How To Tow A Bicycle With Another Bicycle?

In all manner of ways, our bike can get defective in the middle of the road. In that case, we either look for a mechanic to repair or a suitable place to leave it behind. The very next day, we pick up the bike without finding out a permanent solution.

It is a frequent scenario that we go through. Hence, bicycle towing is an effective alternative to avoid such confusion. Even for the shortest distance, towing a bike with another can save your day.

You can use the bike wheel for towing with another bike if it’s broken. But, make sure to attach the wheel properly with the towing bike. Using Tandem, ToWhee or Y-shaped tie is an effective method for towing like a trailer. Also, the trail-gator would solve the bike towing problem if it’s a kid’s bike.

So, without further ado, let’s find out how to tow a bike with another bike.

How to Tow a Bike with Another Bike?

There are several ways to tow one bike with another or even carry one bicycle on another. But an easy-to-assemble way is hard to find. We already know that a bike is well-equipped with front and rear wheels.

Both of these wheels spin to allow the bike’s movement and carry the other load. Without purchasing a whole new carrier cycle, we are able to tow a bike using another bike’s wheels and additional tow devices.

The Trail-Gator: Solves Common Problem with Kids’ Bikes

Trail Gator Tow bar and AccessoriesCHECK CURRENT PRICE

Those of you who want a towing system on your kids’ bikes can get a Trail-Gator. A Trail Gator perfectly fits into a towable bike with kids’ bikes measuring wheels of 12″ to 20″ in diameter. The trail gator does convert your kids’ bike safely into a towable trailer bike, connecting the adult’s bicycle. We have attached here the procedure:

Whenever you want to ride along with the Trail-Gator, unloose the tow bar from the stored rear wheel. Extend it up by connecting it to the child’s bike. During the unused session, the trail gator attaches to the rear wheel of the adult or front bike.

However, you may find a Trail-Gator Tow bar with multi-functional accessories. It has the ability to attach to a variety of juvenile bikes at a quicker pace. The product is portable, and all you need to make sure of the assembly instructions.

Towing Like a Trailer

In this process, you can take off the front wheel of the ‘would be towed’ bicycle from being carried away. After that, you can bungee the bike to the rear rack of the front bike or attach the empty fork to the bike’s back part.

TowWhee

TowWhee – The Original Bike Bungee Tow Rope for KidsCHECK CURRENT PRICE

TowWhee allows you to keep a safe distance from your first bike dangling into the wheels. It chains to another bicycle by adding a progressive tug.

Tow wheel is applicable for mountain biking, uphill towing, and path riding. You can also use TowWhee with carbon seat posts and dropper posts. Moreover, there is a popular bicycle bungee tow rope for kids available from TOWWHEE.

The Y-Shaped Tie

This method begins with the line tied to the first bike’s frame highly as possible. It makes a “Y” shape at the end of the line. Then, it would be best if you tied each end to a footpeg. Meanwhile, the fork should be there in the middle of the seat ahead.

The end conducts back to the towed bicycle and reaches to under the headlight. However, the headlight is already on the centerline of the bike. It makes it easier for the loose end to wrap around the handlebar one or two times. The left clutch of the towed bike holds it.

The rider must operate the front brake normally for being on a towed bicycle. The whole process requires two bikes running in the same direction. It would be better to have an experienced rider on the towing bike.

FollowMe Tandem

FollowMe TandemCHECK CURRENT PRICE

The FollowMe Tandem is one ideal bike accessory to tow an adult’s bike with a child’s bike. The tandem is way similar to the Trail-Gator, the Tow bar. It has better connectivity with flexible design quality.

Need to tow bicycles on paved trails? Consider tandem as the best solution to ensure a smooth ride on both bikes. In the case of Parent-child Bicycle Towing, Tandem from FollowMe may rescue you in mid-ride.

Tow-Rope: Helps to Climb Up the Hills.

There is another alternative to TowWhee, named Tow-Rope. A Tow-rope and TowWhee have interchangeable functions. The Tow Rope tends to be elastic, allowing you to climb higher to the uphills with the support of your pedal.

Using a tow rope on the road may be risky. In any other way, you may allow your child to tow you by which you can control their speed.

Towing Around Handlebar: On Mountain Bike

In this option, you need a strap with closed loops on end. They are far away safe to use than hook-styled straps. Besides this strap, you need another rope of three meters in length at least. With this rope, you need to make a basic tie until it is ready to clip on.

After that, you need to attach the strap to the rope and clip the other end on the seat rail of the first bicycle. There is a need to connect another end to the second bicycle’ around the handlebar. That is how you can comfortably assemble bike towing even if you are a newbie in this field.

A Fork Mount for Bike Towing

To tow a bike with another bicycle, you may need to purchase a fork mount. A fork mount is well-used for a bed of a truck. In the next step, you need to fill the crossbars of your bike rear rack with two plywood pieces. Drill a one-fourth-inch size hole in the four open corners and screw on your nuts.

And then, by removing the front wheel of one towing bike, you have to make sure the mount gets tightened enough. The bicycle you are towing requires two bungee cables. Through hooking cables from the front bikes’ rear rack you may attach them to the rear dropouts on towing bike. This method brings stability and bungee your front wheel to the frame.

BicycleBungee Tow Rope System

Bicyclebungee Tandem CyclingCHECK CURRENT PRICE

There is an easy-to-assemble cord named BicycleBungee. A bungee cord gets attached to one bicycle’s seatpost and another bicycle’s handlebar.

Like other towing options, the BicycleBungee is phenomenal for its lightweight. It is easy to attach and detach by looping organized around another bicycle’s stem. Generally, such bike tow alternative applies to parent-child bikes duo.

Using Bike Wheels: The DIY Money-Saving Alternative

The first step is to lift off the front wheel of your second bike and connect it to the rear wheel of the first bike.

Three places hold the wheel in a safe place. They are: On the hook, the lower point on the wheel of the front bike’s chainstay, and a swing-out arm, near the down tube, attached to the back portion of the wheel.

In the second step, you need to place the wheel into the hook on the rear rack. Thirdly, you need to place the lower part of the wheel against the strap on chainstay with clinching down. To avoid any foot disturbance, you can push the wheel toward the rear.

In the last step, you need to attach a bungee cord around the head tube of the towed bike from the rack. If you lack a handlebar, you can use a bungee to hold as it pulls the bike onwards.

What to Consider Before Towing The Bicycle

Selecting a bicycle tow device based on your preference is not an easy task. If you lack friendly bikes for bike towing, you may end up ghost-riding it.

That is why riding two bicycle at once requires towing. It depends on your bike type, the nature of your rider, spontaneity to put on and off.

Types of Bike

Both tow bars and tow ropes provide riding experiences. If your child’s bike gets damaged, you can get towed by your bicycle. Tow bars and tow ropes are suitable products to go along with you on a ride.

We are inserting here a short glimpse into choosing a few types of bike that fits a parent-child combination. These bicycles are also known as tag-along bikes based on a variety of purposes and experiences. So, there are three primary types of bikes, including tag-along bikes, trailer bikes, and trailer cycles.

The tag-along bike provides kids a rich riding experience for long distances. They work by being attached to the back of any adult bicycle. We can also call them trail bikes.

Trailer cycles are way more stable than a tag-along bike. They sit lower to the ground in a comfortable position for children. On rough terrain, they can allow you to have the best riding experience.

Nature of Your Rider

Bike riders’ age does matter. For young children who hardly reach the pedals, trailer bicycle can be standard to sit safely. Trailer bikes have footrests and a harness system specially designed for two to four-year-olds.

Trailer cycles may have a swift change from pulling a standard trailer. But these cycles require you to be able to reach the pedals at least. Children, who are independent enough to ride their bikes, can get tow ropes or bars for bicycle towing.

Flexibility and Fast Release

No matter which tow device option you prefer, it needs to be faster to put on and take off. The same goes for a tag-along bicycle. It makes a clear difference in how quickly it is likely to mount and un-mount. However, trailer cycles tend to be better to put on and take off.

Flexible tow devices can help you to juggle less with kinds of stuff. When you pull something behind your bike, you should have the full potential and stability. Therefore, before purchasing any bike or tow device, make sure you have a hands-on experience.

Fixed and Flexible Tow Devices

There are some fixed and flexible tow devices used for towing your child behind your bicycle.

Flexible Tow Device

Flexible tow devices refer to a bungee-style rope that allows your child to skip any obstacles on riding. It simply follows the path of the leading bicycle without being a robust designed device. For off-road trails and mountain biking, flexible tow ropes give extra independence to your child. They are easy to use on narrow paths, up hills, and on bumpy terrain.

These tow devices get attached to the stem of the handlebars by looping the connector. You may attach the other end of the device loops around the front bike’s seat post. They have some times that may require add-on installation.

Through flexible tow devices, your other bike rider can confidently ride their bike. By adopting the opposite towing steps, you can use them for downhill riding too.

Fixed Tow Device

They tend to be a rigid devices with a hitch securing onto the seat post of one bicycle. There may need a separately installed rack. To use it as towing bar device, you can attach the opposite end on the front tube of another bike. Unfortunately, they require more installation steps in comparison to a tow rope.

Final Words

Those days are gone when you ride on bike with one hand and hold the damaged bike with the other hand on the steer. These ghost riding ideas do not help much in towing a bike with another bike.

If you do not prefer spending both time and money in the ways mentioned above, only DIY ideas are left for you. There are exceptional solutions for bike towing, and you need to put each on your shoes to experience the best way of hauling bikes.