CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Fairing for tagalong?

(9 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by crowriver
  • Latest reply from crowriver
  • This topic is resolved

  1. crowriver
    Member

    No. 1 son is a hardy wee soul, but as the winter has come on, I occasionally hear him ask if there are bikes with waterproof covers, and I know that his hands get cold on the tagalong sometimes. Now he's had new windproof gloves for Christmas, and he has a rain cape, but I'm wondering about the possibility of fitting a fairing or windshield to the tagalong to take the edge off cold winds.

    This is a project that may or may not happen, but I thought I'd investigate it. I've been looking at scooter windshields which fix to handlebar mirror mounts or headlamp mounts. They all look a bit heavy, but I suppose could be rigged to mount on the tagalong handlebars with suitable clamps. Some models cover the handlebar grip area, which would be good for sheltering small hands.

    I suppose my question for the forum is whether they think adapting a scooter windshield would work? If not, are there cycling specific products I've missed? I'm aware of the Bobike windscreen for their Mini baby seats, but it seems small and requires a special bracket to fit to a handlebar stem. It seems there is a winshield for GMG's Yepp Mini seat too, which looks bigger but again fits to a custom mount.

    Maybe I'm answering my own question here (again) but I just thought I would put this out and see if there is knowledge in the forum that Googol hasn't revealed yet.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Uberuce
    Member

    The problem I foresee is that a mounted shield would radically reduce the wind speed you could take him out in.

    The only bit of him left that needs windproofing is his face, since the rest can be taken care of by layers. Kiddie-sized motorbike helmet y Roberto es el hermano de tu padre.

    For his hands I'd go dextro-Inception and put gloves within gloves. I don't need any finesse to work the controls on my wintersaurus fixie, so I wear big ole ski gloves. A pair of them ought to encase his without fuss and I guess there's not much fine work needing done on a tagalong.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    Does he not get fairly good shelter from you? i would think that one or more of: a warmer jacket/snow trousers with bi/ fleece over trousers/tights/thermal underwear/ balaclava would help. Raintrousers are great even if it not that wet, because they also block wind.

    I don't do much in the way of long rides with my wee one anymore, but even in last year's cold, when we would regularly be out for 20-40 mins she didn't get cold as long as we had enough layers on.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    Layering was my first instinct, of course, and I have been trying this approach since his child seat days. However now that he is a bit older No.1 son is very picky about clothes, often refusing to wear multiple layers, claiming discomfort or being too hot. He's only 6 and can't really see that this is preventative. When he subsequently gets cold he tends to transfer the negative connotations to the act of cycling, rather than the inadequate preparation and clothing. I suppose similar negative feelings are one of the reasons why more people don't cycle!

    As with anything at his age, thankfully the negativity is short lived and he is looking forward to his next tagalong expedition. If only I could get him to dress properly each time, rather than half the time...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Luckily for us (at the moment) ours is still keen on the tagalong/tandem, but she refused to ride her own bike this morning, and wanted her scooter instead :(

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. crowriver
    Member

    Yes, No.1 son refuses to ride his own bike too. Hopefully come the spring that will change. To be fair, he usually enjoys the tagalong. Cold or wet weather do dampen his spirits, understandably. I just wondered if I should try and do more to shelter him from the elements.

    I have thought about my transport choices and believe we're doing what is right for us as a family, but what does he think? After all, he sees classmates, friends and cousins being ferried around in cars and not required to 'layer up' before going visiting or heading to a party. I can already see the pressure to 'fit in' exerting itself upon him and I worry about the future.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. SRD
    Moderator

    We're lucky that many of our neighbours and daughter's classmates also cycle/walk, even when they own cars. We've brainwashed her pretty well :)

    We were at a party recently where we offered to take all the kids out to the local park. But one of them hadn't brought a coat, so couldn't go. It was COLD out.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. LaidBack
    Member

    believe we're doing what is right for us as a family, but what does he think?

    Yes.... my daughter got fed up with it during winter months. But when we were in a hurry the tandem was always faster than bus. Also meant we could go when we wanted to and park where wanted. Downside was the fact that she couldn't buy as much at shops (plus in my view!). Also hair in helmet was a big faff. Boys of course are different and maybe feel that they should be in control.

    The weather proof question - any shield item may catch in wind so I'd be careful. On tandems the stoker is closer to front rider so sheltered better from icy blasts and out of rear wheel spray zone. Plus their legs have to go round keeping them warmer.
    German company Hase has this. An active trailer with proper fairing. Of course you could buy a tandem bike for that!

    Hase Tretts Covered Trailer - Pedal Powered

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    We had a faux tandem situation the other day. Salt had got into the tagalong freewheel and rust had bubbled up without me noticing, eventually the freewheel seized and No.1 son was riding fixed for a 6 mile round trip visiting relatives. Not fun for him on the downhills, and I had to slow progress to under 9mph or his feet slipped off the pedals, causing bruised shins!

    Tried to rescue the freewheel with an oil bath, but it was still solid. So new, chrome plated freewheel now in place. The tagalong does not give as much shelter as the Bobike Junior seat did last year, when he could cuddle in if there was a cold wind. On the other hand, he understands that when he pedals, he warms up. Doesn't work for his hands though, hopefully the new gloves will help. I've fitted a long crud catcher guard to the tagalong to catch back wheel spray, and he has a mudguard on his wheel, but maybe the towing bike needs a rear mudguard flap too.

    The main issue is he sometimes refuses to dress warmly enough for the conditions. I suppose a fairing is not going to resolve that.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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