http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Trailer recommendations en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:41:22 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113319 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:02:19 +0000 Uberuce 113319@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you'd rather take the job on mano a mattresso, I'll understand, but if not I'll bring the croppers round in the trailer in case it looks like needing two trips. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113299 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:34:21 +0000 kaputnik 113299@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Cutting the former would be a nightmare</em></p> <p>It's an improper sprung mattress (big, bouncy springs, few and far between. I figured a loan of Uberuce's bolt croppers would make short work of it...</p> <p><em>How about joining two trailers into a four-wheel machine.<br /> </em></p> <p>Centitraileripede </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113295 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:01:05 +0000 Instography 113295@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>How about joining two trailers into a four-wheel machine. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113288 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:33:51 +0000 wingpig 113288@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"My plan is to cut it into sections..."</em></blockquote></p> <p>Are you talking a proper spring-filled mattress or just a foam/wadding-filled futon-mattress sort of thing? Cutting the former would be a nightmare and cutting the latter would be a messy nightmare, albeit of lesser severity. A sufficiently robust ratchet webbing strap and some determination might be able to fold a springy mattress into thirds lengthwise, whereupon it might be trailerable. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113286 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:26:46 +0000 kaputnik 113286@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Dave.</p> <p>I read with interest your dream of carrying a car using bike power. I think a trailer capable of carrying a Mini would add just too much weight. But why not get a tow rope and devise some sort of draw-bar that a couple of hitch-fitted bikes could be attached to. The car could then be tugged along horse-and-carriage style?</p> <p>Sounds like a challenge to me!</p> <p>Now, who has a small, light-weight car we could experiment on? (Anth's modern MINI I suspect is too heavy for a starting point) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113277 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:48:59 +0000 Dave 113277@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mine has more than repaid for itself - I stopped counting after I got to about 1.5x the purchase cost in avoided motoring costs, and that was over a year ago.</p> <p>You can pretty much carry anything on it. For old times' sake: <a href="http://mccraw.co.uk/biking-washing-machine/" rel="nofollow">http://mccraw.co.uk/biking-washing-machine/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113259 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:39:03 +0000 kaputnik 113259@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a mattress to dispose of and resent paying council £20 to take it off my hands. My plan is to cut it into sections, strap onto back of trailer and take it to the dump. That £20 is 10% of trailer investment costs recouped in its first use. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113253 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:05:30 +0000 lionfish 113253@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>:P True :D Thanks for that again Uberuce! :)</p> <p>But we <strong>really</strong> tested it this time! (see photo in blog - and don't tell LaidBack we basically took the Helios off-road :) ...The green under the bike in the photo is just uh, green paint...)</p> <p>Re the event last year: Sadly although it did sterling work getting the gazebo to the finish line, the wind picked up and there was a risk the gazebo would blow away so had to be taken down :/ Still, it also helped get the table etc to the place too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113242 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:35:49 +0000 Uberuce 113242@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You borrowed mine for the Sky ride last year, silly rabbit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113232 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:04:02 +0000 lionfish 113232@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>minimoth and I had a chance to try the carry freedom out a couple of weekends ago [edit: again* see post below] (borrowed Laidback's). The trailer was really amazing - it didn't mind what terrain we were using it on! Completely quiet too - no rattling or anything. Perfect :D</p> <p><a href="http://lionfishy.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/borders-bike-ride/" rel="nofollow">http://lionfishy.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/borders-bike-ride/</a></p> <p>@minimoth - regarding the first post: did they buy the carry freedom in the end? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113230 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:53:02 +0000 Brown 113230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bought our 3 trailers directly from carry freedom with spares coming through the Bike Station (we go through a lot of retention clips).</p> <p>Cannot fault the trailers in 3 years of heavy hauling although I have just had our first lollipop fail - this was promptly replaced under the garauntee - good company to deal with. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113131 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:14:39 +0000 Kim 113131@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <br /> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113129 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:04:48 +0000 kaputnik 113129@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's pretty local for me! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113127 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:00:58 +0000 Uberuce 113127@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Laidback's, mahuh. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113115 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:02:32 +0000 crowriver 113115@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I got my Y-Frame Small from Wiggle two years ago. If I had known Laid Back Bikes were selling them, I'd have bought it there. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113114 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:00:03 +0000 Dave 113114@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Although I got mine via CRC, I would now buy from Laid Back Bikes, obviously! There might even be one in stock with your name on... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113110 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:15:20 +0000 Darkerside 113110@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Adding myself into the list (Glasgow is kind of local); aforementioned Northern Irish chain... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113109 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:14:40 +0000 SRD 113109@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mr Laidback has one right around the corner from you </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-113108 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:12:51 +0000 kaputnik 113108@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've decided I want/need a trailer. Does anyone know if it's possible to buy locally?</p> <p>I don't see the point in buying a "local" product off a bulk-discounting Northern Irish company (i.e. Chain Reaction!). That's nothing against our fine Northern Irish forumites, it just doesn't seem to make sense in my mind.</p> <p>Specifically Dave, Uberuce and Ruggtomcat, where did you get yours? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76442 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:11:39 +0000 crowriver 76442@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can see documentation of the Greener Leith bike trailer workshop (led by Nick Lobnitz, designer of the Carry Freedom Y-Frame) here:</p> <p><a href="http://www.greenerleith.org/greener-leith-news/2010/6/11/fun-with-bike-trailers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.greenerleith.org/greener-leith-news/2010/6/11/fun-with-bike-trailers.html</a></p> <p>Scroll down to see video of a lady being carried on the back of one!</p> <p>I have a trailer that was made on the workshop (I helped make them all) and use it for big and/or heavy loads. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76422 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:37:19 +0000 Dave 76422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This prompted me to complete my set of commentary on the Carry Freedom y-frame (click through the image):</p> <p><a href="http://mccraw.co.uk/biking-washing-machine/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7462383594_0a4ac3d20c_n.jpg"></a></p> <p>Highly recommended. Almost indestructable, considering that my wheels are just now starting to look a little shonky after riding it often with 50kg or more of stuff.</p> <p>I'd really like to try putting a tripod and extended towing bar on it, to use as a chase cam for gritty Edinburgh cycling action... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76419 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:53:03 +0000 Uberuce 76419@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I admire Ruggtomcat's box, although I think I can save myself a few pennies because I don't need to do this...</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/uberuce/7077870835/in/photostream"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7077870835_c35f21f6ce_m.jpg"></a></p> <p>...so I can get away with something that has less robustness of lid. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76417 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:29:44 +0000 Darkerside 76417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Another vote for the y-frame. Locally designed (built?) as well! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76416 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:58:00 +0000 wee folding bike 76416@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The old hitch would let a Brompton back wheel fold under. I don't think you can do that with the rubber lollipop. That would be a 180° twist. I have been overloading it for a year and a half with no ill effects. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76414 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:52:12 +0000 Uberuce 76414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Managed to flip my Carry Freedom almost completely over by stowing my behemoth chain like an idiot - it was in a bag which was so loosely strapped on that it rolled off the front left side and basically did a Judo throw on the trailer. If you're not silly enough to have a large percentage of the load hanging off the platform, they're stable.</p> <p>Luckily the CRT monitor I was carrying was already broken and on its way to the dump, and impressively the polymer hitch is so flexible it didn't complain at all about the ~135 degree rotation. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76410 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:33:43 +0000 crowriver 76410@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Or you can build your own:</p> <p><a href="http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html</a></p> <p>Greener Leith may have some left over from the workshop in 2010 where I built mine. I think they're for hire, you could try one out and see if it suits? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76409 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:28:37 +0000 ruggtomcat 76409@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Y-frame all the way. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76408 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:27:24 +0000 crowriver 76408@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.carryfreedom.com/Y-Frame.html">Carry Freedom Y-Frame</a> (comes in small or large sizes)</p> <p>There may be local stockists, but haven't seen it if so.<br /> Chain Reaction appears to be cheapest online:<br /> <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11357" rel="nofollow">http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11357</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7364#post-76406 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:59:13 +0000 minimoth 76406@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi, As some of you may know I work in Food and health community sector. I'm working with a group in North Edinburgh who have just won some funding to buy a couple of bike trailers to move produce and equipment around between community gardens, community retailers and community cafes etc. </p> <p>I'm looking for a bit of advice on what trailers are best for this (easy to connect/disconnect from a range of bikes, hard wearing, easy to repair, not too expensive etc, large enough to carry a crate?) and the second thing the best place to buy them from?</p> <p>Any comments appreciated! </p>