anyone bought a 'follow-me tandem' to tow their child's bike?

[zimzam]

Any good/better than a regular tag along?

[RusselBrussel]

We bought one for dd. It was brilliant. It was cheaper than a regular tag-along. We just attached her normal bike to it. The best thing was that you can 'detach' it to allow the child to cycle on his/her own and then re-attach them when they get tired or you are on a busy road.

We had this one

[zimzam]

that looks good and folds up/down too but i was specifically thinking of this.
you can then still use the pannier rack.

[RusselBrussel]

Ah okay, sorry

No experience of that one, but it looks great!!

[zimzam]

don't be sorry. If I don't end up getting one of these follow me ones then I need recommendations on other types so thanks.
Is it easy to attach/detach, will I need to carry a spanner?! I'm thinking of detaching my DD's bike at school and cycling off with my youngest on a seat.
Did you not find it made your bike too long compared to a tag-along?
Thanks again.

[Dragonbutter]

our trailgator arrives tomorrow. very excited.

[MingMingtheWonderPet]

We have the same one as RusselBrussel.

Lots of fiddling round to get it sorted and attached the first time, but it is great and DD loves it.

I don't really like using it on a busy road as DD looks somewhat exposed behind the adu;t's bike and I am not really sure if drivers are looking that far down iyswim. Also I worry that if something went by quite fast or too near she might panic and fall off (she is 3.5 btw)

Very good for parks, quieter roads and cycle trails though.

[MingMingtheWonderPet]

DButter - Good luck with fitiing it. Tis a pita!
Don't think (as DH did) 'Oh, I'll quikcly hook that up and we'll be off for a ride early morninig'
Will be somwtome in the afternoon before you get out, or that could just be cos my DH is rubbich at anything practical (and I can't say anything cos I am no better and he will tell me assuch!)

[gigglewitch]

well isn't this a good thread... been looking at some today and trying some research which only came up with extortionately expensive ones. will keep watching for all the advice

[SNoraWotzThat]

We used one that the tow was integrated into the childs bike, like this one - cycle tow

You can then clip the tow bar onto the adult bike frame out of the way, flip the staberlisers down on the child bike and both ride happily somewhere safe like in the picture (my I look healthy)

like this we got the system and child bike from halfords about 4 years ago and sold it. It was great.

[zimzam]

Any advice/tips on what you've researched so far gigglewitch, regardless of cost?

We went to Richmond Park this morning to hire a tag-along. Was very pleased DD was confident despite leaning etc and had a great time so reassured me massively before buying one. Had been considering a tandem!

[gigglewitch]

the expensive ones are the fab and wacky dutch ones, really well built and cost a mortgage

here is one of the ones i am debating, but tbh i'd rather have just the trail-gator arm-thingy like you say so that dc can have their own bike and be detached when possible. this like others have linked to

[gigglewitch]

anyone tried this?

[ELR]

great thread i am currently looking to get one of these or maybe a burley trailer, anyone got one?
giggle dont like the look of that one!!

[zimzam]

No, I don't like the look of it either.
I like the "trail gator" one but I'm wanting to attach a front weeride seat too which has a bar that attaches from the seat post to the handle bar post so there won't be room to have the gator attached to the seat post as well. Hence I think the 'follow me' is good as it attaches lower down and even leaves the pannier rack free for school bags etc. or back seat should I need to change to that.
Am about to buy a bike for me in the next few days...ooh, I'm sooo excited

[love2sleep]

Hi
These all sound great. I'm thinking of getting something like this for DS1.

Is there a minimum age for this kind of set up? DS1 is just 3.

[SNoraWotzThat]

gigglewitch I think the whole point is to lift the front wheel off the ground otherwise the child may steer against you. I would imagine that last one, would put both riders off balance very easily.

[ecoworrier]

We used to have a trail gator, would definitely recommend it.

[Rowlers]

We have a trailgator which is good but wish we'd known about that follow-me one. We have 4 year old and 9 month old and have been wondering if it would be possible to get baby in seat with dd on the bike at the back. That would do it wouldn't it?
Looks great IMO

[gigglewitch]

good point snora
Defo back to the trailgator i think

[Miyazaki]

Zimzam - did you buy the follow me? We are thinking of it for exactly the same reason, to cycle to school with one, with a babyseat on the back.

If you did, would love to hear your thoughts?

[paddingtonbear1]

I bought a tag along for dd from ebay, it's a bit different to the normal ones as it attaches via a special rack not the seat post. They're supposed to be more stable but not tried it yet! It's a rowntree (or islabikes) which are expensive new, but it cost me 20 quid

its this one

[Takver]

Paddington I love love love my islabikes tagalong, mine cost me 20 quid too and I've definitely had my money's worth many times over. Still use it loads even now that DD can ride her own bike on days when we're running late/she's in a faffing mood/she's had a lift somewhere and doesn't have her bike with her.

[paddingtonbear1]

ooh I'm glad you've said that Takver, we've not had chance to try ours yet! Wasn't sure if dd would like it, but she seems keen to try it out. We've not been cycling for a while as dh broke a bone in his hand. It seems to have healed so hopefully soon, we can try it... just as the weather gets cold !