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Hello Chaps, I've been pondering about this for a while and thought I'd ask you kind knowledgeable chaps for some advice,
I've been toying with getting one of those Bob Yak copy trailers on ebay.
However there are two things that are bothering me. I want to tow it with my Felt Virtue (09).
Problem one is that how will it affect the suspension as it's got links top and bottom on the rear. Will the push/pull of the trailer seriously affect the bike?
Second is that the rear end has carbon stays bonded to Alu drop outs/suspension links. I'm worried that it'll all pull apart (I had one start to de-bond before). Am I being overly cautious?
Thanks,
Ian.
I wouldn't, mainly because the carbon bonded bits are designed to go up and down, not be be pulled apart...
[i]full sus and trailer - will I crash badly?[/i]
Yes, most likely over a cliff in a ball of flames.
Khani, that is the main worry. How strong is the bonding? When the rear wheel hits an object does it not try to move backwards anyway? Or is that a small force compared with towing a trailer?
Mildred, I don't think the trailers are American so it shouldn't blow up and it's quite far from here to a proper cliff. I'd have to make it there first 😀
I did a three day tour with a well loaded Bob Yak (original) trailer and my FS Trance. The trailer certainly puts a lot of extra forces through the rear axle that I think would ruin any bike in time - and after that experience I wouldn't put a trailer anywhere near anything expensive and carbon!
But the handling was way way better than my touring mates who had panniers on hardtails, and I really appreciated having my usual ride and the comfort of FS. And, if you're going to tour with a FS there's not many alternatives to attaching a trailer. One of my mates had the best solution, he borrowed his brother's bike so he wouldn't ruin his 😆
if you're going to tour with a FS there's not many alternatives to attaching a trailer.
Sure there is. The Old Man Mountain rear rack will fit to almost anything for a start. Then add a frame bag and a handlebar bag, and a small rucksack.
Trailers look a fun concept, but they have negatives. For a start, they add about 9 kilos of weight on top of the weight of your kit. That has to be noticeable, especially up hill. Also, all that weight plus all your kit weight is hanging off your rear end, surely that's got to flex a lot. Trailers don't fit in trains or normal bike racks, and they make crossing fences or any hike-a-bike sections 'interesting'.
I'd always go with everything on the bike, and keep it light. If it's for camping, you can get your tent and sleeping stuff and food on any bike no problem, for well under 10 kilos. Just my 2 pence.
Even if it doesn't pull your frame apart, hauling a loaded trailer on a suspension bike puts a lot of sodeways loads on all of your pivot bearings, again in ways that it was never intended to cope with. much better behind a good, strong long travel hardtail, where you'll be amazed how tough the terrain is that you'll manage.
Thanks for your comments,
I didn't really want to load the bike up with kit. I liked the idea of using a trailer on family rides were I could take it off at picknick time and have a blast about with the kids, as well as for the odd shopping trip.
I did buy myself a new hardtail last year so I can use that but I'll miss the comfort.
Cheers all.