CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Cycle cargo stupidity

(23 posts)

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  1. Roibeard
    Member

    Anyone fancy engaging in some cargo carrying stupidity?

    I've got a large load to move about 1.5 miles, and I think it might just be possible using an articulated cycle...

    I think one end on the Pino and the other on the back of a second bike, would just about do the job. Maybe for stability two front bikes might be required (tadpole for the trikers in the audience).

    Stick a couple of "long vehicle" signs on the back, and hilarity should ensue.

    This is a demonstrably stupid idea, and really the load should be walked or a van hired.

    Yet...

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. crowriver
    Member

    What on earth is it? Do you want to borrow a big bike trailer?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. wingpig
    Member

    I presume it's something long and heavy at at least one end. A rolled-up carpet?
    Happy to help, or to escort-and-video or whatever.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. Roibeard
    Member

    It is a couple of sheets of fibreboard, that are too long and wide to fit in the car, so it would be van, walk or (possibly) roof rack.

    By a similar token, a bike trailer wouldn't work.

    @wingpig - yep I thought there might be some volunteers to point and laugh video...

    It may yet prove to be too difficult or too risky, but it's bound to be worth a giggle in the attempt!

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. Min
    Member

    I presume it's something long and heavy at at least one end. A rolled-up carpet?

    With a body in it?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. steveo
    Member

    By a similar token, a bike trailer wouldn't work.

    You could fashion an apparatus to hold the boards upright on the trailer secured to said apparatus.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. Greenroofer
    Member

    Large sheets of fibreboard strike me as one of those things that really don't fit on a bike.

    If you put them flat, they are quite floppy so, unless you support them with something more rigid or keep them under tension*, they will sag quite seriously between the two bikes. I imagine this sagging will bounce, and if you hit its resonant frequency is going to go completely beserk.

    If you put them vertically, then just make sure you only cycle with the wind in your face or behind you...

    I look forward to the video :-)

    *You could keep them under tension by putting someone really strong on the front bike, so they have to pull themselves the board and the trailing bike. The trailing bike would avoid pedalling...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Greenroofer
    Member

    What about a travois towed behind a tandem (which I assume has more horsepower).
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travois

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. Arellcat
    Moderator

    By a similar token, a bike trailer wouldn't work.

    I think you mean "I just need to buy a bigger trailer."

    http://www.tonystrailers.com/cargo/

    http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/bicycle-cargo-chapter-2-bike-trailers.html

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. wingpig
    Member

    I'd recommend bracing it by sandwiching between a few long bits of wood if carrying it perpendicular to the ground, just in case the wind gets hold of it and thinks it would be fun to try and snap it. A few G-cramps to stop the boards gaining independence, too.

    Some bits of webbing could also be extremely useful to sort of hammock it rather than attempting to create a rigid-but-rotating anchorage on either bike. If they're very side as well as very long you might need to attach the ends of the hammock to the people rather than the bikes to prevent unsightly and dangerous longitudinal swivelling such as might occur if the highest anchor-points available on the bikes aren't far enough above the centre of rotation of the sideways-held boards.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. Uberuce
    Member

    I would experiment with connecting two trailers together.

    The tricky thing is keeping the second trailer's towing arm off the ground, unless it turns out that the main weight of the fibreboard can be pressing down over or behind its axle.

    Incidentally, Carry Freedom advise that you keep the main weight of your load pressing in front of the axle, so...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. wee folding bike
    Member

    Incidentally, Carry Freedom advise that you keep the main weight of your load pressing in front of the axle, so...

    That's the same as using a car to pull a caravan. They have a specified nose weight. You don't want to lift the back wheel off the ground.

    I've broken a bar at the front of my kiddie trailer. This could be related to over loading and ignoring speed guidance. I noticed this while using it to move bags of chuckies… that could be an issue as well. There are other transverse bars on it so I think I'll try screwing some cabinet plates on to it as a patch.

    In the '70s a friend was resurfacing the kitchen with Formica. He proudly left the shop with a sheet of the above mentioned facing material only to have the wind catch it and snap it in twain.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. Kenny
    Member

    If transporting by bike ends up being impossible and the load will fit in a Ford Galaxy with all the seats down, let me know. I appreciate it might still not be big enough.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. Roibeard
    Member

    @mkns - Thanks for the offer, although I suspect that a Galaxy wouldn't be quite enough - it's just a bit big for the family's XC90.

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. Kenny
    Member

    No worries. If you do get stuck, and have dimensions, I can give it a quick measure, it might fit putting it in diagonally. I used to have a Renault Scenic Grand, and the Galaxy makes it look like an old-style Mini!

    Failing that, I can record the transportation attempt on the Contour+ in full 1080p HD glory...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. SRD
    Moderator

    there are several forumers with vans, if you ask nice, you might be lucky

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. Roibeard
    Member

    @SRD - but where would be the entertainment value of that?

    Never underestimate the power of "because we can/because it's there" in driving male stupidity glorious achievements!

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. DaveC
    Member

    Do they not deliver??

    Posted 11 years ago #

  19. Roibeard
    Member

    The sheets were rescued from disposal, rather than being purchased.

    I've not tried "since you're throwing this out, may I have it? And would you mind delivering it to...?"

    <grin>

    Perhaps there are limits to my brass necked cheek [1]!

    Robert
    [1] Note to non-native speakers - not an anatomical description.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  20. lionfish
    Member

    "I look forward to the video :-)"

    Me too!

    (pick a windy day :D)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  21. Arellcat
    Moderator

    To the Carry Freedomers here, I just noticed that there are a bunch of spares and accessories on the 'Bay today, including the mythical snake connector.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/simple.city/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

    Posted 11 years ago #

  22. crowriver
    Member

    Cool.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  23. Dave
    Member

    I've had a great time with my Y-Frame, but the accessories are... expensive. I really wanted a longer towing hitch, but it's £50 for a piece of square section with two bends, and I couldn't justify it given the possibilities for bodging with the stock trailer.

    It is nice to support a domestic company, mind you :)

    Posted 11 years ago #

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