mikalo

Hi, My child has tried a trailer bike and loves it. He's just turning 6 and doesn't ride by himself yet. I'm considering investing in a special trailer bike that attaches to the rear of the bike rather than to the seat post, in order to accommodate for the baby seat. As these models are significantly more expansive, I'd like to hear about your experience. Until what age / weight did you children enjoyed the trailer bike?
The area around us is no bike friendly, being uphill and busy with cars.

masiman

I have a smallish, 48lb 8 year old that rides on their own but still enjoys hopping on the Trail-a-Bike Bike (TAB) when the siblings don't claim it. Meanwhile my 6 1/2 year old still does not ride but prefers the TAB to being stoker on the tandem. I think it is the sense of ownership and individual freedom (choose your own gears, sense of riding on their own). I would guess that I would prefer them on their own at about 70lbs, i.e. the weight would be more than I would want moving around back there and they better know how to ride when they get to that weight. Genetically, it is unlikely mine would reach that weight before 9 years old.

I think I'll start kicking the 6 1/2 year old off the trailer bike next summer. Time for them to learn to ride on their own or not go on some rides.

mikalo

Thanks.

prairie*boy

Mikalo:

In the Adams T-a-B manual, they recomment a maximum weight of 88 lbs or 50% of the lead rider's weight.

I have had my 10 year old on the T-a-B while we were waiting for my 4 year old to get ready and he is WAY too big (4' 10"; 70 lbs.) as he could shift the rear wheel on my bike by horsing around on the T-a-B and the seatpost felt none too solid (Ok, so it wasn't the recommended chr-moly seatpost and it was at maximum extension).

The weight / lack of brakes will probably be what makes me move my daughter to the tandem / her own bike. (Calgary has its share of hills.)

Prairie*boy