Go Lookabout

I wanted so badly to get the Target Like-A-Bike, that I was willing to overlook all kinds of details.  Like the fact that it was way, way, way too tall for my 2-year-old son.  To fit him, we needed a “low-rider”.

But, with a little perseverance we could get that thing lowered, right?  Besides, it’s made of wood!  In the worst case, couldn’t we just saw it off?

In the end, the easiest approach was to change out the very nice wheels (wooden rims with 12-inch pneumatic tires) for some small, cheapo lawnmower wheels.  I was able to get everything I needed at Maine Hardware.  A pile of nylon spacers and some 6-inch wheels did the trick.

Or, you could probably get even better parts at McMaster-Carr.  These rubber tired wheels (Part No. 2331T11) would work just fine.  A couple of nylon spacers (Part No. 94639A081) will allow you to step up from the 1/4-inch axle provided to the 1/2-inch bore on the wheels.  Add some washers (Part No. 90295A187) to center your new wheel in the bike frame, and it’s ready to go. 

The bike has been sitting in the corner of the living room all summer, waiting for Kid Fink to get up the nerve to try it out.  This was the week.  We rode in the driveway, down to the store, and down the hill.  “Zooming!”