http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Trailer excitement & bending a DIY hitch extension? en Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:38:03 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56202 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:07:39 +0000 wingpig 56202@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You'd need one of those forcimeter things they use for measuring drag in wind tunnels (or, as seen on TV, a heavier-duty version of the things they glue to flies' backs to measure how much their traction is reduced when their feet are dipped in detergent). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56199 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:23 +0000 ruggtomcat 56199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh now that sounds very plausible, can anyone think of an experiment to test it? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56102 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:41:15 +0000 Dave 56102@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm, that's a good thought - it's not pushing the bike relative to you, because you're 'in' the bike. On the upright, in contrast, you can feel it move under you? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56084 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:52:47 +0000 wingpig 56084@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is it something to do with the direction in which the weight of the trailer would be felt? On an upright the trailer would be effectively trying to push/pull the bike beneath you but you're more in-line with the attempted relative movement of the trailer compared to the bike on the recumbulant... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56083 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:49:37 +0000 Roibeard 56083@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think my cars have had a maximum unbraked towing weight of half the car's weight - presumably to reduce tail wagging dog situations and jolts to the transmission.</p> <p>So I'd think ruggtomcat's on to something regarding the weights.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56073 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:33:57 +0000 Dave 56073@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's an interesting thought. When the trailer is empty I don't feel it, and when it is very heavy it's so massive that there is no surge, but there's a middle ground where you can distinctly feel it.</p> <p>I haven't tried to tow it on the Rapto, which is now rebuilt but I'm keeping it nice with a view to selling on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56047 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:54:32 +0000 ruggtomcat 56047@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>always made sense to me, you wouldn't wanna be asking for such a mouthful all the time.</p> <p>On the subject of unusual bikes and trailers I have noticed a weird effect. Im not sure why but I notice distinctly more surge in the trailer when I am towing it by upright than with the recumbent. On the latter it really doesn't feel like its there but on the upright I can really feel it resisting almost my every pedal stroke. Would be interested in seeing if anyone else finds the same. of course the upright is nearly half the weight of the bent, which might have something to do with it, but I also think it may be to do with the smoother way the power is delivered on the bent. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145&page=2#post-56038 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:39:29 +0000 Darkerside 56038@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did not realise that was a known abbreviation of adjustable spanner. I am nothing without google </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-56036 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:59:52 +0000 ruggtomcat 56036@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bring a pump. And an AJ or two. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55985 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:09:01 +0000 Dave 55985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, I just had to fit the lollipop (standard tools), put the wheels on, fit the hitch to the bike (tool free) and I was away! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55977 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:23:22 +0000 crowriver 55977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Instructions here: <a href="http://www.carryfreedom.com/downloads/Y-Frame_Instructions.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.carryfreedom.com/downloads/Y-Frame_Instructions.pdf</a></p> <p>I should note that my Y-frame small came already part assembled, ie. the Y-frame was attached to the wooden deck, tyres on wheels. Also only 1 lollipop hitch supplied. Maybe he should update the manual to the current product!</p> <p>Anyway, doesn't take long, everything is QR and the only complicated bit is attaching the hitch to the bike. Even that is straightforward on a QR axle. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55976 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:35 +0000 Darkerside 55976@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>City-Link have once again managed to evade anyone being in. Grumble. </p> <p>Anyway, off tomorrow morn, so I'll cycle across to the depot, spannermonkey the trailer together in their car park and then cycle the whole caboodle back again. I suspect the alternative of trying to lash the box onto the pannier rack would result in amusement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55967 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:41:42 +0000 Dave 55967@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I <a href="http://mccraw.co.uk/2012/473/">blogged</a> about it a little.</p> <p>It's a Thule bike carrier from the roof rack, so it just works as is (you take the front wheel off and clamp it down).</p> <p>I did roll it (!!) as the weight is so far behind the axles and high, but you'd need a longer trailer hitch to use one of the "bike stays intact" carriers.</p> <p>Take kerbs square on and it's mighty fine. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55961 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:11:07 +0000 Darkerside 55961@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What did you use as the wheel runner support thing sticking out back? And how are you stopping side to side motion - I was wondering whether a suitably tight strap down from the top tube to either side of the trailer would be sufficient (and allow 'bent/upright transport flexibility)</p> <p>Large trailer is currently beating about Glasgow in the back of a City-Link van. Will they arrive before my girlfriend leaves for work? The race is on... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55946 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:33 +0000 Dave 55946@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="http://mccraw.co.uk/blogimage/trailerbike/trailerbike.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55758 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:37:49 +0000 Darkerside 55758@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, order was the first thing I checked! Definitely their mistake not mine (for once). All good - I'll post it back and they'll refund the postage. I have tried to persuade myself otherwise, but the small really is too small! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55679 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:13:55 +0000 ruggtomcat 55679@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>well you can get both on german trains no bother... never tried the british version. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55638 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:21:35 +0000 crowriver 55638@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Darkerside, they sent you a Y-Frame small? I've got one, they're great! Large obviously better for big loads mind you.<br /> Bummer. Not like Wiggle, I have to say. Triple check your order though, maybe you ordered a Y-Frame not a Y-Frame large?</p> <p>Trains: the Y-frame is good that way because it's simple to disassemble and pop in the luggage rack. I have a bag for the purpose. @wfb, folding bike clearly an advantage when space is tight.</p> <p>Trailer party: definitely up for that! Sounds like a Carry Freedom theme... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55635 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:38:34 +0000 wee folding bike 55635@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've taken a folded child trailer on the train into Glasgow. I don't bother taking the wheels off just fold the tent like bit and lean it against the wall in the wheel chair area with the hitch pointing to the ceiling. </p> <p>Obviously I fold up the bike too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55632 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:08:29 +0000 Darkerside 55632@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Regrettably, after beating my way to the citylink depot and waiting half an hour for their delivery van to actually return to the depot, it turns out wiggle have sent me the wrong size trailer. Cue grumpy face. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55573 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:22:41 +0000 Darkerside 55573@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So I need to strap a seat to the trailer and call it an articulated tandem? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55570 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:08:32 +0000 chdot 55570@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Chance of ScotRail taking a sympathetic view towards me moving a bike/trailer combo from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back?</p> <p>"</p> <p>Probably not great</p> <p>More chance with East Coast from Central - need to book bike. </p> <p>They allow tandems, but I think they (officially) exclude trailers. </p> <p>Depends how big and whether it looks like 'luggage'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55569 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:06:09 +0000 Dave 55569@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I haven't tried but it should be easy enough, just take a black bag for the wheels and towing arm, then you're just turning up with a bike and luggage?</p> <p>Unless you've got an unusual bike, of course... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55567 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:49:35 +0000 Darkerside 55567@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chance of ScotRail taking a sympathetic view towards me moving a bike/trailer combo from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55562 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:24:35 +0000 ruggtomcat 55562@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>trailer party! Top of the seat, Ill bring the music. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55518 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:38:50 +0000 Darkerside 55518@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe take a tug/barge approach? Trailers in the centre, cycles at front and rear. #probablynotaverysafeideaatall </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55512 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:11:20 +0000 Dave 55512@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We should have that trailer party... maybe I need to get an affiliate link set up so I can profit from said exciting trailer pictures! ;-)</p> <p>Apparently you can daisy-chain Carry-Freedom trailers to increase the max weight to 180kg (or more). Guess you'd need pretty good legs (and brakes) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55507 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:53:36 +0000 Darkerside 55507@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having been seduced by exciting pictures of trailers and with a Wiggle voucher burning a hole in my pocket, a large Carry Freedom trailer should be arriving today (providing I can beat City-Link home...)</p> <p>Even better news, Wiggle seem to have thrown in £35 of glasses as part of their February free stuff thing <em>and</em> gave me another voucher. Isn't competition between online retailers great? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-54956 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:04:55 +0000 kaputnik 54956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We were allowed in 6th year (by the chemistry technician) to undertake the thermite reaction when the teacher wasn't around. Unfortunately the flower pot to contain the reaction that he retrieved from the school greenhouse (his private place, where he went to smoke) wasn't free from water, so exploded when it turned to steam... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-54948 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:24:11 +0000 chdot 54948@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Also make sure sand is packed and put rags in the ends to stop the sand coming out. </p> <p>When I was at school the Head decided that the 'academic' kids should do half a day at the local Tech doing mini courses in things like electrics, plumbing and plaster cornice creation. </p> <p>Much more fun/useful than normal exam subjects! </p>