Parent-Child Tandem - Non-Standard Connection

This instructable is relevant only if you have a FollowMe-Tandem (or Family-Cycling) parent-child bicycle connector and the two standard options for connecting the system to your bicycle don't work.

This weekend project has been documented in two Instructables. The twin Instructable can be found in the Non-Standard Child Bicycle Fit to Tandem with Adult Bike.

In Step 1 of this Instructable the FollowMe Parent-Child-Tandem is being introduced. Steps 2 and 3 explain how I managed to fix the FollowMe-Tandem to a towing bicycle in a non-standard manner (the standard ways didn't work). Finally, in Step 4 some words are being spent on the license of this Instructable.

Step 1: FollowMe Parent-Child-Tandem

The FollowMe parent-child tandem is a device for attaching a child's bicycle to an adult's bicycle. It allows to take a child with you on its own bike on busier roads in a safer way. Once you're in a more quiet area (parks, separate bicycle lanes, etc.) the bike can be decoupled easily and the child can continue on its own bike. It is a well-designed system by a Swiss manufacturer, which has two other innovative products available: a single-wheel kids carrier and single-wheel cargo carrier.

The next step elaborates on the standard and non-standard ways of connecting the tandem device to the towing bike.

Step 2: Fixing the FollowMe-Tandem to the Towing Bicycle in a Non-Standard Manner

The two standard options for fixing the system to the towing bike are:

1. Adding a special nut on the rear axle. This is the easiest way, it works with quick-release skewers and with wheel nuts. This didn't work in my case because the axle of the rear wheel (with integrated electrical motor) was too thick for the nuts available (M10x1 [spare part 121011] and 3/8”x26G [spare part 121012]). 

2. Adding an adapter [spare part 121050]. This option didn't work in my case because it interfered with the luggage carrier: it simply didn't fit. Crucial in this was the U-shaped connector, with a centre-to-centre distance of 16.4 cm (6.5 in).

As I didn't have an appropriate thread-cutting tool and also didn't want to change the luggage carrier I used an alternative approach, which is being documented in this instructable for the few people that might run into a similar situation:

3. Using a spindle to connect the special nut through the manufactured holes near the axle in the bicycle frame. If you're lucky these holes simply are available in your frame. If not, you might be able to drill them (I didn't try this so I'm not sure what problems you run into).

In the next step this third option is being explained in more detail.

Step 3: Attach the Special Nut in the Frame Hole

The axle I used was left from my earlier Instructable on a Bike Rim Chandelier. It fitted into the special nut and also in the frame opening.

The next step elaborates on the CC-BY license applying to this Instructable.

Step 4: License

This Instructable is being made available through a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license.

Republishing this Instructable is allowed, provided it is being attributed properly (cite the name openproducts, link to www.openproducts.org, www.instructables.com/member/openproducts, or the original Instructable. For other arrangements send a Private Message through the instructables member page (www.instructables.com/member/openproducts).

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