bring the kid or not?

[BikingNurse]

I have decided to fix up the "crapbike" so I can start commuting again. (yea i know she needs a new name-but she wont get one till she's fixed) Here is the problem. I have to take my 7 yo. son to school and then I pick him up at the boys and girls club after I get off. I want to be able to do this together but there is a hill that I have conqured, but would totally kick my son's butt and he would be ready for bed before school even started. I know I need to take him out and see how far he can go, cause I know he will eventually be able to do it (and probably sooner than I'm giving him credit for) but here are some questions.

Should I get him smoother tires?
Does he need gears?
Does this mean a new bike for him? (I'm already saving for a new road bike for me)

I just really think that this would be so good for both of us but I am worried about the $ issue and him possibly needing a diff. bike. (I'm scrounging yardsales and craigs list)
Any hints or thoughts would be appreciated!!

[Onix]

how long is the ride?

maybe take him out on a saturday with his current bike---and see how he feels on it. You can always plan to walk up the hill. (or, is there a route around it?)

Does he have a way to get the bike from school to the boys/girls club?

[BikingNurse]

the ride to his school is just under 3 mi (I believe) and I just don't know about getting his bike from school to B&G club. I was thinking about maybe getting one of those bikes thats like a tandum but it is for children in the back. Like this one (i hope the link works)http://www.instep.net/Product/Discon...iler_12-PF100/

Would I be able to ride it with out him for a needed distance? Or does someone HAVE to be on the back?

[Onix]

I haven't personally used an attachment tandem like that---but I imagine that you could ride it without him on the back (although it would certainly reduce efficiency etc.)

I was wondering about that option--makes sense to me!

Good luck!

[radacrider]

I have seen a lot of parents use these for their kids and then ride off with the "tandem" still attached. Other parents detach and lock the tandem to the bike rack, then reattach after school.

I guess since you have to pick him up somewhere else after school, you should be okay riding "empty" with the tandem attached.

[Biciclista]

my coworker does this; he takes his little girl to school on a set up like you are considering buying. then he rides to work on it. It's not much of a big deal to tow the thing empty.
I do think you need to have the boy practice on that hill. Kids are tough.

[MartianDestiny]

the ride to his school is just under 3 mi (I believe) and I just don't know about getting his bike from school to B&G club. I was thinking about maybe getting one of those bikes thats like a tandum but it is for children in the back. Like this one (i hope the link works)http://www.instep.net/Product/Discon...iler_12-PF100/

Would I be able to ride it with out him for a needed distance? Or does someone HAVE to be on the back?

Lot's of people around here do that and seem to have no problems riding it solo; some of them even have quite impressive "trains" and tow those empty too.

Another nice benefit is you are fairly likely to find one of those used at a decent price.

[BikingNurse]

Yup, thats why I asked I knew SOMEONE would have known somebody or has seen people do this. I just wasn't sure about the riding empty thing. Now, I know it can be done and I'll be scrounging the web for a used one!

[buffybike]

I bought a trail-a-bike the other day and I loved it. Riding tandem takes a little getting used to, but if your son ENJOYS riding a bike, he could love it (plus he could learn road safety skills from you)! The trailer disattaches and folds down really easily so you could leave the bike with him at school...could he take it on the bus to the Boys Club?? Then you could pick him--and the bike--up at the Boys Club, reattach the trailer, and ride home together....