Will the Bike Tow Frame Fit on your Bike?
The Bike Tow Frame connects a lead (adult) bike and a trailing (kids) bike. The stable design makes the Tow Frame our top pick for towing in traffic and for towing over long distances.
goRide is the official NZ distributor of Follow Me Tandem, please contact us if you have any questions.
Supporting you to SMILE when you ride.
Welcome. The Bike Tow Frame ( Follow me Tandem) 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 Frame is safe up to 45kg – combined weight of trailing bike and rider.
When in use the front wheel of the trailing (child’s) bike is lifted off the ground. The Tow Frame design prevents the child from being able to steer and its wheel to wheel attachment (axle to axle) provides many advantages. Its very stable, supporting you to ride early with your child. They don’t have to be a competent independent rider to enjoy the tow frame. There is greater flexibility for riding with multiple children (you can use with a seat attached front/mid or rear). Children 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 Frame has three attachment points; one on the lead (adult) bike and two points of attachment on the trailing (child’s) bike.
Lead (Adult) Bike: the Tow Frame is permanently attached to the rear wheel hub at the axle (A)
When not in use the Tow Frame is carried on the Adult Bike by securing it to the railings under your saddle via a hook up belt & carabiner. You can also secure it to a rear carrier instead of the saddle.
Trailing (Kids) Bike – The Tow Frame connects to the front wheel axle (B) and a receiving clamp which is mounted on the kids bike down tube.(C)
Attachment from the rear axle on the lead bike to the front axle on the trailing bike. You will also see an additional attachment to the trailing bikes down tube to add stability.
The lead bike carries the Tow Frame when not in use.
Will it fit your bike?
The Tow Frame is compatible with most bikes. It is not compatiable with bikes that have “Fat Tyres”.
Lead Bike Checks
1. It is compatible with 26″, 27.5″ and 700C/28″ city and mountain bikes with tyre widths 3.25″ or less, including full suspension bikes and *29″ bikes with tyre widths up to 2.2″.
*Note that with 29ers, you are limited to 2.2″ wide tyres due to the Follow Me’s mudguard. You could get round this either by removing the mudguard or cutting down the mudguard.
Check the side wall of your tyres to find your wheel size e.g 26 x 1.9. Look for the number 26, 27.5 or 29. If you have 29″ the number it is multiplied with needs to be 2.2 or below to be sure the Tow Frame will work.
2. The Follow Me attaches to your rear wheel hub at the axle using an adaptor. The follow me tandem comes with a Standard Quick Release (QR) Adaptor You may need to purchase a different adaptor dependent on your rear wheel hub set up. Â Â
You will need to determine the type and width of axle your bike has to determine whether your bike will fit the supplied adaptor or do you need to purchase a different adaptor?
Do this by removing your rear wheel from your bike. See the 4 options – which one matches your bike? Identify your axel type to understand if you will need an alternative adaptor.Â
A Quick Release ( QR) AxleÂ
A Quick Release (QR) Axle – a thin skewer will come out of the middle of your hub. It will have either
- Â A lever and spring on one end and spring with cone nut on opposite
- Â or A cone nut at both ends
Measure your rear hub width from the inside of the rear dropout to the inside of the other drop out.
- If it measures less than 150mm the supplied standard adaptor fits your bike (most QR axles are 135mm length x10mm diameter)
- If the measurement is over 150mm you will need to purchase an Alternative Adaptor = Long 150-175mm QR Skewer
A Through AxleÂ
Through Axle – is a thicker shaft, usually 12mm diameter will come out of the middle of your hub. It will have a lever or nut on one end with thread on opposite end
You will need to purchase an alternative adaptor.
You need to know your hub width. Search online for your bikes specifications (brand, model & year of bike). Information usually in rear wheel information or measure your hub.Â
Alternative through axles come in a variety of lengths and a variety of thread pitches.
Please use our SIZING GUIDE (note: Thru-axle lengths do not exactly equal hub widths. The replacement axle has to be longer than the hub to fit in the frame.)
A Solid Axle
Solid Axle/Bolt On – A nut will come off from each side of your axle. The axle is solid meaning it will not slide out, it will leave the exposed thread of your axle on your bike.
You will need an Alternative Adaptor measure the diameter of the exposed end of your axle from the thread crest to the thread crest to choose the correct sized adaptor.
If your solid axle measures
less than 10mm you need the Alternative Adaptor = 3/8″Â
at 10mm you need the Alternative Adaptor = M10 x 1.0 or Alternative Adaptor = M12 x 1.0
more than 10mm you need the Alternative Adaptor = M12 x 1.25Â
Rear Gear Hub
Internal Gear Hub – Popular on Electric Bikes and modern Commuting or Urban Bikes the gear system is sealed within the rear wheel hub. If you have a click box you definitely need an Alternative adaptor = Hub Drive Adaptor.
Some gear hubs have solid axles so please see this section.
See the Full Range of Follow Me Tandem Axle Alternatives on this page…Â Please Contact goRide if you need assistance or a different part.
Trailing Bike Checks
1. The Tow Frame 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 the Tow Frame will work.
2. It is compatible with kids bikes that have Front Wheel Solid Axels with wheel nuts. It comes with the choice of replacement nuts in 3 standard sizes covering most kids bikes axel sizes.
If your child’s bike has a:
- Quick Release (QR) Axle then you will need to purchase an Alternative Adaptor = Child QR Adaptor
- If your child’s bike is a Woom, Early Rider, Isla or Kokua Bike you will need to purchase an Alternative Adaptor =External M6 ThreadÂ
Childs bike with solid axle and wheel nuts…no additional adaptor required used the supplied replacement nuts.
Quick release on a childs front wheel of their bike you will need to purchase a Child QR Adaptor.
The variety of adaptors makes the Tow Frame compatible with most bikes. If you purchase your Tow Frame ( Follow Me Tandem) from goRide and find that you require an additional adaptor, get in touch. We will help advise you on the adaptor you need. Please note: the cost of the adaptors vary. goRide will not charge for the shipping cost to get the additional adaptor to you.
Advantages of the Bike Tow Frame.
It has low points of attachment from the adult to the kids bike. This design makes it very stable & well balanced.
Has strong & secure attachment points.
Provides the option of riding with multiple children as the design does not interfere with attachments for front/ mid or rear attached seats. Its stability means that it is a more feasible option for riding with multiple kids.
The stability allows you to tow from a younger age compared to other towing solutions. Your child does not need to be a competent independent rider to enjoy the Bike Tow Frame.
Able to be used to tow different kids bikes by purchasing an additional kids receiver kit
- Note: It is is not quickly switched between adult bikes unless the second bike has its own rear axle adaptor – sold separately.
goRide believes this is by far the best choice for connecting two bikes when you want to ride through traffic. Your child’s bike is very securely connected at multiple points (they will not be able to lean/twist or rotate the connection).
The Bike Tow Frame
The stable design makes it a good option if you are wanting to ride with multiple children
Further Reading & Support…
goRide has attached the Tow Frame to a variety of bikes so we understand the experience and challenges. See our Tips for Attaching a Bike Tow Frame.
It will feel different to ride when towing a child compared to when you ride solo. Learn more. How will it feel to tow a child who is 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
We’re here to help. If you need further assistance… you can call us on 021 025 15576 or 0800 44 33 77 or CONTACT us via email
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
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