Bike trailers - do your kids like them, how long will they stay in them?

[amazonianwoman]

Bit of a naff sounding question, but I'm considering buying a bike trailer to transport DD 3.7yrs and DS 10mths so I can get more training in for a 600km charity bike ride in August, yikes.

If you have a trailer + kid(s) of similar ages, are they happy to sit in it for a couple of hours? (obviously transfixed at the sight ahead of their super-sporty mum ) I'm hoping that DS will sleep - are the seats comfy for napping? Is 3.7yrs a bit old to be going in a trailer? I can't picture her on a trailer/tag-a-long yet and I've never felt confident enough to put either of them on our rear child seat - I'm quite good at falling off my bike hence DH has always used that... But I need to get out training more often than just weekends.

Also, any model you'd particularly recommend? Considering a Burley Bee

TIA

We put a four year old and a 1 year old in the following way.

First my husband on his bike. Attached to my husband was our 4 year old on his bike attached by a tailgator. Attached to our 4 year old was the baby in the trailer (one seat only). the seat itself did not recline, and I wont say it was particularly suitable for long sleeps, but with enough blankets and padding in winter/spring it worked.

So my dh was therefore traling 1 bike with a four year old, and 1 trailer with a 12 month old. My dh is fit.

You must be too, if you consider 2 kids. But I doubt your baby will fall asleep next to sibling, and I doubt your oldest will find this very fun! This is why we chose the above mentioned way.

Your DH must be fit. Sounds like quite a procession I'm not hugely fit yet, but need to be.

At what age did your 4yo start using the tailgator? Does it make the child's bike really stable? DD will not move if her bike is wobbly ie stabilisers have to be v level to keep her bike balanced when she's riding alone.

I think you're right about the joint set up - can't see DS sleeping next to DD...

ds loves the trailer at 4.9 - is getting too big for it - have just bought a tagalong thingy

he often naps in it when tired and that's not something he often does elsewhere
i would say one hour and then let them have a run around

I use one for my hefty boys weighing about 5 stone between them!! They will stay in happily for about 30 mins, but are pretty squashed so at least at your ages they have more room. Have used it since they were about 2, think it's called Spokey Joe, will go and check

i think it is very relaxing and nice for them
why not? he is active at other times, but goes into a state of zen like calm watching the world go by from the trailer
I wish I could go in one, it would be fab

Hi,
My son is now 5 1/2 and been riding without stabilizers since summer, so now my dh only trails our 2 1/2 year old. We are selling our trailer as he will get his own bike with stabilisers this summer. (And then he will go on the tailgator, and DS1 will cycle on his own)

Our oldest was 3 when he started using the tailgator. It is a little wobbly, the stabilisers has to be taken up when the bike is attached to my dh's bike.

We had one for our then 4 yo and 2yo - we ended up selling it. DS 2 hated it and DD then 4 didn't like it either. We now have a trailgater where DH tows DD on her barbie bike and DS 2 goes in the baby seat on the back of my bike. Its much better IMO.

Hello happy cyclists - Dh is keen on putting DS on his bike, getting me a bike and doing lovely summers day outings, interested in the mixed responses to the trailer, I suppose it a personality thing and best to try first.
My question is slightly different - I am about to start work as CM and wondered about getting trailer to tow mindees around instead of getting extra car seats, trailer can double as buggy if you get the right one I think. How would you feel about CM towing your kids - would you prefer them in a car?

Thanks all, have found a good trail to try out this weekend with a place there that hires bike trailers, so will see what DD & DS think of them before making a purchase. Seems to be a love/hate thing like everything else with kids

Also like the look of the trailgator which would solve the problem of taking DD. Has anyone tried a front mounted baby seat? I think I'd feel much happier if DS was infront of me?

Yorky - I wouldn't have a problem with a CM transporting my children in a trailer if the roads were quiet/safe.

We have a front mounted baby seat which we use if we dont use the trailer. He loves it, especially in summer. This means my dh can have DS1 on the tailgator if he gets tired.

Make sure you get one which is possible to mount on your bike, as not all are compatible with all bikes. I have a full suspension and it wont fit on mine.

QS - do you know which model you have? None of the ones I've seen have high backs, which I guess they can't otherwise you'd be bashing your face on them I like the look of the WeeRide Kangaroo

I have zero suspension, straightforward men's mountain bike - hardcore!

I've got a bike trailer to sell only been used a few times - i'm just not fit enough. It turns into a pushchair.

Can you email me with details?

a n d r e a - k e l l y @ntlworld dot com

do you mean me amazonianwoman?

Amazonianwoman, thats the one we have!

(We are also selling ours as we are moving abroad.)

It works perfectly well to have a child at the front in a seat like that, and a child on a tailgator behind.

It will give you a great work out, and once you are on your own, cycling in your race will be easy as pai!

Sorry, yes please Notsofarnow!

QS - are you selling your WeeRide imminently? If so, can you email me too? Once I ditch the kiddy cargo - and 2 surplus stones myself - I'll be taking off

Sorry for turning the thread into a for sale one

I will email you tonight, lol!

right will email u when kids in bed.

I'm eagerly awaiting your emails

Hi, I am sorry, but it turns out my dh has promised it to a mate!

No probs

agh sorry not been on for a couple of days, do you want pics if so will have to go put it together.