Trailer bike

A trailer bike (also known as a trailer cycle, and trademarked names such as Trailerbike, Trail-a-bike, Half wheeler or Tagalong) is a one-wheeled, or sometimes two-wheeled, bicycle trailer designed to carry one or more children in positions that closely resemble that of a bicycle rider. It can be described as the, "back half of a bicycle."^[1] The rider of a trailer bike usually has a saddle, handlebars, and pedals. Some fold for more compact storage.

History

The trailer bike was patented by Canadian entrepreneur Delbert Adams in 1987.^[2]^[3] Adams started the manufacturer of trailer bikes, Trail-a-Bike, and began selling them in the early 1990s,^[4] although the same concept had been previously independently and imitatively invented by others at least as far back as the 1930s with the Rann Trailer.^[5]

Configurations

Trailer bikes have come in a variety of configurations. These include upright-bicycle-like seating, and recumbent-bicycle-like seating as with the Weehoo iGo.^[6] Trailer bikes have been available in single-seat and tandem configurations.^[7] Trailer bikes may have just one gear or more than one. They seldom have brakes.

Attachment methods

A trailer bike is attached to a bicycle at either the seatpost or on a special rear rack by a linkage that allows for pivoting. Alternatively, the hitch mechanism may rotate using the seatpost as the pivot. The attachment may include a quick-release option.^[8]

Conversion sets

The Trail-Gator tow bar and FollowMe Tandem coupling are two products that convert an existing, complete kid's bike into a trailer bike.^[9] ^[10]

Gallery

Adult and two children cycling using two-wheeled tandem trailer bike (a Pashley U 2)
Tandem two trailer bikes cargo trailer for family of four
A Burley Piccolo behind a triple tandem
A recumbent IGo by Weehoo
Rear rack attachment as alternative to seatpost attachment
A recumbent two-wheeled Trets trailer bike by Hase on the back of a tandem
A complete child's bike converted into a trailer bike
A complete child's bike converted into a trailer bike

References

^ "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
^ United States Patent No. 379,782. Retrieved 2009-10-01.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ US4756541A - Bicycle trailer - Google Patents
^ Hammond, Bill (June 5, 1996), "Kids in the 'awkward years' of cycling? Try a trailer bike.", Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, archived from the original on March 29, 2015
^ "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
^ Linda Bookman (December 19, 2014). "Review: Weehoo iGo Pro child bike seat". MTBR.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
^ "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
^ "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". Retrieved 2007-04-01.
^ Lisa. "Trail Gator Trailer Cycle-Review". Two Wheeling Tots. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
^ Dan Clark. "FollowMe Tandem Review". Simply Propelled. Archived from the original on 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2018-04-29.

[1] "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.

[2] United States Patent No. 379,782. Retrieved 2009-10-01.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[3] US4756541A - Bicycle trailer - Google Patents

[4] Hammond, Bill (June 5, 1996), "Kids in the 'awkward years' of cycling? Try a trailer bike.", Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, archived from the original on March 29, 2015

[5] "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.

[6] Linda Bookman (December 19, 2014). "Review: Weehoo iGo Pro child bike seat". MTBR.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.

[7] "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.

[8] "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". Retrieved 2007-04-01.

[9] Lisa. "Trail Gator Trailer Cycle-Review". Two Wheeling Tots. Retrieved 2015-06-26.

[10] Dan Clark. "FollowMe Tandem Review". Simply Propelled. Archived from the original on 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2018-04-29.

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