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I'd like to use the car less and have been searching for a good way to get my 7 year old girl to school. She is tall for her age and weights in at around 30kg. I am also tall at 6'5".
When she was a toddler, I used to use a Burley Solo which was fantastic, but she outgrew that a few years ago (her head poked out of the top.
I have since been using a Weeride Propilot tagalong. This is 'ok', but I just don't really feel it is as stable as it should be and I have started to get some annoying rattles that I find hard to pin down. This wasn't the cheapest tag-along and I bought it mainly because it is aluminium and therefore lighter and less likely to rust. Although the frame is aluminium, almost every other part is steel and has rusted to pieces! For these reasons, I am using the car more and more and the bike/tag-along is just sitting in my garden looking tired and sad.
I was looking at a Bobike Junior seat which looks good, but only takes around 32kg safely, so my daughter is close to that limit already.
I have been contemplating an Xtracycle extension kit for my hibred bike. These look very good, but they are £450+ which seems expensive.
My commute is around 3-4km each way, though I usually only do the drop off then cycle home from work without her. She hasn't had much practice on a bike herself, so she can't really cycle along side me all that way. Even if she could, it isn't practical to leave her bike at school.
I'd be interested in other options.
I have no other ideas to add - I have an xtracycle and have used it for Jr when he was 4 and 5. He has ridden to school with me since 5 (1.5mile) and now he is 6. I hate the tagalong and used it only a few times on longer rides when he has got knackered when younger. Now, he can do 20km on the flat without a problem. Id suggest getting the practice in used to carrying a large lock and maybe a plastic bike cover to store her bike somewhere near the school.
Cutstom tandem with her seat right down?
I hate to say this but a scooter might be the best solution.
It's a doable distance for her, you can ride along with her she can leave it at school during the day and if she gets picked up in a car bring it home with her.
My daughter was happier scooting than being on the tag-along as lots of her mates scooted to school too.
I think you're just dancing around the obvious solution here OP.
One word... Trebuchet.
3-4km you say?
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/9895650453_fc2b05d4f4.jp g" target="_blank">
My commute is about the same. TRHjnr's (6years old) skool is less than half a mile up the road so he stands on the rear pegs of my BMX. We've done this for over a year now and it's epically quicker than any other transport. Plus, all the other kidz think I'm phat and kool.
+1 for the scooter idea
Cutstom tandem with her seat right down?
Unless schools are very different to they used to be you'd still be paying for therapy 20 years later if you take her to school by tandem.
She hasn't had much practice on a bike herself, so she can't really cycle along side me all that way
If you started doing it every day, she'll soon pick it up - maybe a few rehearsal rides on a weekend when the time pressure of the school bell isn't looming?
it isn't practical to leave her bike at school
Is it worth having a word with the school to see if anything can be done about that? (I'm assuming "not practical" is about no secure parking facilities. If it's not practical for your family logistics then I'm obviously barking up the wrong tree, apologies).
Kiddyback tandem. The best bike in the world for kids up to about 11. Used ours for the school run and gave rides at the school fetes. Look for a used Thorn or Dawes Twocan.
kona ute?
Wow - thanks all. That was quick.
The main reason for it not being particularly practical for her cycling to school is that she typically gets dropped off by me (and I cycle on to work) and she then gets picked up by my wife who doesn't drive and isn't very confident on the bike. She uses the bus.
So, if my daughter cycles to school on her bike with me, I'd struggle to get it home again.
I think the only real options are:-
1) Car = easy
2) Tandem = expensive
3) Own bike plus wife on her own bike = yikes
Do you know if you can get tandems big enough for a 6'5" beanpole up front?
Have you seen the "Followme" tandem coupling? Cyclesence in Tadcaster are the UK distributor.
I've just got one and am very impressed with it, no sideways wobble.
You and your wife fit the special QR to your rear wheels, and you lock up your girl's bike and the followme at the school during the day so your wife can collect her on the way home.
I have used a thorn child back tandem nearly every day for 2 years. less than £500 second hand and I'm sure I'll sell it for that when i'm done with it in 5 years time. I'm 6'2" and fits well. You wouldn't actually need a child back, just a large/small tandem for a tall 7 year old.
Won't they allow a kids bike onto a bus?
She can cycle in with you and home with mummy on the bus.
If your wife would be happy towing the littlun that is.
Buses in Oxford are busy. My daughter has a 24" wheel bike. No way would she be able to get it on a bus I'm afraid. I remember when I was in NZ a few years ago where the buses had racks on the front of them for fastening bikes/prams etc. Great idea.
Followme looks interesting.
Will investigate tandems, though I am still concerned that they won't be big enough for me.
We went through a similar problem last year when my daughter (6yrs at the time) had a broken arm so couldn't ride her own bike or even the tag-along. The solution for us was to do what the Dutch do, she sat on the pannier rack.
Maybe something like [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/oxford-leco-top-tube-seat-universal/rp-prod83025?_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Oxford+-+Child+Seats|cn:Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE|kw:321461UK_Oxford+LECO+Top+Tube+Seat+Universal&gclid=CKzriO3S4bkCFcfJtAod1C4AiA ]this [/url]would work
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7558582866_80f28fa210_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/7558582866/ ]IMAG0774[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
For sale by the way. 😉
[edit] The bike obviously, although a deal could be done... 🙂 [/edit]
I'd suggest the FollowMe too (recommended by Sparky1uk.)
Me and the boys have been on all sorts of adventures on ours - and the FollowMe can also be used to carry an empty bike.
Yuba Mundo, either as a complete of frameset flavour.
Really strong, stable bike
(My fat build is not standard spec 😉 )
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My fat build is not standard spec
But it's superb. Nice bike, mister.
I want a Hase Pino
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neither of my kids would have allowed me to take them to school on one of those for fear of piss taking from fellow pupils.
At the distances given, and with the need to be able to take onto a bus, I'd say a fold-up micro scooter would be the best option. Or, just walking.
Unless schools are very different to they used to be you'd still be paying for therapy 20 years later if you take her to school by tandem.
Is this something you have direct experience of? His daughter is 7, not 14 - for my kids (aged 6 and 4) the tandem is the coolest way to travel, given the chance they'd probably choose to get to school that way every day. The other kids also think it's cool (possibly only beaten by me doing the school run on a uni).
Our tandem is a standard adult tandem with kiddy cranks fitted, so I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem getting one big enough if you set it up like that, but cost might be an issue (ours is probably worth over £2k).
http://www.tandems.co.uk/m3b0s57p580/DAWES-Second-Hand-Horizon-Twin ?
motorman - Is that a custom build... how did you do that as it looks fantastic 🙂
I do not have children. I do however have a wife, and use a Surly Big Dummy for transporting her around as it is cheaper than taxis (she doesn't really understand about buses).
The Big Dummy was (I felt at the time) horrifyingly expensive at c.£2,000. I realised the other day that that was 5 years ago. It has been used almost every day since, and is my go-to machine for most journeys. It is difficult to explain how utterly awesome it is without sounding like a complete lunatic.
Gratuitous photo:
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Mine used a tandem at that age. One off ebay, it worked really well, for a relatively short time.
Is this something you have direct experience of? His daughter is 7, not 14 - for my kids (aged 6 and 4) the tandem is the coolest way to travel, given the chance they'd probably choose to get to school that way every day. The other kids also think it's cool (possibly only beaten by me doing the school run on a uni).Our tandem is a standard adult tandem with kiddy cranks fitted, so I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem getting one big enough if you set it up like that, but cost might be an issue (ours is probably worth over £2k).
http://www.tandems.co.uk/m3b0s57p580/DAWES-Second-Hand-Horizon-Twin ?
I actually saw this and have made an enquiry. I'm not sure if my daughter is big enough for the back bit - though you mention something about kiddie cranks - will check out what they are.
Utter codswallop about kids laughing at them. I've spent an hour some days giving kids a ride on [i]that big black bike thing[/i]. Kids love it because they're parents are too afraid of what others think to ride a bike let alone something like a cargo bike. I've honestly never had as much fun on two wheels.
OP, if your near Staff's your welcome to try our Ute out.
Hase pinos are fun fun fun! My gf has one.
"[i]Do you know if you can get tandems big enough for a 6'5" beanpole up front?[/i]"
I'm the same height (and my wife's short at 5'1"), we have a Thorn Rohloff one. Cannondale made one that would fit us, too. Both a bit expensive just for the school run, though.
Might a Follow-Me tandem work? (Edit: oops, only just seen it's already been mentioned) -> https://twitter.com/beztweets/status/318482064485777410 - it allows you to split and ride individually, and it tows just fine with no offspring on it once you've dropped them at school. Used it for the school run last week: the boy rode in, and then I hooked it up to tow it back home afterwards.
though you mention something about kiddie cranks - will check out what they are.
You can see mine in this shot (somewhat above normal crankset):
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I used a tandem as above but without the kiddy cranks. I found that the seat post from my daughters regular bike fitted and would go just low enough to get her feet down to touch the regular pedals. It's a 16in frame size at the back
Brilliant thing, fast as and still gets used all the time. Tandems rock
I think you need to get her used to riding her own bike that small distance .Why are the issues over leaving a bike at school surely its a good thing if a pupil rides a couple of miles?
I have a set of kiddie cranks if the op is interested ? including the chainset with short cranks.
[i]Why are the issues over leaving a bike at school surely its a good thing if a pupil rides a couple of miles? [/i]
because they'd have to get it home on the bus every night as the OP has said.
Get a scooter. It's a 10 minute scoot and it'll cost you £50 for one that'll last years.
Going out and spending hundreds on a tandem plus modifications isn't going to make the journey significantly different.
Plus it'll only take one negative comment from an influential 'other kid' to stop your child wanting to ride in on a trailer bike/tandem - I've been there and no amount of rationalising etc will change your kids view.
because they'd have to get it home on the bus every night as the OP has said.
Oops ,didnt read that bit !
Could you pick the bike up on the way home by using a trail gator bar if your wife takes your daughter on the bus ?
My daughter's school locked the gates except during normal arrival and leaving times. After 5:00 it was pot luck if anyone was in the office to let you in when you rang the buzzer.
I'm in Oxford and have a tandem you can try. It'll probably be a bit small for you but might be worth a shot. We used to have two tandems and took both kids to school on them, but my son now takes the bus. It's absolutely fine to ride solo - my wife prefers the tandem to her lovely Dutch bike.
Alternatively take a Brompton on the bus. I've done this plenty of times and only once had a problem with a stroppy driver.
Give her a [url= http://www.thefreedictionary.com/crog ]CROG[/url].
Used to crog mine to school - been known to have one sat on top tube, with pipe lagging for a saddle and one having a crog.Couldn't afford any other at the time. It was that or walk.
Might not look pretty but it costs nowt, and as soon as you drop them off its a straight forward bike so you can go for a proper spin.
Just had a look at one of those Followme Tandem things on their website. Seems an ok idea, but my daughter's bike is a 24" wheel bike and these only work for up to 20".
Get a scooter. It's a 10 minute scoot and it'll cost you £50 for one that'll last years.
She's got a scooter, but 3km is too far to scoot.
...I just checked and its actually 3miles, not 3km.
You could all have fun on one of these:
[url= http://bikeS****y.co.uk/bike/2013-msc-tandem-white-10 ]MSC Tandem[/url]
A go anywhere tandem
Bargain!
[i]3miles, not 3km[/i]
3 Miles?!?!?!?
she should clearly be driven.
or ride the fat bike wave?
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"[i]I have a set of kiddie cranks if the op is interested ? including the chainset with short cranks.[/i]"
If the OP isn't interested, I might be - I'll drop you an email...
I have a set of kiddie cranks if the op is interested ? including the chainset with short cranks.
I can't seem to message you about this. My email is rich at birket dot co dot uk
Although the frame is aluminium, almost every other part is steel and has rusted to pieces!
Then replace the parts.
Then replace the parts.
I will be doing if I don't find a better alternative to a tag along.
How do you define 'better'? Seems to be the cheapest, quickest solution that meets your requirements.
'Better' for me = less clunky, more controlled, more stable, maybe gearing that will allow my growing daughter to pedal at an equivalent rate to me, better cornering...Is that ok?
More than that, I thought it would be an interesting debate.
Wasn't questioning the validity of your requirements. It would make sense to me to spend a small amount on the tagalong to get full use out of it before your daughter is too big for it.
Can't see any of the 'cargo' style bikes being any more stable than a tagalong.
Dropping a large sum of money on a tandem should provide a short term solution but will a suitable tandem for today also be adaptable for your growing daughter?
If gearing is an issue then why not get a rear wheel built up with a small rim and a standard hub that you can fix a cassette to and some gears?
Dropping a large sum of money on a tandem should provide a short term solution but will a suitable tandem for today also be adaptable for your growing daughter?
Some of the suggested options are likely to be suitable at least to the point where it becomes uncool, others still for a significant number of years (possibly also up to the point it becomes uncool). I hope to be riding mine with my sons once they get old enough that uncool is no longer an issue (or maybe even the two of them together).
If you get on with the trailer bike, other than it being unstable/rattley, I can recommend a Burley Picollo as an alternative. We've got two, both picked up on EBay for ~£100 ish. The hitch is very solid, uses headset and wheel bearings for the moving parts, and mounts to a carrier rack, directly above the rear wheel axle. The disadvantage is that they don't come up very often, which probably means buying new seeing as term's started:
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Burley-Design-Piccolo-Bicycle-Tagalong/dp/B00656IFTQ ]Amazon link.[/url]
Would be very interested to hear what you finally go for as I also have a 7 year old who having moved school means it is about a 3 mile trip but I would probably cycle on from my workplace. Some of the roads through town are pretty busy so am thinking the best option is a second hand tandem - possibly a Dawes Twocan, Discovery Twin (as used to have one of these and had a 9 year old stoker with some seatpost showing from memory), Double Edge or alternatively a Thorn Kiddyback - these seem to go for about £300-£500. I'm a lot shorter than you at about 5ft 9.
I used a bobike maxi for my son until the bike it was on got stolen along with the seat. I am pretty sure the weight limit is 35 kg and not 32. For kids this will make a few years difference! I am Dutch and bought mine in holland. They are great seats, but do remember things like the straps/foot guards etc are extra (from memory). Designed to carry a crate of beer when folded down the rumour goes!
I have seen it used for much older kids then 7, just use some common sense.
My son is now 12, 150cm and only weights about 39kg, you may got more use out of it then you think.
You can always sell it on when she is too heavy for it.
Simone