Innovative Gyrowheel helps new cyclists learn to ride

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Named after the self-balancing gyroscopic motor cleverly fitted inside it, this ingenious front wheel helps riders stay upright on their bikes for longer and was picked by the Discovery Channel to feature as part of their December high-tech toys special.

With the gyroscope acting as an internal stabilizer and particularly well suited for slow-speed riding, the Gyrowheel is an interesting alternative to traditional stabilizers, especially for those with balance difficulties.

In comparison to stabilized or pedal-less training methods, this design provides a two-wheel pedalling solution whilst allowing for various degrees of stabilization according to user preference.

Working in the same way as a spinning top toy stays upright by using centrifugal forces, this new type of training wheel has a tendency to keep itself vertical. As such it has been used by some testers as an ideal next step between external stabilizers and standard cycling, allowing new cyclists to experience two-wheeled pedal power without having to travel at higher speeds to gain the necessary momentum.

The children's sized 12-inch wheel has been made available for $99.95, shipping to the USA and Canada via Gyrobike.com, with a larger 16-inch version being talked about for spring 2010.

Demonstration videos: youtube.com/user/gyrobike