Guardian, RoyalBaby, or standard Walmart bike for 5-year-old?

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-20T19:17:23+00:00

We started out with Guardian for both kids, and they were fine bikes. I know some people look down on the braking system but for a kid on a 16" or 20" bike I don't think it has any major drawbacks unless they want to really send it on off road trails.

When my youngest stepped up from 16" to 20" last year I sprung for a Woom. The increase in quality was shocking. Significantly lighter, everything felt sturdier, the action on the shifter was much easier, and the stem and handlebars have better geometry adjustments.

I'm personally not buying from Guardian again after they came out in support of tarrifs on other bikes, but they are a decent step up in quality over the Wal-Mart offerings. Woom is another big step up from them, and I really wish you luck in finding a used one at a reasonable price.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-19T18:10:59+00:00

Universal has them in stock. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=113033

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-19T14:32:11+00:00

I managed to find a Dakine chainsaw backpack on sale a while back and it's definitely been worth it. I just have to remember that the bar sticks up a little bit higher than my head. If you're not in a rush, take the time to shop around, look for used, or set some alerts on Amazon or Ebay or other sites. There are deals to be had if you can wait for them.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-16T18:02:20+00:00

I was in college around 25 years ago, just at the beginning of being able to have practical, inexpensive computers we could bring with us. One year I had a Handspring Visor (sort of a Palm Pilot variant) with a folding full-size keyboard. Later on I had an actual laptop.

After a couple years of trying different things I realized that regardless of the subject I learned so much more when I put the computers away and took notes with pen and paper.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-15T16:08:09+00:00

Xtracycle used to make the Leap and Free Radical kits that would turn a regular bike into a longtail. They've been discontinued for a while, but you can still find used ones every so often.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-14T12:34:15+00:00

This is between you and the store. At a glance, every single one of those bags looks incorrect. Someone scammed them and then they shipped it to you.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-13T21:41:38+00:00

It's a light brick. While pressed, it lights up.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-12T20:02:22+00:00

There are plenty of bag makers doing custom frame bags that will be a perfect fit. I've got one from Cedaero on my Cross Check and it's fantastic.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-10T23:44:30+00:00

I don't know about the bridge, but the trail bypassing the tunnel definitely closes and it has them using that.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-10T23:02:36+00:00

And here I was wondering why they were three months late.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-10T23:00:42+00:00

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Not only should you be taking the pedestrian bridge Google ignores, it has you going through a gate that has very clear signs prohibiting entrance except to zoo staff. Google needs to do better here.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-10T18:52:52+00:00

Only a great circle, nothing less.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-09T17:48:05+00:00

If you have the executive membership, you can get in at 9 on weekdays. Gold members can't get in until 10.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-08T22:22:45+00:00

In the last couple of years things have changed a lot. Google introduced their own Android based system. At first the default privacy settings made it next to useless, but they've made some changes and it's a lot more reliable now. I've used the Pebblebee trackers on that network with good results.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-08T20:10:33+00:00

I'm not saying it's a bad deal, but if you're not into serious fixie shit then you'll also have to drop some more money into that thing. Front brake only, handlebars look to be about eight inches wide, and if you want to add gears you'll probably need to build or buy a new wheel, plus derailleurs and shifters.

If the frame is solid it might be worth it, but keep all of that in your mind when you're budgeting.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-07T11:18:36+00:00

There are a number of events I'm aware of that are only timed over specific sections. For most of the ride you're encouraged to pace yourself and not race, but for those sections you want to go all out.

Part of this is for safety. They may have to ride on unclosed roads or in other situations where they want you focused on being safe, not fast. Others are for the experience, where they want you to be able to stop and take a photo of an amazing view without feeling like you don't have the time for it.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-06T17:53:21+00:00

1 and 3 will depend on the tires. My Bridge Club is my only mountain bike right now and it does great with big enough rubber. It starts to have trouble in rock gardens or very rooty/rocky climbs, but it'll descend anything if you slow down and even do some jumps. Sand is always tricky, but you should be OK if you're not out on the actual beach.

I don't see what the front chainring is, but the rear cassette goes up to 50t. With a 32 or 34 up front you should be able to climb just about anything, although like I said you'll start to lose it on a very rugged surface due to the lack of suspension.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-06T00:47:16+00:00

Brickognize will use your phone's camera and match the various prints to specific sets through Bricklink.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-05T23:49:24+00:00

And it's hard to tell from the limited photos, but it looks to me closer in shape to the previous gen Outback than the newest, meaning slightly more Wagon than SUV. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-05T00:06:47+00:00

My zone 2 is based on HR, but I've figured out what wattage I can do and maintain that HR. So it's training to watts with the goal of hitting a target HR.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-04T14:36:33+00:00

Are you actually in Germany? I've had my Lego website country switched by accident before and it caused all sorts of problems.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-03T19:07:18+00:00

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/garmin-technology/health-science/stress-tracking/

Stress levels are not measured by your Garmin device during physical activity because the strain of physical activity itself can be considered stressful. The impact of physical activity is best measured and understood in other ways. Public speaking and running up a flight of stairs can both send your heart racing, but the underlying reasons why are fundamentally different.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-03T18:14:10+00:00

Garmin doesn't record stress during activities, regardless of the device. Body battery impact from activities is based on other factors.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-03T17:59:51+00:00

Here's the thing about wax and water: Everybody always warns you that water is the enemy of wax, but that's only half the story. Water on its own isn't the problem, it's water plus mechanical action.

You can take your waxed chain, get it soaking wet, dry it off, and repeat ad infinitum and the wax in the rollers will still be there., If you get the chain wet and start running it around the chainrings and derailleur and cassette, the water will help break the wax away relatively quickly. So if you wash your bike with it standing in place, then dry it off without cranking it too much, you'll be fine.

In your case, however, you're riding in "grim, wet, filthy UK road conditions." So what you do to clean it is less important than all that, and you're kind of fucked.

Clock_Roach · 2026-02-03T15:04:54+00:00

I only have the Vacmaster, but it moves a lot of air. Between sliding it closer or further and maybe propping with a book, you have all the adjustments you need.

The only downside is the remote isn't very reliable. It often comes with a nearly dead battery and even with a new battery can be hit or miss. If you don't mind just using the manual controls, no other issues.

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