FabSwingers.com forum: The fraustration

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

Ask the nice man to do it for you

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!"

Choose your jobs wisely, flutter your eyelashes and I’m sure the nice man at Halfords will sort it

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

Get her to lean to one side a bit.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

"Get her to lean to one side a bit. "

And only cycle in a circle in one direction.....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think the Halfords man will be very happy to see you

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was taught to ride a bike by an older friend.

He sat me on the bike, pushed me off and shouted "pedal or you'll fall off!".

I pedaled my little heart out.

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

"Get her to lean to one side a bit.

And only cycle in a circle in one direction.....

A big circle if she leans a bit and a small circle if she leans a lot. Physics is so much fun!

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

I have had 25 motorbikes, stripped them all to every last nut & bolt then rebuilt them again, but I have absolutely no idea what Shimano gears are

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I was taught to ride a bike by an older friend.

He sat me on the bike, pushed me off and shouted "pedal or you'll fall off!".

I pedaled my little heart out."

Problem is my nearly 6 year old refuses to ride it without stabilizers even though she has grown out of her other one. It's a confidence thing, so I thought I would get some on the bigger bike- get her cycling again!

Alterior motive being that I want to get more active walking to get fitter, but because I'm a single mum, she has to come too!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have had 25 motorbikes, stripped them all to every last nut & bolt then rebuilt them again, but I have absolutely no idea what Shimano gears are

Such a “Trent Steel” quote...

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I have had 25 motorbikes, stripped them all to every last nut & bolt then rebuilt them again, but I have absolutely no idea what Shimano gears are

Witchcraft! Convinced of it!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

pay the man at Halfords. it's not defeatist. it's delegating. and most dad's do that so it's justified

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By *hubaysiWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!"

Has she no Uncles to help? My sister was a single mum with a 4 year old daughter. The uncles came in handy for these sort of technical issues. Don’t ask the Halfords man as he will think you weak. Or take to the tube starting with Y......

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By *ig1gaz1Man
over a year ago

bradford

I was going to ask how old but at 6 years old its time to adjust those stabilizers a bit higher than needed.

it makes it tip over if they lean to far makes them put there feet down to stop it going over.

some learn quicker than others to balance on there bikes.

I had one that did and the other one didnt but in end they was taken off so they could learn to balance without them

as they also got to the stage it shamed them to have them on while others didnt have them on.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sounds like you need a stabilizer extender bolt

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!

Her uncle is currently gallavanting around New York!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Sounds like you need a stabilizer extender bolt"

I have now worked this out but I am taking it in with the one that I fitted attached- just to prove I am only a half-wit, not a dimwit!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I was taught to ride a bike by an older friend.

He sat me on the bike, pushed me off and shouted "pedal or you'll fall off!".

I pedaled my little heart out.

Alterior motive being that I want to get more active walking to get fitter, but because I'm a single mum, she has to come too! "
Chuck it all away and bye a scateboard

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Sounds like you need a stabilizer extender bolt

I have now worked this out but I am taking it in with the one that I fitted attached- just to prove I am only a half-wit, not a dimwit!

You'll be surprised how many have this problem due to Shimano. No shame in it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

https://youtu.be/ypM8Ut7acCM

Does this help?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I was taught to ride a bike by an older friend.

He sat me on the bike, pushed me off and shouted "pedal or you'll fall off!".

I pedaled my little heart out.

Alterior motive being that I want to get more active walking to get fitter, but because I'm a single mum, she has to come too! Chuck it all away and bye a scateboard

We have a scooter already!

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

I've never seen a bike with stabilisers and gears

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By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

Right! Let's get the basics out of the way.

Stabilisers are the wrong way to go.

Shimano (a Japanese manufacturer) gears are the spring loaded mechanism or de railers/derailleurs that throw the chain up and down the sprockets/cogs on the rear wheel.

Balance bikes are the way to go. Looking like bone shakers the legs do all the work, pushing and balancing, in a similar way to using a scooter.

All you have to do is to lower her saddle really low, so that her feet are safely on the floor. A good rule of thumb is setting the saddle height a few inches lower that normal.

The next thing to do is to remove her pedals and put them way (make sure you know which is left and right as they have different threads!). This can usually be done with an allen key.

Youtube is your friend for this. After about 30 mins, her confidence should rocket.

Good luck.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've had 16 motorbikes ..... never stripped them down and rebuilt them. Too busy riding them

Shimano gears are the work of Satan

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"https://youtu.be/ypM8Ut7acCM

Does this help?"

Yes thankyou- that was actually really helpful xx

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By *venturerMan
over a year ago

Bodmin

All this lady wanted was a guy to call on her and satisfy her needs lol instead she gets technical advice and not a man with spanners and helpful hands

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

Don't worry about it I'll borrow her mine. Doesn't look like I'll be using it anytime soon.

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By *xtrafun4youMan
over a year ago

Dunstable

"pay the man at Halfords. it's not defeatist. it's delegating. and most dad's do that so it's justified "
you want equality work it out!

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By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

"All this lady wanted was a guy to call on her and satisfy her needs lol instead she gets technical advice and not a man with spanners and helpful hands

I'm nearby, only a PM away!

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"I've had 16 motorbikes ..... never stripped them down and rebuilt them. Too busy riding them

Shimano gears are the work of Satan

When I had mine I stripped all of mine down, rechromed them, had them stove enameled and sold them on for a profit

Some I rode on Mad Sunday round the Isle of Man at almost impossible speeds

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"pay the man at Halfords. it's not defeatist. it's delegating. and most dad's do that so it's justified you want equality work it out! "

Ouch.

I work, I garden, I cook I clean, I decorate, I fix things and I put the bins out. Oh and I look after my child. I would say greater than, rather than equal to.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it. "

Would you like some help with your carrot?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot? "

No thank you.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot? "

You didn't ask me if I wanted help with my strawberry!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hope you get it sorted

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By *eastonuMan
over a year ago

nr Manchester

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot?

You didn't ask me if I wanted help with my strawberry!

I would love to offer to help with the strawberry

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!"

You could also bite the bullet and have a try! Google it etc.. Its a challenge but rewarding. Plus.. Use Halfords as a back up, take it there if you muck it up

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By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot?

You didn't ask me if I wanted help with my strawberry!

I would love to offer to help with the strawberry

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By *hoenixAdAstraWoman
over a year ago

Hiding in the shadows

It's actually really easy, check out You Tube for self help tips. Sheldon Brown has the answers to everything cycling related.

But if you can't do it yourself, take it to local independent bike shop.

I spend half my week, putting right the cock ups Halfords have made of people's bikes.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"It's actually really easy, check out You Tube for self help tips. Sheldon Brown has the answers to everything cycling related.

But if you can't do it yourself, take it to local independent bike shop.

I spend half my week, putting right the cock ups Halfords have made of people's bikes. "

Oh, like what?

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot?

No thank you.

Oh bugger, a man just can't win on here sometimes can he?

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"I'd go to Halfords. You want it to be safe for her so need the right kit.

I wouldn't give a shit about people saying anything about it. People can think they're experts in everything but I'm not. I always ask for help if I need it.

Would you like some help with your carrot?

You didn't ask me if I wanted help with my strawberry!

I could offer some cream

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano

gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!"

I feel your pain as a single dad.

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By *hoenixAdAstraWoman
over a year ago

Hiding in the shadows

"It's actually really easy, check out You Tube for self help tips. Sheldon Brown has the answers to everything cycling related.

But if you can't do it yourself, take it to local independent bike shop.

I spend half my week, putting right the cock ups Halfords have made of people's bikes.

Oh, like what?

It's a long list!

Last week....

3 sets of front forks put on back to front.

Realigning 2 front mechs & 4 dérailleurs.

Repostionjng brake blocks.

Tightening cables, loosening cables.

Truing 4 wheels

I've currently got 7 bikes, all Xmas gifts that need sorting next week.

I'm not complaining, it helps pay the bills.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

On second thoughts.

Don't go to Halfords

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"It's actually really easy, check out You Tube for self help tips. Sheldon Brown has the answers to everything cycling related.

But if you can't do it yourself, take it to local independent bike shop.

I spend half my week, putting right the cock ups Halfords have made of people's bikes.

Oh, like what?

It's a long list!

Last week....

3 sets of front forks put on back to front.

Realigning 2 front mechs & 4 dérailleurs.

Repostionjng brake blocks.

Tightening cables, loosening cables.

Truing 4 wheels

I've currently got 7 bikes, all Xmas gifts that need sorting next week.

I'm not complaining, it helps pay the bills. "

If you've got 4 wheels, that sounds like a Quad Bike

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By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

"Being a single mum, I have to do "dad" roles as well- it's just how it is.

So I went and bought some stabilizers for my daughter's bike today- been meaning to do it for months (see just like a man!

) and managed to put the one side on, but then unable to do the other because of the Shimano gears!!

Now I have to get some kind of adaptor kit and start again.....or ask the nice man at Halfords to do it for me!"

How did you get on?

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