Has anyone ever seen a trail-a-bike in Taiwan?
My son is 5 now and this would be perfect for him.
Trying out the trail-a-bike by scott_brisko, on Flickr
not on these roads!
Yeah, that looks like scooter fodder! Cool idea but I can’t think over anywhere I’d like to use that in Taiwan. Just get him his own bike and stick to some of the more secluded bike paths.
I’d like to go a little further afield with my son than him riding his own bike would allow. Also, all the bike paths in Kaohsiung involve crossing roads fairly frequently, so I’d rather be in control of us both.
An excellent article and discussion on risk-reward I read a while back:
http://familyonbikes.org/blog/2011/05/how-dangerous-is-family-bike-touring/
But I digress: Has anyone seen a trail-a-bike in Taiwan?
But a rail-a-bike would be dangerous in Taiwan.
I was talking about one of those a couple of years back, ran the idea past a couple of Giant shops and took a couple of pics in to show them.
They don’t sell them in Giant, but 1 guy did know of them.
The reaction of everyone though, was that it was way too long and therefore too dangerous.
They have a point I think, here in the Wan. It’s too ‘out of the box’ for most scooter drivers to deal with.
Or for cars who are turning left and cross behind you, they might not even see it extending beyond your bike.
Ktown - nice HG Wells sig
though it has to be said that you do see those rubbish collecting people on their bikes/with trucks attached as trailers to their scooters. well we see it around Taichung anyway.
Actually ignore my first response, Taiwan drivers are open minded and easy going to a fucking fault. still looks like a PITA though. get a child seat or leave him at home! 
Had all but given up on finding a trail-a-bike in Taiwan when I saw a fellow riding down Boai rd with one.
Went by the shop he told me about the other day and they sell for $4,000 without gears and $4,800 with.
Just have to check out the quality of how it attaches to the seatpost.
It’s been 6 months since I purchased a Taiwanese version of a Trail-a-bike and must say I’ve been very happy with it.
Was a little concerned about drivers not seeing the trailer and cutting too close behind me, but this has not been a problem.
The big orange flag helps a lot I think and making sure I dress my son in bright colors for the ride.
The only issue I have with the trailer has been the amount of slack in the connecting joint that makes you fight to hold your line a bit. This, however decreased greatly after of few rides as my son’s ability progressed and he wasn’t flopping his weight around.
DSCN6949 by madlybackwards, on Flickr
We’re now able to go on rides of up to 20km and it’s been great.
IMG_4526 by madlybackwards, on Flickr
It looks awesome, I definitely want one. I’m talking about your '91 Kona Explosif (is it? or a '90?)
And the trailerbike… where did you get it? Are you still here?
[quote=“Ktownboy”]It’s been 6 months since I purchased a Taiwanese version of a Trail-a-bike and must say I’ve been very happy with it.
Was a little concerned about drivers not seeing the trailer and cutting too close behind me, but this has not been a problem.
The big orange flag helps a lot I think and making sure I dress my son in bright colors for the ride.[/quote]
Good on you for taking the plunge when we (certainly, I) was pretty cold on the idea, and glad it’s working out for you.
Nice pics, and a 20km ride together is just too nice.
That looks like fun! Seems like a great way to take your kid for a ride once he’s too big to carry on a rear rack. And being able to pedal is probably a big perk for him.
I’m impressed that your seat post can handle that heavy a load. What would you estimate the trailer weighs with your son on it?
I was also wondering where in Taiwan you purchased your Trail-a- bike. We were looking into getting one for our son.
Thanks!!!
Actually, very little weight goes to the seat post; it’s almost all carried by the rear wheel on the trail-a-bike.
[quote=“purpleal333”]I was also wondering where in Taiwan you purchased your Trail-a- bike. We were looking into getting one for our son.
Thanks!!![/quote]
I bought it from Justin at John Craft Cycles in Kaohsiung.
pedallingmadlybackwards.blogspot … shops.html
The hitch from the trail-a-bike is doing double-duty now for my Bicycle Cafe
Fully loaded the trailer + steel ice box + ice + coffee and milk is over 100kg but handles really well.
Can’t say the same for myself if there are any hills.
Bicycle Cafe by madlybackwards, on Flickr
My daughter has outgrown her trail-a-bike. It’s a singlespeed model very much like the one owned by the OP. If anyone living in Kaohsiung or the nearby communities wants to buy it, please pm me.