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.

"Tagalong" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Tagalog. For the cookie, see Girl Scout Cookies.
Side view of a single-speed, seatpost mounted trailer bike
Single speed Half wheeler attached at the seat post

History

The trailer bike was patented by Canadian entrepreneur Delbert Adams.[2] Adams started the manufacturer of trailer bikes, Trail-a-Bike, and began selling them in the early 1990s,[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] Trailer bikes have been available in single-seat and tandem configurations.[6] Trailer bikes may have just one gear or more than one. They seldom have brakes.

Attachments

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.[7]

Variations

The Trail-Gator tow bar and FollowMe Tandem coupling are two products that convert an existing, complete kid's bike into a trailer bike.[8] [9]

  • 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

See also

References
  1. "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  2. United States Patent No. 379,782. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  3. 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  – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  4. "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  5. Linda Bookman (December 19, 2014). "Review: Weehoo iGo Pro child bike seat". MTBR.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
  6. "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  7. "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  8. Lisa. "Trail Gator Trailer Cycle-Review". Two Wheeling Tots. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
  9. Dan Clark. "FollowMe Tandem Review". Simply Propelled. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
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