Sometimes, even the most obvious things aren’t exactly obvious — and that’s ok! See some of the assembly steps you may be missing while you put your Strider bike together.
It’s Just One of Those Days
We get it. Some days, the coffee isn’t strong enough, sharp toddler limbs poke you all night, your baby is in their “screaming-is-so-fun” phase, the laundry got left in the washer two days ago, and you need to make dinner but the veggies in your fridge you swear you just bought are growing eyes and limbs.
Being a parent is hard, but you got this! With team Strider’s help, you can quickly get your bike in working order so your little one can experience magic on two wheels, and you can catch a much-needed break.
Take a deep breath and follow this list to see some of the most common assembly mistakes we hear (and help fix) to see if these simple solutions can turn your day around!
Flip it Up
Oh, what a feeling, dancing on the ceiling — but as it turns out, only wheels on the ground are sound. We love the innovative idea of an upside-down bike, but Striders are best when the logos are upright! If you’ve installed your fork, handlebars, and seat but notice that the logos seem to be facing the wrong way, just undo your progress and start over with the frame flipped the other way.
- Tip From HQ
Install the back wheel first and then insert your fork, handlebars, and seat to visualize how the bike will look standing up.
Tighten Things Up
If you feel like you’re going nuts and your kiddo’s tires are rattling, the culprit may be… well, nuts. Specifically, we’re referring to the “acorn nuts” on our wheels. If you’re trying to tighten those parts, but you notice your wheel keeps turning with you, take your second wrench (included in your bike’s box or in our toolkit) and hold it on one of the nuts while you tighten the nut on the opposite side. This should allow you to fully tighten up your wheels, so they are secure and ready for riding.
- Tip From HQ
If you notice your wheels are still wobbly or not smoothly spinning after being tightened, completely loosen your nuts again, finger tighten them until there is resistance, and then use both wrenches included in your toolkit to re-tighten each side equally. If one side of the wheel is tightened more than the other, you may notice a wobbly wheel that won’t spin correctly.
If, instead, your handlebars or seat won’t stay up, undo the quick-release clamps first and then, with the clamps open, try tightening those up until you can’t turn the Allen wrench anymore. You should still be able to position your handlebars and/or seat, then flip the clamp lever down so that everything is locked in place. Make sure that the clamp lever is flush to the stem or post when closed.
Put Air in Your Tires
Don’t worry — this isn’t a trick! At Strider, we have two different tires available. Our 12 Balance Bikes are compatible with our ultralight wheels — which require no air and never deflate — and our high-traction wheels, which are pneumatic and need to be inflated before use. Our 14x and 20x bikes only have pneumatic wheels; so, if you’ve recently gotten your preschooler a 14x after they grew out of their Strider 12, you may be scratching your head! Just take out the old bike pump, give them some air (you’ll be able to see the PSI required on the side of the tire), and your champ will be ready to learn how to pedal.
For our rockin’ rocking bike parents, make sure to do the opposite: release the air from your child’s tires if they have high-traction wheels and their bike is on the rocking base. When it’s time to take the bike off the base, just reinflate them and let them zoom away!
Keep it Together
In your rush to get everything put together for your eager tot, cheered on by chants of your name, it’s easy to miss a few things. If your wheels don’t seem to want to stay attached or the bike’s fork is noticeably loose, do a quick double check. Occasionally, if you’ve gotten a little too excited about attaching the front fork to the frame, it’s possible for the headtube bushing to be pushed out. Just make sure to add that part back in and then try attaching the fork.
As for the bike’s wheels, take a look at the axle to make sure that all tabbed washers are slotted into place. These washers should be the second to last part on the outside of your bike’s axle, just before the nuts. Make sure that the hooks or tabs are secured into the slot on the bike’s frame — that will ensure that your kiddo’s wheels keep spinning without coming loose!
Get Your Pedals On
Your preschooler is officially ready to move up to a 14x convertible bike — and that’s exciting! But if your chain tension on your new 14x pedal kit isn’t right, that can take all the air out of the room. Keep the buzz of their new convertible bike with these easy adjustments!
Remove the chain cover and assess whether the chain is too loose or too tight. On the opposite side of the wheel, loosen the nut around the axle and the screw near it. With the chain still attached, gently move the wheel forwards or backwards until you get the right tension around the chain.
Once that’s done, tighten everything back up, add the cover back on, and your superstar’s bike is ready for tons of unforgettable moments!
- Tip From HQ
Be sure to watch our instructional video for more help getting your child’s pedal kit installed.
Few things are easy when you’re a parent — but you got this! And, no matter what happens, you’ll still be your kiddo’s hero at the end of the day. Once your bike is fully assembled and ready to roll, you’ll have endless memories, stories, and time to bond on two wheels with your family.
For even more time with your little ones, have them help you check their bike when you’re all done! Use our tune-up checklists to make sure everything is in order whether it’s fresh out of the box or coming out from a winter hibernation.
Still fighting some assembly problems? Check out our assembly videos for more help or contact our customer service team to speak to someone.
