Trail a Bike

[Jubal]

I have just bought one of these for my nearly 4 year old lad. Does anyone have any tips for use beyond the obvious? Weather permitting it gets an outing this weekend.

http://www.trail-a-bike.com/products/trail-a-bikes...

[zax]

We've had the Trek version for a couple of years now. Works great for long trips and no problems so far. Things to pay attention to:

1) sharp turns around obstacles. You're a long vehicle now!
2) standing up and stomping on the pedals for steep hills needs slightly more core strength to counteract wobbling
3) you need a mirror to make sure the lazy little bugger is actually pedaling

[Fer]

Watch out for speedbumps. I had an off when the front wheel bounced up, and the whole thing pivoted around the back wheel and dumped us both in the dirt. He was not too bad, but it ripped a hole in my elbow.

[hondafanatic]

zax said:

3) you need a mirror to make sure the lazy little bugger is actually pedaling

I've seen the future. The future is a fixed gear.

[zax]

hondafanatic said:

zax said:

3) you need a mirror to make sure the lazy little bugger is actually pedaling

I've seen the future. The future is a fixed gear.

...then he starts riding with his feet up on the handlebars

I should have had a fourth important point. If you're going to attach the trail a bike a fixed gear bike, be kind to your knees (and your drivetrain) and swap to a smaller chainring!

[hondafanatic]

zax said:

hondafanatic said:

zax said:

3) you need a mirror to make sure the lazy little bugger is actually pedaling

I've seen the future. The future is a fixed gear.

...then he starts riding with his feet up on the handlebars

I should have had a fourth important point. If you're going to attach the trail a bike a fixed gear bike, be kind to your knees (and your drivetrain) and swap to a smaller chainring!

I've had another vision of the future. Clipless peddles. Tightened all the way up.

[Jubal]

Thanks all. I have been eager Dad and he's too small yet but it won't be long.

[hondafanatic]

Jubal said:

Thanks all. I have been eager Dad and he's too small yet but it won't be long.

You dads really need to start 'thinking out of the box'.

A combination of gaffer tape, zip ties and some strategically placed staples and you'll be safe in the knowledge that the kid won't fall off.

Might wanna put you iPod on though. It'll help drown out the screaming.

[Jubal]

hondafanatic said:

You dads really need to start 'thinking out of the box'.

A combination of gaffer tape, zip ties and some strategically placed staples and you'll be safe in the knowledge that the kid won't fall off.

Might wanna put you iPod on though. It'll help drown out the screaming.

Sadly, Mrs J was a bit anti the concept. Two months on he's still too small to pedal but as of last week he can hang on and knows to rest his feet on the pedals so I decided it was time he got his first proper outing today. We stayed on fire roads in the forest and I'm very happy with the thing. There's a surprising amount of momentum when you get up a head of steam and one or two cyclists on hired bikes were a bit surprised to see us go past them. I reckon this can only get better as a way to spend some family time and get some fresh air. Transporting it is OK but you need plenty of room to fit in the boot of a saloon, it folds but the handlebars also have to be slackened off. Thankfully it's a two second job. Overall a nice product and recommended.