Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone have any comments on the safety issues of using one of these low trailers, attached to the back of the bike, for transporting my 3 year old around brighton streets.

Are they intended for town use?
It creates rather a long vehicle.
It might be good for both shopping and
young one. If you keep away from busy
roads as per normal it would be ok.
It would not be for child pedalling/
muscle building purposes, just for carting
around. I have seen them used JUST for shopping Seems quite practical.

g

BAD for the london road and the Olde Steine.

What iswrong with a good child seat?? I cart my three year old all over in it and apprt from getting in and out (you have to balance the bike) it is fine. It does take up a lot less room.

Go for one that is detachable,as yoiu can store it up when not used and if you can attach it high enough, you could just get a pannier to fit underneath. This all depends on the type of bike and balance. I use a mountain bike.

Have a look at these sold by Merlin cycles, we found them the cheapest.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/ ... ilers.html

I just find trailers long, cumbesome and somewhat vulnerable for children.

Beside we have a good chat on the road together.

hope it helps

Gene,

I've used one for a year for my 5 year old (too big for a bike mounted child seat) and my 3 yr old twins. I pick my roads a bit of course but tend to find drivers behaving in a respectful way, quite differently to when I cycle alone. I've had no near misses and done plenty of city miles around Newcastle u Tyne. Great for shopping and getting them to sleep and the 5 year old loves arriving at school in it still.

Thanks for responses. Just to keep the record up to date: I've had a verbal response from someone who recommended a flag on the trailer to ensure visibility and also those plastic arms, which although not damaging to cars, my keep them at bay.

I just bought a Phillips Avon off Ebay for £90. Its got a lot of nice features (2 seats, big 20" wheels, converts to a stroller, bright colors, fly netting, rain cover, folds down small, safety flag, room for luggage). It is big though.

I'm about to buy a child trailer, been looking at things from £70 from argos to things arounbd the £150 mark,

including the one from edinburgh-bicycle co-operative, which I like the look of.

Stuff on ebay does not seem to be much of a bargain.

Anybody got any recommendations or advice?

Pigboy- not sure what you mean by a bargain. I got my Philips Avon on Ebay for £90, brand new, with stroller conversion kit. RRP is £150. Seems like a bargain to me.
There are currently some available from the SJS cycle shop on Ebay for £69.99, but without the stroller conversion kit.

Met a pal from Corfe mullen on sunday who swears by the Argos £70. They are not going to last long are they,in terms of useage, so y waste money?
It looks a very good deal indeed to me. Argos are top notch at some things cost/value and that may be one.
g

Ended up getting one of these from ebay, this guy sells lots of them, usually go for abouy £60 - £70 +£15 p+p
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 65372&rd=1

The argos £70 one is a Smokey Joe Topp, usually retails at £120, halfords have it at £80. However, argos need 2 days and they have to deliver to your home, so you gotta be in and it is all a bit of a pain. If you take the argos catalogue or quote to halfords, they will match the price, and they have it in stock.

I went for the ebay one mainly 'cos of the bars around the wheels, made it looka bit more robust.

If i have any problems I'll post them.

Just looking at the pics again, it does look as if I'll be riding with a spinnaker behind me!!!

Most US makes of 2-wheel trailer carry a liability warning that they should not be used above 5 mph.

Basically the risk woth 2 wheel trailers is that they have to have freedome to rotate around the tow hitch and for most this will allow a trailer to flip over if cornering and you hit a bump.

The quality of the tow hitch is also very important, and do look carefully at this.

For the next stage the only trailer bikes with sensible and robust connection to the bike are Islabike (Rann clones) and the Burley rack mounted unit. Avoid designs which use a lenght of industrial hose ans split pins.

That sounds a bit scary! Has that happened to anyone here?