Can a folder pull a Trail a Bike?
 

Hi,
I'm curious if a folding bike like the Novarra FlyBy or Tern Link Uno can handle an Adams Trail a Bike? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't break the bike, but I've never ridden a folding bike and am considering buying one for an upcoming 2 day tour with my son. I currently haul him around with an old rigid steel mtn bike, which is kinda unwieldy just by the nature of it when he leans side to side, it's like someone behind you trying to push you over. I wonder if that would be magnified on a folder or reduced. Has anyone done it?
Thanks!
Jon

Here's the issue: most folding bikes are compact in part because they have a low step-through frame and the rider is supported on a saddle attached to a very long seatpost. The seatpost acts like a long lever on the small seat tube. (And when there are frame problems on a folder, it is often because the seat tube cracks).

Most trail-a-bikes attach near the top of the seatpost, which, when combined with the weight of the rider, can potentially put a lot of levered force on the seat tube. Obviously, this is a bigger problem if you weigh 220 lbs and the bike has a weight limit of 240 lbs than it is if you weigh 140 lbs.

you get a number of shims with the Adams trail-a-bike to grip a variety of seat post sizes ..

a LBS Should have the option of letting you test fit it and tow it around the block to see if you like it.

Thanks, I may try that, I have the extra shims from when I bought the trail behind.

Listen to this man, he is correct.

A folding bike has a maximum rider weight limit largely because his weight tugs on that long seatpost. A trail-a-bike adds quite a bit more force to tug on that seatpost. This is potentially dangerous.

I suggest that you do *not* use a trail-a-bike with a long-seatpost folding bicycle.

Agreed. Long seatpost = lots 'o leverage. Don't do it.

Seems that you are getting good advice here byrd.

As much as I love bikes and look for reasons to buy another, a two day trip is not sufficient justification. Can you just take along that mtn bike or rent one locally? Don't buy a folder mainly for this trip to pull the lad in a trailer.

I wouldn't tell you what to do , but you asked - I think it is a bad idea...

The Adams trail a bike has stop tabs limiting the turning radius. With a large wheeled bike, your turn radius is not that great to begin with, so it's not a problem. But with a folding bike (smaller wheels), the smaller turn radius can potentially put you in a dangerous situation where your bike makes the turn, but the trail-a-bike doesn't (ie. tips over). I've had this happen while testing the setup around the neighborhood on my Brompton:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psdd564273.jpg

I ended up making a seat for my kid that fits on the top tube of the bike using the trail-a-bikes seatpost trailer mount:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps43cbbfff.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psf2088b1e.jpg

The Adams trail a bike has stop tabs limiting the turning radius. With a large wheeled bike, your turn radius is not that great to begin with, so it's not a problem. But with a folding bike (smaller wheels), the smaller turn radius can potentially put you in a dangerous situation where your bike makes the turn, but the trail-a-bike doesn't (ie. tips over). I've had this happen while testing the setup around the neighborhood on my Brompton:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psdd564273.jpg

I ended up making a seat for my kid that fits on the top tube of the bike using the trail-a-bikes seatpost trailer mount:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps43cbbfff.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psf2088b1e.jpg

Double post - sorry.