Valid on in-stock 2009 Jamis Bikes only.

Thin tires, road geometry, these kids bikes are the real deal. Just in time for the holidays. Geared perfectly for kids, with fast rolling tires; take your kids with you to the Hawthorne Trail. The two bikes pictured have 650c and 24″ wheels and tires, so proper fit and stand over is not an issue.

There are literally hundreds of brands of kids bike choices. We at the Super Cool Bike Shop only carry what we would feel comfortable putting our own loved ones on. We take great pride and care in every bike we build. In addition to meticulous building standards, we stock all of the necessary safety equipment any adult or child would need. Whether you buy a bike from us or not, there are some things to be conscious of.

One problem for the consumer is that most of kids bikes are being sold at stores where you can’t trust the employees to know the difference between coaster brakes and side-pull brakes, such as Walmart, Target, Sports Authority and Toys R Us; and they similarly don’t know very much about the quality of bikes on the showroom floor. A second problem is often these same employees assemble the bikes — with no formal training as bike mechanics — so even a good bike may be assembled wrong, making for a potentially less safe bicycle. Given the circumstances, when buying a bike from Walmart, Sports Authority or like stores, caveat emptor!

Even though kids bikes are small, to get the same quality in the bearings, machining, assembly, finishes and lightness as an adult bike, they would cost about the same. But kids are expected to out grow their bikes in a year or two, so not many parents are willing to spend $300, $600 or $900 on a bike for their child. Hence, you generally won’t find kids’ bikes with the same quality found in adult bikes, although they exist. Don’t be surprised if your kid’s bike weighs more than your own. Manufacturers such as Fuji, Jamis, and SE do offer high quality, reliable bikes for $150 – $300.

Purchasing a bicycle for your child is exciting for both parents and kids. A bicycle is your child’s first vehicle and it’s one of a child’s first steps to independence and healthy transportation. Kids are usually most interested in the look and color of the bike (well, most adults are too). But remember, the bike is a vehicle not just a toy. As the parent, it’s your job to help your child find the right size and style of bicycle.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for a bike:

Fit should be your first priority. Don’t buy a bike that is too big for your child with the rationalization that they will “grow into it.” You don’t buy sneakers 3 sizes too big, do you? It will be easier for your child to control a bike that fits properly. Better control of the bicycle means that he or she will be safer.
When buying a bike, do these simple checks for proper fit:

Get a bike simple enough for your child to handle. Some kids have trouble with handbrakes or multiple gears. Only buy a bike your child is comfortable using. Listen to his or her concerns because your child is often the best judge of what feels right. Don’t get something fancy with the hopes he or she will keep up with you on the road or trail.

Buy a bike suited for the type of cycling your child will be doing. There are many styles of bikes and having the appropriate kind is important. For instance, a one-speed BMX-style bike won’t be much fun for cycling any distances on the trails or roads.

Be sure to test-ride the bike. You wouldn’t dream of buying a car without taking it for a test spin, would you? To properly check fit and control, your child needs to test-ride the bike.
Shop at your local bike shop. Bicycle shops typically sell higher-quality bikes at competitive prices and will stand behind their products. In the long run, a better-quality bicycle will save you money on replacement parts and repairs. A good bicycle will last for years and, with good maintenance, can be sold once your child has outgrown it. A bike from a bicycle shop has also been properly assembled and is therefore safer. For instance, an improperly assembled jumping bike may literally fall apart during use.

Buy a properly fitting helmet. Helmets can significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in a crash, but only if they fit right. To make sure the helmet fits properly, learn with your child how to do the Eyes, Ears and Mouth Test and have him or her check the helmet fit every time he or she puts it on. It is the law for bicyclists 15 and under that they must wear a helmet at all times. Higher-quality helmets ($30 and up) will be much easier to adjust. Let your kids pick out a model they like to help them take ownership (will make it easier to get them to wear it). Be a good role model by wearing a helmet yourself every time you ride.

To review, a properly-fitted, high-quality bicycle is safer. Investing a little time and money will go a long way to make sure your child has a healthy means of recreation and transportation! Have a great time!

Our shoe selection is just one part of our all new back room, where you will also find a large selection of cycling apparel. This week, we will also be receiving a huge shipment of Giro and Bell helmets. Both companies offer many comfortable, stylish, professional grade helmets at all prices.

All these improvements are just in time for our new partnership with Gainesville Health and Fitness. We are offering Gainesville Health and Fitness Members 10% Off apparel, parts and accessories and 5% Off new bike purchases.

With Offerings from Mavic/ Adidas, Cannondale and SixSixOne we are bound to have the style and price show you are looking for. These are just another addition to our backroom where we stock a wide selection of helmets, jerseys, bike shorts, gloves and other apparel.

To kick things off, we are offering a 10% discount on Apparel (including Spin Shoes), parts and accessories to Gainesville Health and Fitness Club Members.

Starting from Gainesville’s Boulware Springs Trail-head the bike route winds through a mesic hammock forest that borders Paynes Prairie. The trail has a fair bit of twists and turns during the Gainesville sector along with a fair bit of elevation changes. Most of climbing and descending is very short and is due to numerous sinkholes in the trails corridor. During the being sections of the trail there are also a few overlooks of Payne’s Prairie and the La Chua Trail-head. The overlooks are worth a stop by; you might even get to see Gainesville’s very own heard of wild Buffalo and horses! After the sinks there is one ‘major’ hill that might catch a few people off guard…it lasts for a several hundred meters and climbs close to 100ft. The rest of the route is mostly flat with a few slight undulations in grade. There are several high-speed road crossings along with several bridge crossings(BE CAREFUL AND STOP AT THE CROSSINGS). The trail provides benches along the length of the route and water is available at both the Gainesville and Hawthorne trail-heads. If you ride the full length of the trail you are likely to see a variety of wild creatures including: deers, rabbits, snakes, buffalo, horses, wild turkey, and all sorts of other little critters. All and all this is a very peaceful place to bike in Gainesville.

Hawthorne Map

Directions
The Gainesville-Hawthorne bike route can be accessed from various points of entry.

-From Gainesville I recommend starting the trail near the University of Florida Campus. On the weekends a great place to park is Norman Hall… there is a parking garage and several ground level spots generally open and free. From Norman Hall I recommend following SW 8th Ave east until it Ts with SW 9th St in which you will bare right until it connects to Depot Ave.
The bike route parallels Depot Ave and can be accessed immediately at the intersection of SW 9th St and Depot. Follow the rail trail, it will intersect SW 6th St and SW Main in less than a few miles. The next major intersection will be SE 4th St, there is a bike memorial right before the intersection, do not miss it! You do NOT want to cross SE 4th(it is the Waldo rail trail), rather you want to take a right and follow SE 4th for about 3/4 of a mile. On the left will be the continuation of the Hawthorne trail. No more directions… just follow the trail now!

-The main entrance for the Hawthorne Trail is at Boulware Springs and can be reached via Hawthorne road and taking a right onto SE 15th st. (see map)

-From Hawthorne look for signs on 301 and the trailhead is located at 300 SW 2nd Avenue.

LocalCarsDealers.com, local auto services.