Bikes
Q: What kind of bikes do you recommend for biking with dogs?
A: For strong energetic dogs I always recommend mountain bikes with good hand brakes to both wide wheels. Beach, recumbent, comfort and cross roads type bikes work great as well. However, for best control, especially with multiple dogs, the bike should have a wide, aggressive knobby off road rear tire.
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Q: Will BTL mount on Mountain Bikes
A: Yes, The Bike Tow leash works with disc brakes. This link; https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zvTN0Qevhl4kxp0U6bFv6pkdoubKQlsm9GLzCu9qX_U/edit?usp=sharing will show you installation options for bikes, trikes, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. It is an alphabetic listing for left and right side installation listed alphabetically by make and model number. We have not found a bike we couldn’t fit so contact us. Follow this link for mounting templates and some of our installation instructions:
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Q: I would like to use your product on a Diggler Dirt Dawg scooter? Please let me know if that is possible. Thanks!
A: Yes, the BTL works on a Diggler and other kick bikes. It clamps against the forward edge of the rear axle on either side of the scooter. As with bicycles, be sure to keep weight on the scooter with dog attached.
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Typical kick type bikes
Q: Can you ride more than one dog at a time with the Bike Tow Leash?
A: Yes, you have a couple options for riding multiple dogs. 1) You can install a second BTL on the other side of you bike. Or 2) You can use our Dog Coupler to attach the second dog’s collar to the faster pulling dog’s collar. The faster dog will be attached directly to the BTL so you slip your brakes to slow the pace to keep from dragging the slower dog. Our patented, Dog Coupler prevents tripping and tangling while taking advantage of the many safety features of the BTL. The Dog Coupler is available on our accessories tab.
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Q: Our trails are very busy, can I use the Bike Tow Leash on the right side of my bike?
A: Yes, the BTL can be mounted on either side of your bike. Just install it, and adjust the mast height so it is pointing forward. There are many mounting options detailed with photos in the instructions. We’ve not found a bike we couldn’t fit, so contact us if you have any questions or difficulty. Also, if you'd like you can add the Right Hand Side Attachment FREE of charge in the accessories with your BTL order.
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Q: What makes the Dog Coupler work so well compared to a simple rope or bungee cord?
A: Extensive and continuing testing reveals several reasons our patented Dog Coupler works best: The DC provides a multiple spring constant spacer between the dogs that comfortably reaches around the dogs head. The first inch of “pull and push” length change requires less than a pound of force. The second inch and beyond requires much more. This, as in proper leash training, rewards the dogs for proper positioning the correct distance apart, beside each other and the bike. A simple rope will droop and tangle when loose same with a bungee cord. Dog nature is to resist against a tight leash so the tendency is to stretch a bungee cord out fully and continue to pull against it. Sideways pulling against one another dramatically increases paw pad wear and tearing. Once torn your dogs will have to stop riding for awhile and/or wear booties for awhile. So best fo avoid doubling up the dogs without our Dog Coupler.
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Q: Is there a way to walk all three of my dogs at once.
A: Yes, to walk 3 dogs at once, you would mount a BTL on both sides of your bike, trike, scooter or chair and use (1) Dog Coupler from our Accessories page.
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Q: What type of bike frame do you recommend for riding with your Bike Tow Leash (carbon, aluminum, hybrid etc.?
A: All frame materials will work. I enjoy riding our dogs with carbon, steel and aluminum bikes. However, for strong pulling dogs, the less expensive heavier steel and aluminum frames provides a smoother ride and better workout for both you and your dog(s). Don’t worry about your bike’s finish. The plastic coated BTL clamp protects your bike’s paint.
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Trikes:
Q: I have dog that is a strong puller. Do I need a trike to ride with him?
A: The BTL will provide all the stability you need for the dogs pulling on a regular bicycle. However, if you are not stable riding a bike, then a trike is a great way to go.
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Q: What type and makes of Adult Trikes do the Adult Trike Adapter work on?
A: The Adult Trike adapter works on trikes with two rear wheels. Makes and models include; Schwinn Meridian, Sun SX, Torker Tristar HD, Belize Bicycle Tri-Rider Comfort Trike, Kentex and Worksman. Trikes having a single rear wheel, tadpole type, do not require the Adult Trike Adapter. Some tadpole makes are: TerraTrike, ICE, Ti-Trikes, Green Speed, Trident and Catrike,
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Q: What makes of recumbent, Tadpole type, two wheels in front, trikes do BTLs attach to?
A: On tadpole type trikes, two front wheels, the BTL attaches like on a bicycle just ahead of the rear axle without an Adult Trike Adapter. So far we haven’t found a recumbent trike that the BTL won’t fit. The BTL has easily installed on; Cattrike Road, ICE Sprint RS, TerraTrike Rover, Ti-Trikes, Trident Stowaway II, Green Speed and more…CLICK on the FIT Chart link at the top of this page and scroll down to TRIKES for more trike fitting information.
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Q: Hi, I am interested in buying the bike tow leash for my adult tricycle, but I don’t know how it would attach to the trike.
A: The BTL is attached to trikes having two rear wheels using the Adult Trike Adapter. Find it on our accessories page. Measure your axle tube here. Tube sizes from . 1 ½ in. dia. or [3.8 cm] to 1 5/8 or [41 mm] fit our standard trike adapter. If your trike has a larger tube when you order email us the diameter.
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Q: What size axle tubes does the Adult Trike Adapter fit and how do I measure it?
A: We can make several sizes. The most common and our standard size is 1 ½ inches diameter or 4 ¾ inch Circumference. Measure circumference by wrapping a measuring tape around the axle tube.
If you have a different size axle tube contact us with size make and model of your adult trike.
We can make other sizes to fit your trike.
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Mobility Scooters:
Q: Where does the Bike Tow Leash mount on Mobility Scooters?
A: Each BTL comes with mobility scooter mounting instructions. The BTL usually clamps on to the arm rest support or the seat back hinge. The standard clamp usually works. It can clamp up to 1inch thickness with a bolt spacing of 2.6 inches. Other clamps are available to accommodate any special needs. Check out our accessories page. If you don’t see what you need, just contact us.
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Q: Do I use the standard bike length Bike Tow Leash with my mobility scooter or the shorter wheelchair version?
A: If you plan to only walk your dog out doors, use the standard length BTL. If for indoor use, use the shorter wheelchair version.
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Wheelchairs:
Q: Where does the BTL attach on a manual wheelchair?
A: Typically the BTL mounts on the round tubes near the front caster on either side with a special clamp for round tubes. Contact us with chair make and tube sizes, photos help, prior to ordering.
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Q: Why is there a special Bike Tow Leash shortened for Wheelchairs?
A: When indoors, the dog needs to be closer and because chairs are shorter than bikes, we keep the dog farther back to avoid being pinched by front caster wheels.
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Power Chairs:
Q: Where does the Bike Tow Leash attach to power chairs?
A: The BTL usually attaches toward the rear of power chairs to allow your dog to get fully behind you through narrow doorways. It can clamp on any surfaces such as armrest supports, lift or tiedown anchors, seat rails etc.
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Q: What size and shape can the standard BTL clamp attach to?
A: The standard clamp will clamp up to 1” thick objects as tall as 2.1 inches with the bolts above and below the part. With a bolt inbetween two tubes, the standard clamp will clamp up to 3 ¾ inches tall. For single round clamping, see the clamps on our accessories tab.
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Q: My dog and I love our BTL but while cycling today with my dog it broke today! Can it be fixed?
A: Yes! Check out our warranty or purchase a refurbishment to make your BTL almost like new!
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