Child's bike trailers...educate me...

Child's bike trailers...educate me...

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Hard-Drive

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

228 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
S10GTA said:
Not read fully, but I wouldn't be taking a kid on a bike until they are about a year old. 7 months is too early imho.
Why? (Genuine question, not confrontation!)

A quick google gives 3 different answers straightaway from 3 cycling websites...

-OK from birth (hmmm, I can't see that personally!)
-6 weeks onwards
-Not before age 1

Gah! I know I'm the parent and ultimately it's my choice and responsibility (and up to me to ride with care) but is there any medical evidence etc for not doing it before age 1? Our lad is holding his head up well and is big and strong. I can't see how he will have a bouncier time in a carefully towed trailer with comparatively big pneumatic wheels, compared to being shoved across a poor surface in a crappy pushchair with 4" solid plastic wheels.

But I am on here for advice so please feel free to explain your thoughts as clearly I don't want to push things if he's not ready!



S10GTA

12,645 posts

166 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Hard-Drive said:
S10GTA said:
Not read fully, but I wouldn't be taking a kid on a bike until they are about a year old. 7 months is too early imho.
Why? (Genuine question, not confrontation!)

A quick google gives 3 different answers straightaway from 3 cycling websites...

-OK from birth (hmmm, I can't see that personally!)
-6 weeks onwards
-Not before age 1

Gah! I know I'm the parent and ultimately it's my choice and responsibility (and up to me to ride with care) but is there any medical evidence etc for not doing it before age 1? Our lad is holding his head up well and is big and strong. I can't see how he will have a bouncier time in a carefully towed trailer with comparatively big pneumatic wheels, compared to being shoved across a poor surface in a crappy pushchair with 4" solid plastic wheels.

But I am on here for advice so please feel free to explain your thoughts as clearly I don't want to push things if he's not ready!
I did the same research as you, and decided to go with the most conservative, waiting till he was a year. Nothing scientific, just wanted to ensure he'll be okay.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
We have a Burley Bee we got from ebay and paid about £100. Its proper solid and really well made. The only issue is teh location of the mounting on the chain/seat stay means it wont work with certain bikes. I dont think it would fit bikes fitted with a rear disc brake for example.

The issue regarding what age to put them in is, as far as I could tell, whether or not the child will suffer from vibrations or sudden jolts

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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When we had our thrid boy we got this, I don't think he was much more than a year old when he first went in it. It's a possibly a bit of a classic I acquired from on old boss that he'd bought in America, but I think they still do them. Great fun, I fancy a more traditional trailer too, nothing wrong with a bit of n+1!


PurpleTurtle

6,935 posts

143 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for posting this OP, I'm in the same boat as you, although my boy is 18 months old.

We've got a rear mounted seat for him which he loves, but we're constrained by how far we can go with him in it, as he falls asleep after a while. We also got to a lot of music festivals, it seems de rigeur to have one of these in stroller mode, certainly helps as a trolley for lucking loads of ste on site to the campsite.

I too was confused by the vast spread of prices. Burley and Croozer look well made but I'd need to be happy I was going to get the use out of it if spending that much. The Wee Ride looks like my kind of thing.

As with most things baby, we are buying new and selling used, so copping the depreciation hit only.

Fourmotion

1,026 posts

219 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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That is very much the thing I'd like to get at the moment. Do you know the brand / model at all please?

idiotgap said:
When we had our thrid boy we got this, I don't think he was much more than a year old when he first went in it. It's a possibly a bit of a classic I acquired from on old boss that he'd bought in America, but I think they still do them. Great fun, I fancy a more traditional trailer too, nothing wrong with a bit of n+1!

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Fourmotion said:
That is very much the thing I'd like to get at the moment. Do you know the brand / model at all please?
It's an Adam's trail-a-bike tandem with baby seat.

Watchman

6,391 posts

244 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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Try before you buy.

I enjoyed pulling the trailer but hated the WeeRide because my daughter would "dance" on her pedals, pushing me left and right. The trailer was independent of the bike in that regard.

Hard-Drive

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

228 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Well, I ordered the WeeRide Deluxe. I did follow Coinslot's advice and have a look at the Halfords, but I wasn't impressed. The wheels had over 1/2" of play in them at the rim (and I don't think the bearings are adjustable) and I'm sure that would vibrate through the seat. Which, incidentally I wasn't impressed with either...it seemed very reliant on really yanking on the tension on a cross strap at the front of the seat to get enough of a "hollow" for the little one's bum to rest in without "submarining". I could see this losing tension over a ride and him starting to slide out. The harness system was very basic too, with no additional padding, just basic straps.

Granted the WeeRide is over twice the price but it does seem (from the pictures mind...) to be a lot better...the straps look much more comfy, and you can move them around so he can sit in the middle rather than one side. I guess the Halfords one is OK for the money...but as I have learned before with Halfords stuff you pays yer money...

Will try him on some very short rides first (literally up and down the road outside the house) and get him used to it in stroller mode sitting in the garden with his toys and make it fun, and then if he does like it take it away with us in August camping and hopefully get a few rides done.

Might try and do Yr Afon at Coed-y-Brenin if he likes it and then leave him with mum in the coffee shop whilst I sneak out for 20 mins and rip the st out of Pinderosa, Dreamtime and Pink Heiffer. (In my mind of course. What I mean is trundle along in my sweating, shaking middle aged lycra clad shamefullness getting laughed at by kids under half may age pointing at me and saying "haha! 26" wheels! 3 chainrings! 3 chins!"

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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Looks to me like Halfords have 'lessened' the spec on their buggies?

Anyway, riding with the kids is one of lifes great pleasures, except when they're crying, falling off, wanting a new bike etc etc laugh

Hard-Drive

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

228 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
CoinSl0t said:
Looks to me like Halfords have 'lessened' the spec on their buggies?

Anyway, riding with the kids is one of lifes great pleasures, except when they're crying, falling off, wanting a new bike etc etc laugh
Well, the person I asked for help (after describing the trailer in detail) showed me initially to a tag along bike. I then said "no, a child trailer, no pedals, two wheels, two seats, canvas cover over a metal frame, that you tow along behind the adult's bike" and was directed to a rear mounted seat FFS. I eventually found them myself, so it's entirely possible that it was assembled badly, and strap cushions were never attached...