Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TonyP on April 15, 2017 at 2:39am

It's a gimmick that's gets in the way of the kids learning good bike handling skills.

I give it a thumbs down.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on April 15, 2017 at 4:07am

+1 on that, TonyP.

Sell it as a "life-saving" device (not unlike a helmet) and well-heeled Velcro parents will snap it up.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 15, 2017 at 9:47am

'Would it be too challenging to get this technology on other bikes?'

http://www.business2community.com/entertainment/shark-tank-guardian...

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on April 15, 2017 at 2:41pm

I view this as another step in the dumbing down of America.  What's the fatality rate of kids dying of head-first plunges off bicycles?  Not too high, I think.  So if you get a kid a bicycle like this, he or she will just not learn how to use front and rear brakes.  Great.  Also, there's no possible way this setup works as well as the brakes of someone who knows how to use them.  Looking at the video, the front brakes won't trigger unless your weight is somehow distributed to your bicycle's liking.  So you hit the pothole because your front brake never even triggered.  Or worse.   

Sorry, but I don't think it's all that hard to learn how to use front and rear brakes.  Somehow we manage.  And with both those brakes, we manage to stop really fast all the time without plunging head-on into the pavement.  Let's see a test of this system versus an ordinary cyclist using both brakes.  I don't think it would look too good for Sure Stop.

This reminds me of that automatic shifting system years ago that used centrifugal force and sliding weights on the wheels to try to shift bikes.  Anybody heard of that lately?

Finally, if these people are so concerned about safety, why are they allowing it to be used on a $149.00 Walmart bike?  I doubt if Sure Stop is going to help when your pedal breaks off under your foot or your derailleur heads into your spokes.  I agree with TonyP and mike w.  This is a gimmick that is actually going to prevent kids from learning good bike-riding skills.  If it's on Walmart bikes, it might be part of a BLO that prevents people from even wanting to continue cycling.  Maybe they could make bicycles for kids that don't actually move, but produce a nice whooshing sound.  Safer yet!   

   

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 15, 2017 at 5:01pm

https://youtu.be/8N0beEYB11U. (0:40) :-)

Jim, you are correct, most people are hesitant at learning something complicated. It's accepted more readily if it's something you progress into liking. Being dumbed down isn't the ideal approach but anything to assist slow learners would be positive. Fatality rate?! Parents understandably won't tolerate their children getting injured in any way. They don't want to chance their kids getting hurt with something more complicated. I learned on a beach cruiser type bike with backpedaling coaster brakes and I was later able to comprehend road bike brakes. Yes, I experienced an 'endo'. (Without getting seriously injured.)

To me, it just seems that the front brake, on the sure stop system, just has the delayed engagement of the brakes to let the laws of physics do the work. Yes, it is not difficult to manage how to figure out how to use both brakes.

Sure, I remember that auto shift bike from around 25 years ago. I guess that was shamed out of existence also.

I'm certain, according to the info in the link, that they are not being used, sold, on any ₩almart bikes. They are only on their Guardian brand bikes for around $330 for the 20 inch 1 speed or $420 for the 7 speed 24 inch bike.

If a gimmick on a bicycle gets a kid started enjoying cycling, I'm all for it and they're progressing from there into and increasing the community. Yes, cycling in the virtual world with a nice whooshing sound does exist, safer yes, but not as fun as learning out how to ride any and all types of bikes.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on April 15, 2017 at 7:06pm

I totally respect your opinions.  However, if you go the the Guardian home page and click on "SURESTOP" near the upper right-hand corner, it will take you directly to the Sure Stop bike I referenced, selling for $149.00 exclusively at Walmart.  I am highly suspicious about the general quality and safety of the components on any $149.00 bicycle and question why any company that legitimately cares about safety would be involved with such a product overall.  I think Guardian has lost credibility in the bicycling world by doing this.       

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 15, 2017 at 7:32pm

Yes, I see it now Jim. I was led to believe from the show that they were exclusively on Guardian bikes only. You are right, Schwinn Candis, with SureStop braking. Only $149.99 at Wal-Mart, ugh wait, (linkifacation), ₩almart~. :-P

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 16, 2017 at 11:37pm

https://floridabiking.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/bicycle-automatic-tr...

There was the Autobike and later the LandRider auto shift bike (as seen on TV). These were enrty level bikes with basic quality componets not something for the experienced sophisticated rider. With the LandRider, It was designed for riding with a steady rapid cycling cadence, around 60 RPM. Something more for the cycling 'enthusiasts' not for the casual easy pedal cadence of the 'leisure' cyclist, so the company's target market was a bit peculiar for the device to be successful. And it was also probably overpriced for it's real value. But it sold millions because of those infomercials.