Recreational & Family - Commuting with kids/gear?

Hello everyone,

My and my two DD's ages 8 and almost 5 (birthday next week) will begin bike commuting in about two weeks when I finish my current job and school starts. 8yo will be riding her own bike, but the 5 yo will be on a Trek trailer bike. I have a Trek WSD bike and am fairly short, so the seat has to be somewhat low. It is fine with the trailer bike, but no room for a back rack or panniers on my bike. Am debating between getting a front rack and panniers for my bike, or maybe instead a cheaper back rack and bags to go on the trailer bike itself. Anyone ever tried this?!

Also, I have the option of folding the trailer bike and putting it in the daycare, locking it outside the daycare or just leaving it attached to my bike and bringing it along to work (very short distance) and bringing them both inside my office. Anyone have any suggestions about which might be better for this?

Really appreciate any ideas or suggestions, as we're new to this.
Thanks,
Kim:)

You may get a few more replies if you post this in the Commuting forum.

Hi Kimberly,

It is not un-common at all to mount a rear rack to the trail a bike. I think that is a decent option.

However, I think I'd be more likely to go with the front rack idea. It all depends on how much stuff you have but it is a very viable option. The folks in the touring forum always tout how much of the cargo weight should be in the front. If it isn't too much stuff a handlebar bag may work for you too.

Perhaps though a combination of both would work? A front rack for your stuff and a rear rack for the kids stuff. Then detach the trail-a-bike at the daycare and off you go.

Let us know what you go with!

KimerbleyL

My solution to this dilemma is a quick release rear rack. The rack is on the TAB for the commute to daycare. Then I ditch the TAB with the DD and move the rack to my bike for the rest of the commute.

Reverse the process at night. I'll take a couple snaps tonight.

Don

Don,

GENIUS! WHY did that not even occur to me?! That would be perfect. Do the quick release racks hook to the seatpost? Not really familiar with all this, but have seen some racks that do fit there. My back wheel sits up kind of high, and I'd have to find a rack I could angle up a tiny bit, but that might help with the heel strike issue anyway... I doubt I'd ever carry anything very heavy. Plan on leaving clothing at work most of the time, and probably lunches too. So, maybe those things once in a while, but mostly just bike stuff - repair things for mine and kids bikes, lights maybe, as shouldn't usually need them, but might, locks, etc. Kid stuff - backpacks etc. Purse stuff.

Thanks so much for this idea. Please post the pics if you are able. I really appreciate it.

Kim