Bicycles - A Staple of Childhood

Bicycles are Part of Growing Up

Thu. Dec. 04, 2008

Bicycles were so much a part of our childhoods, it's hard to imagine that there ever was a youngster without one.

From the smallest bicycles (with the training wheels!) to the most complex 20-speed competition type, bicycles are still one of the most popular alternative transportation methods, and exercise option.

#1 Hottest
Blackburn Mountain Air Mountain Bike Pump
The Blackburn Mountain Air Bicycle Mountain Pump has a high-volume barrel that allows it to fill mountain tires quickly. The Mountain Air is constructed with an aluminum barrel that is both lightweight and durable. This bicycle pump features an ergonomic head and handle that increases leverage when in use. The Mountain Air also features a sticky-but-durable rubber grip zone for an excellent feel and sure grip, as well as a large thumb-lock lever that is easy to grab. Blackburn's Mountain Air pump achieves a maximum pressure of 90psi, weighs 148 grams, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

About Blackburn
In 1975, Jim Blackburn set out to design stronger, lighter, more innovative and more reliable cycling products. The first were bags and racks designed for touring. From there, Blackburn grew. Over the next 30 years, Blackburn's spark of innovation would lead to many revolutionary products, like the first high quality aircraft aluminum rack, the first dual stroke minipump, the first oversized mountain minipump and the first dual stage/dual stroke floorpump just to name a few. For 2005, Blackburn's creative spark is burning brighter than ever. And as we head into our 30th year, Blackburn is re-dedicated to designing smart, reliable, no nonsense accessories that are essential to your riding experience.

$14.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#2 Hottest
Bell Airstrike 2100 Floor Pump
$19.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#3 Hottest
Blackburn Quadrant and Mars 3.0 Combo Bicycle Light Set
An essential measure for any safety-conscious biker, the Blackburn Quadrant and Mars 3.0 Combo Bicycle Lights will help make sure you see the road and drivers see you. This combination of lights includes one Blackburn Quadrant light and one Blackburn Mars 3.0 light. The Quadrant is constructed in a tough, water-resistant case and utilizes four super-bright white LEDs. This bicycle light features optically-boosted center LEDs that light up what is ahead, and wide angle side LEDs with side-light pipes that provide 180-degrees of visibility. Blackburn's Quadrant light runs on four AA batteries (included) for 110 hours in steady mode, or 300 hours in flash mode.

The Mars 3.0 is constructed in a tough, water-resistant case and utilizes seven super-bright red LEDs. This rear bicycle light features lens optics that increase its visible distance, and side LEDs that provide 180-degree safety-boosting visibility. Blackburn's Mars 3.0 runs on two AAA batteries (included) for up to 50 hours in steady mode, or 150 hours in flash mode.

$32.00 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#4 Hottest
Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket Electric Motocross Bike
Essentially a scaled-down motocross bike with an electric motor, the Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket is ideal for teens who want to enjoy the dirt bike experience without breaking the bank. The Dirt Rocket's powerful 500-watt motor carries riders at speeds of up to 17 miles per hour--more than enough for most bumpy dirt trails--and can cruise for up to 10 miles on a single charge. At the same time, the bike's dual suspension and riser handlebars deliver a smooth and comfortable ride regardless of the terrain, so your teen's fun isn't restricted to flat pavement. As a final bonus, the Dirt Rocket's variable-speed, chain-driven motor is extremely quiet, a marked contrast to traditional gas-powered motocross bikes.

Other details include large pneumatic knobby tires for a maximum power transfer, authentic dirt bike frame geometry, a retractable kickstand, and a double-crown fork. The MX500, which requires roughly eight hours to fully charge, is recommended for ages 14 and over and offers a maximum weight limit of 175 pounds. It's also backed by a 90-day warranty.

$259.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#5 Hottest
Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Tool
$27.94 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#6 Hottest
Razor Pocket Rocket Miniature Electric Bike
Rev your engine and hit the streets with the miniature electric Razor Pocket Rocket, a scaled-down street bike that's perfect for cruising the cul de sac. The Pocket Rocket's variable-speed, chain-driven motor is designed to reach powerful speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, with large 10-inch pneumatic tires guaranteeing a smooth ride. Users will also dig the rechargeable battery, which delivers up to 45 minutes of continuous use with each session (the battery requires roughly four to six hours of charge time). And even though some assembly is required, the bike is a breeze to put together thanks to the included pit stand and tools. The bike, which measures 36 by 21 by 20 inches (W x H x D), holds up to 220 pounds and is backed by a 90-day warranty.

Key Features:

Delivers up to 45 minutes of continuous use
Can travel up to 15 miles per hour
Large 10-inch pneumatic tires
Dimensions: 36 inches wide by 21 inches tall by 20 inches deep
220-pound maximum user weight capacity
90-day warranty

Razor advises riders to read and understand the enclosed manual before riding the Pocket Rocket, and to use such safety equipment as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. The Pocket Rocket is designed for controlled environments free of potential traffic hazards and not on public streets.

$148.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#7 Hottest
Allen Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)
This Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier by Allen holds four bikes and is ideal for weekend biking trips with friends and family outings. A tie-down system securely holds and protects each bicycle while 22-inch carry arms drop out of the way when not in use. Appropriate for two-inch hitches, this carrier includes a strap which eliminates lower bike movement. Minor assembly and simple set up of the carrier is required.

About Allen Bike Racks
In 1967, after a few years of working on the aerospace technology for the Apollo missions, Dick Allen was out of a job. Government cutbacks led Allen, a Harvard-trained physicist, to transform his garage hobby into a new industry. A cycling enthusiast, inventor, and family man, Allen had a personal need for a bike-carrying device. On weekends, he would take his sons and wife to Cape Cod or the White Mountains of New Hampshire. What proved difficult time and again was the transport of his family's bicycles. Rather than fight through inconvenience with twine and a dinged car, Allen sought an answer for himself as well as a market in which he foresaw major growth possibilities.

Always a pathfinder, Allen took to work in his Lincoln, Massachusetts garage in search of a more efficient way to transport bikes. Drafting designs during the day and constructing them throughout the night, he put together a model made of electrical conduit, metal strapping, and fire hose casings (for padding). At first, the Allens tested the prototype on weekend excursions. Finding the first trunk-mounted rack to be a success, Dick started Allen Bike Racks. Dealer acceptance came quickly, and by 1971 Allen Bike Racks were sold nationally through a number of major bicycle distributors. Today, the company owns over three dozen patents and offers a versatile product line of bike racks while Dick's son Alex now owns and operates the business. What started out as a small garage run operation now operates three warehouses nationally, two factories abroad, and has products sold in more than a dozen countries around the world.

$104.24 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#8 Hottest
WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
$59.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#9 Hottest
Bell SecuriKey Cable Bike Lock
Keep your bike safe and secure with this cable lock by Bell, accessed by a key. The thick 8-millimeter steel cable stretches to 6-feet long so you can use it even when you don't get a prime parking spot. It also wraps around your bike's seat post for storage while you're riding.

About Bell
More world champions have worn Bell Helmets than all other helmet brands combined. From Grand Prix racing through the Indy 500 to Olympic cycling, Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting sportsmen and women for nearly 50 years. Bell began as a small auto parts store in a suburb of Los Angeles. Growing under the leadership of Roy Richter, Bell became a leader in safety equipment for auto racing, motorcycling, and then bicycling. His commitment to creating great product through a close connection with the sport, along with his trust of and care for the people who worked for him, turned Bell from a one-man operation into a multi-million dollar enterprise. His legacy lives on today in Bell's commitment to racing, quality and innovation.

$8.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#10 Hottest
Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag
$7.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#11 Hottest
Disney Cars Lightning McQueen 12-Inch Bike
$69.95 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#12 Hottest
Delta Airzound Bike Horn
Let cars know you're coming with the Delta Airzound bike horn, which clamps easily to any handlebar. It's super loud, blasting out a warning at 115 dB, and it features a volume control. It requires no batteries or cartridges--simply fill the ultra-light air reservoir with any bike pump.

About Delta Cycle
For more than 20 years, Delta Cycle has created useful cycling products with a mission to make an innovative difference. The company works hard to make their products better and deliver superior value. Delta Cycle offers only a small, concentrated product line that represents the best there is in each category.

$27.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#13 Hottest
Kettler Bell Red Metal Bell
$5.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#14 Hottest
Kryptonite Set-Your-Own Combo Cable Bike Lock
Keep your bike safe and secure with this Set-Your-Own Combo cable lock by Kryptonite by just setting your own secret combination to access this keyless lock. The thick 12-millimeter cable has a vinyl coating to protect your bike from scratches. It stretches to 5-feet long so you can use it even when you don't get a prime parking spot.

About Kryptonite
In the early 1970s, Michael Zane was a free-spirited, bearded kid with a VW van and a big idea for a new kind of lock. He traveled thousands of miles showing the unique U-shaped locking device and spreading his passion for bicycle security to bike dealers all around the country. Through innovative product designs, inventive marketing tactics, legendary customer service, and pure fanaticism for security, Kryptonite, the company started in the back of a van, grew with a cult-like following and expanded its product lines. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, the company is a premier producer of high-quality cables, chains, U-locks and flexible security systems for the bicycle, powersport, snowsport, locksmith, and hardware markets. Kryptonite locks are sold in more than 50 countries.

$16.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#15 Hottest
Bell Hands Off Bike U-Lock with Lighted Key
$14.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#16 Hottest
Radio Flyer Classic Red 10 Bicycle W /Chain Drive
$44.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#17 Hottest
Bell Ultra-Tool Multi-Function Bike Tool
$14.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#18 Hottest
Go Diego Go 16-Inch Bike
Adorned with Diego graphics on a sharp-looking, bright blue frame, this single-speed, 16-inch bike is the perfect first bike for new cyclists and Diego fans. Removable training wheels offer a nice safety feature as your little boy transitions to his first two-wheeler ride. A strong steel frame provides stability and durability, and the training wheels add confidence as he learns to maneuver the driveway and sidewalks. A rear coaster brake offers a safe way to learn how to stop, while the handlebar pad (featuring Diego, of course) provides stylish protection. A padded seat will ensure a comfortable ride as he cruises the neighborhood.

$69.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#19 Hottest
Dora the Explorer Low-Rider Trike
Your little one will ride around in style on this Dora the Explora Low-Rider Trike. It features a bright yellow plastic bucket seat and yellow handlebars for fun riding, and a colorful frame with Dora graphics. She'll especially love the big white molded wheels with more Dora graphics as well as the "Buenos Amigos! Dora placque on the front that everyone will admire. The trike--with a durable steel frame and deck--measures 28 by 21 by 22 inches and will make a great first bike for rides around the neighborhood.

$39.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

#20 Hottest
Kent Triple Gel Bicycle Seat Cover
$15.99 Click here to order Usually ships in 24 hours

Bicycles allow for freedom, fun - and fitness!