Islabike Beinn 20 large and Trail Gator?

droogie

Hi

Our 5 year old is finally getting the enthusiasm to learn on his balance bike and in one 10 min practice is already lifting his feet well so we are thinking ahead to the next step and pedals.

The Isla Beinn 20L is probably our favourite and recommended by a friend, but I was wondering if anyone has tried it with a trail gator? We just want something to help him get the feel for pedaling and then to increase our range and bring tired legs home as we venture out together.

The trail gator seems to get Marmite-esque reviews and I am wondering if part of that is the bike-trail gator combinations and some work better than others.

Thanks
(and thanks for the great posts on teaching him to ride, so many great tips to try this weekend )

Daz555

Having seen even little bikes with tiny kids on them lurching to one side due to the flex in the mounting, I personally would not touch one with a bigger kid - the problem would only be worse.

droogie

Hmmm, that makes sense. We were just thinking of using it to get him started but don't want to put him off.

Maybe we should put the money towards ice creams as incentives at the end of rides instead...

Thanks

zebra67

Beinn 20 L does seem large to use with a TGator. We never used anything bigger than a 16" wheel bike with the TG. I found the mountings chipped the paint, dread to think what the TG mounts would do to Islabike famously soft paint.

I think a 2nd hand regular trailer bike would be better for you.

How tall is your 5yo? My son is 7yo & not long been on a Beinn 20 (the old one, which is between large & small).

We actually have a childback tandem which is best of all, but not as convenient as trailer-bike.

droogie

Thanks for those replies, we have picked up a tag a long via ebay for not much last week - yet to try it as we've had a young man down with tonsilitis but as soon as he's better we'll give it a try.

I've been surprised how many Islabikes I have spotted since hearing about them and it turns out we have a friend with a Beinn Small and another with a Beinn Large - very useful

He's a tall one (in age 6 clothes) and the same height as the 6 month older friend with the large so I suspect that will be the way to go - we'll try it first though, and not so much of a rush now we are mobile again with the tag-a-long and he can get a feel for that.

droogie

Don't worry, we used a trailer for 3 years so I'm used to the turning circle (and being heckled from behind )

And at least now I don't have to go through the pot holes so the trailer wheels go either side...