[Closed] Towing kids

I wouldn't use a simple bungee cord, as they're likely to be yoyoing on the end of it. I think the "proper" ones are bungee inside a webbing strap, so they extend until it's the webbing strap taking the weight.

I have a very simple homemade strap which is a piece of rope with shock cord tied to it every 30cm or so, which has the same effect. The elastic stops the rope from dropping into the back wheel, and reduces the shock when starting, but it's the rope that takes the weight when moving.

I used this to tow 2 of my kids home from school. It was uphill and they were on their scooters.

Silverline 443621 Elasticated Tow Rope 4 t, 4m x 50 mm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00359YX7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_VTZ4ZKFBN0BDQFB6GG20

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/towwhee-vs-elasticated-tow-ropes/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/best-cheapest-tow-rope-for-kids-big-kids/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/tow-rope-for-kids/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/show-me-your-kid-tow-ropes/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-tried-using-a-towrope-leash-to-drag-a-child-up-a-hill/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/genius-or-utter-asshattery/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/is-3-too-young-to-use-a-towwhee/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/towing-a-kids-bike/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/child-towing-options/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/towing-kids-bikes-2/

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/towing-another-cyclist-adventure-racers-advice-please/

I bought one of these
https://traxmtb.com/en/trax-2/

It's quite neat although requires a confident rider behind who pays attention otherwise there's a chance *ahem* of crashing, tears, and walking back the car in a strop

Possibly the same is true for other means of towing

Better still, I've seen a better/safer version where the retractable bit is attached to the front of the kids bike, and the adult simply holds onto a handle, meaning they can let go very easily - I'm sure someone else will know the name of it

We like the Trax as it’s “always there” versus a bungy-type that we had to carry in the bag. More convenient for undulating trails where there can be frequent attaching/detaching. Plus it’s one less thing for the pile of shit that’s deemed necessary to carry on a family bike ride…

And kids like the Trax as mine have figured out how best to detach it to ensure maximum recoil onto the tower’s inner thigh…

I'm just using a bit of dog lead elasticated webbing with paracord loops to hook saddle/stem. Less than a fiver altogether.
Got the hang of unhooking from the towed once enough momentum is gained and just chuck strap over my shoulder.

I made my own as per instructions in I think the first linked thread up there. Cheap and easy.

Also have a dog lead which I since realised it's probably perfect.

And kids like the Trax as mine have figured out how best to detach it to ensure maximum recoil onto the tower’s inner thigh…

Thank christ mine hasn't figured that out yet.

+1 to the Trax - mine's been great for towing junior about at FOD though I do feel a bit of a donkey. Quite good for fitness mind. . . .

2 Old inner tubes looped together here for the ebike uplift tows.

I use a bit of string and just hold it in my hand, bit tricky on single track climbs. Pay attention to this though

requires a confident rider behind who pays attention otherwise there’s a chance *ahem* of crashing, tears, and walking back the car in a strop

Possibly the same is true for other means of towing

I use a bit of string and just hold it in my hand, bit tricky on single track climbs.

Are you talking about the same thing? There's no way I could tow my lad up the stuff I do while holding onto a bit of string that he was hanging off. Am confused how you'd achieve this.

Will second the watch out for tumbles though, they don't half moan when they fall off, especially when it's "your fault".

Yeah, I tow my 5yo up fire roads with 4m or so of 6mm cord. Loop over the stem bolts, hold the other end in your hand, works reasonably well but you do need to be able to start with one hand on the bars. It's not ideal, I'm just too tight to pay £50 for the proper version. It's pretty flat where we are though, and she can pedal herself now. It was mostly used as a bail option when the snacks and enthusiasm wore off as far from the car as possible.

They are a tenner on ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224559229328?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3448c5e990:g:i2MAAOSwIWNhCjj4&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACkPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSvtkx670Z0mbyfWqmxLFLYTDLlKSW8iZz1ArnewBMLpDK2hRwndm7xAiJk%252B8e06pG7OZfKyUIoEcuJUzAIe0ZIAoAWwVB2Crw5GMxsfzIwkycFTQmx71qGDsQ4LfDoRXqNrv59ejyjGK%252BibJeVLRHWfHHZdWM%252FCMEV4fGyJXaua7%252BHMcU1ImjsfAFytRAa%252Btbr5%252FcTRuWtoXe1vtMAQNyvmdQJ3C2YpLgjCcKh6fDRxKVImsNw1ZuCT90KzRc%252BY1tL5Lri5HGd2Y7PYK8wSTQjJtIMIfFtbioE4vfCtIOl2NY%252BkOyKEHQaAR09KAvie%252B0eiiBQk9Wyin8TKh4vR%252BXgI2azk3cI3oIHZessNpVNv7DEI0iXcBtpXidxuMI4mQwRR1NAKRVHe4LMH4RM6BUAuDnbf5cYyG9mc41Q6PxLFjjulv03UVGxFiB%252BmnYO0Zn21qMp4eXi3d2tjdN7oP0UjgZwLpXqKzz71cqFKhn%252FMEzCxzkyx9QDWtG5Z4bwGb9waP3SyiMxncr9LLgV4PG8Gnz0ayKha5CvurTyMSLWIsm3E0SXUb0a2aNwAOxdQ4BI8gn7cjt9%252FWHHmEu9rYvgG5jsmxlriv%252BCXyGhji%252FcuXJkAzL3c0%252F7jYtZAebLYi25JZbUGq1rgBEfURBCM4EkhH5iv7jg27Ebk0jnVt7bNyZt1dSLD4zNkY8lltMtn0Ev808ODi9anvEtZhPmoQ5I627cH7OSMoicRHC9AL%252FFsJqH17u1diuRIDH75GFQpYTQfpdioS64l28SjvxM2ZyyEbW75lgvcVDlqONhZJSPTjzM9SyMkUX6jjtLH9i0wAI%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABFBMkvishZtf

I bought Silverline tow rope and it was crap. Too big, too heavy, snagged on my rear tyre. Bought a Tow-Whee and never looked back (except at the little one riding behind me). Buy it from the STW shop and you'll get free kudos.

Back in NZ loads of folks used inner tubes but 1) they had a shorter elastic zone so are less forgiving and 2) I don't have any inner tubes.

There’s no way I could tow my lad up the stuff I do while holding onto a bit of string that he was hanging off. Am confused how you’d achieve this.

You can if you do it right.

4 to 7 metres of 4 or 5mm string...
Feed one end through the tow bike's saddle rails from behind.
Bring that end to the front of the bike and feed it under the stem from the left.
Then over the stem and under the stretch of string that comes from the saddle.
Then take it to the right hand grip and wind it around the grip once or twice.

Take the other end of the string and approach the kid's bike from the front (natch)
Feed it under the bar and over the stem.
Then feed it through itself as per lead bike and take it across to the opposite grip and wind it around a couple of times.

What you've got is essentially a centred pair of Halbmastsicherungswurfs on each handlebar/stem. As any climber know, an HMS knot is used to belay climbers and transfers most of the force onto the thing it's wrapped around. This means that you and junior only need to apply the tiniest bit of pressure on the grip/string loop to keep it secure.
If however either of you relaxes your grip then the string pulls free of the stem and falls to the ground.
Because of the way it's wound round the stem there are no twisting forces at all trying to turn the handlebars.

I've towed the kids up some fairly tough ascents using this approach and it's bloody marvellous.
The two downsides are:

It takes a wee while to do each time so only worth it for proper hills.
The kid needs to be totally switched on and use the brakes if needed to keep the rope taught at all times.

I bought a kiddy back tandem. It was absolutely brilliant. Can pick up a Dawes Toucan cheaply on the bay and elsewhere and it’s free cycling because you’ll get back what you paid.

Otherwise, two looped in see tubes would be my suggestion too.

Mine (mentioned above) is a variation of what thegeneralist describes. Simple loop at the front which hooks over the nose of the saddle, and the shock cord tied into the rope means that there's less of an issue with keeping it taught. Fits easily in the pocket of my shorts when not in use.

A tow rope is probably the best kids cycling accessory you can get. Really expands riding possibilities, and ours has saved the day many times when a child has run out of energy.

I've probably mentioned it in one of those threads linked up there, but I've just been using a length of nylon rope, and a carabiner.

Bowline loop over the nose of the tower's saddle, then an alpine butterfly (because cool knots are cool) before the trailing end, and a carabiner on another bowline. Loop the rope through the bike's frame and clip the 'biner into the butterfly loop.

While not formally elasticated, the rope has enough give to get started easily enough - I've never really felt that more elastic would be beneficial. Plus, this whole setup is small/light and would fit into a jeans pocket which in turn makes it easily accessible (Towee etc much bulkier).

A tow rope is probably the best kids cycling accessory you can get. Really expands riding possibilities, and ours has saved the day many times when a child has run out of energy.

Amen. I think they are amazing. Did some brilliant rides with the kids when they were younger.
Llandegla is especially good for this as the first climb is sooooo long and can be beautifully towed by using the fire road from the top carpark. We'd take ours round the red and bits of the black from around age 7.
They get an exciting uplift assisted mtb session and I get a decent workout.

Tow ropes rock.

Rope/string/innertube sounds like a hell of a faff/dengerous. I swapped money for time/grief and bought the Trax. Not cheap but certainly cheaper than me spending a few hours trying make something and it get caught up in one of our wheels at some point.

I won't say it's been faultless as the clip that holds the spring broke and it stopped retracting but I got onto Trax and they sent out a new improved replacement which arrived within a week. Simple enough to install and been no problem since.

It's great.