Tandem Cycling - Trailabike behind tandem question

I started tandem riding with my son on a poor-man's tandem (Adams Trail-a-Bike) then graduated to a true tandem (Raleigh Coupe) with much delight last year! But now my youngest son is ready to ride with us and my wallet is not padded enough for a triplet. I know folks ride trail-a-bikes behind tandems, but wondered how well it works as far as stability, handling, tight turns, stopping and starting, safety, etc. Can some of you experienced with a "poor-man's triplet" relate your experience in riding?

Thanks!

Like this:

IF you're already a good at handling a bike, half the work is done for you.
IF you're an average bike mechanic, even better.
These suggestions are from my experience:

The trailer bike rider needs to learn to prompt you when to go. Use short, distinctive words to communicate between everyone. Keep the brakes well adjusted. Use pathways or lightly used residential streets. Carry refreshment for everyone. Make the ride fun. Keep the play in the trailercycle hitch to a minimum.

A trailercycle is NOT a poor man's tandem. It is a training vehicle to help teach children how to ride on their own and to captain their own tandem. A vehicle for a parent and young child to enjoy cycling together.

I have replaced the helmet on my youngest since that photo was taken. Stop the hate mail and PMs.

...but wondered how well it works as far as stability, handling, tight turns, stopping and starting, safety, etc. Can some of you experienced with a "poor-man's triplet" relate your experience in riding?

My opinions:
Stability - "About" equal to a single with TAB, but two riders on the tandem actually dampened out some of the TAB wiggles a bit.

Handling - Not much different than with just the tandem. Hardly notice the TAB unless they are wiggling side to side.

Tight turns - You do need to be aware not to cut corners. May have to change your technique slightly for slow turns or U-turns. It's very similar to the difference between a single and a tandem, but the stability while making the turn was not affected for us, just the TAB trailing inside our normal turn. Unless going through posts in the ground on certain bike paths, I don't usually think much about it with just the TAB on the back. I usually have a double wide trailer behind our TAB - now that, we have to watch that we are not cutting corners too tight, but we have recently gone to a triplet pulling the TAB pulling the trailer, so going wide in the turns and being observant of the turn tracking is a necessity! If you have to go through very tight turns, you may want to stop and dismount the bike and walk it through the obstacle until you are either comfortable with the turn or find a different path around the obstacle.

Stopping and starting - Make sure - just like other poster stated - that the brakes are adjusted and stop very well. I have the tandem stoker mount while I hold the bike upright, then have the TAB rider get on last before we all pedal together. I usually can not tell when my TAB rider gets on or off, but I at least ask him to wait until I tell him to mount or dismount. Stopping is the opposite, with TAB position getting off first and then the tandem stoker.

Safety - Make sure the whole train is securely fastened together before each ride or leg of your ride. Helmets for everyone. A short enough ride that the TAB rider (and stoker) will not fall asleep and fall off while riding (I've heard of it happening with young riders) which means plenty of breaks for ice cream, parks, whatever.

Make it fun for everyone. My boys really like it.

Like this:


I have replaced the helmet on my youngest since that photo was taken. Stop the hate mail and PMs.
My youngest took forever to get big enough to fit a "youth" helmet - i.e. one that looked normal. So for years and years she was stuck with a toddler helmet. Perhaps that's why she's not much of a rider :(, while her brother was out on my single last weekend keeping up with us on our tandem.:thumb:

I would get a Burley Piccolo tag-a-long. They attach to a rack (included), and are much more stable then the seat post clamps. We use ours all the time!

We had our tandem hooked up with a trail a bike, and a burley trailer. It was on a ride with a closed road. Other than being like a semi to turn around, it wasn't a problem to handle.

We have a 6-speed TAB hooked up to our tandem and have done 35 mile rides over fairly hilly terrain. Just to repeat, use good sense and have all bikes in tip top working order. That include the seatpost hitch and of course brakes.

There are all sorts of TABs. The majority fasten to the seatpost. These have a tendency not to follow the tandem 100%, so besure to take a bit wider corners so the TAB does not hit curb or falls off paved road edge.
The only TAB that we know of that follows tandem 100% is the Burley Piccolo with its Moose rack hitch as mentioned and pictured above by R900.

Ditto on the piccolo.....

Btw.... since we upgraded to the triplet... our piccolo is available if you're interested......

1st pic is the top of Monitor Pass....8300'..... heading for a 2800' desent......

2nd pic is approaching the top of donner summit.... ~7200'.....heading for a 1700' descent.....(after 1700' climb !!!) (Did the full Metric Century that day... up and over Donner pass twice.....)

4th pic is doing the Death Valley Century (we did 100 miles...)

These are typical of the rides we do/did with the piccolo over the past 2-3 years.....

The only TAB that we know of that follows tandem 100% is the Burley Piccolo with its Moose rack hitch as mentioned and pictured above by R900.

The you don't know that much. Any trailer won't perfect follow the tow vehicle around corners. Not even your revered Burley.

The you don't know that much. Any trailer won't perfect follow the tow vehicle around corners. Not even your revered Burley.


Hey Dan.... to paraphrase your own words..... Keep It Fun.....

We had our tandem hooked up with a trail a bike, and a burley trailer. It was on a ride with a closed road. Other than being like a semi to turn around, it wasn't a problem to handle.

I hate seeing the "trains" on big group rides. The Hilly Hundred gets over 5,000 riders, and you'll see a half dozen "trains". IMO they are not safe on crowded, hilly, country roads. Having fun with the family on a closed course makes a little more sense.

This was on the Colonial Parkway between Williamsburgh and Yorktown. Something like 12 miles each way. Closed one day a year to car traffic. More of a social ride than a hammerfest.

Hey Dan.... to paraphrase your own words..... Keep It Fun.....

Keeping it fun isn't a problem. Dealing with ignorance is.

Keeping it fun isn't a problem. Dealing with ignorance is.

Well, don't get discouraged.... keep reading forums like this and before you know it, you will be filled with knowledge and understanding..... hang in there big guy !!! :roflmao2:

Keeping it fun isn't a problem. Dealing with ignorance is.

Sheesh, lighten up. zonatandem wasn't attacking you.

Here are the first two of our 3-place wanna' be.

DieselDan:
You are entitled to your opinion/observation.
Perhaps zonatandem 'doesn't know much' and may even be 'ignorant; but after only 220,000+ miles of riding tandem he 'may' not be a complete ignoramus. BTW, did you know he was a Burley dealer since 1988?
Assembled his share of tandems/Piccolos.
Just our observation/experience; yours no doubt, are different.
Thanks for contributing to this forum!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy/zonatandem

DieselDan:
You are entitled to your opinion/observation.
Perhaps zonatandem 'doesn't know much' and may even be 'ignorant; but after only 220,000+ miles of riding tandem he 'may' not be a complete ignoramus. BTW, did you know he was a Burley dealer since 1988?
Assembled his share of tandems/Piccolos.
Just our observation/experience; yours no doubt, are different.
Thanks for contributing to this forum!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy/zonatandem

Then he should defiantly understand vehicle dynamics rather then post ignorant drivel about ANY trailer tracking perfectly behind a tow vehicle. Doesn't happen, can't happen. Hell, the rear wheels of your bike or car won't track perfectly behind the front.

I'm out. You people are too stuck up.

Then he should defiantly understand vehicle dynamics rather then post ignorant drivel about ANY trailer tracking perfectly behind a tow vehicle. Doesn't happen, can't happen. Hell, the rear wheels of your bike or car won't track perfectly behind the front.

I'm out. You people are too stuck up.


Hey Dan,

Before you go..... what's with all the dirt on the awnings ???? :troll:

:roflmao2:

Sorry to see you go DieselDan.
Always appreciate other people's input.

One thing about forums is the inability to read body language, tone, etc like you would normally do when conversing face to face. I've seen a lot of post taken the wrong way.

If you want to be part of a cycling community, help each other, learn from others, etc you should learn to ignore what might be an offensive post and most of the time the poster did not mean to offend anyone at all. These misunderstandings could be avoided by asking a follow up questions just to be clear what was meant and understand right or wrong we all have our own opinions.

That being said if it was an all out, singled out attack I am all for defending or stand by what you believe in.

If you ever see me snapping at others like that, please slap me 'til I'm over myself.

I just saw one (a tandem towing a trailer) today on the ride into work. Pretty amazing how extra-long it looked.


.

C'mon boys, play nice...

For several years, we had our granddaughter in third place on our 'articulated triplet'. It was never a problem! We always knew where she was, and she enjoyed being able to participate. Soon, she instinctively knew when to pedal and when to not pedal.

We had a soft handle-bar bag on the TAB which she could use as a pillow. Yes, she would hook her elbows over the handle bars, put her head down and have a (light) nap. She was never in any danger of falling off.

Our 4 year old fell asleep on the TAB the other day. I kept feeling "something" tugging the bike to either side, thought it was the Mrs. readjusting her...um, position on the bike. He had a serious grip on the bars, but was nodding off and catching himself before full disconnect. We were really concerned he might have fallen off, but were near hysterical with laughter at the scene. A stop at a playground got him awake and ready for the ride home.
Anyway, our TAB attaches to the seat post and isn't a problem handling-wise. I recommend a flag be attached to the TAB, (some come with them) since many motorists might be in too big a hurry to notice there is more than just the front part of the bike crossing in front of them.
Cheers

I have no experience with a TAB but I've done a little over 100 miles (not all at once) with this set up. I've had various loads up to 150lbs. Most of the time I forget the trailer is even there. It's much nicer than towing it with my single and turns are actually easier. If anything I was "too careful" for the first few turns. The only time I had an issue was with a very akward load of scrap metal that hung over both sides and the rear. I ended up losing part of my load because it wasn't secured.

resurrecting this thread.
I have a comotion periscope with a stoker thudbuster seat post with the seat low and a rear disc brake. Is there a TAB set up that would work? burley's supposedly won't work with disc brakes and there's not enough seat post to clamp onto becasue of the elastomer.

Here we are on our "poor-man's triplet." Oldest daughter 7, young one 5. Yes, you have to be a little more careful making turns, but they are quick to learn when to start pedaling, put feet down, etc. I find myself always looking for the quiet streets and going slower. I think maybe I'm just enjoying the ride... now, if I could get the youngest one to do the hand signals... :)

Be careful, but do it... you won't regret it!

Our 4 year old fell asleep on the TAB the other day. ...He had a serious grip on the bars, but was nodding off and catching himself before full disconnect.
:eek:
I was wondering at what age should the transition from trailer to TAB be. I think you answered it here. After 4 years of age ... maybe more like 5?

resurrecting this thread.
I have a comotion periscope with a stoker thudbuster seat post with the seat low and a rear disc brake. Is there a TAB set up that would work? burley's supposedly won't work with disc brakes and there's not enough seat post to clamp onto becasue of the elastomer.

If you can get the rack to fit, the Burley should work fine. If you have mounting issues with the Burley rack and your disc brakes, look for adapters, something like these (http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Fit%20Solutions/FIT%20SOLUTIONS%20PAGE.htm). You can contact Wayne at the Touring Store and he might be able to direct you to something if he does not have it. By all accounts he is very helpful.


:eek:
I was wondering at what age should the transition from trailer to TAB be. I think you answered it here. After 4 years of age ... maybe more like 5?

Depends on the kid. One of mine was dying to get on at 3.5. Another not until 6. Went with the 3.5 year old for short rides. Longer rides as they got older. About 5 could do almost anything. At first it is ability to stay focused that limits their riding time. Then as that improves, hand strength endurance becomes the limiting factor. After that you are back to ability to focus/stay entertained.

Bikinggrrl
Masiman is right.
and...
My son started riding the tandem just before he turned 4. He's 6 now and has (rarely) occasionally started to drift. I find that it's when I get into a real long-standing rhythm, such as when I'm chasing someone down or if I get into a zone. The bike gets the slightest constant lean to it plus the pressure on the pedals is different when he leans forward and I know something's up or, rather, not so up. Another clue is it gets real quiet back there. I use a mirror to watch him and check that every once in awhile too, sometimes he's just checking out an interesting cow or something.
A few moments off the bike and he's good to go again, I just mix stuff up a little more and we talk/sing a lot.

Everybody interested:
Watch out for the unauthorized dismount....it's not a good thing when a kid gets off while you're waiting for traffic to pass and when you go you find they're still on the other side of the road. Really scary with a little one. Guess since it's closer to the ground you don't get the lean while dismounting like you do on a taller tandem.
Just got an email on that and thought I'd put it out there.

resurrecting this thread.
I have a comotion periscope with a stoker thudbuster seat post with the seat low and a rear disc brake. Is there a TAB set up that would work? burley's supposedly won't work with disc brakes and there's not enough seat post to clamp onto becasue of the elastomer.

Roval - I have addressed and solved the same problem on my disc-brake (Raleigh) tandem 2 different ways.

(1) I used my father in law's machine shop to make an aluminum plate with a machined seatpost mounted in the middle of it that I can attach the Adams TAB to. This plate is bolted to a standard Blackburn rack that I modified to fit the disc. The rack mods were to bend a slight curve at the bottom if the rack, remove the extra lenght of angled supports on the rack (that hold straps for panniers), and to put a 1/4 inch thick shim between the rack mount hole and the frame. I used this for a year, with very excellent results. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing the aluminim adapter I made and or the modified rack, as we no longer use it.

(2) This year I upgraded our TAB to a Burley Piccolo and sold our Adams. The Burley uses a special Moose Rack provided by Burley to mount the Piccolo TAB. To mount the rack on our disc-rear tandem, I slightly cold set the rack (steel) to be a little wider. Then I used a 3/8 inck axel shim between the rack and frame on the brake side of the rack. I also ran the mounting bolt from the inside of the frame through the threaded hole so the head of the bolt is resisting pull through on the frame and reducing the chance that the frame holes would strip out. Then I used a nut on the outside end of the mount bolt to secure the rack. (I mounted the other side of the rack in the normal manner.)

Both solutions worked very well.

Let me know if need more details on either solution.