Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope review: A compact towing solution for family rides

If you're looking for a lightweight and affordable way to support your child on hillier bike rides, a tow rope might be just what you need. Designed to give children a helping hand on the climbs and allow them to ride independently on the flats and descents, tow ropes are a brilliant solution for family cycling adventures. 

In this review, we put the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope to the test on roads, rough tracks, and family rides of all kinds. Read on for our first impressions, how it compares to other tow ropes what the kids thought of the experience.

Disclosure:  Cycle Sprog were sent the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope to review. We were not paid to write this review, and all opinions are our own. We do use affiliate links, so we may get a small commission if you choose to buy through the links on this page. This funds the website, and we thank you for your support.

About our reviewers:

We’re a family of four who love getting out on our bikes: myself (Simon), my partner Emma, and our two children, Grace (8) and Archie (5). Emma and I have both been keen cyclists since before the kids came along, and sharing the joy of cycling with them has been one of the most rewarding parts of family life.

From road rides to mountain biking to afternoons at the local pumptrack, we’re always looking for ways to keep riding fun and manageable for all four of us.

We’ve previously reviewed the FollowMe Tandem, another towing product, which helped us transition from toddler riding to more independent adventures.

Zefal brand overview

Founded in France in 1880, Zefal is a brand with a long history of innovation in the cycling world. Best known for their accessories and maintenance products, Zefal’s range includes everything from pumps and mudguards to hydration solutions and safety gear.

With over 140 years of experience, Zefal has built a reputation for functional, affordable products designed to meet the real-world needs of everyday cyclists.

The Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope is part of their commitment to supporting family cycling and active travel.

First Impressions of the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope

Out of the box, the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope looked incredibly light and compact. Coming from a Shotgun bungee-style tow rope, we were initially struck by how delicate it appeared. However, installation was refreshingly simple, and no tools were needed. Fitting it was no more difficult than attaching a saddle bag under the seat rails.

Both of our children are already used to using tow ropes, so they picked up the Bike Taxi system immediately. Once it’s installed under the adult bike’s saddle, it stays there happily, and clipping it under the child’s stem bolts was quick and easy. The hook was much simpler for little hands to manage than the carabiner-style system used on our previous tow rope.

Although it looks minimal and lightweight, the Bike Taxi feels stronger than expected. After multiple uses, it has shown no signs of wear or fraying. The materials feel well-made and thoughtfully chosen, offering reassurance that it’s built to last.

Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope in use

We’ve primarily used the Bike Taxi on roads and rough tracks, though we wouldn’t hesitate to take it on gentler off-road trails as well. The connection to the adult bike is secure and solid, and the line itself offers just enough flex to smooth out bumps without compromising control.

Switching from a bungee-style tow rope did require a bit of an adjustment. The static line means you need to be smooth and steady when setting off, there’s less forgiveness if you yank it too quickly, but once you’ve mastered the technique, it works beautifully. There is a tiny amount of stretch, which helps.

One of the standout features is the clever retracting mechanism, which winds the rope back into its casing neatly and quickly. This reduces faff and stops the rope from getting tangled while you stop to hitch and unhitch.

Our only criticism is the visibility of the tow line itself, it’s quite thin and the red colour doesn’t stand out much, which meant we had a bit of an incident with a dog walker who hadn’t noticed the rope. A brighter or more visible line might prevent such situations. Also, if you're using a saddle pack for tools or layers, you’ll need to rethink your mounting setup.

Zefal Bike Taxi compared to other tow ropes

We’ve used a few different towing setups over the years, and the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope definitely sits at the lighter, more flexible end of the spectrum. Compared to something like the FollowMe Tandem, the experience is completely different for both parent and child. When using the FollowMe, the child’s bike is securely hitched to the adult’s, which means they don’t need to concentrate as much on balance or direction, you ride intuitively together, up and down hills, as one unit. However, the FollowMe is a heavy, more expensive bit of kit, and it’s not something you can easily remove or stow mid-ride.

With a tow rope like the Zefal Bike Taxi, you’re only offering assistance on the climbs. You must unhitch before descending, as trying to ride downhill while still connected can lead to dangerous tangles or crashes. It’s a very different style of riding, great for giving your child a helping hand on hills while still encouraging them to ride independently when the terrain allows.

A more direct comparison is with other tow ropes like the Kids Ride Shotgun Tow Rope. Both serve the same purpose, but the Zefal Bike Taxi really stands out for its clever, compact design. The retractable rope means you’re not left dealing with metres of bungee cord flapping about or needing to wrap it around your waist. It’s smart, tidy, and simple to stash away when not in use. The hook system that attaches over the child’s stem is also very easy and intuitive; even our younger child could manage it themselves.

The trade-off is in the ride feel. The Zefal Bike Taxi has less stretch and suspension than a bungee-style rope, which means setting off needs to be smoother and more concentration needed. It also means that on rougher, more technical terrain, the ride may feel a little less forgiving for both the adult and child. The Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope lacks visibility for other trail users as the cord is so thin. If you plan to tow your child in busy areas with other trail users, dogs or bikes then you might want something more visable for others!

In summary, the Zefal Bike Taxi tow rope offers a cleaner, neater towing solution, but may not absorb surges in power that come from off-road riding as well as a bungee-style rope and isn't as visible for other trail users so the right choice will depend on where and how you like to ride.

Thoughts from the Sprog

Grace and Archie both really enjoyed using the Bike Taxi and found it easy to attach and detach themselves. They especially liked the “speedy” feeling when setting off!

“I like getting help up the hills”

“Pedal faster daddy!!”

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