Why is one training wheel higher than the other?
2 Answers
Training wheels are uneven because they were installed slightly off. The training wheels on a child's bicycle should be at the same height and slightly off the ground. The purpose of training wheels is to help maintain the balance of the bike. When riding, if the center of gravity shifts to the left, the left wheel will touch the ground, and if it shifts to the right, the right wheel will touch the ground, thereby maintaining balance and preventing the bike from tipping over. Precautions for installing training wheels: 1. The distance between the training wheels and the ground should not be too small or too large. If it's too small, the wheels may lift off the ground on uneven surfaces; if it's too large, the bike may tilt too much when the child is riding. 2. The protruding part of the limit clip should fit into the opening of the rear fork of the frame, and all components should be tightly connected without any gaps.
My child's training wheels had this exact issue, and we later discovered two main causes: first, during installation, the bracket angles weren't properly aligned – there were small markings on the frame, but we were so focused on tightening the screws that we forgot to align them; second, the child always leaned to the left while riding, which completely bent the left training wheel bracket. Now, every time we install them, I make sure the child holds the bike steady while I use a level to carefully adjust both wheels. If the bracket gets bent, I place a wooden block underneath and gently tap it back into shape with a rubber mallet. Actually, a roadside bike repair shop mechanic once said something very true – if the training wheels are off by more than 1 centimeter, the child's body will unconsciously lean while riding, developing bad posture that can cause even more trouble later.
