trail away
Filed Under Stuff, Tips & Tricks | June 10, 2009
Since June is bike month we wanted to follow up on last year’s article about getting your kids started riding with info on how to choose a trailer or bike seat for your family. We asked Willie Cromack of John Henry Bikes to weigh in with his expertise.
So what’s to love about trailers? As Cromack says, “Trailers are safe because they’re fully supported in case they turn over or you fall.” Trailers are also great year-round, can seat two kids and you can stock ‘em up with toys and books to keep your tots occupied while you get some exercise. The downside? They’re expensive – the best brands are over $500 new – and can be cumbersome and take up valuable storage space. Cromack recommends trailers from Chariot and Burley, as they can be converted into strollers and even taken hiking and cross-country skiing.
Bike seats are easier, quicker and less expensive than trailers, but they’re not as useful year-round and not as safe. However, as Cromack points out, “Most people don’t put themselves in dangerous situations with their children on the back.” Their weight capacity is also limited to 40 lbs, so their shelf life is shorter. Seats from Topeak and CoPilot get Cromack’s thumbs up.
And don’t forget Trail-a-bikes. Cromack recommends this local company if your child is able to hold on and focus – you don’t want them letting go and leaning over to smell the roses mid-ride – but not quite old enough to keep up with mum and dad.
So how to you choose? You can match the pros and cons above to your lifestyle, but sometimes your kids will make the choice easy for you as we know children who prefer the wind in their hair and bigger view afforded by a bike seat, and others who would never give up the comparative luxury of a trailer…
11 Responses to “trail away”
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Hi! I just read your article, “trail-a-bike” and thought I might add my $0.02 on the subject. When my daughter turned one, we gave her/us a bike seat called the “safe-T-seat” (http://www.ibertinc.com/) It’s a bike seat that sits in front, and we think it’s fabulous. It’s comfortable for her, with a padded and ergo-correct seat, but it also sits high enough to be comfortable for me to ride! And I love that she’s in front of me so that a)she can get a better view, b)I feel like I have better control, and c)I can see what she’s doing. JV Bikes in Yaletown is the only supplier in Vancouver, and they will install it properly for you (not that it’s that hard), and check to see if everything is the right tension. Anyways, my daughter is now 18 months, and LOVES to go for a bike ride! which leads to another issue I had: toddler helmets. The only place I could find a small enough helmet (and it’s adorable and comes with a board book) is at Pacific Multisport on Main Street.
Just another option (as if we needed another for our decision-making abilities!)
Thanks for the article,
Katie
We had a trailer and I have to say my youngest son hated it. We tried several times, too. I had hoped that once we got moving he would like it, but he just screamed louder. Having 2 so young at once, we really needed the trailer to work so one of us could take both, so we never tried bike seats. We just tried other modes of transportation.
Another thumbs up here for the safe-T seat! We’ve been using it for almost a year and a half now, and it still meets our needs wonderfully.
Was sold on the front mounted bike sear until recently. I was shopping around for a bike seat when a salesperson suggested the back mounted bike seats are safer. He said the problem with the front mounted is that often in a bike crash the rider goes over the handles, probably due to trying to break quickly. He also suggested the baby weight in front would also make you flip forward too.
It made me reconsider, now I’m not sure which seat I should get. Has anyone any info to share on this topic?
Ibert Ibert Ibert!!! Best seat ever, so much fun for little ones. Shame the weight limit is 17 kilos though…
We are currently car free and use our Chariot (made in Canada) all the time for our 5 & 2 yos. However, it is getting a bit squished in there as they get bigger. Can anyone recommend a trail-a-bike brand or bike store that sells them?
We have a Chariot Cougar trailer which we’ve been using every working day since my daughter turned one to take her to daycare and back. She seems to like it – she regularly falls asleep in it, and likes looking around – and staring at other cyclists when we stop at lights. She’s very little for her age so there are no helmets that fit her; so I was very glad to know the roll-cage was so safe.
It’s great to be able to cycle to Granville Island with her along the sea wall.
Oops, I guess I needed to keep reading! Thx
The Bobike featured today is awesome, we bought one with a windscreen so can still bike on the cool, windy days and after a lot of research it was the easiest seat to ride with versus other models that are more cumbersome. I prefer being able to see my child and kids way prefer a front mounted seat versus a trailer. Have a look next time you’re on the seawall at kids in trailers versus kids in front mounted seats.
We bought a Weehoo i-go trailer bike (http://www.weehoobicycletrailer.com/) a month ago for my just 2 year-old daughter and both her and I love it. The Weehoo isn’t sold in Canada so we bought it at REI in Bellingham. She can’t pedal it now, but I love that she will grow with it and we will be able to use it for years to come.
Oh Georgina thank you! My husband rented one of these the other day while we were in Montreal and she loved it and we wanted to get one. Unfortunately he couldn’t remember the name of the trailer. It is such a great idea, I love how she is strapped in and can pedal – she was helping daddy on the hills :)