Trailer bike

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Single speed Half wheeler attached at the seat post
Adult and two children cycling using two-wheeled trailer bike/bike trailer combination
Fun day on the trails with the iGo by Weehoo Inc.
Tandem + two trailer bikes + cargo trailer for family of four
Burley Piccolo, behind a triple tandem

Trailer bike (also known as trailer cycle, Trailerbike, Trail-a-bike, Half wheeler, and other trademarked names) is a one-wheeled bicycle trailer designed to carry one or more small riders 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.

Contents

[edit] Configurations

Trailer bikes have come in a variety of configurations:

[edit] Gearing

Trailer bikes may have just one gear or more than one. They seldom have brakes.

[edit] Attachment

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. The attachment may include a quick-release option.[2]

[edit] Multiple riders

Trailer bikes have been available in single-seat and tandem configurations.[3]

[edit] Manufacturers

  • Adams makes Trail-a-Bikes[4]
  • Burley Design makes the seven-speed Piccolo and single-speed Kazoo which attach via a hitch not to the seat post, but to a specially designed rack called the Moose Rack on the adult's bike. The design's stability compared to others makes it favored particularly by those who are pulling with a tandem and with older/larger children (up to 10 years old /85 lbs/38.5 kg)[5]
  • Brilliant Bicycles, part of Pashley Cycles in the United Kingdom make a U plus 1 (for a single child). They also used to make a U plus 2 (for two children) but ceased manufacture some years ago. Many of these are, however, still around and appear on the second hand market from time to time.[7]
  • Roland Werk GmbH makes an add+bike[11]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3614. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  2. ^ "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/adams-trail-a-bike.html. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  3. ^ "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". http://www.gopbc.org/bike_support/adams_tandem.jpg. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  4. ^ "Adams: High Performance Children's Trail-a-Bikes". http://www.trail-a-bike.com/interface/adams.php?loc=a&sku=products. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  5. ^ "Bicycle Doctor Ltd. Cycling with Children". http://www.bicycledoctor.co.uk/p_burleypiccolo.html. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  6. ^ "Islabikes Trailerbike". http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/trailerbike.html. Retrieved on 2007-04-21. 
  7. ^ "Pashley Brilliant Bicycles Trailer Bikes". http://www.pashley.co.uk/brilliant/products.htm. Retrieved on 2007-04-21. 
  8. ^ "Halfwheeler". http://www.giantbicycle.com/en-US/bikes/kids/1290/27714/. Retrieved on 2007-10-17. 
  9. ^ "Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.instep.net/products/category.php?id=4. Retrieved on 2007-05-22. 
  10. ^ "Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.kentbicycles.com/bikeacc_wee_copilot.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-22. 
  11. ^ "add+bike by Roland". http://www.roland-werk.de/engl/addbike/. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  12. ^ "Schwinn, Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/accessories_detail.php?id=174. Retrieved on 2007-05-22. 
  13. ^ "Trek, Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/subcategory.php?c=5&s=26. Retrieved on 2007-04-01. 
  14. ^ "Weehoo Inc.". http://www.weehoogear.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-14. 
Personal tools