Safely Ride is a company we discovered on the Internet selling ingenious little training wheels for PW50s, and other small bikes. The look of the item was sturdy and simple in concept. Let’s face it, the flimsy Yamaha PW50 training wheels aren’t very strong, or safe, in our opinion. These training wheels - more of an outrigger, actually - looked extremely sturdy. We thought we’d order a set and give them a try.Here is the fun part, though: most kids who ride PW50s are between five and eight-years-old. So we thought we’d allow a young rider and his young brother to actually put the training wheels claim of easy mounting to the test - and mount them to the bike themselves!
First, here are a few questions we put past the owner of SafelyRide.Com:
Mikeee P: Hi, Greg. First, how did you come up with such a simple but sturdy design?
Greg: I like the most to feel that simple is best, and it took many hours to come up with a reasonably simple idea that everyone could work with. As for sturdy, that is second nature. I grew up on a farm and am very knowledgeable of mechanical works. Also, I am a CNC machinist with engineering in my background that helps out tremendously.Mikeee P: Have you come up with any training wheel systems for other small bikes yet?
Greg: Yes, we have had a lot of people ask us to give the same quality in training wheels for other bikes for a good value. The requests were overwhelming, so after a lot of research on the safety and how to give unbeatable quality for a price that is unmatched, we now have a line for the XR50, Z50R, KDX50, JR50, (we have both mid-mount and rear-mount for the KDX and the JR) and the PW50. People all the time tell us that our quality exceeds our price many-many times over. We want our customers to have what they need for their young riders without taking advantage of their pocket book.
Mikeee P: Who (what type of rider) are these training wheels designed for?
Greg: We have had first-time riders that were nine years of age, but did not know how to stop and were not comfortable with the controls. These riders did not need them for balance but for getting used to their bike. We have sold to riders that were two years of age that needed them for every aspect of the bike. The range of riders is great and we want people to know that it is also for safety in getting used to their bike, not just for balance.Mikeee P: Should a part ever need to be replaced, are they readily available items?
Greg: YES. We keep all parts on hand, including replacement tires. We are always here to serve you.Mikeee P: Your training wheel systems actually have a warranty of sorts; tell us about that?
Greg: We warranty against manufacturing defects for thirty days and give an unmatched lifetime warranty on the axle. We are very confident in our work.Mikeee P: If people want to purchase your items, how can they get in touch with you?
Greg: www.Safelyride.com or call 1-620-867-2341.Mikeee P: Thanks Greg, it’s appreciated.
We discovered that our two little guys (Zach and Brady Carver) were able to install the training wheels on the PW50 in less than ten minutes (closer to five minutes). With a quick check-over by an adult for safety reasons, we gave the little rider (Brady Carver) two thumbs up, and he threw on his helmet and went to town (started riding) on the training-wheel-equipped bike. The first thing we noticed is that on flat ground these work fantastic. They are the perfect learning aid for a little rider who’s just getting used to throttle control and riding. When we took the bike to more rugged terrain with a few bumps, we noticed that the rear wheel would leave the ground as the training wheels crested the bumps or humps. This in no way ever appeared dangerous on the obstacles that we were allowing the rider to ride over (adult supervision on rougher ground is suggested). It’s just that these are not designed for a Motocross track or anything of that nature. They are a learning aid.As mentioned, this item is designed for flat-round learning. For what it is intended, we can’t imagine a better working system to let your little rider learn how to ride while feeling secure. Be sure to check out SafelyRide.Com’s Web site at www.SafelyRide.com and/or give them a call. For the price, these items are a bargain and they SMOKE the Yamaha training wheels when it comes to durability and safety. Installing with only two U-Bolts in minutes, anyone can install these great little training wheels.
Thanks to Zach and Brady Carver for helping with this product evaluation. Oh, and for the record, the little rider in the photo is one fast little racer. He just helped us out with this beginner-rider oriented test.
