I've asked this before, but am asking again.

[Jenn]

We have one of those bike buggy/trailers enroute for our 14 month old daughter. Has anyone ever used them and did you or did you not like them? Also, how do I keep a helmet on a 14 month old? She freaked out at the LBS when we put it on her.

[DebW]

I used one years ago when my kids were small, and more recently as my nephew is now at the trailer-riding age. I like trailers - very stable, lots of room for the kid and his/her toys. The child is protected by metal all around, and even if you fall over, the trailer won't. I've also tried child seats on the bike, and that puts weight high up when it tends to unbalance you and where the child can pull your hair while your ride.

As far as the helmet, maybe you could try it in the house briefly until she gets used to it.

[KnottedYet]

I used one, and it was fabulous.

SKnot saw us wearing our helmets all the time, so it wasn't too big a deal for him. We let him wear it around in the house, and we made a "helmet" for his stuffed rabbit out of a yogurt tub. He decorated the yogurt helmet with stickers.

He'd put the yogurt helmet on the rabbit, we'd put the toddler helmet on him, pack both of 'em into the trailer, and away we went!

[Jenn]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My husband and I have been thinking gosh, what if we just bought a $200 mistake. However, we saw a couple out yesterday with one, and it looks like so much fun, not to mention getting Kaitbug out there....she'll LOVE it I HOPE! How hard are they to pull, do you notice much of a difference?
Thanks for the great idea's on the helmet, I'm going to try that!!

[mimitabby]

I used one, and it was fabulous.

SKnot saw us wearing our helmets all the time, so it wasn't too big a deal for him. We let him wear it around in the house, and we made a "helmet" for his stuffed rabbit out of a yogurt tub. He decorated the yogurt helmet with stickers.

He'd put the yogurt helmet on the rabbit, we'd put the toddler helmet on him, pack both of 'em into the trailer, and away we went!

what a cute picture Knot! the rabbit's helmet was a GREAT idea!

[DebW]

How hard are they to pull, do you notice much of a difference?

A trailer won't affect your bike's handling very much, but you will be using lower gears to pull the extra weight. You'll notice the weight, but hopefully you have enough gears to compensate and you don't mind riding slower.

[KnottedYet]

They really aren't hard to pull, just go slowly and be careful over bumps. You can "post" yourself with your legs, but the kiddo is sitting on their butt so they feel the bumps a lot more.

We pulled the trailer with commuter bikes, and it was perfect.

[limewave]

I've just started using a bike trailer with my dd. She is 17 mos and also hates her helmet. At this point, I've decided to not maker her wear it while she is in the trailer. It has a roll cage and she's strapped in tightly, she's fairly safe. And, right now I only take her on rides through our neighborhood where there are more kids playing in the street than cars or we ride on bike paths.

[Jenn]

OH, thanks again, I can't wait to get it so we can all get out there!!

[DebW]

Oh, and slow down for curves - the trailer can't lean into the curves like your bike. My dh once took a curve too fast and turned the trailer over with two 50-lb kids in it.

[Python]

I'm glad someone's asked this question as my next door neighbours, a young couple with two young kiddies, one aged 17 months and the other just 4 months asked me about the trailers the other day. They don't have a car and seeing our bikes thought getting a couple of bikes would be a good idea so were asking these questions about trailers. Now I can tell them what others have said. Thanks

[Trekhawk]

We have a Chariot which is fantastic. It converts so you can use it as a stroller or jogger pram plus behind the bike. You can also buy conversion kits so you can take it cross country skiing. When we first got to the USA we only had one car so I use to take my youngest who was not in school everywhere in it in all sorts of weather. He stayed dry and warm. I just wish I could have a ride in one they look so comfy.

http://www.chariotcarriers.com/html_...ailers_txt.htm

[susiej]

My son was 16 months when we started taking him on the bike last year. He wears a helmet because we do, and is VERY excited with his new helmet this year. He's pestering us to go on another ride, and asked yesterday where his helmet is. He settled for wearing mine.

We did one 8-mile ride just fine in June. A month later, he freaked out about 2 miles into another long ride. Of course, we were using a bike seat, and not a more comfortable trailer. He loved the 2-mile neighborhood rides with us in August.

And if you have a biking partner that tends to leave you in the dust ... this is the solution you've been looking for.

[Jenn]

My final and last question....sorry.... We both have road bikes, Trek's it should work with them ok right? Also, we are pretty confindent in our clipless pedals and we will be ONLY on paths here on the base, we even got one of those really BIRGHT orange flags to put on it!

[amymisk]

i pulled a trailer with my Trek 2200 for my son. So, the trailer can go on a road bike. I have clipless pedals as well and had no issues. The trailer was fantastic, I did feel the weight but since I had a triple, going up hill wasnt too difficult.

I started him in it when he was 12months and he loved it until I got him a bike for his 3rd birthday. Now he won't get in it, thankfully he can pedel his little trek at 9 m/hr! So, we ride together. He is now 4 and an avid cyclist. He even makes me put his bike on the trainer in the winter so he can train just like mommy and daddy.