BikeBiz

On the trail

Weehoo Fresh from its appearance at Cycle Show last month, Weehoo’s iGo trailer bike crams in a host of features including safety aspects, great handling, storage space and quick-adjustable seat.

Safety comes courtesy of a three-point harness, giving parents the all important assurance that their little ‘uns are securely fastened. Foot straps keep tiny feet safely attached to pedals. Similarly, the enclosed sprocket and chain keeps children’s digits out of harm’s way and grease-free.

The iGo also boasts the kind of storage that is essential for ferrying little folk about. Pannier pockets are located over the rear wheel, as are storage pockets in the seat – ideal for taking food, drinks, clothing, a camera or anything else the rider may wish to carry on their travels.

Additional features of the iGo include weld-free hitch, removable push bar that is easily detachable for travel and storage, plenty of reflections, reflective material and a flag to increase visibility and remind you where you parked. Weehoo promises that the iGo trailer-bike is safe, fun and effortless.       www.weehoo.co.uk

Ison Ison distributes Surly’s excellently named Big Dummy frameset – which builds into an ideal cargo bike with the Xtracycle Longtail Kit. Featuring 100 per cent Surly 4130 CroMoly steel tubing, the main triangle is double-butted and TIG-welded. Surly says that the frameset, which uses Xtracycle plug-in components, is ideal for running errands, taking the kids to school, touring or just about anything else you can think of. With a £850 RRP it is available in six, 18, 20 and 22-inch sizes.

Ison also supplies Xtracycle’s own cargo models, including the Freeradical kit, which converts MTBs into load-carrying cargo bikes. With the FreeRadical frame, bags, deck, racks, and build kit, the frame is the basic platform that supports the system, including the shifters and brakes – virtually creating a half bike at the rear. Expandable Freeloader bags attach on either side, while the Snap Deck provides a platform for boxes and passengers. The bike remains lightweight and fast with the load centred between the two wheels, working best with a 26-inch hardtail mountain bike with V-brakes or disc brakes for a £450 RRP.

Meanwhile the Longtail Kit – a basic accessory set for the Big Dummy and other longtail bikes built on the Xtracycle standard –includes V-racks, Freeloader bags, and a Snap Deck, all for £225 SRP. Visit www.ison-distribution.com or www.xtracyle.com to see the whole range. 01353 662662

Pendle Pendle features British-made, sturdy and strong bicycle trailers, with two key models available from the firm. The six-bike trailer is ideal for anyone transporting four-plus bikes at any one time. It’s fitted with individual bike slots or wheel mounts that are adjustable to suit various bike sizes. Each bike is then separated by tilting vertical supports, which the frames then rest against to keep them safe en route. Straps hold the bikes upright for safe transport, and a lighting unit and strap kit come supplied with the trailer. Tandem-loving cyclists are also catered for with this clever device – fittings are available for the six-bike trailer. A spare wheel is also available.

Pendle’s 12-bike trailer is ideal for group outings, making it a favourite with cycle groups, hire outlets, schools and even councils. As with the six-bike model, bikes are separated by tilting vertical supports which the frames rest against, with straps holding them securely to keep them upright for a safe journey. The 12-bike version comes with a spare wheel and again tandem enthusiasts are in luck, being easily transported on the trailer. 01282 699555

Raleigh Raleigh distributes the Avenir range of trailers and trailer bikes to the trade. The firm has released the Skye two-seat children’s trailer, new for 2010. Retailing at £129.99 the Skye has 16-inch quick release wheels, plenty of space for cargo, internal toy pockets and folds flat for easy storage. The new model also includes a roll-back rain and bug shield for tackling rubbish weather and pesky insects. Safety is boosted with safety belts for two passengers and a special ‘safety flag’. The Skye also comes in a five-model version, including children’s hard base and cargo trailers.

The trailer bike range comes in three models, starting at £149.99 for the single speed TRA230 all the way up to £229.99 for the six-speed alloy TRA232. 01773 532600

Extra The Carry Freedom comes in two models via Extra. The City is, as the name suggests, ideal for the urban cyclist. Stable and light on the road, the City includes a tough nylon bag with a boosted load-carrying capacity made possible with the low slung wheels – perfect for strapping larger, awkward loads to the upper frame. Boxes can be carried within the frame by using the empty bag as a ‘hammock’. A light aluminium frame, curb-hopping 12-inch wheels and internal shock damping elastomers make the trailer perfect for city life, says Extra.

The second model – the Y Frame – is described as the ultimate workhorse. Light yet incredibly strong, this versatile trailer can be used with strapped on bags or carrying boxes. The Y Frame also features aluminium rims and hubs with stainless steel spokes and sealed cartridge bearings. Both trailers come with three bike brackets included. 01933 672170

Moore Large Moore Large’s own Bumper brand includes a trailer range featuring top-notch safety, practical use and child-friendly fun. Built with high quality materials, the trailer range promises to provide impeccable quality and safety standards.

The Adventure is available in duo (£129.99) and solo (£119.99). Both feature strong steel frames with easy front-to-back folding and wheels that unclip in seconds. The feature-rich trailers have a sun-roof, internal kids’ pockets, seatbelts, high visibility safety flag and fold-up fly screen and wind screen.

The Explorer has all the features of the Adventure, but includes storage pockets, push handle, rear opening vent and space saving central steady wheel. The duo retails at £179.99 and the solo at £169.99.

Moore Large also supplies Trail-Gator bikes. The tow bar converts an ordinary kids’ cycle into a towable trailer bike, giving them the choice to coast or pedal while being towed. Fitting 16, 18 and 20-inch wheel bikes, the Trial-Gator tow bars have a weight limit of 70 lbs and retail at £74.99.

Trail-Gator accessories are available, including flip-up training wheels that can be rotated up and out of the way for use with the tow bar and rotated back down when the child is riding on their own. For more information contact sales@moorelarge.co.uk or ask your Area Manager for details. 01332 274200

Madison Milton Keynes-based distributor Madison offers a range of trailers and trailer bikes for dealers to stock. First up is the Adventure CT2. With a £159.99 SRP, the model boasts a day-to-day practicality making it ideal for any bike around town.

A canny double handle design makes transporting items away from the bike as easy as it is on the bike, while a simple fitting system works with any bike and features a towball design for ease of attachment. The folding frame means easy storage when packed flat and visibility is boosted by reflector and flag. A tough rigid box-bag is water resistant, removable and has an elastic mesh for added external storage capacity. The Adventure CT2 weighs 8.5kg cpmplete, has 16-inch wheels and a maximum cargo weight of 60lbs in old money.

Also up via Madison is the Adventure Ditto Six, priced at £169.99 SRP. This great value trailer bike gives children an introduction to the wonderful world of gears with a Shimano six-speed Revoshift gearing system. The frame itself boasts steel construction and is foldable for easy storage. A suspension seatpin boosts its comfy credentials and the Ditto Six also comes with an additional rigid seatpin for when the seat has to be all the way down. It all comes wrapped up in a durable white gloss finish. 0208 3853385

Fisher Outdoor Leisure Fisher Outdoor Leisure carries the Adams Trailer Bikes range, including the Steel Tandem Trail-A-Bike. This seven-speed model hits the four-to-six age bracket and retails at £299.99 RRP. Fitting most 26-inch and 700C bikes, the proven steel hitch comes complete with four shims to fit almost any seatpost size. This nifty tandem has a bash guard to protect the chain ring and a lifetime warranty on frame.

Also up from Adams via the Herts-based distributor is the Steel Folder Trail-A-Bike Singlespeed. Hitting the £129.99 RRP price point, this folder comes in an eye-catching pink design with a floral decal. Appealing to the four to six age range, this compact single speed folding bike is ideal for them. Like Adam’s Steel Tandem, this single speed fits most 26-inch and 700C bikes and includes a lifetime warranty and bash guard to protect the chain ring. 01727 798345