Commuting - DIY Pedal Blocks for Trail-a-Bike

I posted this over in the Recreational & Family subforum, but I thought it was prudent to ask it here as well. I bought a pair of cheap pedal blocks for my son's Trail-a-Bike:

http://www.tricyclekids.com/assets/product_images/200/101946BLACK0000.jpg205288

We've only been out a couple dozen times and already the rubber has split on one of the pedals. I used cable ties to secure them on, but I was hoping for a better solution.

My LBS owner who sold me the TAB told me to bolt a couple of wood blocks together through the spaces on the existing pedals. Has anyone here done this? Should I use the plastic blocks as a template for sizing? What about bolts - should I use carriage bolts or something similar? Should I countersink the bolt heads? What about the nuts?

Also, should I add some kind of counterweight to keep the pedals level, thereby keeping the exposed end of the bolt and the nuts on the bottom of the pedal? What about traction; should I add some grip tape to the surface?:

http://www.streetskateboards.com/ekmps/shops/thestreet/images/grip-20-c.jpg

Thanks for any and all replies! :thumb:

I would just find a couple of wood screws that are just the right length to go through the blocks, but protrude on the far side. Most wood screws will have an angled head so they will countersink themselves and leave a flush surface. As for the grip tape, it depends on how hard your son is pedaling. I pull my niece on a trail-a-bike from time to time and she barely even spins the pedals, so I would think she would be fine without a grippy pedal. Grip tape is pretty cheap, so it couldn't hurt to give it a shot.

Also, should I add some kind of counterweight to keep the pedals level, thereby keeping the exposed end of the bolt and the nuts on the bottom of the pedal?

No, just use a block on either side, the wood screw, drilled thru 1 block,
counter sink for the head.

[just big enough hole to let screw threads thru without digging in,

the screw instead, engaging the block on the opposite side, .. ]

D'oh! I never thought of just using screws and avoiding the nuts & bolts altogether. :o That's why I love Bike Forums! You folks have saved my bacon more than once.

Last night I pondered that I could probably just wrap the existing plastic blocks with duct tape, and then maybe add grip tape to the top & bottom. Probably the cheapest & easiest route since I already have duct tape at home.

I have had the same problem with my Pedal Blocks. I used an old inner tube cut into 1 inch strips to make rubber bands. Three or four per box lasted the season. The inner tube bands gave out over the the winter, but by then we were not using the Tag-Along and now this summer the kids don't need the blocks.

Gil

^^^Another great idea, thanks!