Comparison of a Funtrailer with the FOLLOW ME Tandem Coupl
Another way of attaching a children’s bike is offered by the Swiss tandem coupler “FOLLOW ME.” Follow Me advertises with the slogan, “Cycle along or get towed”, and this is pretty much a more sophisticated version of the basic tandem pole. This model is fine for daily trips to the shops, to kindergarten etc (having said this, such a construction is hardly necessary for short routes as most children can cycle these alone) but longer cycle routes are murder for the grown-ups. The children’s bike + connector quickly weigh 15 kilos or more and the pivotal point of this load is felt very far back. Follow Me also has the same problem with the back brake on the children’s bike:
If an independent children’s bike is pulled along, then the following points should be considered:
As nearly all children’s bikes with up to 20" wheels possess a back brake the child (often oblivious to road safety rules) has the possibility of braking the entire contraption.
Fun Trailer is intended for children of the age that normally ride 12" to 16" children’s bikes - which normally don’t have gears! The difference between the gear transmission ratio of the child’s bike being pulled along and that of the adult’s bike is so vast that the child being pulled along on his own bike tends to be “immobilised” at around 12 km/h!
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Comparison of a Funtrailer with the variation tandem pole model + children’s bike: "Active Range" is the velocity vector (km/h) in which a child can actively help with a pedalling frequency of 60 to 90 revolutions per minute, beyond this efforts are in vain.Weight is personal weight plus a possible pole weight of approx 3 kilos. |
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Wir eAs a result we only recommend Follow Me for short routes at low speeds.