Re: Load carrying devices.

c

It depends of load type:

http://www.bikesatwork.com/
http://www.bakfiets.nl/
http://www.christianiabikes.com/
http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/
http://nihola.info/
http://www.worksman.com/
http://www.xtracycle.com/

etc., etc.






!Jones wrote:
> In your opinion, what are the best rigs for carrying significant loads
> by pedal power? By "load", I mean a shopping cart with a week's
> supply of groceries or similar... too much for a pannier.
>
> Here are a couple that I like:
>
> The B.O.B. trailer. http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/index.php
> I own one of these and it pretty well lives up to its claims. I have
> hauled up to 60 lb in it. (It's rated to 80.) I find that it tracks
> very well... we use it with a tandem and it tracks better than the
> bike does! It's easy to attach and drop. Downside: it's difficult to
> back with a load and it's a tricky balancing act getting the load into
> the trailer. Once you're loaded and pointed in the right direction,
> it's great.
>
>
> The triciclo de carga built in Mexico. Mine is like this one:
> http://seguro.coppel.com/coppel/inf...p?codigo=516783 ;
> however, different manufacturers have different configurations. These
> are *dangerously* unstable at high speed and have ugly turning
> charaisterics when pedaled. That said, they are a very good platform
> when you need to carry loads beyond the BOB's capacity. If you're
> straight and level and on a good surface, they can be pedaled
> effectively in a low gear. If that's not so, then get off and push
> it... it pushes easily and is quite stable for that operation. I
> regularly carry two carts of groceries and 15 gallons of drinking
> water home from the store... two miles... through the snow... uphill
> both ways...
>
> Others?
>
> Jones
>

!Jones

On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:49:07 +0200, in rec.bicycles.tech c
<notvalid@b.fr> wrote:

>It depends of load type:

Absolutely! I looked at your first URL when I considered my BOB.
Have you actually used any of those? I find that the field is long on
claims that don't pan out.

My issue with the 2-wheel trailers is that I think they'd tend to tip
where a 1-wheel rig tracks better... assuming you can balance it.
There is a point where you (at least *I*) can't.

Jones

Jenny Brien

On Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:19:30 +0100, !Jones <hi@there.org> wrote:

> On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:49:07 +0200, in rec.bicycles.tech c
> <notvalid@b.fr> wrote:
>
>> It depends of load type:
>
> Absolutely! I looked at your first URL when I considered my BOB.
> Have you actually used any of those? I find that the field is long on
> claims that don't pan out.
>
> My issue with the 2-wheel trailers is that I think they'd tend to tip
> where a 1-wheel rig tracks better... assuming you can balance it.
> There is a point where you (at least *I*) can't.
>
I've had an Xtracycle for about a month now built on an old touring bike,
and I'm loving it. It's an extension that adds 15" to the wheelbase and
about 10 lbs in weight, so it's slower than the unconverted bike, but not
by as much as I feared - it's a lot less cumbersome than riding the
equivalent tandem solo. The longer wheelbase makes for steadier handling
and a smoother ride, as well as better braking, so it suits me well as an
only bike.

I use it to carry up to six big bags of groceries home over seven hilly
miles. It's rated for up to 200 lbs of cargo (with a 150 lb pilot). The
big advantage for me over a trailer is that it is simply *there* all the
time, so I can pick stuff up even when I wasn't planning to.

!Jones

On Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:23:47 +0100, in rec.bicycles.tech "Jenny Brien"
<jennifer@figuk.plus.com> wrote:

>I've had an Xtracycle for about a month now built on an old touring bike,
>and I'm loving it. It's an extension that adds 15" to the wheelbase and
>about 10 lbs in weight, so it's slower than the unconverted bike, but not
>by as much as I feared - it's a lot less cumbersome than riding the
>equivalent tandem solo. The longer wheelbase makes for steadier handling
>and a smoother ride, as well as better braking, so it suits me well as an
>only bike.
>
>I use it to carry up to six big bags of groceries home over seven hilly
>miles. It's rated for up to 200 lbs of cargo (with a 150 lb pilot). The
>big advantage for me over a trailer is that it is simply *there* all the
>time, so I can pick stuff up even when I wasn't planning to.

Let's see... that's one of these things:

http://www.xtracycle.com/hitchless-...s-kits-c-4.html

Hummm... interesting contraption. And your logic makes sense. I
chose BOB because I could drop it quickly; however, I have needed it
and not had it. Lately, I just leave it on. The only issue there is
backing it, which is a PITA. On the tandem, it's easier: "Honey,
would you mind swinging the trailer for me? ... Thank you!"

How much trouble is it to convert? I suspect that one wouldn't do it
casually... brakes gotta move, etc. What's the down side of it?
(Everything has one.)

Jones

Jenny Brien

On Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:32:37 +0100, !Jones <hi@there.org> wrote:


> Let's see... that's one of these things:
>
> http://www.xtracycle.com/hitchless-...s-kits-c-4.html
>
> Hummm... interesting contraption. And your logic makes sense. I
> chose BOB because I could drop it quickly; however, I have needed it
> and not had it. Lately, I just leave it on. The only issue there is
> backing it, which is a PITA. On the tandem, it's easier: "Honey,
> would you mind swinging the trailer for me? ... Thank you!"

I'd hate having a BOB bob-bobbing behind a solo all the time.
>
> How much trouble is it to convert? I suspect that one wouldn't do it
> casually... brakes gotta move, etc. What's the down side of it?
> (Everything has one.)
>
The conversion took me half an hour or so. It's just a case of bolting it
to the dropouts and chainstays, lengthening the chain and fitting longer
brake and gear cables. All parts are supplied and the instructions are
pretty good. I had to fit a Vee brake - there isn't a suitable cable stop
for cantilevers. There is a mount for an ISO 160mm disc caliper, but it's
set for a 203mm rotor, so that's another part that would need to be
changed. The ideal base is a hardtail steel hybrid/mountain bike, 6-8
sprockets, 128-135 OLD.

Downsides?

It's semi-permanent, so it doesn't make sense with a light, sporty bike,
or one with rear suspension. I wouldn't recommend a tandem either.
The 700c model is the same as the 26" apart from the brake mounts, and
won't take a tyre fatter than about 35mm.
The Freeloaders are wonderfully expandable, but leave their contents open
to view. Waterproof bags are a must! Loading is easy so long ar you load
the kickstand side first (but a centre stand would be nice).

That's about it. Tns thing is so simple that it seems expensive even
though it is very well made. It took me nearly a year to decide it
wouldn't be worth my while to get someone to weld up a clone. I'm glad I
did!