Having the TowWhee means that kids can pretty much do the same sort of routes that adults do. It’s very liberating and exciting for everyone involved.
- Price: £49.99 inc. carabiner and quick-loop (Singletrack members get FREE UK postage and a discount)
- From: STW Shop
I’ve owned a TowWhee for four or five years now. My kids are now six and nine years old. I use the TowWhee for both of them. I use it with the nine year old when it’s just me and them out on a ride. I use it with the six year old when we’re all out on a (slightly less full-on) ride.
Yes, it is expensive. That is often literally the price you pay when something is very much a tool for the job. A relatively specific job.
Yes, you can do a similar thing with a bit of climbing rope or even a dog lead. And it works to a degree. But the TowWhee is better. For two reasons.
It’s very stretchy. And it’s very quick to use.
It’s very elastic. At rest it’s 56 inches long. At full extension it’s 180 inches long. This stretchy nature reduces the jerkiness (for both the adult tower and the child towee).
This means younger kids don’t panic or get frightened so much. And the adult has a gentler/easier start when setting off.
The lack of jerking also means that it’s much more viable to do actual off-road ascents with it. This is a tow rope that works on rough climbs. The child is not forced to ride at the pace of the adult, and vice-versa. Either of the riders can go slow for second (or put a quick pedal spurt on) and it doesn’t mess up the other rider’s handling.
The impressive stretchiness, combined with the tough canvassy outer material, means there’s not much chance of the TowWhee getting snagged in the adult’s rear wheel. It’s never happened to me. Occasionally you can hear the TowWhee buzz on the rear tyre but nothing untoward happens.
The carabiner and quick-loop make life a lot less faffy too. Loop the quick-loop around the kid’s headtube and then, once riding, all you have to do is operate the carabiner to attach-remove the TowWhee. The other end of the TowWhee slips over the nose of the adult’s saddle, in case you were wondering.
What to do with the TowWhee when riding but not in use can be an issue. You can keep stashing/removing it from a backpack/hip-pack (getting the child to help is the answer here). Or, you can do what I do, and wear the TowWhee like a scarf, tucking it inside your jersey/jacket.
A surprising thing about the TowWhee is that it has actually improved my kids’ climbing abilities. Particularly, off-road. Having some assistance affords the child the chance to learn how to deal with technical terrain without being totally overwhelmed by dang physics.
They also get fitter. Like with e-bikes, the kids are still pedalling back there. They can’t help it. It’s easier to balance – and more involving for them – if they pedal whilst being towed.
My kids are fitter and better at mountain biking because of the TowWhee.
Climbing off-road is hard. Very hard. With kids or beginner riders, the first climb can often kill the whole ride. Especially if you live somewhere with significant hills.
Having the TowWhee means that kids can pretty much do the same sort of routes that adults do. It’s very liberating and exciting for everyone involved.
The TowWhee is right up there with the best things I’ve ever bought for biking.
Also read: 6 Ways to Help Your Kids Love Cycling
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