User Guide

88
89
For 2003
These successful frames remain unchanged
from 2002.
Geometry
Our Kids’ bikes are designed to satisfy both
kids and their parents. By carefully design-
ing the frame and components, we make the
bikes easier for kids to get on and ride. At
the same time, we make the bikes provide a
wider range of fit so kids can get on a model
early, and enjoy it longer as they grow.
Ride
Within the normal limits of parts availabil-
ity, we’ve looked at keeping the pedals close
together. We use size specific crank lengths,
bar widths, and saddle sizing. We keep the
bottom brackets as low as possible for easy
on and off, as well as a low center of gravity.
When we spec a hand brake, we also make
sure that fits. With our attention to these
details, Fisher kids bikes are easier to learn
on, and more fun to ride.
Frame details
Parents are concerned with durability and
cost. These bikes offer solid construction,
designs that provide wide fit ranges, and
value.
These bikes aren’t really about a technical
dissertation, so we don’t even include frame
geometry here. The important difference here
is that our Kids’ bikes go through the full
Fisher testing regimen. Passing this rigorous
evaluation means they’re designed and built
to last.
For the rest of the bike, we’ve focused on
providing the best ride for the cost. By care-
fully designing the frame geometry and tub-
ing, and carefully selecting the components,
we’ve managed to get a lot of ride from a bike
that will still pass our testing requirements.
This allows riders a viable high quality alter-
native to chain store bikes which don’t ride
or last nearly as well. These are bikes that
can be handed down from kid to kid as a
family grows, and which will promote cycling
because they make riding more fun.
Extra attention to specs on kids’ bikes.
To an experienced cyclist, many of the
details of our Kids’ bikes may seem humdrum
or at best ‘normal’. There-in lies a key to
our Fisher kids’ bikes; they use parts you’d
expect on other Fisher bikes. While other
brands may use plastic bushings, we use
real, round steel ball bearings because the
parts will run smoother and last longer. Even
on our 12” wheeled models. On bikes where
we spec training wheels, they are massively
overbuilt, because we know your toddler is
depending on them. We use 4 bolt stems, for
extra handlebar security (parents, just how
often do you thoroughly check your kids’
bikes?). Our saddles use adjustable seatpost
clamps, offering both fore/aft adjustment and
tilt. Just like on an adult bike, this allows
proper positioning and comfort for your
child. Many of our competitors forego these
simple details to cut costs. We go the extra
mile and specify size specific cranks, han-
dlebars, pedals, and even saddles. For bikes
with hand brakes, we’ve found better fitting
levers, so your child can comfortably apply all
the stopping power they need. All this atten-
tion costs a bit more, but we think your child
will be more comfortable, safer, and learn
faster on a Fisher bike.
KIDS’ BIKES