h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Trailer Bikes - A694866
Author: Just zis Guy, you know? [welcome to the H2G2 cycle club at A690572] - U54363

Little Peter (5) loves his trailer bike so much he sings as we ride along. He does complain that I only have to tow him, while he has to push me which is much harder.....

Little Kenneth (6) is afraid of the trailer bike we have and slides off it!

I'm a little nervous of it too, as I live on a really steep hill with parked cars on both sides and only room enough for a single vehicle to pass in most parts. So far, we haven't been out on it. Going uphill, I don't think we could manage, but I could push. Going downhill would scare me silly - there's a bend and a 'T' junction at the bottom and the thought of back end weave is quite unnerving.

So, have you any tips for the likes of me which you could insert into the entry? And yes, I know I need to take him out somewhere nice and quiet and flat and do some practising. We will do so when the weather is a little nicer!

Other than that, nice entry.

BTW he *loves* his cycle helmet!

Well, I would suggest you start off road somewhere quiet -http://www.sustrans.org might have info on your nearest route, or you could find something at http://www.ctc.org.uk (you are UK aren't you?) Confidence is the key; also having a bike stiff enough (which my tourer definitely isn't).

Going up hill is OK if you have a "granny gear" which my mountain bike does - it has one of those Shimano megarange jobs. Going down is also fine if you have V-brakes or better; old-fashioned cantis are challenged on really steep hills and fade badly unless you keep the speed low.

My bike mechanic lives on a road rightly called Alpine Street - we've not had trouble even there.

Interesting. I've seen these things, but never taken a close look. Are they equipped with brakes? How do they respond in the event of an emergency stop?

No brakes! They stop OK provided the host bike has decent brakes (the centre of gravity of the trailer bike is pretty low).

I think my fear is mostly about two things, the brakes not being able to cope (going downhill) and the back swinging out. You've answered the first - keep the speed down. Does the back tend to swing out braking going down a steep hill?

No, the back doesn't swing out at all. It has never happened to me, however hard I brake.

Thanks, that's reassuring. Now all I need is some practice as and when I can get young 'un on it without freaking out.

Updated

The Q&A improves it!

Well, break out the

Congratulations!