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TRAX PRO vs TRAX FLEX

Bicycle tows or systems for towing bicycles have become popular in recent years with the rise of this sport and the approach of outdoor sports to the little ones.

The emergence and standardization of electric bicycles has also led to an increase in the popularity of bicycle towing systems.

In this entry we are going to compare the 2 bicycle towing systems offered by the TRAX brand. The TRAX PRO and the TRAX FLEX.

Before the comparison we are going to make a brief explanation of each of the products and their characteristics:

TRAX PRO:

The TRAX PRO consists of a self-retracting system that houses a 2.3m HDPE cable that, hooked to one of the 2 bicycles, allows the other bicycle to be towed when necessary, or to be automatically retracted when not in use.

The TRAX PRO can be installed in less than a minute on any bicycle without the use of tools and allows the towed bicycle to be hitched and unhitched in less than 1 second and without having to stop.

The simplicity of the TRAX PRO system results in a weight of only 130g. This weight makes it go unnoticed when mounted on the bike, or allows it to be carried in a backpack or jersey in case of emergency.

TRAX FLEX:

The TRAX FLEX is an elastic strap designed for towing a bicycle with another bicycle.

As it is a much simpler system and only made of high-quality textile material, a very light and compact product is achieved, weighing only 50g and when folded it can fit in a pants pocket.

However, its simplicity makes it somewhat less practical when it comes to hooking and unhooking it since every time it has to be used it is necessary to stop driving to hook it up or unhook it.

COMPARISON

The 2 TRAX brand tugs are designed for both adults and children and also to be used with ebikes (electric bicycles).

In terms of usability, the TRAX PRO stands out for its practicality when it comes to hooking and unhooking. Furthermore, when not in use, the TRAX PRO hangs on the bike and has no influence on driving.

In terms of lightness and carrying comfort, the TRAX FLEX gains territory since it is a completely soft product that weighs only 50g. So carrying it in a pocket as an emergency accessory may be more suitable.

In summary, the 2 products are a solution to the same problem, which depending on the use that is going to be given to it, one or the other may be more convenient.

Below is a comparative table of the 2:

It is indisputable that nowadays, screens have taken over our lives and also the little ones. Screens have come to provide many good things, but without responsible use of them, they can end up being very harmful to our lives and our health. Practicing sports is a good alternative to the sedentary lifestyle that comes from excessive use of screens, and if it is also practiced outdoors, the benefits it brings to our health are many.

Offering attractive outdoor sports activities for children is the responsibility of adults and it is for this reason that we wanted to review some of the many benefits it can bring them:

• Improved physical health: Outdoor exercise helps children stay active and fit. Running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoors contributes to a healthy lifestyle and helps prevent childhood obesity.
• Strengthening the immune system: Being outdoors exposes children to sunlight and fresh air, which can strengthen their immune system and reduce the risk of illness.
• Motor Skill Development: Playing outdoors encourages the development of gross and fine motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, climbing and balancing.
  Reduction of stress and anxiety: Contact with nature and physical activity outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety in children, promoting their emotional well-being.
• Improved mood and concentration: Exposure to natural light and engaging in outdoor physical activity can increase serotonin and endorphin levels, improving mood and concentration.
• Promoting teamwork and socialization: Playing outdoors encourages teamwork and social interaction among children. They learn to share, cooperate, resolve conflicts, and develop friendships while participating in outdoor games and activities.
• Connection to nature: Time spent outdoors helps children develop a connection with nature, which can increase their appreciation for the environment and encourage respectful behaviors toward it in the future.
• Encouraging creativity and imagination: The outdoor environment offers unlimited opportunities for children to explore, discover and use their imagination. They can invent games, build forts, explore the local flora and fauna, and much more.

In short, outdoor sports are not only fun for children, but are also essential for their physical, emotional and social health, as well as their overall development.

As soon as the kids feel confident balancing on the bike, it’s time to incorporate a TRAX tug on our routes.

(In case you are not yet at this point, we recommend reading the article “10 TIPS FOR TEACHING TO RIDE A BIKE” of this blog).

The use of TRAX trailers, unlike conventional rigid trailers, provides a series of very interesting advantages in the process of learning to ride a bicycle for children:

1. Balance all along the route: TRAX trailers allow children to practise balancing on the bike at all times, even when we are towing them.
2. More quality time: As with any learning process, the more time we spend on it, the faster we evolve. The use of TRAX trailers will allow us to venture on longer outings or excursions with the guarantee that in case of exhaustion of the little ones, we will have the resources to reach the destination.
3. More autonomy: The ease with which the TRAX tugs are hooked and unhooked allows the kids to use it only when they feel like it. And when they want to, they are free to make their own way with the bike.
4. We maximise the fun part: Being able to be towed on the longest or steepest slopes removes the most negative part of the introduction to cycling. This allows the kids to focus on the fun part of the activity and thus gain enthusiasm and enjoyment for this type of outdoor activity.
5. Transmission of values and adult-child connection: Although we help the children to overcome the most difficult parts of the route with the use of the TRAX tugs, we are transmitting the values of effort, companionship, collaboration, coordination, etc., and this generates a great connection between the adult and the child.

Learning to ride a bicycle is something that almost everyone has done and many of us remember the first time we felt able to balance on the 2 wheels.

However, most of us have learned it when we were very young and we are not aware of the process or the keys that can make the learning process easier.

It is also true that the bicycle sector has evolved a lot in recent years and currently the process of learning to ride a bike has changed a lot with the appearance of “balance bikes” (bicycles without pedals), and the use of training wheels is increasingly scarce and less and less recommended for the process.

The fundamental key in any learning process is to have good support in the process and it is for this reason that we are going to review 10 keys that can help us accompany the little ones to make their first pedal strokes on 2 wheels:

Choose the right bike:

Make sure that the bicycle is the right size for the cyclist. It is important that for the first pedaling the feet touch the ground well to maintain balance. Do not mount training wheels on the bicycle. The training wheels delay the process of maintaining balance, which currently with the use of pedalless bicycles is something that the little ones already have integrated. It is important to check first that the bicycle brakes are adequate and allow the little ones to stop the bicycle safely when necessary.

Safety first:

Emphasize the importance of wearing a helmet and other safety equipment.

Find a safe, open, flat area, such as an empty parking lot or a quiet street.

Balance and coordination:

You can start with activities that improve balance and coordination. Activities such as walking on a line or standing on one foot can help.

Skate:

Have him practice moving on the bicycle without pedaling. This will help you get used to the bike and maintain your balance.

Enter pedaling:

Once you feel comfortable doing the “scooter”, introduce pedaling. Start on a flat, smooth surface.

Practice starting and stopping:

Teach you how to start and stop with the brakes. Make sure you are comfortable braking and coming to a complete stop.

Turn and direction:

Practice turning and handling the bike. Start with gentle turns and make them steeper as you gain confidence.

Gradual progression:

Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain. Go from a flat surface to gentle slopes.

Positive reinforcement:

Praise and positive reinforcement are crucial. Celebrate small successes and progress.

Practice, practice, practice:

Constant practice is essential. The more time they spend riding, the more confident they will feel.

TRAX products = safe products!

One question we receive very often is about the elasticity of the TRAX PRO cable.

We would like to use this topic to talk about the safety of our products and their full compliance with European certification. All TRAX products have been subjected to all the necessary studies and risk analyses before being marketed in Europe with CE certification, thus ensuring maximum safety for their users.

The high complexity of the materials chosen for the TRAX PRO cable is one of the design details that is directly related to the safety of the product and its users. When the TRAX PRO is subjected to the high voltage derived from its use, it is extremely important that the material cannot be charged with potential energy that can be transformed into “whiplash” in the event of cable breakage.

Details that are not visible to the naked eye but are possibly the most important.

All TRAX products are 100% designed, tested and manufactured in our facilities in Barcelona. With this we guarantee that many values that we have been clear about since the beginning of TRAX are met:

1. 100% responsible production processes with the people involved and the environment
2. Quality controls with the utmost rigor
3. Design and production of CE certified products
4. Use of sustainable, recovered and recycled materials in the highest possible percentages
5. We minimize the transportation of materials and products by managing all production in our facilities and distributing the product directly to your points of sale.