Marshall Brain's Blog

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No training wheels needed

The idea is to replace the training wheels on kids' bikes with a rear wheel that can transform from two wheels to one. From the article:

Called SHIFT, it slowly transforms from a tricycle to bicycle configuration as the rider pedals faster, then returns to trike formation as the rider slows down.

What is so interesting about this idea to me is that I have four kids. Therefore, I have lots of little bikes with training wheels on them. Training wheels appeared to me to be the "normal" and "only" solution. My brain never considered the possibility of something better. And then a solution pops up that is so elegant -- I love when that happens. This is such an elegant solution to the problem that it elicits a laugh of surprise.