CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Twin "preschool run" advice

(7 posts)
  • Started 5 years ago by Dave
  • Latest reply from LaidBack
  • This topic is not resolved

No tags yet.


  1. Dave
    Member

    As the forum may remember, we have twins with a couple more years before they start school (in Aug 2021 I think).

    We live in Currie and nursery is on the way into town (well inside the bypass).

    We have a Thule trailer and that has been ok for the last two years. The key advantage was that the trailer can be towed by either one of us at either end of the day - secured at nursery while we continue to work.

    Now for two unrelated reasons we are driving down Lanark road more and more (despite presence of water of Leith, which is unlit in winter and muddy all year). One is the kids losing patience with being in the trailer - especially in unlit routes like canal or water of Leith, but also apparently feeling cramped. Second is that they are just too heavy to easily pull them up the hill from town to Currie.

    I'm trying to think about next steps. They can't hold on to eg a Helios any time soon, or a tag along. Probably we need something e-assist as the extra weight is going on 50kg.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  2. acsimpson
    Member

    I'm sure you have thought of it but there are quite a number of e-cargo bikes available. Mummy's finds cycling blog take about one such model.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    This?

    http://www.mummysgoneacycle.com/babboe-city-e-review/

    Posted 5 years ago #

  4. LaidBack
    Member

    We have an E-Helios set up in cargo mode. This has Steps/Alfine Di2 assist. Can plug on two childseats - has new wider rack.
    Though when they are ready to pedal you would need a triplet version. Trade in e-Helios and switch to twin power on triplet when older?

    Urban Arrow obviously. I tried Babboe tilting trike - interesting but had to lock up at low speeds. Apparently it takes a while to tune in!

    Welcome to take E-Helios for test.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  5. LaidBack
    Member

    So... The easy to clip in Bobike Maxi will fit a front cargo frame. Rear seat would go on the Titan rack - higher up but very secure mount. These seats better than the older grey Taxi seats. Adjustable strap heights for big range of child sizes.

    This would allow you to change quickly between modes.
    When twins are bigger you could do a Hankchief DIY triplet road train with a trailer bike for one (although this may cause arguments?)

    With Steps assist it will pull anything up from WoL path access ramps whether they pedal or not. I know that's 'sacrilige' but trailer bikes and Follow Me rigs use mum and dad power to tow. If you want to harness human power you need a true Helios triplet I reckon when they are ready!)

    Circe Helios Duo - multi-mode options

    Circe Helios Shimano Steps / Alfine Di2 in cargo mode

    Circe Helios Duo - semi cargo mode - new front stand.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  6. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    The Energy Saving Trust are currently offering interest free loans up to £6k for the purchase of a non standard eBike (£3k for a standard eBike)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  7. LaidBack
    Member

    @ECT - agree - the EST scheme has helped families budget for e-cargo bikes. Will be reviewed at end of March so hope it will continue.

    @Dave - On twin front, you could research trailer option. Not sure how well the support on this keeps a single wheeled trailer tracking straight. Assume it must. Allows a transition from childseat to active pedalling. Tow with an e-bike (our Nihola woud work as demo).
    https://www.weehoo.co.uk/products/weehoo-two-bike-trailer

    Posted 5 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin