FLCC> trail a bike

[Amelia Habicht]

Bill,

I've been using our rail-a-bike for 5 years through 2 kids- it
definitely accomplishes the work of "making it possible to ride
together as a family". The trail-a-bike I have (worth the money, since
it was a handmedown from my sister) does rotate left-right a bit in
its joint, which makes it tough to ride. Especially when the kid first
begins riding it and thinks its like a live video game and the idea is
to lean and pull on the handlebars as much as possible. I have been
almost leaned/thrown into traffic on more than one occasion, but after
some coaching, the kids got the point.  I have heard, as Rich said,
the Burley is the best made attachment for keeping the kids part from
off-balancing the adult part.

At 42 pounds, my daughter is just about to get too big for it for my
preference/comfort  (the lean/rotation that happens even when she is
not trying to play speed racer makes it tough to keep the bike fully
controlled.)

I've got a used tandem now, too, and it's loads easier than the
trail-a-bike (the 54 pounder son goes on that), although it was not
cheap, even used.  I can go long distances with either of them- the
kid gets bored way before I'm out of steam.  Both trail-a-bike and my
tandem slow down my average by about 4 mph, and require that I
convince the kid they *have* to pedal when going up University Ave,
for example - but both are a great workout and make my single-bike
feel as light as a box of tissues when I ride it.

Hope it works out.
Amelia

On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM, Gear-To-Go Tandems <Rich at gtgtandems.com> wrote:
> Bill,
>
> The trailerbikes will be very effective in allowing your son to ride with
> you.
>
> I'd recommend getting one with gears, otherwise he'll often be spinning
> uselessly or struggling to turn the pedals.  He'll like gears just like you
> do:)
>
> IMHO, the best of the trailerbikes is the Burley Piccolo.  It attaches to
> it's own rear rack for the lead bike.  This has the attachment method with
> the least amount of slop, shortens the length of the attaching yoke, and
> also allows the trailerbike to better track behind the lead bike.
>
> Of course, the best solution is a tandem (or a triplet).
> ===========================================
> Rich Shapiro    Gear-To-Go Tandems
> 850 W. Clinton St.   Elmira, NY  14905    607-732-4859
>
> http://www.gtgtandems.com
> Rich at gtgtandems.com
>
> Southern Tier Tandem Rally     August 22-24, 2008
> http://www.gtgtandems.com/sttr.html
>
> Tandem Tours:
> http://www.gtgtandems.com/tours.html
>
> Santana, Calfee, Burley, Co-Motion, Cannondale, Rans test rides by
> appointment
> ===========================================
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Begeal" <wbegeal at twcny.rr.com>
> To: <flcc at icycle.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:37 PM
> Subject: FLCC> trail a bike
>
>
> My wife and I are looking for anyone who has any experience using a trail a
> bike.  Our son is 7 - not yet able to keep up with us for a family bikiing
> and we are looking into getting a bike that hooks on to the back of ours.
> Have people used them with road bikes or mountain bikes before?  Are they
> difficult?  Can you travel long distances with them?  and what brands/makes
> have people found to be worth the money.
> Thanks for any help.    Bill Begeal
>
>
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>
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