Bike trailer for 4 yr old?

indreni

My son has a medical condition that prevents him from walking far, and he is now too big to put in a stroller or jogging stroller. I would like to get a bike trailer so I can take him on bike rides this summer, but I haven't biked much in the past several years. Most of the trailers (like In Step) that I readily find at major stores have reviews that say they're very small (even too small for a 2 yr old), but yet, many bike trailers say they accomodate kids up to 6 years old. If anyone has a recommendation for a bike trailer that would give my son enough room (he's a little over 3 ft tall right now) and is under $250, I would really appreciate it. I would probably be able to find the brand at a bike shop. Thanks!
Thank you so much. All the answers were very helpful! I didn't even think about dust and dirt getting into the lungs from being so low to the ground. After a lot of web searching, we're leaning towards a Weehoo, which is like a co-pilot, but the child is strapped into the seat. Thanks everyone.

Answer
I wouldn't use a trailer for an 4 year old get something like a Tail A Bike or a Wee Ride. He can get some exercise that way.

http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-96455-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer/dp/B000I4255G

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=trail-a-bike&tag=googhydr-20&index=sporting&hvadid=5210797397&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12942097821394721141&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_96704zfv4q_e

Schwinn vs Instep bike trailer comparison?

hbuckley10

I would like to buy a bike trailer for my boys (3.5 & 1.5) to ride in when my husband and I go for bike rides. It looks like the Instep Rocket, Schwinn Trailblazer and Schwinn Turbo are all very similar. I would like to hear reviews of those who own these and if anyone could tell me what the major differences are between them that would be great. I've found them all for about the same price. Thank you!

Answer
Hi. I ,too, am shopping for a bike trailer and have been pricing and reviewing them all day on line! I'm torn between the Rocket and Trailblazer, which seem to pretty much be very similar. I've read that InStep is the better brand, maybe. What I've noticed about the Turbo is that it's recommended for kids over 18 months, rather than 1 year...not sure why though.

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Bike Experts-PLEASE give me some help!?

Vet's Daug

Hi, I need some advice from people who work in bike shops or just bike and know a lot about it. My questions are pretty simple, but I'm a complete novice.

I haven't been on a bike since I was a kid, but my sister and I both want to get cruiser bikes (most definitely the beach cruiser type, not a comfort/commuter bike) to ride now that the weather is getting nice. But I don't know what to look for. I don't want a super expensive one. I'd like to keep it below $500. I don't know if steel or aluminum is better (and why) and I know that some come with a 'flat-foot' style pedal and I have no idea what that means. Also, what drive train to get, etc. I did look all over the internet for reviews, but most of the sites I found just give general information. Nothing about any specific brands or styles.

FYI-each bike will be hauling a double baby trailer. The lakes and biking areas where we live have some hills, but nothing to steep. We're in Nebraska. My sister is 5'11 so the women's bike she gets will need to be tall enough. Oh, and we're in our 40's and don't plan on doing any racing. Ha-Ha. This is just for fun and exercise and to entertain the babies.

Please give me your expert-biking guru advice and THANK-YOU!!

Answer
If you want to pull a trailer and have hills a cruiser is the worst possible bike you could ever buy. Visit the local bike shop and look at comfort and hybrid bikes it will be a much better choice for what you want. Google " bike shop + your zip " and start there.

What are my best options for toting three kids around with my bike?

Q. Is there a trailer for 3 kids? Would it be ok to have a "trail-a-bike" type option then connect a trailer to that? Or get a child seat plus the trailer? Kids are 4 mos, 2.5 yrs, and 5 yrs old.. The 5 yr old can ride a bike, but very slowly and not very far.. Thanks!

Answer
You have a few option, although I agree with those who mention 4 mos may be a little young for any kind of biking. The only way I would bike with infants is if I can either carry them very close to me, or if I can strap them into a reclined seat where they don't have to fully support their head while going over bumps etc.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bend,OR&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.460237,67.763672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bend,+Deschutes,+Oregon&ll=44.05157,-121.315155&spn=0.28771,0.529404&t=h&z=11 Front mounted seat.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIH0EG?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FIH0EG Top Bar Mounted

In Denmark they often ride with the youngest in a front basket or cargo bay laying down in blankets.

I've tried my kids in trailers at 9 mos and found it didn't work for me with any of them because I couldn't watch how they were doing and couldn't attend to their needs at all without stopping, dismounting etc. AND until over a year they didn't do well enough with head control. The trailers actually ride fairly jouncy and bumpy because the kids are sitting right on top of the wheels.

Moving on....

I have seen people do the tag along and the trailer, but for regular use it seems to long and unwieldy to me.

I'd go the cargo bike / long tail route: Madsen Cycles has a model that seats 4 with seat belts (takes the optional extra seat to get to 4 - standard is 2) http://www.madsencycles.com/
A review of cargo bikes: http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/longtail-bikes-a-review-and-buying-guide.html
And Riding triple on a long tail http://surfabike.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mundo_bilby_side_m-preview1-jpg.jpeg

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Ideal stroller for a tall 2 year old?

best kids bike trailer reviews image

Winterwond

My little boy is coming up to 2 years old, I'm looking at getting him a new stroller as his current one is becoming to small. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced stroller which has a decent size seat and plenty of room? Thanks.

Answer
My daughter is, I think, 46" tall, I'd have to check. We recently got a Britax B-Agile (it goes to 55lbs, and I have 3 kids, my 5 year old, 3 year old, and 9 month old. It'll be used.) I got it on sale for $140 at Target though during a special sale they were having last week, normally you can find them for $180, if you need it less you can probably find one at a second-hand store or craigslist or ebay-local if you watch, they tend to run about $100-120 there.

It has a very high canopy. It also lays nearly flat, and weighs 16.5lbs (when you're pushing a 36lb kid you don't want a stroller that's adding another 25lbs to that....) The canopy also goes really far, which kept my son nearly dry on our walk today even though it was raining pretty good. The negatives? It doesn't have a cupholder for mom or kids though you can buy one separately. Biggest positive? Very lightweight and a dream to fold up (push a button, pull a strap, and it's folded.) Takes up very little room, even less if you take the wheels off. Overall, I'm loving it. Legwise... my daughter does look a little folded up in it (her legs are long...) but my 3 year old (36" and 36lbs) fits easily. Neither of them hit the canopy so either can ride in it. Just giving my review on it, I'm quite pleased.

It kind of also depends on what you're using it for. Shopping in a store vs outside walking. If you're mostly outside walking then I'd actually look at the bike-trailers that double as strollers. More room for him and for you to put things into, and usually they're really lightweight and easy to push. They don't work well for babies who need to lay back, but they're great for bigger kids.

Bike trailer for 4 yr old?

indreni

My son has a medical condition that prevents him from walking far, and he is now too big to put in a stroller or jogging stroller. I would like to get a bike trailer so I can take him on bike rides this summer, but I haven't biked much in the past several years. Most of the trailers (like In Step) that I readily find at major stores have reviews that say they're very small (even too small for a 2 yr old), but yet, many bike trailers say they accomodate kids up to 6 years old. If anyone has a recommendation for a bike trailer that would give my son enough room (he's a little over 3 ft tall right now) and is under $250, I would really appreciate it. I would probably be able to find the brand at a bike shop. Thanks!
Thank you so much. All the answers were very helpful! I didn't even think about dust and dirt getting into the lungs from being so low to the ground. After a lot of web searching, we're leaning towards a Weehoo, which is like a co-pilot, but the child is strapped into the seat. Thanks everyone.

Answer
I wouldn't use a trailer for an 4 year old get something like a Tail A Bike or a Wee Ride. He can get some exercise that way.

http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-96455-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer/dp/B000I4255G

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=trail-a-bike&tag=googhydr-20&index=sporting&hvadid=5210797397&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12942097821394721141&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_96704zfv4q_e

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Anyone have a Kidarooz Bike Trailer/Stroller? Should I buy one?

best kids bike trailer reviews image

~*Nicole*~

I dont know much about bike trailers, but I came across this one used on craigslist. She paid $170 for it and has hardly used it - she wants $100 or offer. I googled it and found that in some user-reviews, people say it doesnt maneuver very well. I like that it turns into a stroller because our stroller just broke. I am concerned that it wont connect to my bike though - I have a really old schwinn, but know I need to upgrade. Anyways, I want it to pull my 2 year old in. Does anyone have one? Should I buy it? I was thinking about offering her $80 for it.

Answer
We got a Quick 'n' Easy bike trailer at Target on sale for $69 brand new. I think it is made by Schwinn, but not exactly sure. It fits two kids and we use it for our 18MO and 3YO. We love it and also turns into a stroller. But it is a BIG stroller, mind you. The whole concept of it turning into a stroller is so you can ride your bike somewhere, then park your bike and switch the trailer to stroller if you're going to walking when you get there. We actually have never used it as the stroller. I think the brand you are referring to is the same. Would not be convenient for a stroller to take to the mall, say. For us, another advantage of buying new was that my husband made sure it could be returned if it did not fit his bike (he was worried about that, too) Turns out, it fit just fine. I have seen other brands occasionally on sale at Target for $89. We wanted one for a while, and also looked on craig's list, but decided to wait it our until found a new one on sale cheap, and we did!

Moms that bike ride with your babies?

Caleb kiss

What do you use? My hubby and I both have bikes and we want to be able to take our 10 month old with us on cool summer evenings. When I was a kid my Dad always took us along with him in the little trailors.. but I don't know if that is okay for an infant. Thoughts??

Answer
This is a helmet you can get in infant size. http://www.amazon.com/Giro-Me2-Infant-Bike-Helmet/dp/B000FABD0G/ref=pd_sim_sg_2#moreAboutThisProduct Gyro is a good brand to buy. That's what I use. On the link, if you scroll down to the section where it says "customers that bought this were also interested in..." (or something like that) it shows a bunch of options for the newer type infant seats that attach to the front of the bike instead of the rear. I have been looking into this too and it seems to me the bike will have a much better center of gravity if you attach the baby seat to the front, between you and the handlebars than the rear, which might cause the bike to fishtail. I think I may get this one. http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-Bicycle/dp/B000H4E7EO/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 It gets very good reviews and ratings. The design would fit much better on my Cannondale than the Wee-ride too. The wee-ride looks nice but I think this one could be used longer and will fit more bikes.

I agree with everyone else about the trailer. I don't think a trailer is the way to go at that age. They have no shock absorbers and the baby will feel every little bump. Unless you are doing only straight road riding on a very smooth surface, I'd say go with the bike mounted setup. Even then, always get the child a helmet. (Babies look so adorable in the little helmet anyway!)


***EDIT*** OK, I'm not going to go back and rewrite what I just wrote but I just found a phenomenal article on this subject! http://www.helmets.org/little1s.htm It has made me realize one important fact; the law! Depending on where you live, apparently bringing your baby along for the bikeride a under one year of age (whether on the bike or in a trailer) can be illegal. This is illegal in NY state and some others so be sure to check your state or location's laws before doing so. The article touches on a lot of points I never would have considered. It's worth the read!

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