Will the Bike Tow Bar Fit on your Bike?
The Bike Tow Bar is a rigid bar that connects a lead (adult) bike and a trailing (kids) bike (kids must be able to ride their own bike). Suited to kids who have good basic bike handling skills. Easily attached and removed making it great for short periods of assistance when needed.
Welcome. The Bike Tow Bar, the Trailgator, is a great towing solution as it is compatible with most standard adult bikes including E-Bikes. It is easy to attach and remove from the child’s bike once installed. Meaning your child can ride independently and then be assisted when needed. The Tow Bar is safe up to 32kg – combined weight of trailing bike and rider.
When in use the front wheel of the trailing (child’s) bike is lifted off the ground. A stabilising bar prevents the handlebars from turning leaving the lead bike (adult) in control of steering. Your child can choose to pedal or not while being towed, making the ride easier for them and helping them SMILE.
Where does it attach? Â
To connect the two bikes together the Tow Bar has two attachment points; one on the lead (adult) bike and the other on the trailing (child’s) bike.
Lead (Adult) Bike: the attachment point is on the seat post using the supplied seat post kit. It is not compatible with carbon seat posts and equipment on the back of your bike like a carrier can interfere with the ability to tow.
Trailing (Kids) Bike: the attachment is at the steering tube using the supplied receiver kit – a plate and U Bolts. No Front Baskets or accessories can be used on the front of the kids bike as they would block access to the steering tube
The Tow Bar is carried on the Adult bike until attachment to the Kids bike is required
Receiver Kit attached to the Steering Tube of a kids bike.
Will it fit your bikes?
The Tow Bar is a towing solution for your family if the Lead Bike and the Trailing Bike meet the following criteria.
Lead Bike Attachment
You have three criteria
1. You require at least 5 cm of exposed space on your seat post. If you do not have space – you can alter your seat height to create enough space. Note this will raise your seat height (remember you still need to be able to pedal comfortably).
2. It can fit a variety (most) seat post diameters (25.4 -31.8mm). There are shims provided (these alter the diameter of your seat post) to ensure secure fit to a wide variety of seat post diameters.
3. It is compatible with 26-28inch wheel diameters. It may not be compatible with 29 inch wheels. Check your tyres to find your wheel size. If it shows a number 26, 27.5 or 28 the Tow Bar will work. If you have 29 inch wheels you need to decide whether there will be enough clearance for the tow bar over the top of your wheel. This is usually achievable with medium sized bike frames and larger.
5cm of exposed space on your seat post.
The Seat Post Kit for Adult Bike includes shims to suit different diameter seat posts
Trailing Bike Attachment
Your have three criteria
1. The steering tube must be less than 4.5cm in width.
2. The junction of bike frame and steering tube must be less than 9cm in height. (see photo for options of possible connections).
3. It is compatible with 12 inch through to 20 inch wheel diameters. Check on your child’s tyres for size. If it shows a number 12 through to 20 it is compatible.
Measuring width of your steering tube. Across the front of the steering tube. Does it = less than 4.5cm?
The junction of the bike frame and steering tube must be less than 9cm Your set up at the junction can be one of these three options…depending on frame design of the childs bike.
This frame design of the kids bike where the top tube and bottom tube meet needs to be measured to ensure it is less than 9cm.
The advantages of the Trailgator Bike Tow Bar…
This bike to bike connection for towing is easy to carry with you on the bike to help your child through
- busy traffic
- over hills
- when they get a little tired
This tow bar is great for short periods of assistance and is a budget friendly option for most families who enjoy riding on a regular basis.
The set up of the Tow Bar does allow your child to lean.  They often do this to see around you. A lot of children and adults are OK with this. You will get used to the sensation and your child can be reminded not to do this.  If you would prefer a more stable option, goRide suggests the Bike Tow Frame (the most stable bike to bike connection on the market).
Tow Bar in Use
The Tow Bar is stored on the Adult Bike when not attached.
We’re here to help. If you need further assistance… you can use our Kids Bike Seat Solution Finder or call us on 021 025 15576 or 0800 44 33 77 or CONTACT us via email
Further Reading & Support…
Full Range of stories on own easy to navigate page…on towing kids who ride their own bike
goRide attaches the Tow Bar to a variety of bikes so we can understand the experience and challenges. See our Tips for Attaching a Bike Tow Bar.
Your riding experience will be different when riding with a Bike Tow Bar than if you are riding solo… please see How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
Understand and compare your options for towing kids who ride their own bike please read Towing Kids who ride their own Bike Buying Guide
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Stories and Support - Towing Kids who ride their own bike
All our stories and support to assist you to tow your child riding their own bike in one easy to navigate page.
Towing Kids who ride their own bike - Buying Guide
Is your child riding their own bike and you want to support them to ride further, or on terrain they may struggle with. Understand your options to tow a child who is riding their own bike. Use our goRide Buying Guides to get the right kids towing option.
Bike Tow Bar - FAQ
The Tow Bar ( Trailgator) All your questions answered.- Frequently Asked Questions.
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goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride