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We recently purchased a used RF bike for our smallest grandson. The bikes are made in China but are very well made and heavy duty for their size. They would last a lifetime except for one very bad design flaw that we quickly became aware of. The chain kept coming off and i see why. The crank dosent have real bearings. It has plastic bushing things that wear out making the bike useless. I see no way to repair it without getting the parts from RF and costing more than the bike is worth. Moral of the story....STAY AWAY from the RF bicycle. I guess they figure that if it tears up you will go buy another to replace it. The name alone sells them.

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ifitsfreeitsforme said:
what about having a phosphorous bronze bushing turned by a local machinist to replace the crap plastic one?

I wouldnt go thru that for a 5.00 to 10.00 bike. I think it was a manufacturing strategy. Regular cups and bearings would make the little guy indestructable but they dont want that because you wouldnt need to buy a replacement bike in a few months of daily use.
 
I think you can still go to toy's "R" us or target and still pick one up , then throw that one in the yard or on the wall as Art :idea:
 
i have seen a few of these with the same issue. it is a shame that these are like that but then again are you really that suprised?
 
My nephew has one, we got it for free from a friend. The previous kid wasn't easy on it at all either as the bike tire looked like a slik (complete with blow out) We haven't done much more than replace the tires on the thing and it's still chugging along just fine. I guess they figure it's only gotta last a couple years anyway, but I do know two kids that are having fun on them without any troubles for the past 3/4 years.
 
only thing i can say would be to whack the bb out of a cheap kids bike that uses bearings and weld it in. those frames are way neat
 

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