Do you want to tow your 4yr+ child on their bike? Do you have a squashed triangle bike frame?
Understand the options that are most suitable for your style of bike. Helping you get the Right Kids Bike Tow.
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
Overview: Bike with a Squashed Triangle Frame
Squashed Triangle Frames:
This type of bike frame is common on off road mountain or trail type bikes. We particularly like this bike with a tow rope or a tow frame because the design of the bike suits a range of off road riding. A really popular frame style in New Zealand but not a great match to tow bars which can have problems with this bike frame so please read more if you want to use one of these tows with this frame.
Type of Riding: this squashed frame is usually a design used for trail bikes. Best match to recreation, off road riding.
Bike Tow Rope – Tow Whee
The bike tow rope connects your squashed triangle frame bike to your child’s bike in a dynamic way, meaning the connection is not rigid but controlled by an elastic bungy. The tow rope is best used in off road settings for assistance with hills, distance or weather (wind, rain). Your child is fully in control of their own riding and must stay behind the lead rider.
The tow rope loops around the adults saddle and loops around the frame of the childs bike at the front fork steering tube. It will be immediately under tension when placed on the two bikes but is not the best option for urban riding. It should never be used when descending on hills.
Find out more about bike tow rope: Using a Bike Tow RopeÂ
Bike Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem
The bike tow frame connects your squashed triangle frame bike to your child’s bike. This is a great way to tow a child who needs assistance or help on easy trails or through traffic. It is an amazingly stable connection that effectively creates a tandem bike. This frame style is a great match to towing in a variety of environments.
The tow frame attaches at the rear wheel axel and you will find that for most bikes the attachment the trailer comes with will work (Tow Frames come with a Quick Release Skewer). If you have a modern bike, built in the past 4-5 years you may have what is called a Through Axel, please check your axel type and check availability of alternative axels.
Find out more about bike tow frame attachment:Â Will a Bike Tow Frame fit my bike?
Bike Tow Bar – Trailgator
The bike tow bar connects your squashed triangle frame bike to your child’s bike at the seat post. The shape of these frames means you need your saddle to be set high to create space on the seat post for the bar to attach. The tow bar is a great way to assist for short periods of time. This frame style can have problems with the tow bar especially if your frame is a size small.Â
The tow bar attaches from the adults seat post to the frame of the childs bike.
Find out more about bike tow bar attachment:Â Will a Bike Tow Bar fit my bike?
Design features that cause issues: Squashed Triangle Frames
Squashed triangle frame bikes can be used in a number of settings so are a versatile family riding bike, they are a great match to recreation riding. But like all bikes some features can cause issues…
X-SMALL & SMALL FRAMES – if you are considering a tow bar then pay particular attention to whether you will have enough clearance over your rear wheel or any space to attach the bar.
Small Bike Frames & Kids Bike Seats
29 INCH WHEELS – If your bike has 29 inch wheels then a bike tow bar is not a suitable option.
CARBON SEAT POST –Â If your bike has a carbon seat post then a bike tow bar is not a suitable option.
ELECTRIC BIKE BATTERY – Battery placement can be an issue with Tow Bars. E-bikes that have a battery placed over the rear wheel may have problems. This battery position can effect your ability to attach a tow bar.
REAR WHEEL HUB – Modern trail or mountain bikes often have different rear wheel hubs to standard bikes. If your bike is new/high spec you will probably need to purchase a different type of rear axel for attachment of a bike trailer or bike tow frame to your bike. Please check they are available before purchasing. This includes bikes with internal gear hubs.
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