CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Trailers

(79 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by SRD
  • Latest reply from splitshift
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. SRD
    Moderator

    Anyone have any first hand advice on bike trailers. I've still not decided how to resolve my growing child transport problem, but thought I should research trailers a bit more, especially since i'd like to use one for grocery shopping too (yes, I can fit everything in two panniers, but its a pain).

    I'd like to know of any designs/models that people particularly like/don't like. Any that are particularly good/bad for keeping rain out. And, any that are especially suitable for under 12 months - have spotted at least one that specifies 'not suitable' and its not clear how good the harnesses would be for small ones. I know some of the newer cargo bikes come with fittings for infant seats - are there any trailers that do this?

    And, while we're at it, has anyone seen/used/know anyone who has tried the Weehoo iGo bike trailer. I find the name offputting, but it sure looks more plausible for the 3 year old than the usual trailer bike that would rely on her holding on!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    Follow-up on the infant seat question -- have just spotted this seat adapter which seems to make Burley trailers suitable for 3-12 months, but they cost an awful lot more than the Bike co-op one - anyone know if they're worth it?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    Follow-up on the infant seat question -- have just spotted this seat adapter which seems to make Burley trailers suitable for 3-12 months, but they cost an awful lot more than the Bike co-op one - anyone know if they're worth it?

    Also some pointers here

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. steveo
    Member

    You could always dury rig some thing on to this? http://www.lowimpact.org/gorgie_bike_trailer.htm

    :)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Would certainly be okay for the grocery run. perhaps less so for kids!? Not sure I want to try and jury rig a rain-shield...was tempted to try and get one of the Leith ones anyway...

    Btw, if anyone has a used trailer they no longer use, would be happy to make an offer. Had been offered a bike co-op one, but owner has decided she still uses it for her cat, even if child has outgrown!

    (and sorry about the multiple posts above, was getting errors when I tried to 'send'.)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. wee folding bike
    Member

    A friend got me one about 7 years ago. It's a Bell but I think it's sold here as Phillips.

    It's at the lower end of the market but has always worked fine. The hitch isn't as good as the Burley and sometimes moves a bit. This might not be a problem on a cumbersome but the chainstays on a Brompton are short and the sweet spot for the clamp is small.

    Usually it doesn't go very far but on occasion it has done more than 20 miles with two boys in it. The 7 and 6 yr old are getting a bit big to share it but the 3 yr old has used it quite a lot this year.

    We had them in there since they turned 1. At first they didn't like it but that didn't last long. If you're going any distance you can put toys and juice in it but if the kids are quite small you might not want to give them anything spendy because you will not notice when they throw it out on the street. Shoes can be an issue there too.

    The wheels pop off like a Carry Freedom trailer and the whole thing folds up. It also converts to a stroller which is very good in parks because the wheels are a lot bigger than a Maclaren and can roll better on poor surfaces.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. miggy_magic
    Member

    SRD - I might be interested in selling my EBC trailer (2 years old). Got it when my son was about 8 or 9 months old. I have no experience of any other trailer but I liked it. Had one puncture in that time.

    I used it more frequently for doing the week's shopping in. Used to cycle along the canal path to the Asda at Chesser. Got some funny looks but I thought it was perfect for that.

    PM me if you're interested.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. greenerleith
    Member

    We've got a couple of trailers going spare, after our bike trailer course this week. You'd need to add a decent hitch and a secure way of attaching children to it, but it's an option! We plan to auction the spare trailers off, so if you're interested pls do get in touch.

    See: http://www.greenerleith.org/greener-leith-news/2010/6/11/fun-with-bike-trailers.html

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Ooh, when/where are you planning on auctioning them?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. greenerleith
    Member

    That we haven't quite figured out. Will post here and on our blog when we know. Hopefully soon :) Maybe during bike week?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. SRD
    Moderator

    We've done one trial ride in Miggy_magic's trailer and the small person loves it. There's also a bloke in Harrison Park who wants to buy it. Will report on longer trial at the weekend (if we get the puncture mended :)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    "if we get the puncture mended"

    Post the photos...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. Min
    Member

    Cool. I've often wondered what they are like for the trailee.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. miggy_magic
    Member

    SRD - Really glad to hear the trailer was fun for your wee one. If you don't get the puncture mended yourself, just bring me the wheel (it's easy to detach) and i'll fix it again before the weekend. Feeling bad for seeing you set off with a dodgy inner tube!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. SRD
    Moderator

    I'll let you know if my rough-and-ready doesn't work. Was so pleased with myself for finding 16 year old never used puncture kit and levers, and getting wheel off, tube out and finding puncture that I just started 'patching' without actually looking up anything on how to do it. Totally forgot to roughen area (and I did know about that in principle) and to let the air out of tube...but we'll see how it holds up.

    (sorry should have warned the serious cyclists out there to look away before i admitted my inexperience and ignorance!)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. SRD
    Moderator

    "Post the photos..."

    not a pretty sight - was up until 12 and since 5 marking. thought puncture repair would be a nice post-breakfast break!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. Kirst
    Member

    Anth, why are you after a trailer? Are you planning to take the hens out for day trips?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. recombodna
    Member

    I'm going to build a few cargo trailers like this. One is for a friend of mine who run's his own gardening business and cycles his lawnmower around. The other is for my father in law in Amsterdam to collect wood with and I'm gonna have one myself. If anyone would be interested in having a trailer like this please get in touch.I am in the process of pricing up the materiels.
    http://drumbent.com/photos/bikes/bigtrailer/113_1324.JPG

    Posted 13 years ago #

  20. steveo
    Member

    How heavy is that? Looks like a monster.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  21. recombodna
    Member

    It's made out of 2mm electrical conduit so it's remarkably light and very sturdy.The flat chassis design means you can bolt any style of body to it. This one just happens to be made of heavy looking plywood but another light weight material could be used.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  22. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Kirst, I've been intending to make a trailer using the CarryFreedom free plans for ages, but I don't think I'm ever going to get round to it!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    Oh you're all so irresponsible - think of the traffic jams when everyone has their own trailer.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  24. steveo
    Member

    @chdot. rofl

    Given the result of my MOT I might be in the market for one, now if only the wife didn't work in Livingston.

    How much are they working out at recombodna?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  25. chdot
    Admin

    AND you'll be wanting free trailer parks.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  26. recombodna
    Member

    Steveo I'll let you know when I've built the first one. Don't talk to me 'bout MOT's I spent a grimm few days in feb under my van in the driving rain and snow welding up the chassis! Saved me about £500 though.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  27. Dave
    Member

    I'd certainly be interested to know how much one would cost - I've always wanted a trailer but my toy budget is a bit tight these days (we're getting married next year).

    Something sturdy enough and cheap enough to leave outside the back door without constant worry would be awesome.

    How do you plan it hitching up?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  28. chdot
    Admin

    Maybe a hire/share option emerging?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  29. spytfyre
    Member

    I would definately like to share a trailer around Salteford/Shandon/Polwarth so I could get the shopping in without the car... Then all I need to do is persaude the family that we don't need the car to go visit them (although train fares to Ayr suck mightily and require a mad dash through Gelska, usually in the rain, from station to station usually in under 10 minutes if you don't want to wait for a further hour...)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  30. SRD
    Moderator

    If I wasn't increasingly committed to acquiring a child-transporter style, would definitely go in on a cargo trailer. Might actually have some times when we would use both.

    Recombodna - any chance you could use hitches that are compatible with the Bike co-op kiddy trailers (on the website or can show you miggy_magic's) so that we and others could easily swap one for the other? These are also presumably relatively easily available to most of us.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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