Little Brother and I took a trip over to Practical Cycle this morning after dropping off the Biggun. It's never a very hard sell since both boys love coming by to visit Tim and Cassidy and play with the bike toys.
Big Brother's Isla bike has been flat for too long and even though Jose figured out how to get the wheel off with the coaster brake, the tube I had bought was too big even though it was the right size. Sadly, the shop didn't have any other 16x1.5 presta valve tubes. Tim checked out the difference for a schrader valve and we agreed that it was close enough to widen the hole. With the rim able to fit a schrader valve now, I opted for the puncture-resistant heavy duty tube.
Tim took some extra time adjusting the brake, truing the wheel, and fixing the surprisingly finicky chain guard that's never wanted to stay seated. He also adjusted the saddle that had been oddly tilted downward and we hadn't noticed nor had Big Brother complained. He's always just so excited to bike that he doesn't fuss about weird fit issues (or maybe he doesn't realize it should be any different).
Little Brother and I got back to pick up the big one from school and surprise him with the bike. He was so excited that I couldn't keep up with him to get a closer photo.
We love the Isla bikes so much and after trying the Fire bike again this weekend, it's such a clear difference between their quality and fit. The only thing I'm a little bummed about is that Big Brother tried our friend's daughter's 20" small Beinn and he was pretty dang close to fitting it. We may try to move up a size quicker than truly necessary just so he can have the benefit of double handbrakes, gears, and a kickstand.
My celebration of the day was when I offhandedly said to Little Brother as we were riding the Mundo "you're heavy" and he replied back from his Peanut Shell "I'm making you powerful!" That was the best way to put my whiny complaint back into perspective. Thanks, LB!
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