The Training Wheels Eliminator

Winner of a babble.com Best Parenting Gadget award, this is the gyroscopic bicycle wheel that teaches children to ride a bike without training wheels. The unit replaces a bike's front wheel and has an internal, powered gyroscope that spins independently and creates a force (gyroscopic precession) that stabilizes the bicycle. When the rider starts to lose balance the gyroscope precesses, or turns, and guides the handlebars in the direction of the fall-just as a seasoned bicyclist would-repositioning the bike under the weight of the rider to maintain stability. Training wheels encourage children to lean improperly away from a fall, developing incorrect riding habits. The device stabilizes the bike at start-up speeds, and when the bike slows to a near stop, the gyroscopic wheel gradually tilts the bike toward the ground, providing ample time for the child to put a foot down. The gyroscope adjusts to rotate at three speeds (the higher RPMs provide more stability), allowing the assistance to be reduced as the child becomes more proficient. Includes an AC adapter for recharging the wheel.