I upgraded from the Sidekick decks to the Double Wide decks a year ago, and honestly—they’ve become my top accessory on the GSD. Discontinuing these for the newest generation bike is a mistake and disservice to GSD owners.

Why I love them:

1. Bike towing – Towing is way simpler. Two Voilé straps to the decks, front wheel strapped right on the side of the clubhouse. My kids don’t have to do a bunch of leg gymnastics to make room, which makes loading faster and calmer.

2. Picnicking / swimming / grocery runs – Fully loaded bags are much better supported. I worry far less about sagging or shifting when things get heavy.

3. Stormbox compatibility – They fit perfectly. There’s even a little extra space that passengers can use as a stepping point when climbing in, which is an unexpected bonus.

4. Driver behavior – This one surprised me, but drivers pass wider when these are out.

5. Space-saving – These fold in, which makes getting the bike through doors so much easier. With the Sidekick decks, it was constant maneuvering and doorframe scraping.

I loved the Double Wide decks far more than I expected to. They’ve added real value to my trips and made everyday riding noticeably easier.

If you’re on the fence between the Sidekick and Double Wide decks: I strongly recommend the Double Wide.