Chapter 1: Guide to safe On- and off-road operation
You should make sure your bicycle fits before you ride it, and you should know how it works.
Your Trek dealer should fit you with the proper size of bicycle.
There should be at least one inch (25mm) clearance between the top tube and the rider when standing over the bicycle (Figure 1).
Figure 1:
Minimum standover height: 1" (25mm)
Always follow the weight limits for your bicycle. Those limits are explained in the Conditions of Use.
Do not attempt to carry a rider on the trailer-bike who is too heavy for the lead rider to control safely. The trailer-bike rider should weigh less than half the weight of the lead rider. If the trailer-bike rider is too heavy, it may be difficult for the lead rider to control the lead bicycle.
Regardless of lead bicycle rider weight, the maximum trailer-bike rider weight is 80 lbs. (36 Kg.) including rider, equipment, and cargo.
Warning—Placing excessive weight on a trailer-bike could make the lead bicycle difficult to control, or cause the trailer-bike to break and break, resulting in personal injury. Never place over 80 lbs. (36 Kg.) on the trailer-bike.
The trailer-bike rider should understand basic cycling safety, especially that they need to hold on and ride smoothly. If the trailer-bike rider does not ride smoothly, they can cause the lead bicycle to turn unexpectedly, making it difficult for the lead rider to control the lead bicycle. As a rule of thumb a trailer-bike rider should be able to smoothly ride a bicycle with training wheels.
The seat and handlebar may be adjusted to offer the best comfort and performance. For more information, see Fitting the bicycle.
Modern bicycles have features that give you better comfort, control, pedaling efficiency, and stopping power. However, these features, if misused, may cause you to lose control of the bicycle.
Before riding fast or in more difficult conditions, learn the function and performance of all the mechanisms of your lead bicycle by riding with the empty trailer-bike at slower speeds in a flat, empty parking lot. If you or your dealer make adjustments or repairs to your bike, repeat this learning procedure.
If you want your lead bicycle to perform differently, or if you have special needs that require different parts for the safe operation of your bicycle, consult your Trek dealer.
As an example, with most bicycles the left brake lever controls the front wheel brake and the right brake lever controls the rear wheel brake. However, the brake levers can be switched for some countries or for a person with special needs.
Many models of modern brakes are very powerful and their power varies according to the intended use of the bicycle; some are designed to stop a bicycle in wet or muddy conditions. If you feel your brakes are too powerful for your riding needs, take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for adjustment or replacement of the braking system.
The features of this trailer-bike allow a child to easily ride with a stronger rider. However, these same features, if misused, can cause a loss of control of the bicycle or injury to the riders.
Familiarize yourself with the use of the mechanisms on this trailer-bike. Before pulling the trailer-bike with a rider on it, practice with the trailer-bike attached, but without a child on it, at slower speeds in a flat, empty parking lot. Take all the time you need before attempting to ride with a child on board. Get the feel of the trailer-bike and thoroughly check the connections before riding with a child. For more about riding with your trailer-bike, read Special Trailer-bike Riding Information.
The lead bicycle pulling a trailer-bike must have a minimum tire size of 26” (66 cm). If the rear wheel on the lead bicycle is smaller than this, the trailer-bike may contact the rear tire, or the trailer-bike pedals may contact the ground. If the tongue contacts any part of the lead bicycle other than the hitch, it could cause a loss of control resulting in injury. After connecting the trailer-bike to the lead bicycle, make sure that no part of the trailer-bike can make contact with any part of the lead bicycle, especially during turns or maneuvers.
When pulling a trailer-bike, the lead rider must be able to stop both themselves and the additional weight of the trailer-bike and rider. This extra weight requires additional stopping power. Mountain bicycles usually have more powerful braking systems, making a mountain bicycle ideal for pulling a trailer-bike.
It is recommended to use fenders on the lead bicycle to protect the trailer-bike rider from water or other debris which could be thrown from the lead bicycle’s rear wheel.
Some modern, high-performance bicycles, especially with smaller frame sizes, use a short-wheelbase design, where the front wheel and the crankset are relatively closer together. Depending on your foot size and the pedals or shoes you are using, this design places your foot close to the front wheel. At usual speeds the handlebar does not turn sufficiently for the wheel to contact your foot. During slow speed turns when the handlebar is turned, your foot or toe-clips could overlap or touch the front wheel or fender (Figure 2). When you ride slowly, do not pedal if the handlebar is turned.
Warning—If your foot or toe-clip touches the front wheel or fender, toe-clip overlap could decrease your control and cause you to fall. Do not pedal when you turn at slow speed.
Figure 2:
Toe-clip overlap of the front tire or fender
In very rare cases some riders, such as heavier riders on larger bicycles, may experience a “shimmy” or “harmonic oscillation” or “frame vibration” at certain speeds. Experts disagree on what can cause a shimmy, but riding “no-hands” or front wheel impact are among possible causes. If you suspect that you are experiencing a shimmy, slow down immediately and take your bicycle directly to a Trek dealer for inspection and repair.
Warning—A shimmy, or steering wobble, can cause you to lose control and fall. If you experience a shimmy, slow down immediately. Take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for inspection and repair.