Engineering:Trailer bike

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Side view of a single-speed, seatpost mounted trailer bike
A single-speed trailer bike from Half wheeler, also attached at the seat post

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.

History

The trailer bike was patented by Canadian entrepreneur Delbert Adams in 1987.[2][3] Adams started the manufacturer of trailer bikes, Trail-a-Bike, and began selling them in the early 1990s,[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] Trailer bikes have been available in single-seat and tandem configurations.[7] Trailer bikes may have just one gear or more than one. They seldom have brakes.

Attachment methods

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.[8]

Conversion sets

The Trail-Gator tow bar and FollowMe Tandem coupling are two products that convert an existing, complete kid's bike into a trailer bike.[9] [10]

Gallery

  • 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". http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3614. 
  2. ↑ United States Patent No. 379,782. https://books.google.com/books?id=kuIlAAAAEBAJ. Retrieved 2009-10-01. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  3. ↑ US4756541A - Bicycle trailer - Google Patents
  4. ↑ Hammond, Bill (June 5, 1996), "Kids in the 'awkward years' of cycling? Try a trailer bike.", Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62630743.html 
  5. ↑ "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3614. 
  6. ↑ Linda Bookman (December 19, 2014). "Review: Weehoo iGo Pro child bike seat". MTBR.com. http://reviews.mtbr.com/review-weehoo-igo-pro-child-bike-seat. 
  7. ↑ "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". http://www.gopbc.org/bike_support/adams_tandem.jpg. 
  8. ↑ "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/adams-trail-a-bike.html. 
  9. ↑ Lisa. "Trail Gator Trailer Cycle-Review". Two Wheeling Tots. http://www.twowheelingtots.com/trail-gator/. 
  10. ↑ Dan Clark. "FollowMe Tandem Review". Simply Propelled. https://www.simplypropelled.com/single-post/2017/02/20/FollowMe-Tandem-Review. 



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