About Our New Inductee A quick yet informative glance at what this New Inductee is all about.

	Kinderfeets' Wooden Balance Bikes are for children ages 2 - 5. They have no pedals or training wheels. Children just kick off the ground as if running, thus pushing themselves forward on the bike. (Foot-pegs are available.) They are available in 6 different colors as well as natural finish! The Kinderfeets' provide a great starting point for children preparing to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle and they absolutely LOVE it! "These bikes are not only competitively priced, they are a remarkable example of Eco-freindly products that take environmental concerns seriously." * A quote from a retailer that was shared in an email message to us.. "Kinderfeets' are one of the very latest in push bikes – a small training bicycle without pedals that allows children's feet to touch the ground. Dedicated to encouraging children and their families to live an active, creative, and adventurous lifestyle, the award-winning push bike is Eco-friendly and features a newly patented design." Kinderfeets' are as Eco-friendly as they are design savvy. In addition to being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), the push bikes are made from the wood of fast growing birch trees and every tree used to create a new Kinderfeets is replanted. The EVA airless tires are biodegradable, and Kinderfeets' also use minimal packaging which is made from recycled paper to further decrease the company's carbon footprint. Return to Top

	Additional Details and Perspectives More than just a cursory glance with aspects of relative importance.

	While there were plenty of features with the Kinderfeets' covered in the prior section, there's even more to learn about!  In this evaluation we are taking a different approach than the usual.  The folks at Kinderfeets' provided us with some valuable additional information we feel really set the stage for what the bikes are all about. Kinderfeets' are handmade, and the newly patented, award-winning design consists of many unique features that sets them apart from the rest: A Dutch inspired, low, step through frame which places children's feet closer to the ground.  They not only feel safer but in fact ARE safer! An ergonomically designed seat and handlebar position to encourage good posture and maximize comfort Foot-pegs which help children position their feet properly for cruising and to prepare for pedals An adjustable, cushioned and washable seat A variety of color choices in a chalkboard finish.  This allows a children to decorate their Kinderfeets and truly make it their own while simultaneously nurturing children's creativity EVA airless tires Just as all balance / push bikes in our evaluation process, the Kinderfeets' were pushed to the limits in weight capability, pressure per square inch on the wood materials, and many other angles in the evaluation, yet still came through without any signs of aberration or failure. Weight far in excess of that which is the maximum recommended, was applied to the bikes continuously for an extended period of time as it was being pushed and pulled, back and forth repeatedly in addition to others tress testing to bring additional forces of strain into the evaluation.  Despite the excessive abuse, the bikes still managed to come through without the slightest flaw or risk of safety indentified.   "What was the feature that captured my attention the most?  It was the footpegs! My son is challenged and the footpegs seemed to make him feel so much more comfortable and sure of himself." * A quote from one of the mothers in our hands-on consumer evaluation who had a son who was physically challenged. It is amazing how much is involved in the design of a push bike that the average consumer never even begins to imagine.  Impact on the spine and all other portion of a child's body are all taken into consideration. Every single part of the bike must be carefully designed to ensure the greatest level of safety, functionality, and contribution to a child's development, not just a fun ride. Kinderfeets' push/balance bikes are not only visually appealing but are safe and have a very competitive price point. Add to that the fact they are Dutch inspired, inheriting the time honored quality of that culture and you have a product that delivers exactly what you are looking for in wooden balance bikes for your children. Return to Top

	Independent Evaluator Reports Extensive independent study and analysis by credentialed scholars. The information to follow is comprised of excerpts from inclusive detailed Evaluator Reports pertaining to this New Inductee. These reports have been prepared by top credentialed scholars from their own extensive independent study and analysis. * These excerpts have been posted verbatim, paraphrased, or a combination of both, in order to encapsulate the primary details conveyed in each of the evaluation reports in a brief summary form.

	Sports Engineer, Ph.D./ Mechanical Engineer, D.Eng. Bicycle Aerodynamics - New Design Development and Testing "The Kinderfeets bikes are a brilliant example of aerodynamic non-pedal bicycle design. Although designed for toddlers, aerodynamics still play a part in the architecture of the Kinderfeets. The design structure of the Kinderfeets allows for a more natural flow of body position and movement during use.  This in turn results in low-impact effect to the body and surrounding environment." "An important safety concern is always with the turning radius of the front fork.  The Kinderfeets have been carefully designed to ensure no injuries can be sustained from abrupt stops from the front form being turned to far.  This design of the fork also enables a toddler to move at a fast pace without sudden and abrupt stop from a small stone or other object becoming wedged beneath the airless front tire." "The saddle of the Kinderfeets' plays an important part in child development with a superb design that protects the "perineum."  The perineum is the area between the sit bones, (the bones under the flesh of the butt that a child sits on), through which the nerves and arteries responsible for regulating many important functions pass through." "With the Kinderfeets, a toddler is mostly in a full upright sitting position on the saddle. With a broader back-end in the saddle, the needed support of the spine is evident while distributing weight evenly across the sit bones and area where the perineum comes in contact with the saddle..  The elongated front front of the saddle establishes the needed support of the spine and sit bones for older toddlers who may lean forward more while while distributing a greater level of weight on the handle bars to gain greater speed in their movement." "The Kinderfeets have a Eco-friendly birch wood architecture so well fitted to the human ergonomics of toddlers. Although these ergonomics change with the toddlers' growth, the Kinderfeets are designed to be adaptable to the changes.  This will increase the marketability significantly to retailers resulting in strong sales as well as the consumers directly."

	Behavioral Psychologist, PhD Physical Therapist / Special Needs Professional "The Kinderfeets provide easy access, comfort and convenience for a wide range of ages.  Parents are afforded the comfort of knowing their child can have long-term use with the balance bike as they get older.  At the same time, parents with multiple children, use of the Kinderfeets balance bike can apply to more than just one child." "The Kinderfeets contribute to the development of a wide variety of critical development skills such as gross, fine, sensory and many others simultaneously. The Kinderfeets should be an absolute necessity not just in preparation for actual bicycle riding, but serving as a strong support mechanism for optimum skill development overall." "The Kinderfeets also encourage a stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence in a child. This will influence a stronger level of communication with not only family but with those a child interacts with daily whether it be a pre-school, public school, or in their daily active Play."

	* PLEASE NOTE: At the request of our independent evaluators their names are not disclosed to protect their personal and professional privacy. Their labors are provided at no charge to assist us in providing a well-balanced and accurate evaluation report summary, (ERS). All opinions and or statements from the independent evaluator(s) featured here do not represent the opinion of The Toy Man® Product Guide, any member or division of Epiphany Communications and the International Parenting Institute. Return to Top

	Consumer Hands-on Evaluation Details about the experience at our consumer hands-on evaluation event.  There is nothing like the thrill of seeing so much excitement and elation in the faces of parents and children alike as they get a spontaneous hands-on evaluation of the products we provide at each evaluation event.  The Kinderfeets' balance bikes really dazzled the eyes of many Moms and kids alike.

	The wonders never cease to amaze us with each consumer hands-on evaluation event we hold. What seemed to be the thing for many of the parents with the Kinderfeets was how they came not only in natural birch but in a variety of chalkboard colors. So much color and so much fun!  It was intriguing to see how some people prefer natural wood with the Kinderfeets' while others had a preference for color.  No matter what, the Kinderfeets' were considered "really cool."   "Grace, our 2 year old loves the wooden bike. We like that there aren't any spokes-so fingers won't get stuck. And the look of it is really sleek." Click on the image of the little girl to see the full size image. *A quote from a consumer in our consumer hands-on evaluation. The biggest thing above all with the Kinderfeets' balance bikes was that they had "foot-pegs"  which the children could rest their feet on as Mom or Dad pushed them along while on the Kinderfeets.  This is a unique feature associated with the Kinderfeets' which we have not seen on any other wooden balance bike we have featured to date.   Many of the parents also spoke up about the EVA airless tires with the Kinderfeets.  Unlike the plastic wheels seen on so many other wooden balance bikes, the airless tires absorb a much greater level of shock and make the experience a more enjoyable for the child.  They also help to improve the durability of the Kinderfeets'. After our event and everything was all packed, we sat down and went over the feedback form sand notes from the comments we heard from the participating consumers.  There was no doubt in our minds upon completion that Kinderfeets' pulled their weight in this segment of our evaluation and were one of our consumer favorites. *The Toy Man® Product Guide consumer hands-on event referenced here was a test run for our soon to be announced Mega Consumer Hands-On Evaluation Events. We will soon begin hosting these events in various cities across the globe on a quarterly basis. Return to Top

	Evaluation Category Rating Scores and Summary A sampling of the evaluation category rating scores from the product review itself. There are a total of 357 evaluation categories in our entire evaluation process. (Not all categories apply to any one product or service under evaluation.)

	CRITICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:: Rating Level - [5] One of our independent evaluators said it so well when it comes to where Kinderfeets' stands in regard to CRITCAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. "The Kinderfeets contribute to the development of a wide variety of critical development skills such as gross, fine, sensory and many others simultaneously. The Kinderfeets should be an absolute necessity not just in preparation for actual bicycle riding, but serving as a strong support mechanism for optimum skill development overall." After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that Kinderfeets' achieved a perfect score of [5] stars for CRITICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT DESIGN QUALITY: Rating Level - [5] The Kinderfeets' bikes were pushed to the limits in weight capability, flex, shock absorption, and many other angles in the evaluation, and completed the testing with no visual or test results signs of failure.  Two of the primary design features that proved the durability were the foot-pegs and how the bikes can be assembled in less than five minutes! After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that Kinderfeets had what it took to manage a perfect score of [5] stars for DESIGN QUALITY. EASE OF USE: Rating Level - [5] EASE OF USE is symbiotic with the Kinderfeets'. Easy to assemble, and so simple to use.  Kids just jump on the bike and away they go. No cranks, no pedals, just an experience of fun that stimulates the imagination for a child. After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that Kinderfeets' achieved a perfect score of [5] stars for EASE OF USE. MARKETING VALUE: Rating Level - [4.5] The marketing value of the Kinderfeets' balance bikes is undeniable. The Kinderfeets' literally promise a very strong potential in sales, especially in any venue where green and natural components are a primary concern. Kinderfeets' cover a vast variety of potential sales markets, especially with the current state of the economy and other public concerns. With an excellent MSRP, and a visual appeal well above average, the Kinderfeets' have proven they capture the attention of kids and adults alike. The immediate first impression is a tough call yet we believe it has unlimited potential once the branding is more established. After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, Kinderfeets' pulled its weight all the way to an almost perfect score of [4.5] stars for MARKETING VALUE. SADDLE STRUCTURE: Rating Level - [5] SADDLE STRUCTURE was an important element in our evaluation of the Kinderfeets'.  Once again, one of independent evaluators said it so well; "With the Kinderfeets, a toddler is mostly in a full upright sitting position on the saddle. With a broader back-end in the saddle, the needed support of the spine is evident while distributing weight evenly across the sit bones and area where the perineum comes in contact with the saddle.."  He goes on to point out, "The elongated front of the saddle establishes the needed support of the spine and sit bones for older toddlers who may lean forward more while while distributing a greater level of weight on the handle bars to gain greater speed in their movement." I think he says it quite well and clear as to the full value of the saddle structure design. After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that Kinderfeets' screamed in the gates with a perfect score of [5] stars for SADDLE STRUCTURE. VISUAL APPEAL: Rating Level - [4.5] When it comes to visual appeal, the Kinderfeets' were well above average. With everything from the packaging to the balancing bikes themselves, Kinderfeets' are so close to the very best in Visual Appeal yet just not enough to create a "wow!" in a persons' initial visual response. After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that Kinderfeets' made their mark with an above-average of [4.5] stars for VISUAL APPEAL. Return to Top