Trailgator or tag-a-long?

craker

Any opinions about which I should consider? Seeing as I've already got bikes I thought the trailgator seemed a more convenient solution. However I notice they're advertised as for 16" to 20" wheels - my eldest is on 14" wheels and cycling on her own happily and she'll be 7 by the time she's moved up to a bigger bike. I'm after something for the 4 yo who's currently on a 12" wheeled bike.

Is the trailgator not adjustable enough to lift a 12" bike clear of the ground without it being hoisted at an unreasonable angle?

Thanks

epic comp 2010

My daughter uses her 12" Hotrock without problems on the trailgator

redvee

A trailgator lets junior use their own bike when Dad isn't around, they don't fit on Mum's bikes. Whereas a tagalong doesn't.

baudman

I've seen them used on 12" wheels, and it works, but let's say, I wasn't really inspired by it. Yeah, the angle was up there. I mean, it still worked fine. Short trips only, perhaps?


However, for the reasons you mention, I just no longer understand tagalongs any more. Especially if you have existing bikes. And I have seen them fitted on Mum's bikes fine - it's all to do with geometry and size. If your saddle is low, and your frame is high, you may not have enough seatpost to mount the hitch/bracket. They also don't play too nicely with rear racks.

My favourite part of having a trailgator is when I unattach Thing1's bike, so I can ride along with her.

This was escorting her friend home (one on the tagalong, one on the trailgator)


But, once dropped off, this is how she could ride home.
[/img]

CarleyB

My sons 12" bike fits fine on a trail gator!

fnegroni

Here's a video of our son's 12" bike (over a year ago) attached to the trailgator. The angles are just fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-wH04JkdPA

(someone had the audacity of disliking my video... :? )

craker

fnegroni wrote:

(someone had the audacity of disliking my video... :? )

I like it. I really do.

Answers my question anyway.

redvee

One thing shown from the video is that the towing bike needs mudguards to protect junior on the rear regardless of you use a trailgator or tag-a-long.

baudman

Yeah, I put a huge chrome mudguard on my normal tow-bike.

I [Liked] the video too. Nice work. Just a tip, if you haven't already - it's a good idea to fit the steering lock arm (or whatever they call it). The pic above, shows it well.

rossere

I didn't have a good experience with the trailgator.

To cut along story short I couldn't get the u-bolts that attach to the child's bikes head tube to stop twisting. I tightened it up as much as I dare and wrapped the bolts with rubber to try and get extra grip but after a few miles the bracket would twist and my daughters bike wouldn't track behind mine. I persevered with the trail gator and took a spanner with me to tighten up the bolts when they came loose but it was a pain. The reviews on amazon suggest I am not alone.

The other issue with the trailgator and possibly tag-a-longs is that the child's bike is low geared so they often spin out quickly. This isn't too much of a problem in summer but in winter they get cold quickly and then when you have to stop to fix the bolts - it's not good!

Just recently I brought a Dawes Duet tandem that was on offer. I highly recommend it.
1) It is far more stable and easier to ride than the trail gator and I feel much happier riding in traffic then I would have using the trail gator.
2) The child is right behind you so you can communicate much easier.
3) You don't have the gearing issue discussed above.
4) You can go further distances.

Of course I except that they are more expensive but I wouldn't rule them out if you want to do lots of cycling. I am also hoping to entice my wife out on it in the next couple of weeks which is an added bonus.

fnegroni

I like the look of that Duet. Wonder if my son would reach the bottom of the pedals but certainly would keep it in mind for the future.

As for mudguards: yes, very useful with a trailer bike. But at the speeds my wife was doing on that day, it was fine.
I have fitted mudguards to his Cnoc16 too infact.

As for the steering lock, I fitted it to the handlebar, but my son just didn't like not being able to steer, and to be perfectly honest, we never had an issue.

More than that, I would actually recommend fitting a propstand to the adult's bike to allow an easy detach/attach action anywhere.

rossere

I use crank shorteners on the Duet for both my 4 and 6 year old daughters and I also use toe-clips to stop their feet coming off the pedals. It works great.

Last years Duet is on offer at JD Cycles for £600.
http://www.tandems.co.uk/products.php?plid=m3b0s58p297

I highly recommend JD Cycles, the service is excellent. We went there on Bank Holiday Monday and took two tandems out for a test ride with the children in the Yorkshire Dales and had a picnic near Malham. It was a great day and definitely helped persuade us to get one.

baudman

rossere wrote:

...To cut along story short I couldn't get the u-bolts that attach to the child's bikes head tube to stop twisting...

Yeah - there are some kid's bikes where the head tube, and the clearance with the top and down tubes, just don't allow it. The bends in the U-bolts so you can angle them up/down accordingly do help for most, but not all.

Got a pic? Would be helpful for others so they can see for their bikes?

baudman

New seatpost, and TrailGator hitch.

Now I'll be able to tow her behind a variety of bikes, and/or detach her to ride free. That's the saddle that came on the bike (only used for the ride home), so I can just swap the whole saddle/seatpost when I want to do this. Too easy.