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kcsslows · RSS feed for topic

Whats the best way to get your child to stand up when at the track?
I just can't get him to stand up and pedal,I know he would do a lot better.
He is 9 and his brother is 6 and he only stands up half the time,what can i do?

timt · 2012-09-05 8:14pm

Is his bike sized correctly and does he look comfortable standing?

TrulyOdD · 2012-09-05 8:20pm

maybe take him to the track on non-race days to practice. he might get more comfortable with it without all the pressure of having to race.

also have him watch video's and races of other guys doing it. most little guys want to do what the 'big' kids are doing.

kcsslows · 2012-09-05 8:21pm

Yes,just keeps telling me his knees are burning or his feet are hurting,even when we ride street,or park,but he loves to ride.

GENERATORSHOVEL · 2012-09-05 8:34pm

Seat all the way down?

kcsslows · 2012-09-05 8:45pm

About 1/2" up.

Thrash · 2012-09-05 9:41pm

thumbtack on the seat j/k

feet hurting, maybe get a stiffer shoe or wider pedal. hes not clipped is he?
leg burning is a fitness issue.

pjohnpowers · 2012-09-06 5:08pm

Please submit a pic of the bike and your son, then let's see what we can come up with...
Preferably with him next to it or riding it.

stonie · 2012-09-06 5:12pm

Have him ride the bike a short distance without seat/post???

kcsslows · 2012-09-06 8:57pm

pjohnpowers wrote:
Please submit a pic of the bike and your son, then let's see what we can come up with...
Preferably with him next to it or riding it.

In out on posting pics:( still have to figure that one out.

kcsslows · 2012-09-06 8:58pm

stonie wrote:
Have him ride the bike a short distance without seat/post???

Now this just might work:D

tim1218 · 2012-09-06 9:00pm

Hey, take out the seat and post, he'll have no choice but to stand. Tough, but it will build up his leg muscles also.

63v-dub · 2012-09-06 9:00pm

kcsslows wrote:
stonie wrote:
Have him ride the bike a short distance without seat/post???
Now this just might work:D

DAMN YA BEAT ME TO IT,

GENERATORSHOVEL · 2012-09-07 5:15am

I would not take the seat post all the way out, just drop it all the way down. He can not sit that low and pedal. Look at every other small kids bike at the track. The seat is slammed, it isn't because it looks cool. Older kids think it looks cool though.

GENERATORSHOVEL · 2012-09-07 5:35am

kcsslows wrote:
About 1/2" up.

I'm still in awe of the take the post out comments! Ridiculous. Good way to get a kid bruised up and scared of the bike. My oldest is 8, I just got him to start racing this year, it took three years to finally get him racing on his own. I didn't want to push him and make him hate it. He loves it now. He ended up 4th for the Eastern Division finals last weekend, maybe I should push him, I don't know. Point is, it's all about the family fun, I even ended up 4th in State this year for 36-40 Cruiser. We will be in KC MO for the Redline Cup Finals next month, take him to see it, he will understand that he has to go faster and stand up to do it.

jasvanek · 2012-09-07 6:51am

Most definitely don't pull the seat/post out, just drop it all the way down. If at all possible see if there is someone else who can work with him. I say that because our own kids generally will listen to another adult before they will listen to us. This works especially well if you have a pro in your area. They will probably give much of the same advice as you do but it will be heard and applied.

Of course this only works if you kid wants to get better. If they are just out having fun and don't care about the racing part then it is tilting at windmills. Maybe at some point the competitive side will kick in, but it may also just not be their thing. Either way, unless they are crying about getting beat I wouldn't push too hard. Let them decide to improve on their own. Much easier, trust me.

kmpap · 2012-09-07 7:26am

This is an interesting thread for me, because I've always been a freestyler.

I played plenty of competitive team sports growing up (hockey, baseball, soccer) and frankly I gravitated to BMX because at some point I simply wanted to do my own thing, at my own pace, without the pressure of doing it "right" or "wrong". For me, biking had nothing to do with "winning" or "losing" but with creative expression, personal enjoyment - and freedom.

If your kid is having fun, seated or otherwise, then I'd just enjoy the fact that he's out getting exercise with other kids and having fun doing it. But if your son really wants to improve, then I agree with Jasvanek; try to find somebody in the area who your child looks up to. It's amazing how kids will listen and take advice from other sources, particularly slightly older kids....

In any event it's cool you're at the track and supporting your children's enthusiasm for BMX. Props.

stonie · 2012-09-07 8:25am

kcsslows wrote:
stonie wrote:
Have him ride the bike a short distance without seat/post???
Now this just might work:D

If you do decide to pull the seat/post then you should zip tie a frame pad
or some pipe insulation over the seat tube...for safety sakes!!

RadDad · 2012-09-07 8:36am

Having a 9 year old racer, It took a few weeks. He had to get comfortable with the track. It then took him wanting to win to understand. Bike Size is imperative. Mine is on a junior (though it looks small) with 160 cranks. Hes about to go up to an expert with 165's. This was after I took him off the wrong size bike when we started.Try sprints on the street to build muscle memory and to get him used to not sitting. Bottom line no matter what you do, its gotta be his choice. If you think this is fun, wit until he tries clips! Hit me up anytime.

DAVID

adamdawson · 2012-09-07 11:56am

is he just not that into it?

Last edited by adamdawson (2012-09-07 12:09pm)

kcsslows · 2012-09-07 7:47pm

adamdawson wrote:
is he just not that into it?

No he's way into it,he is just more cautious about things than me or his younger brother.

As far as the no seat thing go's,were going to try it out nothing to hardcore,we have a parking lot across the street and I'll see how it go's for a couple mins,maybe it will help maybe it won't.

And that guy that pro that they look up to is dad:D cuzz I get out and ride the track,park,and street with them:)

But every time we hit the track theY give their all sitting down or not. Thanks for everybodys input.

Therealpoorboy · 2012-09-08 5:16pm

I would say try the opposite of what everyone is saying. Go old school and get the seat as high as you can. If he wants to sit, just embrace it and try to mold his bike to his riding style.

PJC Racing · 2012-09-09 11:38am

Therealpoorboy wrote:
I would say try the opposite of what everyone is saying. Go old school and get the seat as high as you can. If he wants to sit, just embrace it and try to mold his bike to his riding style.

Yeah , you obviously don't race...

Therealpoorboy · 2012-09-09 12:24pm

PJC Racing wrote:
Therealpoorboy wrote:
I would say try the opposite of what everyone is saying. Go old school and get the seat as high as you can. If he wants to sit, just embrace it and try to mold his bike to his riding style.
Yeah , you obviously don't race...

You sure about that? I just dont have the same tunnel vision as all you other sheep. The kid is a 9N. Hes not a 15X. Hes obviously not comforitable on the bike or the track or both. You can be a Parent that pushes the kid to do something hes not ready to and it ends the same way it does in every sport, the kid quits or gets hurt for riding over his head. So now you can go back to holding your 4 yr olds micro tire on the gate, cause going cliped in is the only way he can win

RACEIT · 2012-09-09 1:39pm

This is an interesting thread and I love the replies.
I have a 4 yr old and we are SLOWLY learning proper skills.
Maybe try this:
Maybe practice on a slight up hill that makes you have to pedal harder that MIGHT force him to stand up and pedal. I understand you may be referring to him going over obstacles also but until he is comfortable standing up pedaling he won't get the speed up anyway.

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my boy will not stand up at the track

my boy will not stand up at the track

#2 2012-09-05 8:14pm

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#3 2012-09-05 8:20pm

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#4 2012-09-05 8:21pm

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#5 2012-09-05 8:34pm

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#6 2012-09-05 8:45pm

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#7 2012-09-05 9:41pm

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#8 2012-09-06 5:08pm

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#9 2012-09-06 5:12pm

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#10 2012-09-06 8:57pm

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

pjohnpowers wrote:

#11 2012-09-06 8:58pm

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stonie wrote:

#12 2012-09-06 9:00pm

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

#13 2012-09-06 9:00pm

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kcsslows wrote:

stonie wrote:

#14 2012-09-07 5:15am

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#15 2012-09-07 5:35am

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

kcsslows wrote:

#16 2012-09-07 6:51am

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#17 2012-09-07 7:26am

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

#18 2012-09-07 8:25am

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

kcsslows wrote:

stonie wrote:

#19 2012-09-07 8:36am

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#20 2012-09-07 11:56am

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

#21 2012-09-07 7:47pm

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

adamdawson wrote:

#22 2012-09-08 5:16pm

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

#23 2012-09-09 11:38am

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

Therealpoorboy wrote:

#24 2012-09-09 12:24pm

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PJC Racing wrote:

Therealpoorboy wrote:

#25 2012-09-09 1:39pm

Re: my boy will not stand up at the track

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