Instructions for Instep Bicycle Trailer

cute baby on bike image by .shock from Fotolia.com

Instep makes a line of bike trailers that let you take your kids on your rides. Before you use your trailer, make sure it has been properly assembled. Also take time to plan a route that will be safe and comfortable for your kids. Stay away from busy streets and uneven terrain. Keep your trips short at first so your kids have time to adjust to the feel of the trailer. When your kids are safe and comfortable, they'll be enthusiastic about going for rides.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Instep trailer
Compatible bike
Instep trailer assembly instructions
Bike pump

Step 1

Assemble the trailer canopy. Lift each side of the canopy. With all sides up, pull the walls together and click each panel in place.

Step 2

Extend the tow bar into place. Unlock the pin on the tow bar's bracket. Pivot the bar so it faces forward. Reattach the pin, making sure it locks into place.

Step 3

Attach the rear wheels to the rear brackets. If your Instep trailer comes with a front wheel, you will not need it when you hook the trailer to your bike. You will hear each wheel click into place.

Step 4

Inflate the tires to the appropriate PSI. You will find the PSI range written on the tire's sidewall.

Step 5

Remove the skewer from the rear wheel of your bike. Steady your bike so the wheel doesn't shift in the dropouts when you remove the skewer.

Step 6

Replace your bike's skewer with the Instep skewer. Put it through the hub with the tab washer hook on the left side of the bike.

Step 7

Add the spring on the opposite side of the skewer, followed by the nut. Lock the skewer in place, making sure the tab washer hook sits in the dropouts.

Step 8

Connect the tow bar to the large hole on the left side of the skewer. Take the Q/R pin on the tow bar around the top of the the tow bar and connect it to the other side.

Step 9

Connect the safety loop around the rear of your bike frame and clip it to the D ring on the tow bar. This keeps the trailer connected to the bike should the connection to the skewer fail.

Tips & Warnings

Always follow assembly instructions provided in your owner's manual.

If you have trouble assembling your Instep Trailer, take it with your bike to your local bike shop for help.

Resources

Consumer Reports: Bike seats and trailers for children

Article Written By Kathrine Cole

Kathrine Cole is a professional outdoor educator. She teaches rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, and bike maintenance classes. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.

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