bike-dog interface?

[sundial]

Do you have problems with her crossing behind the bike? Do you work one dog or two with it set up like that? I'm trying to see the support for the rack- is it attached to the seatpost at all?

No, Niki and Kali actually keep a respectable distance from the bike. They both run alongside me and have never crowded me or tried to go behind the bike. They are very focused when I run them. I run only one dog at a time because they both run at a different pace. Kali is a larger built gsd and I have to go a little slower for her. The rack is an Axiom full suspension mtb rack.

one problem i've had on the short rides with a leash is that all of a sudden he decides to get closer to the bike or even try to come around the front (probably from have a longish lead in my hand rather than something short attached at the back).

Yes, that is a concern--getting a leash tangled in a spoke--and that's why the products on the market are created to keep leashes out and away from moving parts. I took this into consideration when the girls and I practiced with different hardware and the current system I use I've not had any incidents with entanglement. I would caution you about using a standard length leash while cycling. You have little to no control of the dog's movement and the dog could get in front of the bike and cause you both to get hurt.

that's why i'm wondering if it works to not have some sort of rigid arm keeping the dog a safe distance from the bike.

Kali was actually spooked by the rigid arm so that's why I had to modify my system.