Tag along bikes

[snowboarder]

Can anyone recommend a brand of tag along bikes - the sort you attach to the back of your own bike? Apparently the islabike version was great, but no longer available...I'm struggling to find any reviews or advice. It's for a 4 year old so he can keep up with us and older brother!

[littlek1cker]

I can heartily recommend the Trail Gator.

http://www.trail-gator.com

It's a tow bar that attaches to any normal child's bike. It has the advantage that you can cycle somewhere pulling your child along (e.g. to a park or up a hill) and then unhook them so they can do some riding themselves. I've used it for both my children and found it invaluable for children between the ages of about 4-7yo. When not in use it telescopes down and remains attached to your bike, or you can take it off completely.

[etta166]

http://www.followmetandem.co.uk/

This is a similar tandem set up for your child's own bike, but avoids the instability issues that some people get with the trail gator (I have friends where the child's bike has tipped over completely when on a Trail Gator, but I don't have personal experience so can't comment on why that might have happened). The FollowMe Tandem also lets you have paniers and a baby back seat on your bike at the same time as the tandem bike behind.

[katgod]

We have Trail- gator - 3 year old has been from ED to central London, done the Ride London route and come back to ED on it. No complaints.

[snowboarder]

Thanks everyone - I was really put off the trail gator style because of reviews on other forums and the precarious appearance! Maybe they are worth a go though - certainly much cheaper than a tag along.

[Gubodge]

We didn't get on with the trail-gator at all. My daughter was a good and confident cyclist, but was very unstable on the trail-gator. 2nd time around we got a trek tag-a-long instead which we used a lot and that I'd thoroughly recommend.

[Kes]

We had a tail-gator, it's a great idea but get it fitted by a professional! Ours twisted around and my daughter fell off twice despite a lot of effort to fit it well ourselves.