Trailer bike (also known as a trailer cycle or a third wheel,[citation needed] and trademarked names Trailerbike, Trail-a-bike, Half wheeler, Tagalong...) is a one-wheeled (or more rarely two-wheeled) bicycle trailer designed to carry one or more small riders 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.
The trailer bike was patented by Canadian entrepreneur, Delbert Adams. [2]
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Configurations
Trailer bikes have come in a variety of configurations:
Gearing
Trailer bikes may have just one gear or more than one. They seldom have brakes.
Attachment
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. The attachment may include a quick-release option.[3]
Multiple riders
Trailer bikes have been available in single-seat and tandem configurations.[4]
Folding
Some trailer bikes allow folding the boom to shorten the device for transport or storage.
Variations
One product, the Trail-Gator tow bar, converts a kid's bike into a trailer bike.[5]
Manufacturers
- Adams makes Trail-a-Bikes[6] The Trail-a-Bike was the first manufacturer of trailer bikes. They were introduced to the market in 1986.
- Burley Design makes the seven-speed Piccolo and single-speed Kazoo which attach via a hitch not to the seat post, but to a specially designed rack called the Moose Rack on the adult's bike. The design's stability compared to others makes it favored particularly by those who are pulling with a tandem and with older/larger children (up to 10 years old /85 lbs/38.5 kg)[7]
- Islabikes in the United Kingdom makes a Trailerbike[8]
- Brilliant Bicycles, part of Pashley Cycles in the United Kingdom make a U plus 1 (for a single child). They also used to make a U plus 2 (for two children) but ceased manufacture some years ago. Many of these are, however, still around and appear on the second hand market from time to time.[9]
- Giant Bicycles makes a Halfwheeler[10]
- InStep[11]
- Kent[12]
- Roland Werk GmbH makes an add+bike[13]
- Trek Bicycle Corporation makes Mt. Trains[15]
- WeeRide makes the light-weight aluminum six-speed ProPilot Tagalong and single-speed CoPilot Tagalong.
See also
References
- ^ "CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation: Trailer-cycle". http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3614. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "United States Patent No. 379,782". http://books.google.com/patents/about?id=kuIlAAAAEBAJ. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ "The Adams Trail-A-Bike! at SheldonBrown.com". http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/adams-trail-a-bike.html. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "GOPBC.org Active Passenger Trailers". http://www.gopbc.org/bike_support/adams_tandem.jpg. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "Trail-Gator: the bicycle tow bar". http://www.trail-gator.com/. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- ^ "Adams: High Performance Children's Trail-a-Bikes". http://www.trail-a-bike.com/interface/adams.php?loc=a&sku=products. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "Bicycle Doctor Ltd. Cycling with Children". http://www.bicycledoctor.co.uk/p_burleypiccolo.html. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "Islabikes Trailerbike". http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/trailerbike.html. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
- ^ "Pashley Brilliant Bicycles Trailer Bikes". http://www.pashley.co.uk/brilliant/products.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
- ^ "Halfwheeler". http://www.giantbicycle.com/en-US/bikes/kids/1290/27714/. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
- ^ "Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.instep.net/products/category.php?id=4. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
- ^ "Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.kentbicycles.com/bikeacc_wee_copilot.html. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
- ^ "add+bike by Roland". http://www.roland-werk.de/engl/addbike/. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ "Schwinn, Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/accessories_detail.php?id=174. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
- ^ "Trek, Bikes, Kids, Trailers, Pedal Trailers". http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/subcategory.php?c=5&s=26. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
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