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Device to Increase Difficulty When Cycling With Children

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Device to Increase Difficulty When Cycling With Children

Old 02-24-21, 03:36 PM
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jk138
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Device to Increase Difficulty When Cycling With Children

Hello,
This is my first post in ages. I used to have an account years ago but I don't have access to that email anymore so here we go again. I just got my son his first bike with multiple gears in the hopes he could go on longer rides with me. So far it works mostly. He can go on longer rides with me. However, compared to my just cruising along speed he is painfully slow, through no fault of his own. I still love going with him but if I ride at his top speed my heart rate barely goes above resting. Does anyone know of a device, frictional or otherwise, that increases cycling difficulty when riding with kids. It would be fantastic if I could pedal at 250 or 300 watts and be going the same speed as him. I don't often have enough time to do conditioning riding and family riding. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance!!

Jon
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Old 02-24-21, 04:04 PM
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GrainBrain
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I know where you're coming from, I got two treadmills so I can run next to my son as he walks over the winter.

Have you thought about getting a cheap hardtail mtb with 27.5+ and riding at low pressures?

I've seen a lot of entry level cheap fatbikes with 4" tires and heavy frame.
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Old 02-24-21, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jk138
Hello,
This is my first post in ages. I used to have an account years ago but I don't have access to that email anymore so here we go again. I just got my son his first bike with multiple gears in the hopes he could go on longer rides with me. So far it works mostly. He can go on longer rides with me. However, compared to my just cruising along speed he is painfully slow, through no fault of his own. I still love going with him but if I ride at his top speed my heart rate barely goes above resting. Does anyone know of a device, frictional or otherwise, that increases cycling difficulty when riding with kids. It would be fantastic if I could pedal at 250 or 300 watts and be going the same speed as him. I don't often have enough time to do conditioning riding and family riding. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance!!

Jon
Apply your brakes?
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Old 02-24-21, 05:09 PM
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There's an expensive option:
AIRhub Pro
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Old 02-25-21, 12:46 AM
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Old 02-25-21, 12:22 PM
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Thanks for all of the Reponses!
  • The AIRhub Pro definitely looks like it would solve my problem. Exactly the type of thing I was looking for. But as with all things road bike the price is very impressive! I guess it makes sense because you basically have to buy a whole new wheel to go with it and the market is going to be very small for this device. Still ...Ouch!
  • I have ridden my 27.5 at low pressures and put on an obnoxiously baggy jacket that basically act like a parachute. It works okay in the winter but is a no go in the summer.
  • The Dynamo is an interesting idea but I think I'd need one that's at least 100 watts and I haven't seen one that goes that high.
Maybe I should consider a sprinting parachute and shorten the line to almost nothing? If I could handle how ridiculous I would look.

Thanks Again!
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Old 02-25-21, 03:01 PM
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Run 4 dynamos (one each fork leg and one each seatsay)?
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Old 02-25-21, 03:07 PM
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First, go for a ride, then drop the hamma and leave your son in your dust. When you get back to him, he'll be tired, and you can hook this thing up and tow him behind you!

Trailgator

Last edited by Unca_Sam; 02-25-21 at 03:07 PM. Reason: pronoun agreement :)
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Old 02-25-21, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
First, go for a ride, then drop the hamma and leave your son in your dust. When you get back to him, he'll be tired, and you can hook this thing up and tow him behind you!

Trailgator
The FollowMe Tandem was great for giving me a workout as my son learned how to pedal. Especially when he forgot which way was "helping" and which was "slowing down" and he'd smash his brakes as I tried to pull him up a hill.

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Old 02-25-21, 03:16 PM
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Low-tech version of the AirPro---adjust one or both of your brakes to rub constantly during rides with your son. Given how short the rides are typically likely to be, the amount of additional brake pad wear should be minimal.
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Old 02-25-21, 03:18 PM
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Get him a e bike then you will be chasing him (G)
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Old 02-25-21, 03:41 PM
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Get one of these seriously -- It's a great bike to ride and the increased weight will give you more of a workout + you can probably find one cheap

Schwinn Continental or Varsity
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Old 02-25-21, 03:50 PM
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Get an old 26" mountain bike and put on the knobbiest tires that you can find.
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Old 02-25-21, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Deal4Fuji
Get one of these seriously -- It's a great bike to ride and the increased weight will give you more of a workout + you can probably find one cheap

Schwinn Continental or Varsity
It's hard to go wrong with the n+1 option
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Old 02-25-21, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by himespau
The FollowMe Tandem was great for giving me a workout as my son learned how to pedal. Especially when he forgot which way was "helping" and which was "slowing down" and he'd smash his brakes as I tried to pull him up a hill.

My children all want to "do it themselves" so even though we have a trailgator ready for my 3 year old, he'll probably be pushing his own pedals out of sheer determination. "Not getting my heartrate past resting rate" sounds familiar. Since I'm not actively training, I just enjoyed the cruise with the kids. They don't stay that way long.


This 43 lb beast was perfect for maintaining their pace in L gear, occasionally venturing into N.

Last edited by Unca_Sam; 02-25-21 at 04:13 PM.
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Old 02-25-21, 04:15 PM
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hell my e bike with all my stuff is 70# it takes over 200 watts to keep it at 20 without power.
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Old 02-28-21, 03:25 AM
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I got a TowWhee on the recommendation of Cyclingtips' Tech Editor James Huang. This may provide a solution.

But I really have to repeat what Unca_Sam wrote: Just enjoy the cruise with the kids. They don't stay that way long.
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Old 03-15-21, 08:56 PM
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Get a heavy bike, attach double kids trailer and add sand bags until you get some good resistance.
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Old 03-19-21, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Chinghis
Get an old 26" mountain bike and put on the knobbiest tires that you can find.
And add heavy panniers.
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Old 03-19-21, 12:08 PM
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Just ride with him. What I've done on occasion is go for my ride first, then swing back to the house for the kids. You could alternate pedaling with one foot er something. But I agree with the above: he won't be little long, enjoy the ride for what it is
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Old 03-27-21, 09:28 PM
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Tow Whee bungee strap. Just hook it up and go.

I thought it was a bad idea until I tried one, but the thing works like you wouldn't believe. Doesn't work so well on rolling hills but does great on the flats.
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