Bike trailers for kids..what do I need to know?

[Orinoco]

I'm thinking about getting one of these, as dd1's school is about a mile away along a cycle track or four miles by road.

DD1 is 5 and dd2 is 2.

Has anyone got one of those trailer things? Are they any good? Are any brands better than others? What about the ones that convert to pushchairs?

Or what about those converter type things that make like a tandem? Could I use on of those for dd1 and a child seat for dd2? Are they stable?

And anything else I've forgotten to ask Thanks!

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2222&threadid=158539&stamp=060329131511\Another thread going about this.}
The converter-thingie you mention is called a trailer bike; they're ok, stable enough for casual use usually. The more you pay the better it will be, but I don't think you'd get one compatible with a seat (don't think, I could be wrong; start ringing around & talking to cycle shops).

I sometimes get DS (6) to school on a childback tandem with 4yo & 1yo in a double-trailer.... but that's a proper tandem bike, not a trailer-bike set-up. DS rides onhis own bike to school, too, but it's only 1/2 mile & quiet roads.

thanks! ( I must admit I didn't check - I normally do though!)

I have a 4-year-old and a 1.5 year old. My 4 year old goes on a tandemy thing, which works quite well. My 1.5-year-old goes on a special seat on the front of the bike, called a Centric Safe Haven (naff name). Very nice seat, it goes between me and the handlebars, and has a harness etc etc. (Not one of those tiny seats, that they can fall off of.)

Oh, just had a little search, and found that there are now three models of front seat on the market: centric, wee ride, and kangaroo. The first two look the same, and I'd strongly recommend them. They are a bit of a b*gger to fit, though.

NQC, does your 4yo stay on the trailer bike or can you get straps to strap them on? Or is that a bad idea in case you come off?

Wait, Orinono, are you saying you can go the whole way to the school on a rough but traffic-free track? I would def. take the 2yo in a seat & try to coax the 5yo into cycling themselves, then (are they ok without stabilisers?). You can get a seat in front with trailer bike behind, but it might be too bumpy ride for the babe-in-seat.

No straps on the 4-year-old. He stays on. We go in traffic - he has to stay on!

Zebra's idea is good, too. Get your DD1 on her own bike, although she will be slower than you.

Apart from aboout 2 minutes on the quiet roads of our estate, yes that's right zebrabra. I feel quite bad taking her to school in the car, but it's too far for dd2 to walk and I thought about cycling. It's only a thought at the moment as I don't even have a bike myself!

dd1 has a bike, but can't ride it very well (she can just about manage to pedal but she's still using stabilisers)

Any suggestions? I think a trailer would be too wide to fit through the gate-things to the cycle track (I hadn't thought of this before!)

Great review btw on the other thread - very informative!

(btw, it's quite a deserted route so I don't fancy walking it on my own, before anyone suggests that!)

Oooh, what style are the gate things? You should be ok with a trailer bike, but you want to go check the gates first.

Obviously, to do this, you need to get a bike, get comfortable riding it on your own, then get used to it with a child on front, then get used to it with a child on the back, then get used to it with both.

Yes, it's a good few years since I rode a bike! It just seems such a good idea, as the trail is so close and goes almost directly to school.

Oh, and the gate thingies look like this /\ (sortof!)

Ok, that should be ok. I'd check the measurements at about your hips, though, to see whether your DD1's handlebars would be ok.

thanks

A mile isn't that far to just walk it; think i would; put the 2yo in a seat-on-bike so you can quickly cycle the leg w/out 5yo. You'll probably need wellies & waterproofs to do it reliably, though, at least for going in the mornings. My 21m old walks at least part the 1/2 mile journey to/from our local school 3x/day, I suspect your 2yo can go part of the way on her own (you need to bundle both of you up warm, but if you have time, it's a good way get them fresh air & exercise). The trailer bike you may be able to use (depends on her height) with the 2yo in about 18m time, when your DD1 will probably be ok without stabilisers & to ride herself. So worthwhile to invest in a decent trailer-bike.

Just remembered a Friend (small lady, too) used to stuff her 3yo in a seat in front with her 6yo on a trailer bike, so NQC is right about that being work-able.

sorry, was trying to also say, you could drive some mornings when time is paramount & cycle or walk home for school pickups, mix-and-match your modes to suit weather/schedules/mood.

zebrabra (or anyone else who knows about these things!) what do you reckon about crossbar type seats for children? There's a few being sold on ebay at the moment, but I can't find any from retailers (perhaps because I don't know what I'm looking for ) What's your advice on these? Thanks