A: You will need an adapter if your dropout does not have room for the hitch to sit flush against the bike frame, or in some cases, if the addition of the hitch makes the axle too short for the nut to be re-installed. In these cases, the adapter acts as a spacer. It provides a flat surface away from the dropout that lets the hitch sit flush against a solid surface. In the case of axles being too short to be reinstalled, it extends the length of the axle so that it can be safely installed with the hitch. However, one issue that comes up for some owners is if you have hooded dropouts. Hooded dropouts might require a spacer attachment to give more clearance to attach the coupler, depending on the brand of trailer you have. More on hooded dropouts in the sections below on Burley and Thule. If you live in the UK, you can hire all kinds of trailers – for children, dogs, and cargo – as well as tag-alongs from Bike Trailer Hire. The company also sells its rental fleet too. Trailers that hitch to the seatpost impact the handling of your bike less than those that mount to dropouts. They also have a much tighter turning circle, which is useful for day to day use. However, as the steering axis is further forward, they cut corners and catch in brush – an issue on tight and winding trails, and city furniture too – so you’ll need to take this into account when you ride. A cross between a trailer, a bicycle, and a tandem, tag-alongs are a great option for children who have outgrown the need to be in a fully enclosed trailer but aren’t quite ready for their own bikes, at least for a multi-day trip. They’re especially useful during that in-between age when your sprogs can ride their own bike confidently but struggle to cover longer distances. Just like a tandem, they are a great way of chit-chatting as you ride. A trailer bike also allows you to do the brunt of the work when your kid is running low on steam.

Thule has so many different types of adapters that it’s overwhelming for most people. I recommend using this helpful adapter guide to measure and locate the correct thru-axle adapter for your bike and bike trailer. On the subject of child seats: don’t put one on the actual trailer cycle unless it’s in place of, rather than as well as, the existing seat. Trailer tricycles work best for this. How to help a child use a tag-a-long For hunters or other cyclists that will be carrying a bulky, large and heavy load, this trailer is a great choice.

Step 1: Identify Axle Type

Don’t let the details of the attachment process discourage you! If you just figure out what needs to be done to make your trailer and bike combination work, then you will be out and about in no time enjoying the many benefits of bike trailers!

Bear in mind that some trailers are now discontinued but are still worth hunting down. Chariot is the brand that now lives under the Thule umbrella – older models are just as good as the new ones and are long been favoured by expeditionist families and you’ll see them in many of the pictures in this post. The BOB Ibex is a popular option for trail maintenance – effectively, it’s a Yak with a coil spring – and the Weber Monoporter is another interesting take on a single-wheel cargo trailer. One of my favourite trailer bikes – which we’ve included in this roundup as it was only recently discontinued – is the Tout Terrain Streamliner trailer bike, pictured below.Like all smaller, two-wheel trailers, stability is always an issue off road – fit the widest tyres you can and air them down. But for forest roads and bike paths, you’ll have no issues at all. Otherwise, size up to the Large, which sports 20in wheels and a wider axle. Build quality is excellent: the design is simple but very well made, with a finish kit designed for longevity. The wooden loading bay is coated in a grippy finish and cut with attachment points – and being made from (recycled) wood, it’s very easy to modify too. We haven’t included them here, but there are many cargo trailers on the market designed primarily for city use – and a variety of DIY schematics to be found online for those handy with a welding torch. Our friends at Campfire Cycling in Tucson – longtime trailer fans – have compiled a great DIY roundup, which you can read here. and once they're too tall for a children's bicycle trailer, you can simply switch to a regular bicycle trailer. With a regular trailer, you can transport a maximum of two children under 7 years old. In case of an unforeseen collision, the trailer has a low to the ground cage structure that ensures it can't flip over, but slides away instead. For this reason, bicycle trailers are considered to be a safe alternative to bicycle seats.

Bike trailers are compatible with all types of bikes, including road bikes, mountain bikes, cruiser bikes, hybrid bikes, e-bikes, and even disc brake bikes. A common issue that many people have is attaching a bike trailer to a disc brake thru-axle bike, in which case you will likely need to get an adapter.

Top 8 Product Ratings

However, the caveat is that not all hooded dropouts are the same size, so your bike trailer coupler might fit perfectly fine without the use of the adapter. Therefore, I recommend just trying it without the adapter first and if it doesn’t fit, then get the adapter. Even the best trailer cycle doesn’t ride as surely as a good tandem. Partly it’s because the bit doing the steering – your bike – has a shorter wheelbase than a tandem, combined with steering geometry that’s optimised for a solo bicycle.

At around 4.5kg (10lb) the Farfarer is also impressively light. Given that it’s handmade in the US and the finish is absolutely top-notch, the price is very reasonable too. Two versions are available – the Standard Farfarer (clearances up to 2.5in) and the Fat Farfarer (clearances up to 4in). For more on Frances Cycles and the Farfarer, be sure to visit our Field Trip to their shop and see our full review, linked above. Dog bicycle trailers are designed for cycling trips and days out with your dog. It's safe to transport larger, somewhat heavier dogs like Labradors in them, dogs that don't fit into a basket on the transport carrier or luggage carrier. Your bike’s brakes must be good, although you need to apply them progressively rather than suddenly if you’re going down a steep hill, as the trailer cycle can shunt the towing bike. I recommend using a thru-axle adapter by Burley, Thule, or Robert Axle Project. Read more about where to get the right thru-axle here.

Bicycle Trailers

For this Gear Index, we’re focusing on models that are designed with off-road use in mind and are certified for human transportation, but dig around online and you’ll find plenty of more affordable alternatives as a means of going car-lite. Cycling UK's Victoria Hazael pointed out: “At four my son was rather distracted by playing with the gears and found a single speed tag-a-long easier. Now he’s older and heavier the gears are a real help, especially uphill.” Brakes Adults can feel themselves getting more tired; children can conk out in moments and suddenly be upset and tearful. Our guide to going on a bike ride with children has some useful tips. Most Burley trailers come equipped with a Steel Hitch, Tow Bar, and Tow Bar Mount (the Travoy and the Coho XC have their own unique hitching systems). In most cases, this is all you need to safely connect the trailer to your bike. Some specialty bikes may need an additional adapter or thru axle. This section will help you determine if you need an adapter or thru axle and, if so, which one.