Tag a-longs???

[IGGY]

Hi guys-my neighbor has the "bike on a stick" where it basically attaches their bike to yours, you do all the work, they sit back there and pedal or not and hold on. A lot of the autisitc kids I teach use them because they are very proficient riders, but no sense of danger. My 4 year old who is very slow on her training wheels took a spin on it the other day and was frantic. However, her friend who is a good rider, LOVES IT, and that family goes all over-they are constantly stopped and asked for photo ops and questions about it.
I think if we were to take it to a parking lot and just toodled around a flat area for a good while, and she got a feel for it, she'd eventually like it. She wants to ride with mom, so she does have some motivation.
My husband took my 8 year old on it, (she's a good rider, just not a lot of stamina) and he said she was really wiggly and he could feel her moving around a lot. In her defense she has long legs, and looked really cramped. Her knees were coming up really high.
Take all that info. for what it's worth!

[DebW]

We got my nephew on one of those last year when he was 4. He did great on it after a a little practice. The adult's bike does tend to lurch when the child moves, so I recommend using it mainly when you have a wide lane and room to manuever.

[ridenread]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking we would use it mainly on paved bike paths without much traffic until he gets the hang of it and I get the hang of towing. Before I get one I am trying to get as much info as possible to see if it would be worth the expense. I am also going to check the LBS that does bike rentals , to see if they might rent them out to give it a try.
Thanks

[Irulan]

We got my nephew on one of those last year when he was 4. He did great on it after a a little practice. The adult's bike does tend to lurch when the child moves, so I recommend using it mainly when you have a wide lane and room to manuever.

I know of more than a few people who use these on easy singletrack.

[nic840]

I use mine all the time. I have a shorter almost 5 year old and she has been on it for about 4 months. We love it! You just have to get the hang of tilting it over when they dismount and just giving them cues on what you are about to do.
We have the single burley trailer attached to the trail-a-bike so it is a triple train. We take it to the grocery store, soccer practice and soccer games. The girls love it! I did attach two long neon flags to the trail-a-bike and to the Burley so we get noticed.

If you are purchasing one I would recommend buying either an Adams brand or Trek. The cheaper ones you get at Target (Schwinn) are not as sturdy and harder to find replacement parts for. Craigslist is a great way to find one. They don't get abused like normal kids bikes and are usually in almost new condition.
Have fun!!!

[kie_fujo]

my 8yr old is terrified to learn to ride her bike and we have been using our tag a long a lot. it did take some getting used to but you do adjust. i think they are great!!

[ridenread]

Thank you all for the input. Looks like something we will persue

[runnbike]

Sorry I'm a little late getting in on this thread, but my son is now four and we tested him on a friends tag, he LOVED it. Problem is I don't. I've been pulling him in a Chariot Carrier for years and it's fantastic. The tag makes my bike VERY unstable. I'm 5'2" on a 51 cm Specialized Ruby Comp WSD. I purchased a new Burley Picallo which uses a rack mount and I am hoping will lower my center of gravity back to a managable area. I'd like input on a few things...
1. Should I be concerned pulling a bike with a carbon frame road bike?
2. I'm having to get creative mounting the rack since the bike was not designed for them. Anyone else have experience with this?