[blindkid] bike riding

[Richard Holloway]

Glad it is helpful! 

A BuddyBike would be a top choice though I will mention it is an odd feeling to get it going from low speeds and rolling down a slight hill the first few times is a good idea. The handlebars take some getting used to and it steers like a HUGE "Beach Cruiser", if that feeling is familiar to you. Definitely a cruiser, not a sporty bike, but I find it very comfortable once I'm up and running. It also uses a setup where you can start in any gear and change gears when you're stopped which is a great idea (The Nexus Hub Setup can shift at any time). Also, explain to your child not to rapidly jerk the handlebars-- the same thing that lets them feel the steering will let them control it, obviously.

If you like the Adams style trailers but want to keep him on more safely, look at their optional seat back which has straps that can be used around your child's chest. There is also a complete child seat, good for up to 40 pounds, that fits into the trail-a-bike.

http://www.trail-a-bike.com/products/accessories/

Never make sharp turns, especially U-Turns while going up hills with these trailers because they can spin the tow-bike's seat out from other you as you lean into the turn, especially if you stand on your pedals for more power (voice of experience here, LOL) because the Adams hitch clamps to the tow bike's seat post.

The other option that is more stable at low speeds and doesn't flop side to side if your child leans back-and-forth, is the Morgan Caboose:

http://www.caboosetrailerbike.com/

The Caboose is not as nicely made as the Adams by any means, but it is unique in that it has two wheels side-by-side so it is really stable. The other concern with the Caboose is that the hitch design prevents tow-bikes from leaning properly without torquing the coupler and/or lifting the trailer onto one wheel. I tried one behind a conventional tandem once (to make a triple) and was not happy with either the twisting of the tandem's frame or the lifting of the trailer wheels-- I was afraid I could potentially roll it over or bend a really expensive tandem frame, but I'll bet it isn't as frightening behind a single-seat tow bike.) I have a couple of the Morgans but I only use them as trailers behind trikes as the trikes cannot lean and the torque is not an issue. BTW, the Morgans come in two sizes, but I think the only difference in them is the size of the handlebars.

One more thing to mention-- the Trail-A-Bike seat backs & baby seats (and a few similar models) are fairly universal in that the backs clamp to the seat post (and have room to adjust) and the "baby seat" (up to 40 pounds) actually mounts a conventional seat (I would have to check the brand but you can buy them in many bike shops) onto a what appears to be a seat post welded to the top of a rear rack, which is how those baby seats normally are attached-- onto a rear bike carrier-- I think a Blackburn style. In fact I turned my Love Bike into a triple seater (with pedals for only two) once by using one of those seats on the rear rack. If your tube is the right size, it will drop right in. It if is too big, there are shims to fix it. Never try to over-tighten the post clamp though, it will bend the post AND the seat post will still be unstable and prone to twist.

These backs and seats can also be used in the rear of a conventional tandem, but then there is a whole other discussion about how to manage the pedals which would typically have to spin with the captain's (front rider's) pedals. It can be managed, but must be addressed I can explain if anyone is curious, just ask. Adams-style trailers as well as the caboose have their own "freewheel", so they can coast while you pedal up front and there is no issue with pedals smacking the kids in the back of their legs. (Love Bike / Buddy Bike pedals DO spin with the captain's pedals, but little kids can put their feet on option folding pegs.

Sorry for the long reply. I spent forever researching much of this some years ago and would save anyone I could as much research time as possible. It can be really confusing! You're welcome to contact me off list for more information.

Here's a rather long article I wrote a while back on multi-seat and specialized bikes in-general that has many more ideas to consider:
http://www.gopbc.org/gopbc_all_about_bikes.htm

One more disclaimer. Somewhere in the above article is a picture of my Love Bike with an Adams seat back on the front (child's) seat. I put this on as a test and it is a good way to see how the seat can attach in various places, but I quickly found it is dangerous on the Love Bike because it interferes with steering. I do not recommend this, nor is it really needed because you're sitting behing the child to begin with.

Happy biking!

Richard Holloway, Vice President
Georgia Organization of Parents of Blind Children
www.gopbc.org




On Mar 30, 2011, at 10:38 AM, Meng, Debi wrote:

> Richard - 
> 
> What great timing. We were just talking about this over the weekend.  We
> love to bike but have not been able to enjoy long rides because Jonathan
> could not keep up.   What a great solution.   We hesitated to purchase
> the trail-a-bike because we weren't sure if he would stay on it.
> Literally.  I had visions of riding along and Jonathan deciding to get
> off while the bike was in motion.    I will look into the back rest.
> 
> Thanks for sharing.
> 
> Debi   (WI - Jonathan, age 5, ROP)