Designed to aid younger riders, the Kids Ride Shotgun Quick Fit MTB Tow Rope has a huge 225kg towing weight limit, making it a versatile option in a growing segment. The Quick Fit MTB Tow Rope version has some flexibility and choice in how it's connected between bikes, but despite the name, it isn’t as quick to fit as some other tow ropes.
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Kids Ride Shotgun Quick Fit MTB Tow Rope – Technical details
The Quick Fit MTB Rope is 1.7 metres (5.5 feet) unstretched and 3.3 metres (10.8 feet) fully stretched, with a maximum load rating of 225 kg (500 lbs), and the rope itself weighs 190 grams (0.42 lbs). The specification and weight limit mean that while it was designed primarily for younger riders, you can use it for towing adults.
The tow rope connects onto the lead bike with a loop on the section that isn’t elasticated and loops over the saddle nose with the rider being pulled, there is a rope that can be wrapped around the headtube area on a standard bike, wrapped around the bar itself on a BMX style bike, or if the stem is suited the rope can be looped over the top of the bars and held in place on the stem. The options mean it is versatile in how it can be fitted, and it should fit almost any bike.
Kids Ride Shotgun Quick Fit MTB Tow Rope – Performance
Where you choose to carry the rope has a big effect on how long it will take to mount. If you're going to use it regularly during a ride, I’d recommend having it wrapped around your waist and connecting the hook to the orange rope fabric. There is enough stretch in the fabric, which means it isn’t uncomfortable to wear for short periods, with different-sized people who also tried it all agreeing. If the rope is only used occasionally, storing it in a backpack or waist-pack might be a better and more comfortable option.
Connecting it means stopping, looping the larger fabric loop around the saddle nose of the lead bike and the orange rope section to the bike being connected to the towed bike, either wrapping the rope around the headtube area and locking it in place to the carabiner or looping it over exposed stem bolts. For longer periods or when using on bumpier terrain, having it locked into the carabiner is the best option, but it will take a little longer to mount. For use on the road, I didn’t have problems looping over the stem bolts, but this will depend on the style of the stem.
Initiating the tow is simple, and the elasticity makes it much easier than other systems mounted beneath the saddle, which need to be tensioned first before starting. The process was quick and simple for both children and adults to grasp, and the amount of elasticity feels perfect for both the maximum length the rope reaches and the feel during use.
I had worries about the rope dropping off or catching into the wheel or spokes of either bike, but this didn’t happen at any point, even when the tension dropped slightly between the two bikes.
Kids Ride Shotgun Quick Fit MTB Tow Rope – Verdict
The other popular designs for tow rope systems are mounted underneath the saddle and have a retractable cord that mounts onto the stem, including the Zefal Bike Taxi and Kommit Bike Towing System. A retractable cord system is quicker to use if it’s mounted in place, and assuming it is left in place, it is easy for the rider being pulled to put it into place on the stem.
Where the Kids Ride Shotgun surpasses other systems is the maximum weight limit, which is over double in some cases. The system's versatility is also a huge selling point above other alternatives. The amount of stretch and how the elasticity responds when riding feels natural, and despite my initial worries, it didn’t drop off or cause issues when not under full tension.
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