Showing posts with label bike foot pump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike foot pump. Show all posts
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Q-Tubes Super Light 650c x 18-23mm 60mm PRESTA Valve Tube Reviews
Hard to find size tube for training bike. They installed on my wheels with new tires in a flash. 6 months later and 800 miles they are still holding air.These tubes work. They are fairly inexpensive and they do a good job. The only thing is the stem is quite long, however, it doesnt hurt anything other than it looks too long.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Discount TruVativ GXP Team Bottom Bracket Cups
Replaced a prior crankset with a SRAM Force GXP crank and naturally needed a GXP BB. This product is pretty much what you should expect.
Beware that the SRAM instructions (which are horrible just like Shimano's) incorrectly indicate the use of spacers. If you're installing these cups on a road bike with a road crank then don't use the included spacers! If you do, the entire crank will seize once you tighten it. The spacers are for MTB cranks on a 68mm setup only but the instructions do not make this clear.
Consequently, once you finish installing this on a road bike expect to have two spacers left. If you're installing on a MTB then expect to use one or both spacers (assuming diff MTB cranks require diff spacers). Oh, and do be very careful not to cross-thread the cups into your bottom bracket ;)
Beware that the SRAM instructions (which are horrible just like Shimano's) incorrectly indicate the use of spacers. If you're installing these cups on a road bike with a road crank then don't use the included spacers! If you do, the entire crank will seize once you tighten it. The spacers are for MTB cranks on a 68mm setup only but the instructions do not make this clear.
Consequently, once you finish installing this on a road bike expect to have two spacers left. If you're installing on a MTB then expect to use one or both spacers (assuming diff MTB cranks require diff spacers). Oh, and do be very careful not to cross-thread the cups into your bottom bracket ;)
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Coming from cartridge style bottom brackets, I was very pleasantly surprised at how light and smooth these are. Combined with the SRAM crank, it is a fantastic combination of smooth operation, very light weight and excellent stiffness.Best Deals for TruVativ GXP Team Bottom Bracket Cups
Great price a little more of a description would have been nice. Slightly different than what I thought I was getting but worked perfectHonest reviews on TruVativ GXP Team Bottom Bracket Cups
Smooth when you first get them, I've always had GXP bbs wear out a lot faster than the old loose ball ones. But that maybe my closeted desire to ride in wool, with tubulars, and clips and straps on my pedals.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for TruVativ GXP Team Bottom Bracket Cups
...great price for what I need... If you don't beat it up it'll last a while... I would recommend it!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Park Tool TL-1 Tire Lever (Pack of 3) Reviews
I have a number of bikes and each bike's toolbag is outfitted with a pair of these levers.
HINT: Buy two packs of these levers and you'll have enough for three bikes!
They have worked almost without exception to enable flat fixes and tire change outs while in the garage or on the road. (The one exception was when trying to install 700x27, yes 27, Panaracer wire beads onto a Shimano 540 wheelset for cyclocross then I had to resort to the big boys the beefy man-sized metal Park TL-5s)
HINT: These levers, unlike the TL-4s, have a very useful feature. See those hooks on the end? Nope, they're not for gutting fish on the pier or for cleaning out field fowl after shot-gunning in the cornfield use them to hook onto a nearby spoke after levering a portion of the tire off your wheel's rim very, very handy as a third hand!
These levers are a rare bargain and a standout example of quality and utility in today's corncucopia of cheap import tools get a pair for your kit or bag!
I love these tire levers because they are plenty sturdy enough, and most importantly, small and lightweight. I have a set of the CrankBros steel ones(which are AWESOME), but I don't ride with them because they're obnoxiously big and heavy. These lil guys fit into a tiny top bar-mounted pack meant for gelpacks --along with a multi tool, a patch kit, and a squirt gun :)
As someone noted above, they may break or bend on high-tension wheels -he mentioned 23x700s, and I've found the same to be true on my Contis as well. I've done tons of work on kids' bikes, and that is usually the only other situation when one of these levers bends or breaks. (Stripping little kids' bike tires is a PITA!!!)
But for general usage, these can not be beat. I am just now replacing a set I've had for several months (and as you might tell, I use them a LOT) and that's because I handed them off to a friend who had a blowout near my neighborhood. I'm doubling up on my order, actually.
They worked well on wider tires (MTB). Unfortunately they don't work on the Continental Ultra Gatorskin 23 x 700C tires on my road bike.
The spoke hooks on two of the levers broke off after a few uses; the end used for prying the tires off have bent backwards, making them completely useless. Granted, these tires are incredibly difficult to install and remove. However, I expected a Park Tools product to be up to the challenge.
The only tool that works on my Continental tires is the Crank Brothers speed lever.
HINT: Buy two packs of these levers and you'll have enough for three bikes!
They have worked almost without exception to enable flat fixes and tire change outs while in the garage or on the road. (The one exception was when trying to install 700x27, yes 27, Panaracer wire beads onto a Shimano 540 wheelset for cyclocross then I had to resort to the big boys the beefy man-sized metal Park TL-5s)
HINT: These levers, unlike the TL-4s, have a very useful feature. See those hooks on the end? Nope, they're not for gutting fish on the pier or for cleaning out field fowl after shot-gunning in the cornfield use them to hook onto a nearby spoke after levering a portion of the tire off your wheel's rim very, very handy as a third hand!
These levers are a rare bargain and a standout example of quality and utility in today's corncucopia of cheap import tools get a pair for your kit or bag!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Context: I ride about 120 miles a week and spend much of my free time repairing/refurbishing/building bicycles.I love these tire levers because they are plenty sturdy enough, and most importantly, small and lightweight. I have a set of the CrankBros steel ones(which are AWESOME), but I don't ride with them because they're obnoxiously big and heavy. These lil guys fit into a tiny top bar-mounted pack meant for gelpacks --along with a multi tool, a patch kit, and a squirt gun :)
As someone noted above, they may break or bend on high-tension wheels -he mentioned 23x700s, and I've found the same to be true on my Contis as well. I've done tons of work on kids' bikes, and that is usually the only other situation when one of these levers bends or breaks. (Stripping little kids' bike tires is a PITA!!!)
But for general usage, these can not be beat. I am just now replacing a set I've had for several months (and as you might tell, I use them a LOT) and that's because I handed them off to a friend who had a blowout near my neighborhood. I'm doubling up on my order, actually.
Best Deals for Park Tool TL-1 Tire Lever (Pack of 3)
I bought these due to the Park Tools reputation.They worked well on wider tires (MTB). Unfortunately they don't work on the Continental Ultra Gatorskin 23 x 700C tires on my road bike.
The spoke hooks on two of the levers broke off after a few uses; the end used for prying the tires off have bent backwards, making them completely useless. Granted, these tires are incredibly difficult to install and remove. However, I expected a Park Tools product to be up to the challenge.
The only tool that works on my Continental tires is the Crank Brothers speed lever.
Honest reviews on Park Tool TL-1 Tire Lever (Pack of 3)
Works fine, and the handy-dandy spoke hook does help to hold the tire off the rim while working with a second tool to continue dismounting the tire. A little care and technique will avoid breaking the tool, it's not made of titanium, and with 3 in a pack, there is at least one spare. Delivered as expected, inexpensive and light weight, easy to carry with you, the extra tire, tube, and patch-kit might slow you down a bit.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Park Tool TL-1 Tire Lever (Pack of 3)
Great little set. I had never changed a bike tire before but with these tools and a little instruction I had done both wheels in no time. Having three is great, you can pop the first one in and use the hook to attack to a spoke, slide a second down a little and hook it, slide a third down and the middle practically falls off. Zipping all the way around with just the second one seemed a bit scary to my and was hard with my tired, but moving down a little at a time with two worked great. All the pieces are identical and snap together nicely. Light weight plastic, not crazy high quality, I could see them wear out eventually, but for the price they're great tools to have around.Monday, October 27, 2014
Reviews of Primo Comet 16 x 1-3/8 Bicycle Tire, BSK 37-349, Black
It fits like it should. what more can I say about a inner tube. it works well holds the air as it should......
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I have only purchased from eBay once before and I was actually close enough to the seller to travel to the location to check out the item in person. Therefore, I was ordering this item on faith and was pleased when it was exactly like the item I was replacing.The picture of the item was great.Saturday, May 31, 2014
Discount Hd Steel 1-3 Bikes Floor/wall Mount Bicycle Park Storage Parking
List Price: $28.01
Sale Price: $22.41
Today's Bonus: 20% Off
Rack works well, sturdy, well made product. Wall mounted it low so wheel is centered in rack. Bikes have to lean slightly when in rack, they can't just balance on their wheels. That makes them want to roll out of the rack a little. Glued little pieces of wood to the floor to act as wheel chocks for each bike.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Reviews of Little Tikes 3 in 1 Trike Purple
My 15 month old daughter loves this trike! She cried when our walk was over because she didn't want to get off of it. I have no problem with the steeringit can swerve slightly when going straight, but not enough to matter, and it turns well. It took her dad only a half hour or so to put together. I like the adjustable height of the parent push handle, since I am short but her dad is tall. The only thing I don't like is the shoulder harnessI can't adjust it quite right, so the straps are on the outer edge of my daughter's shoulders and sometimes one slips down. But she still stays on fine, and the separate waist buckle works well.
Before buying I looked at this push trike and the different Smart Trike models. After seeing them in person, I narrowed it down to this or the Smart Trike Zoo Gala (a deluxe model)the lower-end Smart Trikes are more flimsy plastic and seemed cheaply made; these were both sturdy. I compared features and ultimately found this Little Tikes trike to have better and safer features for the first stages. The websites don't mention them, so here is what I found.
-The Smart Trike front wheel covering is short and your child could more easily stick her foot in the spinning wheel. The Little Tikes front wheel cover extends further/decreases this possibility.
-The Smart Trike foot rest (I believe) does not fold up to get out of the way when they move to stage 3. The Little Tikes does.
-If you are on the first two stages (both with the parent pushing), but your child can reach the pedals and they try to pedal, the Smart Trike front wheel will still move. The Little Tikes trike allows you to disengage the pedals for the first two stageswhen you push the trike the pedals and front wheel still move, but if your child pedals, the front wheel does not.
Also, there are 3 seat positions. For the first stage (with the bar around the waist), you must put the seat in the closest one to the pedals. My daughter is 31" and the footrest is a little behind her feet, and she sometimes lets them dangle in front of it. But she doesn't reach the pedals yet. If you would move the seat further back, though, you'd have to take off the waist bar.
We're very happy with this trike!
We've had this about a month and the frame is already scratched up a bit. The finish on the metal parts is a bit thin. Other than that we are very happy with the purchase.
Before buying I looked at this push trike and the different Smart Trike models. After seeing them in person, I narrowed it down to this or the Smart Trike Zoo Gala (a deluxe model)the lower-end Smart Trikes are more flimsy plastic and seemed cheaply made; these were both sturdy. I compared features and ultimately found this Little Tikes trike to have better and safer features for the first stages. The websites don't mention them, so here is what I found.
-The Smart Trike front wheel covering is short and your child could more easily stick her foot in the spinning wheel. The Little Tikes front wheel cover extends further/decreases this possibility.
-The Smart Trike foot rest (I believe) does not fold up to get out of the way when they move to stage 3. The Little Tikes does.
-If you are on the first two stages (both with the parent pushing), but your child can reach the pedals and they try to pedal, the Smart Trike front wheel will still move. The Little Tikes trike allows you to disengage the pedals for the first two stageswhen you push the trike the pedals and front wheel still move, but if your child pedals, the front wheel does not.
Also, there are 3 seat positions. For the first stage (with the bar around the waist), you must put the seat in the closest one to the pedals. My daughter is 31" and the footrest is a little behind her feet, and she sometimes lets them dangle in front of it. But she doesn't reach the pedals yet. If you would move the seat further back, though, you'd have to take off the waist bar.
We're very happy with this trike!
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Both my little girls (ages 2 & 10 months) love this trike. It is easy to push and steer. We get lots of fun comments when we are out walking with it. I know we will be able to use this for many years. My 2 year old can NOT reach the pedals yet, but she is on the small side for her age, only 34in and 24lbs.We've had this about a month and the frame is already scratched up a bit. The finish on the metal parts is a bit thin. Other than that we are very happy with the purchase.
Best Deals for Little Tikes 3 in 1 Trike Purple
For the most part it is great..Have 2 issues with it. 1st the "canopy" can be adjusted in any direction which would make you think it would be great...uh not so much. With a very light breeze the canopy goes eveywhere..pretty much a nightmare. 2nd issue is the parent handle. It is very difficult to manuever without feeling like you are going to break the bar.Minus these two issues it is really cool. I get comments everytime I take my daughter out on it. She loves this trike.My daughter just turned one and it is perfect for her at stage1.Honest reviews on Little Tikes 3 in 1 Trike Purple
I bought this for my grand daughters 1st birthday. It's cute but I am not real happy with the quality of the trike. It is kind of ricketty. Plastic tires and the steering isn't great. She loves riding on it but I wish I'd spend my money on a trike that was sturdier. I bought my Grandson a Radio Flyer for his Birthday and was VERY happy with it. The sun shade is worthless, it was a bit windy when we took her for a walk and it just flew up in our face. Live and learn.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Little Tikes 3 in 1 Trike Purple
We purchased this trike for our daughter's 2nd birthday. We REALLY liked the idea of this product (color, shade, "stages", adult push handle), but were very disappointed when we started assembling the product. The main problem with the trike we received was the steering mechanism was binding up and the lock on the front was non-functional. This resulted in not being able to steer to the left with either the handle bars or the parent handle. We are really disappointed because our daughter really wanted a purple bike, but we ended up going to target at the last minute and picking up a radio flyer that was $25 cheaper and 1000X better engineered. I find that I usually disagree with the negative reviews on Amazon, but this time the negative reviews were spot on. It makes me wonder if we (and the others) got lemons, but either way I'm returning the product.Thursday, April 24, 2014
Cheap Topeak JoeBlow Pro Floor Bike Pump
List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $75.99
Today's Bonus: 24% Off
This is without a doubt the best bike pump I have ever owned. It never fails and fits both schrader and presta valve stems. My tires are tubular presta and I can't tell you what a nuisance it was fitting on the adapter. Not with this pump. It's almost effortless.Totally built to last. I inflate my tires to 125-130 PSI and it only takes several easy strokes to get there. Topeak makes great products. No nonsense. No cutting corners.
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Whether your bike tires use schrader or presta valves, this bike pump is very easy to use. The night it arrived, I immediately pumped up the tires in both of my bikes to 60psi and barely broke a sweat. The pressure guage that is attached to the frame is the ultimate in convenience. It is really nice to get the immediate feedback from the guage on just how much air is in those tires. I have even used this pump to add a bit of air into my car's tires--it's just that easy to use. I highly recommend this pump.Best Deals for Topeak JoeBlow Pro Floor Bike Pump
The Joeblow Pro Floor Bike Pump is by far the best floor pump I've ever used!I've been biking for 25+ years and have used many different floor pumps at many different events. The Joeblow Pro is very simple to use. You won't be disappointed with this pump!
Topeak products are all top of the line!
Honest reviews on Topeak JoeBlow Pro Floor Bike Pump
First head lasted about 6 months, had to pay Topeak to ship a new one. Second head lasted about 6 months. Heads work great untiul the seals stop sealing. Won't pay Topeak for another one. It's been used only on presta valves, about twice a week and well-cared for otherwise. Won't be buying another.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Topeak JoeBlow Pro Floor Bike Pump
Wow. No screwing around here. This pump is the top of the line. Easily inflated my 700 x 23 tires to 100 psi with no pressure leaks. Has a large, easy to read dial guage and a bleed-valve to get your pressure exact. SmartHead is awesome no more stupid adapters for my Presta valves (which contributed to leaks while inflating with other pumps.) Its heavy, it's chrome, it's solid. I love this thing. Worth every penny.Thursday, April 3, 2014
Kryptonite Evolution Mini Bike U-Lock Reviews
List Price: $61.95
Sale Price: $47.99
Today's Bonus: 23% Off
I bought the Mini U-Lock after using many different locks including a high end Kyrpotonite NYC chain lock. While the chain may offer more protection having a lock that weighs half as much as my bike, and requires a bag to carry it simply is not practical. The Kryptonite Evolution-Mini U-Lock, fits easily in my back jean pocket.
90% of the time, when riding in NYC I need a lock to keep my bike safe while I stop at a restaurant to have a cup of coffee or a meal. Usually I can even see my bike, so I need something strong and light. I ride a fixie so I use the U-Lock with a cable through the front wheel. Total weight is very small.
Would I trust the Kryptonite Evolution-Mini U-Lock to leave my bike while I went to a movie? Depends on the bike and where it is locked. I have done it. The Mini is not easy to get off, but of course it can be more easily attacked than the Kryptonite New York locks. But all the tests I have read show it is not an easy lock to remove because it is so small the there is no "bite" for tools. As far as the keys, same as it bigger brothers.
I really like the lock.
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I downgraded to this lock from New York Fahgettaboutit Mini (NYF). The inside diameter is about the same size only slightly smaller, but less than half the weight!Main reason for this choice of U Lock was for weight savings, mounting bracket, color, and small size. (it truly does fit anywhere)
Weight is almost not an issue no matter how you carry. Backpack, back Pocket, or Bracket are not a problem. The crushing weight of the NYF was unbearable. So hands down this is far nicer to ride around in.
I've read many reviews on how hard it is to get the lock out of the supplied bracket. I've been using this ulock daily in the bracket for 2 months. I have it mounted to my seat tube, and yet to experience a problem. It's been mounted so that I have about 3 inches of clearance from the top tube. When lifting the lock upwards it will gently bump into the top tube letting me quickly know the lock is free and ready to be removed. I've never pinched my fingers as some have claimed, or had to wrestle with the release of the bracket EVER. Maybe I got a newer designed bracket? Or maybe I'm not retarded and can use a ulock bracket correctly? The bracket is the main reason I got rid of my NYF (to large to have a bracket) and I LOVE IT, works as intended.
I hate to admit it but one of the most compelling reasons that I got this lock over the much cheaper and nearly identical ulock (series 2) was the bright orange color. I just love it, and it's been easier to spot my bike on the rack.
Using a commuter bike doesn't lend itself to being easily locked up by this ulock. But I knew that after using the NYF for a year. There are a few times I've had to be very creative on what I've locked the bike up to. But luckily there has always been something near by that has worked. If your concerned about wheels get a cable lock. I bought a 12mm cable lock to lock my GF bike to mine and it works just fine.
The BAD things I've noticed so far:
Bent foot design: I was spoiled with the NYF and able to lock it any way without looking (double bolt design). Now I have to make sure I get the bent foot into the right hole before locking up and leaving. This usually cost me and extra 2-6 seconds in lock up time, I'm sure it will speed up as I use it more.
Key: Poor design and not very strong, it looks to be using 1-2 tumblers less than the NYF so its even weaker key design! Never close to breaking it off yet, but if you don't take your time I can see how this would snap off on you. (TURN KEY SLOWLY and check for resistance!!!!)
Overall recommendations:
Looking for a small lightweight strong ulock that should last years this maybe the one for you. In all honesty if your on a budget just get the series 2 (gray lock) its basically the same. Series 2 has gray rubber, and is slightly longer (wont fit in your back pocket, so no hipster look). And after intense research found out it uses slightly softer metal. Takes 5 mins from cordless grinder to cut threw Evolution Mini, and 3.5 mins for series 2.
If they come out with a Evolution Mini with double bolt like the new Evolution 4 and NY line I will upgrade that's the only reason I would ever change ulocks because I hate this bent foot! (more of an annoyance then anything)
.... and it's not for a beach cruiser because the opening is to small. I have to use the cable to lock my GF bike to mine or else she would have to go lock-less.
Best Deals for Kryptonite Evolution Mini Bike U-Lock
The Evolution Mini is definitely a great lock. It's small, well built and is one of the highest rated bike locks on the market. It weighs about 2 lbs which isn't bad considering it's high rating of protection. The Evolution Mini can fit in your back pocket but be weary of the "E-Z Mounting Bracket". It's cheap and of questionable quality. Don't be surprised if the mounting bracket snaps in two or swings around when you hit a bump. (I don't use the mounting bracket because it's so crappy.)I like the fact that the Evolution Mini won't let you take the key out without it being properly locked. This feature is actually invaluable. You know for a fact that the lock is indeed locked tight the second you pull out the key. No second guessing or having to tug on the lock to make sure it's fully secured. Very nice.
Note: The keyhole can be a bit finicky if you don't insert the key all the way and properly. Just take your time and don't force it or you might break off the key.
The Evolution Mini is smaller than the average U-lock. This is an advantage in that the less space left open, the harder it is to use the empty space for cutting tools and leverage attacks. The only downside is that you can only fit your bike frame and one wheel when securing the bike to a bike rack/object. This leaves the other wheel vulnerable to theft if you don't take further precautions like using a bolt or pit lock instead of a quick release for that unlocked wheel or using a second lock or a cable. Oh, and in some situations, your options to lock the bike up might be limited due to the Mini's small size.
Another feature I like is the sliding keyhole cover. It protects the keyhole and the lock's innards from dust, dirt, ice, snow and anything else that could spell trouble for the keyhole.
The Evolution Mini only comes with 3 keys, one of which has a blue LED to help you find the keyhole in dark situations. I would have preferred 5 keys but Kryptonite does offer two FREE replacement keys if you register your lock online and submit a key replacement form which can be done online as well.
If you live in NYC then you can kiss any anti-theft claim/protection bye-bye! NYC is the only place on the planet that Kryptonite won't stand by it's products which is really pathetic so don't even consider the theft protection as a reason to purchase this lock if you live in NYC. Kryptonite wants to force you to purchase the most expensive, and the most heavy, Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit lock which weighs easily 5-6 lbs.! Not nice, Kyrptonite!
I would have happily given the Evolution Mini 5 stars had it not been for the cheap mounting bracket and Kryptonite not standing by it's anti-theft protection in NYC. (Shame on Kryptonite for such a poor mounting solution and not standing by it's product in NYC!!!)
Overall, I would highly recommend this lock to anyone looking for some of the best bike lock security available to date.
Honest reviews on Kryptonite Evolution Mini Bike U-Lock
The Evolution Mini is a good buy for the price. It it solid enough to provide ample security without the dead weight of the New York Lock. The quality control seems to vary on the keying mechanism, and it is sometimes difficult to engage the unlock mechanism. I've used another copy of this lock, which didn't have the same issue.I have also found out some information that is relevant to those who are interested in having multiple Kryptonite locks that are keyed alike. After purchasing this lock, and contacting Kryptonite to purchase a second lock keyed alike with my key-code, I was told that this can only be done if you purchase the locks together. You cannot order additional locks keyed alike to existing purchases.
To buy these locks or other Evolution locks keyed alike, you must purchase them directly from Kryptonite. Unfortunately they charge full retail, which is up to 50% more than what Amazon charges, with an additional $5 fee per EACH keyed alike lock. Not a very good deal for a mild convenience.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Kryptonite Evolution Mini Bike U-Lock
There is a serious flaw to these locks: the keys open multiple Kryptonite locks. I guess they were too cheap to manufacture unique key threads for each lock. After locking my bike up in a well lit area in front of a popular eatery, I returned 15 minutes later to find the lock still attached to bike hoop without my bike. Another reviewer mentioned this problem with Kryptonite locks in Amazon reviews. However, I didn't think much of it and regretfully purchased the Evolution Mini. Now I am out of a bike and stuck with a lock that too risky to use.I suggest you purchase some other lock than the Kryptonite Evolution Mini.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Reviews of 24" Adult Tricycle 6 Speed Trike
The bike was not assembled when I received it. The website did not indicate that assembly would be required. When I inquired for assembly instructions, they were quick to respond. However the instructions were not adequate to put the bike together which was in over 100 pieces. I eventually had to take it to a local bike shop for assembly. Since the bike has been assembled it has been so much fun to ride.
Assembly was a challenge. The instructions were for a different trike and gave you only a few instructions and they basically were useless. Since I am mechanically inclined and have worked on bikes all my life, I took the challenge to put it together myself. After alot of trial and error, mostly error, I got it together. The first thing I realized is that the seat with the back is entirely too small and I couldn't tighten the seat enough to keep it from moving. I bought a new seat and after closer examination I saw the back can be taken off. It is great to ride, but needs a little getting used to. You need to be careful so you don't get on slopes sideways, like the end of a driveway. It can easily be turned over, if not careful. A little leaning the right way helps. I look forward to riding it all over our development when the weather is nicer.
The shipper was very helpful. The web said that it didn't contain instructions and had to send for them I did that and they sent them the same day, by e-mail. They were for another trike. There were instructions in the box, but were the same as the e-mail. There was no color choice given,, but the company themselves called me and wondered what color I wanted. The package came a day before promised and had only a small tear in the box.
Amazon had a price of $409.90 and free shipping, but e-bay had them for $80.00 less but $80.00 shipping.
So far to me it is a great trike and am glad I can again get to riding.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
The frame is not straight: the pipe that holds the seat post is not properly aligned. The "self-locking nuts" used to assemble the frame had to be replaced; they stripped.Best Deals for 24" Adult Tricycle 6 Speed Trike
After spending literally days shopping for trikes on the web, as well as bike shops, I decided on this one for several reasons. It looks alittle stronger than some trikes, the price and free shipping and the six speeds.Assembly was a challenge. The instructions were for a different trike and gave you only a few instructions and they basically were useless. Since I am mechanically inclined and have worked on bikes all my life, I took the challenge to put it together myself. After alot of trial and error, mostly error, I got it together. The first thing I realized is that the seat with the back is entirely too small and I couldn't tighten the seat enough to keep it from moving. I bought a new seat and after closer examination I saw the back can be taken off. It is great to ride, but needs a little getting used to. You need to be careful so you don't get on slopes sideways, like the end of a driveway. It can easily be turned over, if not careful. A little leaning the right way helps. I look forward to riding it all over our development when the weather is nicer.
The shipper was very helpful. The web said that it didn't contain instructions and had to send for them I did that and they sent them the same day, by e-mail. They were for another trike. There were instructions in the box, but were the same as the e-mail. There was no color choice given,, but the company themselves called me and wondered what color I wanted. The package came a day before promised and had only a small tear in the box.
Amazon had a price of $409.90 and free shipping, but e-bay had them for $80.00 less but $80.00 shipping.
So far to me it is a great trike and am glad I can again get to riding.
Honest reviews on 24" Adult Tricycle 6 Speed Trike
The two pages of instructions were the worst I have ever seen. The forks to hold the back tires were bent as were the frames to hold the finders. The paint was peeling in five places, one on the front finder , one on one of the back finders and three on the frame. There were no papers to register the bike and no warranty.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 24" Adult Tricycle 6 Speed Trike
I purchased this bike for my husband that has trouble with his balance. His doing ok with the bike but needs more practice! Be careful riding on anything other than very flat surfaces, it WILL tip over. Love the Bell!!! and the basket.Friday, December 13, 2013
Discount Burley Tail Wagon Bike Trailer
My wife and I have a 35lb Corgi/Heeler mix that we wanted to bring with on our longer (20+ miles) bike rides. The longer rides are just too much for the poor dog to keep up with (especially with her stubby corgi legs) so something like the Walky Dog Bicycle Leash just wouldn't work (although I am considering getting one to exercise the dog on shorter bike rides).
So, we decided that the best solution would be some sort of a trailer that we can pull behind out bikes. We looked at the much less expensive Solvit trailers (Solvit 62341 HoundAbout Bicycle Pet Trailer, Large) but wanted something solidly built that would last us preferably through this dog and the next one. The Burley Tail Wagon fits the bill perfectly. The construction quality is top-notch, and it looks much better than the other cheaper trailers as well.
Assembling it was very easy, despite the instruction manual being EXTREMELY vague. Our dog is already kennel trained, so as soon as I had the trailer put together she got right in. Hitching it up to the bike wasn't an issue either and within about 30 minutes of taking the trailer out of the shipping box, the dog an I were off on a short 4 mile ride to test out the new setup. Needless to say, the dog LOVED it!
Pulling a trailer behind the bike doesn't affect handling at all, but it does make the bike feel heavier so accelerating is a bit more work. One also has to be mindful of turns and such (just like when pulling a trailer with a car), and make wider turns.
The Burley Tail Wagon offers MANY options in terms of riding configuration, going from completely enclosed, to completely open with everything in between as well. For our first ride, I had the top cover closed so that our dog was completely enclosed just in case she had any thoughts about jumping out. As she gets more used to it, I think we will be able to ride with the cover open so she can stick her head out. However, even with the cover closed, there is plenty of mesh so that the inside of the trailer never really gets warmer than the ambient temperature.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with our purchase, and I think that spending the extra money on the more expensive but better built Burley trailer was well worth it.
Some extra info:
The bike I use to pull the trailer is a Trek 7.3FX and the trailer works fine with 700mm wheels.
I also think this trailer would work fine for carrying cargo (much like the Burley Flatbed Bike Trailer) since it has a flat, hard floor. So as a bonus to having a trailer to bring the dog with, we also have a trailer that we can take to the grocery store, etc.
The construction is characteristically top-notch Burley. Right out of the box, all you have to do is pop up the frame, attach the quick release wheels, slide on the hitch, and you're ready to go. Mine was already on my bike within 20 minutes of first opening the box. There is ample ventilation for your dog, and the bottom floor is rigid and removable for cleaning. Also nice is the roll-away clear vinyl covers for the front and rear windows. The side battens are stiff and reinforced with dowel rods to prevent your dog from leaning into the sides and causing the material to rub against the wheels. I like the wheel protector bars that keep the trailer from snagging violently on any obstacles. The tail gate features two different configurations for the safety of your dog. One option allows you to keep the tail gate attached and allows quicker entry and exit, but may allow smaller dogs to push their way out through the opening. Our dog did this on his very first time in the trailer. Fortunately, Burley planned for this and suggests the 2nd option where you attach the tail gate on the outside of the main cover, which prevents the dog from escaping out the back. The only drawback is that it takes just a few seconds longer to get your dog in and out this way.
As for size, we have a 25 lb. mini Aussie and the trailer interior is perfect for him. I'd say this trailer would work well for dogs up to about 40 lbs, but to me it looks like it would be a bit too small and cramped for dogs much taller than 18" at the withers (shoulders). The reason being, the way the top tapers down at the front and rear, there's actually only a very small portion of the interior that is at full height. Our other dog, who is 75 lbs and about 22" tall would definitely NOT fit in this trailer. I'd say dogs roughly the size of average border collies would be maximum for this... dogs as big as labs or shepherds would probably be much too large for this trailer. If you have a large dog, you may want to consider a different trailer, or different option altogether.
My only issues with this trailer have to do with the little accessories that come with it, versus the ones that are offered separately. First off, the instruction manual talks about the included blinky light and light mount, but mine did not actually come with that... not sure why not. Maybe it was just an oversight when they packed it. Also included is a safety flag (which I suppose is nice if you don't mind those), and the detachable handle for when you convert the trailer into stroller mode. The inclusion of this large, awkward handle assembly is confusing to me because you still have to order the small front wheel separately if you want to use this option. Without that little stroller wheel for the front of the hitch, the handle assembly is useless. SUGGESTION TO BURLEY: Instead of the stroller handle, why not include the kickstand attachment? That seems to make much more sense to me as a practical accessory if you're going to include one. The kickstand would definitely come in handy for when you want to introduce your dog to the trailer and train him to get in and out on command. Otherwise, you have to either prop the front up on a sturdy raised surface, or go ahead and attach it to your bike. If you have a dog that is completely new to something like this, having an unstable trailer or one that may shift around while attached to a bike could be detrimental to getting them comfortable with the trailer.
It is a well built trailer and tracks well behind my Easy Racer Ti-Rush Recumbent. The trailer seems to be sturdy and material the cover is made out of appears to be durable. So far I have found this to be true.
When shopping for a trailer for my dogs I wanted to make sure that the floor and sides were secure. I have found these to be adequate and the floor is raised slightly above the axle so it makes the ride smoother for the animals.
I also wanted a way to separate them from one another in the trailer. The Burley does have a flexible divider wall. There probably could be some improvement made in this area.
One of my dogs is a Basenji so he is kind of an escape artist. I want to make sure he is leashed in so he does not go anywhere. I think this is something that might be addressed better by Burley.
I do not know if I have the newer or an older model of the Tail Wagon because mine did not come with the exterior Wheel Guards.
Security when you lock up your bike and trailer is always of a concern. It will cost you additional money but I feel for the price that is being charged for the Burley Trailer they could have included these few items I am mentioning below a better value.
1. While the Wheels are quick release they could have been locking skewers so when parked, attached or unattached to a bike the wheels would have some way to prevent them from being stolen.
2. Along the lines of security a lock designed for the hitch where the trailer towing arm attaches to the bike to also help prevent someone from stealing it when the bike is parked.
3. A hole or ring welded on the trailer to pass a lock or cable through to lock the trailer securely to a pole.
While I know its impossible to make a trailer or bike completely secure, these are a few suggesting to protect a $399 trailer.
There also does not seem to be any way to lock the pockets or zippers on the trailer itself . This could be achieved in the same way luggage is set up to be locked. While I agree that no trailer or fabric is going to be secure proof at least the attempt would allow a person to lock up a dog water bowl or biking shoes inside.
I also think the pocket design might be improved to fit a pair of walking shoes, a couple of fresh water bottles and a dog bowl. You have to stick some of this stuff inside the trailer with the dogs or have another type of carrier on your bike because the pockets are very small. Water bottles could be easily sewn into the sides at a low cost.
While a safety light mounts on the trailer I chose to mount a flashing red light on the removable stroller handle that is included. This puts the light closer to the field of vision that a driver would see in the car and will improve your safety. Mounting one on the lower part of the trailer is virtually worthless in my opinion.
Last but least, I think Burley could have included a couple of Marathon Plus puncture resistant tires. If they are not made in the 16 " size then offer 20" 406 wheels as an option. I would suggest any owner of a dog trailer carry an extra tube and a patch kit for emergencies.
All in all this is a great trailer that tows very well. I am just suggesting that with a little more thought and a few options that could be offered this trailer could be made better.
Jason
Good airflow for the dog.
Comes with D rings to attach leash to.
Floating trailer hitch is well thought out and performs well.
Folds up easily.
Low pressure tires (40 #'s) never get flats.
Replacement tubes available from any walmart.
Cons: Wheels can be hard to take off.
The trailer creates a huge amount of drag. Expect it to slow you down by 20 to 25%. Touring bike recommended.
Kickstand is not included.
Dog can easily escape from the back of the trailer if he is not leashed in.
Trailer is quite noisy especially once you have had it for a while.
Lots of rolling resistance with low pressure tires.
Really need some kind of kickstand for the bike itself. You can lay the bike flat and the hitch will rotate but I did not like doing this to the hitch.
Overall I love this trailer and my dog gets to go with me on almost every ride now. I did the Oklahoma freewheel ride and managed to pull my dog over 400 miles in 6 days with no problems from this trailer.
So, we decided that the best solution would be some sort of a trailer that we can pull behind out bikes. We looked at the much less expensive Solvit trailers (Solvit 62341 HoundAbout Bicycle Pet Trailer, Large) but wanted something solidly built that would last us preferably through this dog and the next one. The Burley Tail Wagon fits the bill perfectly. The construction quality is top-notch, and it looks much better than the other cheaper trailers as well.
Assembling it was very easy, despite the instruction manual being EXTREMELY vague. Our dog is already kennel trained, so as soon as I had the trailer put together she got right in. Hitching it up to the bike wasn't an issue either and within about 30 minutes of taking the trailer out of the shipping box, the dog an I were off on a short 4 mile ride to test out the new setup. Needless to say, the dog LOVED it!
Pulling a trailer behind the bike doesn't affect handling at all, but it does make the bike feel heavier so accelerating is a bit more work. One also has to be mindful of turns and such (just like when pulling a trailer with a car), and make wider turns.
The Burley Tail Wagon offers MANY options in terms of riding configuration, going from completely enclosed, to completely open with everything in between as well. For our first ride, I had the top cover closed so that our dog was completely enclosed just in case she had any thoughts about jumping out. As she gets more used to it, I think we will be able to ride with the cover open so she can stick her head out. However, even with the cover closed, there is plenty of mesh so that the inside of the trailer never really gets warmer than the ambient temperature.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with our purchase, and I think that spending the extra money on the more expensive but better built Burley trailer was well worth it.
Some extra info:
The bike I use to pull the trailer is a Trek 7.3FX and the trailer works fine with 700mm wheels.
I also think this trailer would work fine for carrying cargo (much like the Burley Flatbed Bike Trailer) since it has a flat, hard floor. So as a bonus to having a trailer to bring the dog with, we also have a trailer that we can take to the grocery store, etc.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
When we were looking for a dog-specific bike trailer, I first went to Burley's product line because I had previously owned their Nomad cargo trailer. I was impressed by the design and quality of that trailer, so I knew this Tail Wagon would be no different. Burley's aren't cheap, but in my experience, you always get what you pay for with their products. Still, I wanted to shop around. A friend at my local bike shop suggested that I look at a few different product lines that also make dog trailers, and they were indeed much cheaper, but the reviews were all over the map plus I just didn't care for the look of other brands' offerings. In the end, I bit the bullet on the Burley, and couldn't be happier.The construction is characteristically top-notch Burley. Right out of the box, all you have to do is pop up the frame, attach the quick release wheels, slide on the hitch, and you're ready to go. Mine was already on my bike within 20 minutes of first opening the box. There is ample ventilation for your dog, and the bottom floor is rigid and removable for cleaning. Also nice is the roll-away clear vinyl covers for the front and rear windows. The side battens are stiff and reinforced with dowel rods to prevent your dog from leaning into the sides and causing the material to rub against the wheels. I like the wheel protector bars that keep the trailer from snagging violently on any obstacles. The tail gate features two different configurations for the safety of your dog. One option allows you to keep the tail gate attached and allows quicker entry and exit, but may allow smaller dogs to push their way out through the opening. Our dog did this on his very first time in the trailer. Fortunately, Burley planned for this and suggests the 2nd option where you attach the tail gate on the outside of the main cover, which prevents the dog from escaping out the back. The only drawback is that it takes just a few seconds longer to get your dog in and out this way.
As for size, we have a 25 lb. mini Aussie and the trailer interior is perfect for him. I'd say this trailer would work well for dogs up to about 40 lbs, but to me it looks like it would be a bit too small and cramped for dogs much taller than 18" at the withers (shoulders). The reason being, the way the top tapers down at the front and rear, there's actually only a very small portion of the interior that is at full height. Our other dog, who is 75 lbs and about 22" tall would definitely NOT fit in this trailer. I'd say dogs roughly the size of average border collies would be maximum for this... dogs as big as labs or shepherds would probably be much too large for this trailer. If you have a large dog, you may want to consider a different trailer, or different option altogether.
My only issues with this trailer have to do with the little accessories that come with it, versus the ones that are offered separately. First off, the instruction manual talks about the included blinky light and light mount, but mine did not actually come with that... not sure why not. Maybe it was just an oversight when they packed it. Also included is a safety flag (which I suppose is nice if you don't mind those), and the detachable handle for when you convert the trailer into stroller mode. The inclusion of this large, awkward handle assembly is confusing to me because you still have to order the small front wheel separately if you want to use this option. Without that little stroller wheel for the front of the hitch, the handle assembly is useless. SUGGESTION TO BURLEY: Instead of the stroller handle, why not include the kickstand attachment? That seems to make much more sense to me as a practical accessory if you're going to include one. The kickstand would definitely come in handy for when you want to introduce your dog to the trailer and train him to get in and out on command. Otherwise, you have to either prop the front up on a sturdy raised surface, or go ahead and attach it to your bike. If you have a dog that is completely new to something like this, having an unstable trailer or one that may shift around while attached to a bike could be detrimental to getting them comfortable with the trailer.
Best Deals for Burley Tail Wagon Bike Trailer
Considering the price of fuel, I purchased one of the Burley Tail Wagon's to use for transporting my dogs to the local park 6 miles away for their daily walks.It is a well built trailer and tracks well behind my Easy Racer Ti-Rush Recumbent. The trailer seems to be sturdy and material the cover is made out of appears to be durable. So far I have found this to be true.
When shopping for a trailer for my dogs I wanted to make sure that the floor and sides were secure. I have found these to be adequate and the floor is raised slightly above the axle so it makes the ride smoother for the animals.
I also wanted a way to separate them from one another in the trailer. The Burley does have a flexible divider wall. There probably could be some improvement made in this area.
One of my dogs is a Basenji so he is kind of an escape artist. I want to make sure he is leashed in so he does not go anywhere. I think this is something that might be addressed better by Burley.
I do not know if I have the newer or an older model of the Tail Wagon because mine did not come with the exterior Wheel Guards.
Security when you lock up your bike and trailer is always of a concern. It will cost you additional money but I feel for the price that is being charged for the Burley Trailer they could have included these few items I am mentioning below a better value.
1. While the Wheels are quick release they could have been locking skewers so when parked, attached or unattached to a bike the wheels would have some way to prevent them from being stolen.
2. Along the lines of security a lock designed for the hitch where the trailer towing arm attaches to the bike to also help prevent someone from stealing it when the bike is parked.
3. A hole or ring welded on the trailer to pass a lock or cable through to lock the trailer securely to a pole.
While I know its impossible to make a trailer or bike completely secure, these are a few suggesting to protect a $399 trailer.
There also does not seem to be any way to lock the pockets or zippers on the trailer itself . This could be achieved in the same way luggage is set up to be locked. While I agree that no trailer or fabric is going to be secure proof at least the attempt would allow a person to lock up a dog water bowl or biking shoes inside.
I also think the pocket design might be improved to fit a pair of walking shoes, a couple of fresh water bottles and a dog bowl. You have to stick some of this stuff inside the trailer with the dogs or have another type of carrier on your bike because the pockets are very small. Water bottles could be easily sewn into the sides at a low cost.
While a safety light mounts on the trailer I chose to mount a flashing red light on the removable stroller handle that is included. This puts the light closer to the field of vision that a driver would see in the car and will improve your safety. Mounting one on the lower part of the trailer is virtually worthless in my opinion.
Last but least, I think Burley could have included a couple of Marathon Plus puncture resistant tires. If they are not made in the 16 " size then offer 20" 406 wheels as an option. I would suggest any owner of a dog trailer carry an extra tube and a patch kit for emergencies.
All in all this is a great trailer that tows very well. I am just suggesting that with a little more thought and a few options that could be offered this trailer could be made better.
Jason
Honest reviews on Burley Tail Wagon Bike Trailer
I have an Australian Cattle Dog(about 50 lb)and I take her everywhere. Usually she would just run along side when I went on a bike ride, but she recently tore a ligament in her knee so now her bike side running days are over. I bike everywhere I go and I didn't want to leave her behind so I bought the Tail Wagon and we both love it. This thing is really well made, very light(about 10 lbs lighter than competing brands), folds up easily. Also, cars tend to give you a wider berth on the road. It does make you ride quite a bit differently, so use caution and go slow around corners, I've already flipped it once from going too fast. Don't worry dog's OK. I highly recommend this trailer. It may be a bit pricey but I use it every day and I think it's durability will make it well worth the cost. Enjoy.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Burley Tail Wagon Bike Trailer
Pros: Easy to load the dog from the backGood airflow for the dog.
Comes with D rings to attach leash to.
Floating trailer hitch is well thought out and performs well.
Folds up easily.
Low pressure tires (40 #'s) never get flats.
Replacement tubes available from any walmart.
Cons: Wheels can be hard to take off.
The trailer creates a huge amount of drag. Expect it to slow you down by 20 to 25%. Touring bike recommended.
Kickstand is not included.
Dog can easily escape from the back of the trailer if he is not leashed in.
Trailer is quite noisy especially once you have had it for a while.
Lots of rolling resistance with low pressure tires.
Really need some kind of kickstand for the bike itself. You can lay the bike flat and the hitch will rotate but I did not like doing this to the hitch.
Overall I love this trailer and my dog gets to go with me on almost every ride now. I did the Oklahoma freewheel ride and managed to pull my dog over 400 miles in 6 days with no problems from this trailer.
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