How to Install Your BuddyRider®
Getting your BuddyRider® fitted to your cycle is straightforward. The set-up consists of the receiver, arm and BuddyRider® seat, with a few different adjustment options to get the right position for your bike and you.
Follow the steps below to get your BuddyRider® fitted and ready for your pedal pal.
What makes up your BuddyRider®?
1. The Receiver
The receiver is the main mounting point for your BuddyRider®. It attaches to your seat post using four stainless-steel bolts.
The Rigid Arm or Flex-Arm then attaches to the receiver using a stainless-steel pin and R clip.
Once fitted, the receiver can usually stay on your cycle, even when the BuddyRider® is removed. The BuddyRider® assembly can then be removed or attached again in just a few seconds.
Good to know: You can purchase a second receiver if you want to easily move your BuddyRider® between two cycles.
The receiver fits seat posts between 25mm and 33mm in diameter. Check your seat-post measurement before getting started. You may need to raise your seat post to create enough room for the receiver.
A note about e-cycles with dropper seat posts
The photos on this page show the receiver fitted to an e-cycle with a dropper seat post.
Buddyrider® does not recommend this set-up, although many customers, including myself, have used this arrangement successfully.
If you have a dropper seat post:
- The receiver must be attached to the seat post, not the dropper section.
- Don't overtighten the four bolts, as this can prevent the dropper seat from operating correctly.
- Tighten the bolts enough to stop the receiver and arm from swinging, while still allowing the dropper to function.
If you're unsure about your particular set-up, give me a call before fitting it. I'm happy to talk you through it.
2. Rigid Arm or Flex-Arm
The arm supports the BuddyRider® basket and attaches to the basket using four stainless-steel bolts.
Both arms offer multiple positioning options, allowing you to find the best position for your cycle and riding position.
Rigid Arm
The Rigid Arm is the original BuddyRider® design.
It works well on many cycles, but the frame and seat-post position of some bikes, particularly e-cycles, can make getting the correct clearance more difficult.
Flex-Arm
The Flex-Arm was developed to make the BuddyRider® work with a wider range of cycles, including shorter-framed bikes and many e-cycles.
It allows the basket to sit slightly higher and further forward, which can also give taller riders a more natural pedalling position.
Garry's advice:
If you're in doubt, go with the Flex-Arm! I have been riding with one for the last two years and prefer the riding position and cycling dynamics it provides.
The Flex-Arm is particularly worth considering if you have:
- A shorter-framed bike
- An e-cycle with a battery enclosed within the frame
- Higher handlebars
- A longer-legged rider who needs more room to pedal
- A larger or longer-backed dog
A note about the paw deck
Series Two BuddyRider® seats have an adjustable paw deck.
With some bikes, the Rigid Arm may prevent the paw deck from being lowered fully. This is worth considering if your pedal pal is a larger dog or a longer-backed breed, such as a Miniature Dachshund.
3. The BuddyRider® Seat
The BuddyRider® is an extruded plastic dog carrier with:
- A four-point adjustable harness
- An adjustable padded paw deck
- Optional padded fitting cushion
The padded cushion is particularly useful for smaller dogs, although dogs up to around 10kg can also be comfortable with one.
Bike Fit Requirements
Before fitting your BuddyRider®, there are a couple of important measurements to check.
Seat-post clearance
You need 47mm of exposed seat post above the cycle frame to mount the receiver.
You may need to raise your seat post to achieve this.
Rigid Arm clearance
The Rigid Arm requires a minimum of 48.5cm between the seat post and steering head.
This measurement must be taken at right angles to the seat post, as shown in the photo.
If you need to raise the seat post to create enough clearance, remember that this also raises your seat.
Important: Raising your seat may make it more difficult to safely get on and off your cycle.
What about e-cycles?
Some e-cycle frames, particularly those with batteries enclosed within the frame, can require the receiver to be positioned higher to create enough clearance.
This is one of the reasons the Flex-Arm was developed.
If you're unsure whether your bike will work with a BuddyRider®, don't guess. Get in touch and we'll help you work through the measurements.
A couple of things to keep in mind
Your cycle computer
A centre-mounted cycle computer may be partially or completely obscured once your BuddyRider® is fitted.
Take your time getting the position right
There are several adjustment options, so don't worry if your BuddyRider® isn't sitting perfectly straight out of the box.
The goal is to find a position that gives your dog plenty of room while allowing you to ride comfortably and safely.
And once everything is fitted and checked...
Just Get Out There and Do It! 🐾
Your pedal pal is ready for some adventures.
If you're unsure about the fit or installation at any stage, give me a call. I'd much rather help you get it right than have you trying to figure it out on your own.
Not sure? Just ask
Give me a call and I'll happily talk you through it — or if you're in Tauranga, bring your bike over and I can help you fit it.