Tow Bikes – Tow Ropes And Kids’ Bike Attachments Compared

It’s relatively easy to bike with kids when they’re very young. You can put them in a bike seat or bike trailer and off you both ride.

When your children are old enough for them to want to ride their own bikes, but not yet strong enough to ride long distances quickly, a bigger challenge comes into play.

When this happens, one of the safest options is to use a bike tow rope or bike tow bar in order to keep your little ones on track. 

There are large differences between tow ropes and kids bike attachments. The biggest difference is the level of confidence required from your little ones in order to use them.

If you have a very confident child who loves riding their bike but just requires some help up hills or on speedy roads then the tow rope is the best option.

But, if you want something more sturdy for those kids who are still learning to ride, the kid’s bike attachments are a better option for you. 

Use this guide to find out which riding solution will be more suitable for you and your family.

Here are some of our favorites when it comes to bike towing. We will split these into tow ropes and bike attachments. 

Kids Bike Tow Ropes

We love the simplicity of a kids bike tow rope. These come in different lengths, colors, and designs. They are great for kids ages 3-8 years old.

The best thing about these are that you don’t need any special tools to attach them onto your child’s bike. Simply wrap the rope around the frame of the bike and tighten it up.

This is a simple way to safely get your kiddos out there while keeping them protected from the elements.

Here are some of the best kids bike tow ropes.

TowWhee Bike Bungee Tow

The first one we have is the TowWhee which is great because it has a bungee cord that goes around the bike seat base and then attaches to the handlebars of the kids bike.

The bungee cord is adjustable, so you can adjust how tight you want it to be. We like this product because it gives us more control over where the kid will go.

It also helps prevent the child from falling off if he gets tired. This is an inexpensive option and works well for younger more confident riders.

Pros & Key Features

• Easy setup

• Adjustable tension

• Can be used as a safety device

Possible Cons

• Only suitable for more confident riders that can already ride independently for short distances

DoThisAllDay Bike Tow Rope

The DoThisAllDay is another great option for parents who want to give their kids a bit more freedom. This towing system allows the parent to pull the child in whatever direction they want.

This means that you can take the child to school, practice riding skills, or just enjoy a leisurely ride. There are two options available: A single towing rope, or a double towing rope.

Both allow the parent to pull the kids bike in whichever direction they choose. This makes it easier for the parent to steer the bike in the right direction. This is a great option for older kids who are comfortable riding independently.

Pros & Key Features

• Great for older kids who are ready to ride without supervision

• Allows the parent to pull the bike in whatever direction they want

• Double towing rope provides extra stability

Possible Cons

• Not ideal for younger children

UBENIC Kids Tow Bike Rope

The UBENIC Kids Tow Bike is perfect for kids who are still learning to ride. This tow rope is made of nylon webbing and fits most kids’ bikes between 4-7 years old.

This is a very lightweight rope that doesn’t require any tools to install. This particular model features a quick release attachment point so that it can easily be removed and replaced with a new rope.

This is a good option for parents who want their children to learn independence by taking charge of their own bike.

Pros & Key Features

• Lightweight

• Quick release

• Good for younger kids

Possible Cons

• Does not fit all bikes

Shotgun Kids Bike Tow Rope

If you’re looking for a safe way to tow your kids’ bike, then the Shotgun Kids Bike Tow Rope may be the answer. This tow rope allows your kids to experience the thrill of cycling as well as give them a boost when needed.

This rope comes with a fanny pack to carry it around once it’s not in use. Give your child a sense of responsibility by allowing them to take care of their own tow rope in their own cute bags.

This tow rope comes complete with a detachable carabiner that attaches to the back of the bike. This is a great tow rope for older kids who are getting into biking on their own.

It is also easy to use since you only need to slide the rope under the saddle and tighten it up.

Pros & Key Features

• Comes with a fanny pack

• Detachable carabiner

• Easy to use

Possible Cons

• Better for confident riders

DOBELIX Bike Tow Rope with Handlebar Rearview Mirror

The DOBELIX is a bike tow rope that is designed specifically for kids.

This tow rope is one of the longer ropes on our list at 8 feet long. It includes a rearview mirror on the handlebar to help keep track of the kids’ bike while being towed. This tow rope is great for kids who are 5 years old and up.

The bright red rope stands out on the trail, giving the person who is towing absolute visibility when checking the position of the rope, especially with the added assistance from the rearview mirror.

Other trail riders will also be able to spot you from a distance. 

Pros & Key Features

• Easy to use

• Includes a rearview mirror

• Long rope

Possible Cons

• Requires some assembly

Kids Bike Tow Attachments

While the kid’s bike tow ropes are all relatively similar in design and functionality, there are some significant differences between the different types of bike attachments to tandem ride with a child. Let’s look at each of the top-rated brands of kids’ bike attachments in more detail

FollowMe Tandem

The FollowMe tandem is probably the most popular kid’s bike tow attachment. Your child still rides on their own bike but their front wheel is elevated and attached to the adult’s year wheel.

The FollowMe has a unique design that makes it extremely stable during a tow. It is equipped with a 2-point hitch system that works together with the front wheel of the bike.

This means that there is no risk of tipping or falling off the bike while towing. It can hold up to 400 pounds. Parents love this tow attachment because it gives them peace of mind knowing that their kids are safe while riding.

It will fit from a child’s 12″ to 20″ bike wheel with an adult 26″ to 29″ wheel. It can even work with a luggage rack or baby seat on the adult’s bike.

Pros & Key Features

• Stable – no risk of tipping or falling over

• Can hold up to 400 lbs

• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Possible Cons

• Not suitable for smaller kids

Trail Gator Tow Bar

The Trail Gator Tow Bar is another great choice for parents who wish to give their kids a sense of independence while riding.

This tow bar is designed to attach to the frame of the bike. It helps prevent the bike from slipping forward while towing.

This tow bar is useful for older kids who have learned how to balance themselves on two wheels. The Trail Gator Tow Bar does not come with a rearview mirror, but it does include a cargo bag that holds the extra rope and other items.

Pros & Key Features

• Great for older kids who can already balance

• Cargo bag included

• Easily stows back on adults bike when not in use

Possible Cons

• No rearview mirror

Burley Trailer Bike

The Burley trailer bike is a great option for parents who want to give their children an early introduction to biking without having to buy a new bike.

This tow is made for kids between 4 and 6 years old (the parent needs to be at least double the weight of the child).

Its small size allows it to fit in almost any bike. It is also lightweight, so it doesn’t add much weight to the bike. It is perfect for short trips around town where the kids don’t need to go very far.

Pros & Key Features

• Lightweight

• Small size

• Don’t have to buy a separate kids’ bike until they are riding completely independently

Possible Cons

• Requires assembly

• Child doesn’t have the option to cycle without an adult

Peruzzo Kid’s Trail Angel Cycle Attachment

This Peruzzo kid’s cycle attachment is a great option if you are looking for something lightweight and easy to assemble.

It is a simple device that attaches to the back of the seat post of the adult bike, the towing child’s bike can have a wheel size between 12 inches and 20 inches and can tow up to a 30kg child.

It comes with a rearview mirror attached to the handlebars. As well as this, the attachment comes with easy-to-follow instructions.

There is a fair bit of assembly to the product, but this is because of the level of safety this attachment achieves. By being so secure in its assembly you can guarantee that your child is going to be safe and comfortable. 

Note it may not fit all adult bikes. The leading bike must have a minimum wheel size 26″ and a bike seat post diameter between 1″ (25.4mm) and 1.25″ (31.8mm). A minimum of 40mm of seat post space is required.

Pros & Key Features

• Easy to use

• Rear view mirror

• Simple to install

Possible Cons

• Assembly required

Adams Trail-A-Bike

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The Adams Trail-a-bike is a classic for families who want to ride together. It was the first “Trailer Bike,” or tag along, to be launched in 1986. If you live in the United States, then the Adams Trail A Bike is still easy to get your hands on.

The Adam’s Trail-A-bike is one of the best options for kids’ bike tows. It is a sturdy bike tow that requires little maintenance.

This trailer bike comes in 7 different colors and has a steel frame. It is a single-speed tag along which you’ll find is compatible with the majority of 26″ bicycles. There’s a variety of adapters available to make it fit almost any seat post. 

Pros & Key Features

• Sturdy

• Steel frame

• Single speed

Possible Cons

• Is an older model

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Things To Consider For When Shopping For A Bike Attachment For Kids

When looking at the different types of bike attachments there are several things you should consider before purchasing one. Here are some tips we have found helpful:

1) Safety – Make sure that the attachment is safe for your child. Look up reviews online to see if other parents have had any problems with the attachment.

If you don’t know how to check reviews online, just ask around. Ask friends who may have used an attachment what they think about it. This way you get more than one person’s opinion.

2) Size – How big is the attachment? Is it too small? Too large? Does it fit well on the bike frame? What kind of bike do you have?

The size of the attachment will vary depending on the type of bike you have. Some attachments are designed specifically for certain types of bikes.

So if you have a cruiser style bike, then you would probably be best suited using a smaller sized attachment. If you have a mountain bike, then you might need something larger.

3) Weight – How much weight does the attachment hold? Do you weigh 100 pounds or 120 pounds? Are there extra parts included with the attachment? 

4) Cost – How much does the attachment cost? Will you only need 1 or 2 at once? These are all things to consider before purchasing a new bike attachment.

5) Quality – How durable is the attachment? Can it withstand lots of bumps and bruises? Do you feel confident that your kid will be able to attach and detach without breaking anything? 

6) Extras – Does the attachment come with a quick release buckle? Does it include a lockable latch? Does the attachment come with extra straps? All of these extras help make the attachment safer for your kids.

7) Warranty – How long is the warranty? How often does the manufacturer offer free repairs? Do you need to pay for shipping and handling?

8) Installation – Where should you install the attachment? Should you buy a special installation kit? Or can you figure out how to install it yourself?

Conclusion

We’ve covered some of the best kid’s bike tow ropes and attachments available. All of these products were chosen based on their features, performance, ease of use, and quality.

They all offer a different experience for both parent and child. We hope this list was extensive enough to help you find the best attachment for your family cycling needs.

Jump back over here for all our kids’ bike-buying guides and advice

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