Kiddy bike trailer on an elec'y bike

[xonath]

Hi Guys & Gals,

Kev, here and this is my first posting. Currently Im one of the not an ebike owner but hopefully soon will be.

My account got activated today, so while I was waiting for that, I spent the last few days working out what to buy. I am looking for a sub £1k electric bike. At the moment unless anyone can convince me otherwise. My brain is saying 14ah Juicy bike sport. I also called them today on the off chance, and this lovely lady spent a good 15 mins being very helpful. Left me with lots of confidence that this bike is a good route to go. Also it comes in a colour range of silver, silver or silver. Lucky i can cope with shiny.

I'm an overweight dad and so like the idea of an Electric bike to get me going, and take over when i get a little tired I'm also in a village and the nursery which my little girl will be going to in Jan is 6 miles away across a nice nearly flat country road.

So, touch wood. My idea is electric bike, me a kiddy trailer. Zipping along quite nicely on the way out. then if they do no/low assistance a little bit more exercise on the way back. before I start to work from my home office.

Enough waffle.

Here what I am wondering.
1) Anyone with a Juicy bike. can you turn down the amount of peddle assistance or turn the assistance off. And with it off. Is it murder to peddle?
2) Any other bikes in the price range, that I really should be looking at?
3) Will a kiddy trailer fit onto a back of an electric bike? I'm thinking double as my son is 1 and my daughter 2. Any other members with a kiddy trailer on the bike? If so would you recommend a trailer?
4) Bike insurance. Any company the forum recommend?
5) May be a daft question. Do you charge batteries in situe on the bike or do they come off?

And finally I'm in Hornsea, so near hull, York, etc. Anyone know of any electric bike dealers in the area. Struggling to find one.

Kevin



Kevin

 

[lectureral]

Hi Kevin - welcome. I cannot answer your Juicy bike questions. I can say that a bike trailer and an electric bike are a great combo. I bought one in the Spring and have used it nearly every day since - I have hardly used the car some weeks. I bought from Amazon because they deliver to France - it was this one

Adventure At3 Child Alloy Two-Seater Trailer: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

It has been very good - I even turned it over once with both kids in it (not to be recommended at all - very scary - avoid clipping kerbs on a corner at speed is my advice - otherwise very stable) and both kids were entirely uninjured. The kids (4 & 2) love it - sometimes I take them for a ride just for peace and quiet. The trailer has major advantages over seats on the bike - safer and they will stay in the trailer when I pop quickly into a shop (I live in a very quiet village).

Most (all?) batteries can be charged on or off the bike - depends on whether you can get the bike easily to an outlet.

On insurance some people have managed to get cover under their household policy but I have never bothered - I take the view that a lot of insurance is an expensive way to cover a risk.

 

[xonath]

Ouch!

Never thought you could roll the trailer! Sounds scary.

 

[flecc]

Ouch!

Never thought you could roll the trailer! Sounds scary.

They can roll quite easily in some circumstances. I've done it three times including really scaring a car driver on one of those occasions. Always on turns, twice was with high goods loads and once being too fast on a bumpy bend with a large unloaded trailer.

 

[JamesC]

Hi Kevin

Certainly ebikes and child trailers are a great combination.

I can't answer your specific question on the Juicy Bike / sub 1k budget, because my experience is with the Kalkhoff bikes using the Panasonic crank drive.

My younger son and his family use the Kalkhoff Tasman up in Scotland with a Chariot trailer (single seater) for their 3 year old.

Down here in Peterborough, I use the Kalkhoff ProConnect with a similar Chariot 2 seater for my other grandson + visitors. We also have a sling for the Chariot which allows one of the seat positions to be used by a baby not yet able to support itself sitting up.

For your journeys on the flat areas around your home, I think you will be fine with a hub motor which makes it easier to work with a new bike under 1k.

I am a big fan of the crank drive which allows grandad to pull the trailer up some serious hills in Stonehaven, albeit in a very low gear.

Regarding the trailer tipping up - yes it can certainly happen. One advantage of the 2 seater is the wider wheelbase which reduces the likelihood. The (expensive) Chariots also incorporate a suspension system which takes out a lot of the bounce.

I had a few dummy runs with 2 small bags of peat in the trailer before venturing out with the kids !

But if riding with just one child between 1 and 3, it is hard to beat a front mounted child seat. The bike remains narrow and manoeuvrable, and you can enjoy a great one to one conversation.

James

 

[JamesC]

Rutland Water is a good place to try out electric bikes and child trailers.

James

 

[banbury frank]

Hi In your budget I would recommend you look at the Torano crank drive it is not about speed it is about towing the weight and climbing hills


Bighit - Our Products

Also with the trailer a Quality trailer with roll over bar

croozer kid for 2 bicycle trailer croozer bicycle trailer Wooden Toys, Gifts for Babies and Children, Home & Lifestyle Accessories , Baby Changing Bags, Melamine Plates, Childrens Cutlery.

Proven safety: Chariot Carriers



The 5 Best Baby Bike Trailers


I know what you are going to say I can buy a kiddy trailer for £69 ??? safety for those little ones Cost is Irrelevant why did those trailers roll over


Frank

 

[squimlet]

i too pull an a single trailer behind a bike to work and back and its brilliant. you get there so much quicker and without needing a shower when you arrive! i have a giant twist express and a basic trailer and they work really well

 

[xonath]

Thanks for the trailer links.

And I hear you. Like many parents, the kids are my life. though at times a little noisy No I don't want to pulling them along on a bit of string, tired to an old milk crate thats got a couple of pairs of roller skates glued to the bottom. Safety first. My wife will make sure that if the kids get I will be getting what for.

If i had it my way I would have tons of lights, a siren and a couple of flags

Anyways thanks again.

In respect of the crank drive. Never realised there was a choice other than hub (I am pardon the pun a little green in the area of ebikes). I know now that we have hubs or cranks. So will be looking at both bikes with interest. However, to be honest, currently i am not aware of the advantages of one over the other.

Kev

 

[banbury frank]

Hi with the crank drive you can use the Gears to give more Torque IE puling power Hill climbing So GO Cranky its NOT about speed with the kids on the back it is about enjoying the ride without to much effort

the Torano has very good revues on the forum I think looking at there web sit the are waiting delivery off there next order October £ 1010

The Panasonic Crank drive is the best but not in your budget from £1795

Electric Bikes - Electric Bike Summer Sale - Kalkhoff Pro Conn...

Frank

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Kevin
We've had a few people tow a child trailer in the way you suggest without any problems.

You can turn off the pedal assist and there is little resistance from the Suzhou Bafang motor we use as standard across our range - well respected motors that they are.

The nearest Juicy Bike stockist to you is Rustys at Scunthorpe.

Hope this helps.

 

[jasono]

Hi, can't help you regarding a Juicy Bike - although they do look good. But I have been riding a Wisper hub powered ebike with an Avenir child trailer for a while

I've found the combination great, my daughter loves it too!

Whatever you decide to go for, I'm sure you'll have fun

All the best