Training wheels are typically mounted slightly higher than the main rear wheel. When the bicycle is perfectly upright, both training wheels may be off the ground or just lightly touching it. They are designed to lower and make contact only when the bike starts to lean to one side.
If a bike lands on its wheels and both training wheels at the same time, it's fine on a flat surface, but on uneven roads and when turning, and its potential to cause a rollover.
Why Training Wheels Tip Over (Even on Flat Ground)
Imagine a regular kid's bike with training wheels. For it to tip over sideways, one simple thing needs to happen: the combined weight of the kid and the bike needs to shift too far to one side.
Here’s how that happens, step by step:
The Problem with "All Wheels on the Ground": If both training wheels are firmly on the ground at the same time as the main back wheel, the bike is super rigid. When on a bumpy road, one side of the ground heightening will raise one side of the traning wheel, there is absolutely no room to absorb the impact of the ground, coupled with the speed of the ride, the bike is very easy to rollover.
How They're Actually Set Up: Good training wheels are installed a little bit higher than the main rear wheel. This is the key!
When the bike is perfectly upright, only the main back wheel (and front wheel) touch the ground. The training wheels are just hovering.
The training wheels are there as "safety catches." They only touch the ground when the bike starts to lean to one side.
