter will be useful for the parents of the baby. It weighs much less than a conventional bike, which allows you to carry it in your hands if necessary. Its weight is from 3 to 5 kg, depending on the design. Also, buying a balance bike can save the family budget well. It will please for several years if you choose a model with adjustable handlebar and seat height. And a child who is keen on riding will be less likely to ask for arms.

How to choose the right balance bike?

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

Step size - to determine it, you need to measure the inside of the leg from the groin to the floor. While riding the balance bike, the child's legs should be in a bent position. To do this, 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 her up to 3 kg. This balance bike has three or four wheels.
From 2 to 2.5 years - the most optimal age for this mode 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 best?

There are 2 types of 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 are not punctured and have a long service life. These tires are quite light in weight and suitable for off-road driving. But if the tire is worn out, it will be necessary to put a new wheel.

Air - this type of wheels is able to smooth out rough roads, which provides a comfortable and soft ride. But they can be punctured or torn 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. Therefore, plastic and wooden balance bikes for children are most in demand there. With us, they are no less popular. hallmark wooden balance bikes is their unique, original design. Although there are many rumors around this product about their fragility. But this is not reality. Runbikes are constructed from many layers of Baltic birch glued together, which gives the product strength. Compared to solid wood, which can crack due to changes in temperature or humidity.

Due to popularity, the price of a bicycle without pedals has risen significantly. Therefore, many parents have learned to make it on their own. A balance bike is easy to make from improvised means, products from plywood are especially relevant. 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. Such a 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 do not use such transport in the rain.

Materials needed to make a balance bike:

· Sanded plywood sheet 12 mm.

· A set of bolts.

A piece of hairpin or rod.

· A piece of plywood 4-5 mm for the manufacture of the seat.

· Foam rubber 50 mm.

· A piece of leather or fabric for the seat.

Wheels.

After that, 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 in a child will only positively affect his physical development. Judging by the reviews, wooden balance bikes are gaining popularity every day.

I have been wanting a balance bike for my toddler for a long time, I found a bunch of possible options for implementing and creating my own model for my son, but so far he is still small and work has not begun.

I want to share with you what I found and what ideas can be implemented, here is one of them. I stumbled upon it quite by accident on VKontakte, but I could not 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 with the fact that once again, wandering around the Internet, I accidentally stumbled upon a picture of a bike race.

I became interested, and began to scour the forums in order to find reviews of those who had already bought a similar type of developing transport for their child. The key factor was the information that the balance bike, or run bike, as it is also called, e then great way pass a 3-wheeled bike and a 2-wheeled bike with extras on the sides, while the child learns to keep his balance and does not constantly look at the pedals, stuffing himself with bumps.

And before that, we bought our son a car with a similar principle of movement, and he fell in love with it, but he grew up with it, and does not want to pedal on a 3-wheeled bike, so the idea came up to purchase 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 one could buy a ready-made balance bike, but some of the materials were purchased and therefore it was decided to create a custom one - (English custom - custom-made).
Like everything that is done by human hands, I started with simple calculations and a sketch. First, the first sketch was drawn, 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 were to the floor they won’t get it, or you will have to disfigure the balance bike model by cutting off the excess.

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

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

its price for me was approximately 2330 grew. rubles or 75 dollars, for this money you can buy a German or Italian factory balance bike, moreover, from metal. My idea was to create an exclusive for my son this time, and two this design will be equipped with an electric motor, but probably next year, let them learn how to balance first. »

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

The guys live in a small village where there is nothing special, so the balance bike attracts the eyes of the kids as well.

“Children of his age try to ride, but they don’t understand right away that they put their feet on the footboards, there are no footboards on the factory ones, but I put them on the motor with a long-term aim, especially since it doesn’t interfere with driving, but confuses children. The older children did not try, we are all about the same age, those with whom the small one is friends does not give others, says my jin jin.»

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

In 2012, my family and I vacationed in Slovenia. My son turned a year and a half there - a holiday, like. We took him to the zoo of Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia, who do not know). And in the zoo, on the central alley, some uncles and aunts grabbed children and put them on plywood bicycles without pedals. That was the first time I saw a running bike. But what this crap is called and what it is for, I found out only a year later. Because At the time, I wasn't impressed at all.
A few days later I saw a couple of four-year-olds on balance bikes, they are also called RunBikes. They confidently held great speed and looked very organic on balance bikes. And when we drove up to the cafe, we effectively slowed down: some with their heels, and some with a rear brake, one with a skid. All this looked somehow very clever and at ease for such kids. And this picture impressed me. And it fixed itself in the brain: Venya and I approached them, sort of like walking, but in fact we were studying the design (see photo below).

Already a year later, in a fit of tenderness for my son, I 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 will figure out where and who will place the order for me. And then the Moscow office did not get in touch for another two weeks. But the balance bike came, and the dealer paid for the delivery himself - to compensate for his sluggishness.

Firstbike chose because of the low weight, the presence of a brake and resistance to rain and mud. But what matters most is vandal resistance. Yes, yes, kids - they are sometimes such vandals.
While I was waiting for the package, my friends were really fucking crazy about the cost and waiting time. In the order of chatter, they discussed making with their own hands. I considered manufacturing, only from plywood, because. the first balance bike I saw was plywood. From plywood, as it seemed to me, it is easier to make.
But then, almost simultaneously, messages came from two friends: one suggested using polypropylene pipes to build a balance bike, the other sent a 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'm in the subject, I think the weight turned out to be around 4 ... 4.5 kg. Mostly because of the wheels. heavy of course, but not yet critical.
In general, a start has been made - I made a sketch, determined the main dimensions of the balance bike and went to look for materials. It took about two weeks of intensive searching to find all the materials. The hardest thing was to find wheels: I found used ones for 500 rubles in a children's store. It was traded for a week, and it was additionally traded, which was almost withdrawn from sale. Quickly ceasing to get dirty, I took it for the full price.

It would seem that polypropylene is not plywood, but there was an abundance of garbage.

The impossibility of using serious equipment, technologies and materials gave rise to the concept - to do only from commercially available things and from technologies available in everyday life. And this already made a requirement for the overall thoughtfulness of the design. It is necessary to make a reservation - propylene welds, in practice, do not allow to achieve a good presentation. But at the same time, it is an excellent and cheap material for rapid prototyping and one-off manufacturing.

In general, polypropylene is quite difficult to process, and industrial injuries are possible at work. Although you can foolishly break the hell.

Hence the name for the balance bike: Piper CutFinger.
The seat from the iron corner, of course, turned out to be traumatic. My kid, riding, hit the edge of the seat with his bare ass. But here is the fate of all test pilots.

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

P.S. While 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 deal with pipers - pipe crafts - came about. And, in particular, to make a balance bike with your own hands.

In 2012, my family and I vacationed in Slovenia. My son turned a year and a half there - a holiday, like. We took him to the zoo of Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia, who do not know). And in the zoo, on the central alley, some uncles and aunts grabbed children and put them on plywood bicycles without pedals. That was the first time I saw a running bike. But what this crap is called and what it is for, I found out only a year later. Because At the time, I wasn't impressed at all.
A few days later I saw a couple of four-year-olds on balance bikes, they are also called RunBikes. They confidently kept high speed and looked very organic on balance bikes. And when we drove up to the cafe, we effectively slowed down: some with their heels, and some with a rear brake, one with a skid. All this looked somehow very clever and at ease for such kids. And this picture impressed me. And it fixed itself in the brain: Venya and I approached them, sort of like walking, but in fact we were studying the design (see photo below).

Already a year later, in a fit of tenderness for my son, I 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 will figure out where and who will place the order for me. And then the Moscow office did not get in touch for another two weeks. But the balance bike came, and the dealer paid for the delivery himself - to compensate for his sluggishness.

Firstbike chose because of the low weight, the presence of a brake and resistance to rain and mud. But what matters most is vandal resistance. Yes, yes, kids - they are sometimes such vandals.
While I was waiting for the package, my friends were really fucking crazy about the cost and waiting time. In the order of chatter, they discussed making with their own hands. I considered manufacturing, only from plywood, because. the first balance bike I saw was plywood. From plywood, as it seemed to me, it is easier to make.
But then, almost simultaneously, messages came 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".

It would seem that polypropylene is not plywood, but there was an abundance of garbage.

In general, polypropylene is quite difficult to process, and industrial injuries are possible at work. Although you can foolishly break the hell.

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

All photos from the article

In this article, we will get acquainted with the design of a rather unusual vehicle- a runner. 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 the 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 run (or runbike, from the English runbike) looks like an ordinary children's bike, but it completely lacks pedals and any kind of transmission. You can move on it, alternately pushing off the ground with your feet ().

There are only three movable mounts in its design:

Front wheel axle;
Rear wheel axle;
Steering column.

However: the market offers models with a handbrake. In practice, the child does fine without it: the speeds developed by this transport are quite safe and make it easy to brake with your feet if necessary.

Frame materials are:

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

On the advantages of this or that material on the forums of buyers disputes do not subside. However, the tree has one undoubted advantage: it allows you to assemble a toy for a child on your own.

Indeed: even if you have welding and relevant skills, a structure welded from a water pipe and a corner will turn out to be excessively massive; well, and even an extruder for the manufacture of plastic parts of complex shape is hardly found in a home workshop.

Why build your own balance bike when the modern market offers so many 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 more the rule than the exception for a young family. Self-manufacturing toys will significantly save;
In addition, the product can be made completely non-standard. You can, for example, turn it into a custom bike that will gather all the boys from the surrounding yards on the first ride, or a sport bike that is no less popular.

Structural elements

How and from what exactly is the easiest way to collect ours?

wheels

In this capacity, you can use:

Wheels from a broken or unwanted children's bike;

Wheels for a 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. Pneumatics or foam rubber will be under the tire - it does not matter: the loads on the wheels are so small that the difference in the quality of depreciation does not play a special role.

A stud or bolt is used as an axis, threaded through the frame elements. Frame counters with inside nut with washer.

Frame

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

Seat

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

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

Steering wheel

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

Here are the two most simple ones:

A shovel handle is used as a stand. It is oiled to reduce friction and is fixed to the frame cross member with two steel clamps; at the same time, plywood is again - still locked with nuts on both sides;
Instead of a handle, you can use a piece of smooth reinforcement. In this case, both the clamps and the pads fixing the bar are made of thick plywood.

Conclusion

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

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

Spectacular pumping of the body - Health Portal