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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1102.0. "Trailers and Kids" by CSC32::T_DAWSON (Leave only footprints......) Wed Apr 12 1989 01:47

I would like to hear from those that are using a bike trailer.
    
    What kind? How do you keep the kids busy? How old are the kids?
    And any other comments.
    
    I currently own a Burlry Lite. I pull it both on and off road and
    love how it rides. We have two children,ages 2 and 8 months. The
    2 year old seems to last about 1 to 2 hours. However the 8 month
    old will only last up to an hour. 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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1102.1fun so farTLE::SCHUTZMANWe are here and it is now.Wed Apr 12 1989 12:3716
    I just got a bugger 4.  Right now I only pull my 5 year old, but in the 
    comming fall there will be a rider for the second seat.  Since the
    oldest has been riding on a more conventional seat for years now he has
    no problem with 2 hours (which is about as far as I go).  The main
    thing that keeps him happy how is his own water bottle (firmly tied to
    the bugger so I don't have to stop and chase it).
    
    My main feeling about it is that it was a lot harder going over hilly
    back roads then I expected.  I had no problem on main roads but on the
    back roads I was reduced to a very low gear (my 15 year old daughter 
    loves to be able to pull away from me on the hills.)
    
    The bugger 4 is large enough that we can carry some books and a few
    small toys for our son in it, but we haven't tried this to much yet. 
    It also helps when i ride with my  wife or  daughter so he has someone
    else to watch.
1102.2SMURF::LARRYThu May 11 1995 15:3028
    Just thought I would report my experience with an attachable trailing
    bike.  I purchased an "Alleycat Shadow".  Basically its half a 16" kids
    bike with a curved bar (2 actually) welded to the seat tube.  The bar
    attacheds to the seat post of the adult bike with a quick release mechanism.
    The attachment allows the kid bike to move from side to side.
    The kids bike freewheels, has no brake and the handlebar is attached
    to the curved attachment bar.  Overall the construction was compariable
    to any kids bike and at $159 was a good deal compared to the
    alternatives: Adams trailabike is $250.   Then there are tandams with
    kiddy conversions that begin at over $1000.  
    
    My 7 year daughter loved it and I was thrilled as she was not thrilled
    with her real kids bike and could not get her to ride much ... not 
    enough peer pressure from her friends yet.
    From the parents riding perspective it does require some riding skills
    ... more of the loaded touring type of skills.  For me it compares
    to riding a touring bike with a 50lb pack that wants to move in 
    unexpected directions.   This means you can not standup to peddle
    (at least I have not worked up the courage yet).  Going up hills
    requires some very low gears and things get a little more wobbly
    because of the slow speed. 
    So I'm not sure I could recommend something like this to an inexperienced
    parent/rider.  If you have the riding skills this device provides a
    great way to spend time with your children,  introduce them to the
    joy of cycling and get some fabulous hill training!
    
    -Larry
    
1102.3Good stuff ... these trail-a-bikes!NWD002::REID_PASI - Lookin' for a bigger hammerFri May 12 1995 03:3913
re: -1

	We have had the Adams for about 2 years now and still have a good
    time with it.  My 8 year old and I do quite a bit of single track with it.
    I agree about the extra weight and wobble but so far we've not had any
    major crashes.  Sometimes it difficult to convince by boy that he needs 
    to help peddle up the hills ... but when he does I notice his effort.

	With the arrival of our last christmas present, we're going to have
    to put the child seat back on mom's bike.  Getting to be a real family
    adventure.

Paul