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

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A small squidgy pink human thing arrived in our lives 7 months ago...great times. And then yesterday, I was in the man-cave when I realised that the collection of steel, ally and carbon things dangling from the wall were in fact bicycles, and I used to be able to ride one before the small human arrived. However as the small human can now hold his head up, loves being outside and thrown round a bit, it must be time to buy a bike trailer and get back in the saddle!

So...what to go for? Plan is to take a week off in August, throw tent/bikes/bbq into the Defender (not forgetting change bag/bumbo seat/child seat/play mat/high chair/babymoov/pushchair/28000 changes of clothes/4000 gallons of powdered formula etc etc etc) and go off and find a nice campsite somewhere, and try and get out on some of those horrible green family friendly fire roads that I previously scorned at folling a gnarly day on the reds/blacks with the tyres hooking up nicely/suspension dialled in/(insert other cycling cliches here)

I quite like the look of the ones that convert to a stroller, and this looks OK and cheaper than I expected:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samax-2-Bicycle-Trailer-J...

...however there's lots of steel and nasty bits. At the other end of the scale theres stuff like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BURLEY-939301-Solo-Bike-T...

...but I'd rather drop that kind of cash on a bike upgrade!

Any recommendations for a middle ground trailer...like this..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WeeRide-Deluxe-Bike-Trail...

...or are we into pointless diminishing returns and bearing in mind I'll be towing a little'un, plus several pounds of self-accumualted lard around, I might as well just go cheap and be done with it? Or any other general tips about towing small people around?

Tow vehicle is likely to be a 26" Inbred, if that makes a difference at all.

Thanks in advance!

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Thanks guys, useful advice. I think if I can get a middle of the road one second hand then great, otherwise it will be a more basic new one.

With regards to age, our lad is 7 months tomorrow, but he is big and strong. He's been in 6-9 month clothes for ages now, and is already wearing some 12m clothes. He holds his head up all the time. Personally, I think he'll be fine as long as I ride on sensible smooth stuff, but I'll take advice here from people who have already done this if people have a different view. And obviously if he doesn't like it, he'll say/scream! Seem to get conflicting info here from manufacturers etc...some say 12m, some say from birth! (although that really does seem a bit daft)

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eric twinge said:

This may be possibly too big but this is what I use, this is my thread at the time. It's great!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Looks great, although probably not right just yet for a 7 month old.

Thanks for the alternative suggestions above, but as this is the first time we will have tried this, I just want a simple detachable trailer rather than anything too "dedicated". I really like the look of the trailers that convert to strollers...space in the 110 will be limited, so if I can take just one piece of baby paraphenalia instead of two that's a win. Plus I like the idea of getting him used to it just pushing along in stroller mode, and then building up to the cycling bit.

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CoinSl0t said:

I can't see why you'd need to spend more?

I think I'm still leaning towards the weeride. I don't think the Halfords one folds flat (please correct me if wrong) and steel wheels...well as this is PH I guess it's like buying a front wheel drive car...you just wouldn't! OK comment slightly tongue in cheek but I'd like it as light as possible, and as it's probably going to end coming sailing with us too and probably just end up getting lashed on deck and covered in spray, alloy wheels are a must I think. I also like the multi-use of the weeride.

Only concern is that it's supposed to be from about age 1, our little guy is only 7 months but he is big (9.5kg) so I'd hope he'll be OK.

Anyone on here have any experiences of the weeride trailer?

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CoinSl0t said:

The Halfords jobby does fold flat, mine has plastic removable wheels, the newer model looks like it has metal spoked wheels. You can get a jockey wheel for this one as well and use it as a trolley.

Ah, ok, thanks. Sounds like it could well be worth investigating in that case as that does look good value. Thanks for letting me know!

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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!

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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!"

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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

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...