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Whether carrying grocery shop, pooch, camping gear or trail tools? Thoughts on trailers?
I’ve had firewood in a kids trailer, dogs and groceries on a carry freedom Y, and as yet nothing on mono-wheel (ie B.O.B etc) but have always been mono-curious.
Not been a massive fan of the two-wheel trailers i’ve tried owing to tracking issues especially on woodland paths, yet on the plus side - trailer-touring and trailer-shopping is great for dumping and unhitching without faff and weight of panniers and racks, not to mention opening up longer more comfortable stays and bigger tent.
Just looking at The Burley COHO XC and wondered if anyone in here has ever tried one? Impressive-looking! Of course I want one.
I've got the generic BOB copy, think it's the EBC version.
I'd be interested in demoing some of the more expensive BOB/Topeak/Burley options to see if they actually handle better.
This was in the Cycling UK magazine this month, a tiny bike trailer tent for only £3000
https://gentletent.com/en/b-turtle
Bought a cheap (70 quid) 2 wheeler off the bay 6 or 7 weeks ago, been using it for the weekly shopping ever since, circa 40kg, been good so far.
I need to look at a hitch system though, taking the skewer on and off isn't the best.
Pics on here.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/bike-cargo-trailer-for-groceries/
Nobeer - I can see why regular faffing with the skewer would be an annoyance
I didn’t like the (early) hitch on the Carry Freedom, in fact I bent it on the second-outing by lying the bike down 🤦🏼
But then they came up with the ‘lollypop‘ hitch, and I installed that instead. Much better. The steel bracket attaches to your dropout and then you simply unhitch or hitch the ‘lollypop’ on or off in a moment, leaving the bracket attached to your dropout.
You choose whether to leave the steel bracket on or off the bike in general use. It’s not massively obtrusive (depending on one’s temperament and ankle-navigation skillz. Oof!)
Might be worth a try as your trailer has one arm and is presumably box-section?
Details here:
I used a kids trailer a lot (Chariot) and have a BOB Ibex (a Yak with suspension). The bob is better for carrying a heavy load. It's better off road too if you're not too worried about rattling the contents about. My Chariot had 20" wheels and suspension, so was great on rough stuff, but it did get rolled once or twice due the the width. The Ibex has suspension but a much smaller wheel, so does bounce about a but.
That COHO looks great - it ticks a lot of the boxes that were missing on Ibex (like a stand). Of course these features will come at extra weight/complexity - the simplicity of the BOB designs is attractive. Kiddie trailers seem to hold their value well, but I'm not sure about cargo trailers. I think having a good hitch system - solid an easy to use, and being able to cope with a variety of different axle types - would be my top priority if I was buying now. The BOB qr systems is great, and it's similar with a nutted axle, but for thru axles there's only an after market adapter ( https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/trailers/robert-axle-project-bob-trailer-12mm-thruaxle-m12-x-15-209mm/). Burley do a 12mm thru axle adapter for the COHO (alongside QR and nutted axle)
The BOB qr systems is great, and it’s similar with a nutted axle, but for thru axles there’s only an after market adapter ( https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/trailers/robert-axle-project-bob-trailer-12mm-thruaxle-m12-x-15-209mm/). Burley do a 12mm thru axle adapter for the COHO (alongside QR and nutted axle)
To be fair, you only need one supplier. It's hardly going to be a competitive marketplace!
Does anyone make hollow bolt through axles? The standard one on my Scandal is solid but I was wondering if I could bodge my trailer onto it by running the QR through a 12mm axle.
That looks perfect Malvern, but at 55 quid it's nearly the same price as my trailer!.
I've got a couple of holes on my frame for a kickstand just ahead of the rear dropout, I'll make something that fits those I think.
Does anyone make hollow bolt through axles? The standard one on my Scandal is solid but I was wondering if I could bodge my trailer onto it by running the QR through a 12mm axle.
Good idea - and yes, a lot of thru axles are hollow, although some not all the way through. The one of my son's Orange is hollow all the way through, but the Syntace one on my Cotic is closed at the threaded end. Would need a loooong skewer with a boost rear though!
True, it's pretty long, but probably not that long. Might have been able to bodge it by running some M5 bar through it and putting the non-QR end of two skewers on it and tightening with molgrips. (think I have a spare, will have to look).
I have the old Extra Wheel trailer. It’s so simple it’s brilliant. Carried tons of stuff with it. Looks like new version is different. Mine is the one with a massive net each side. So have to bag gear up and stuff it in. Been a great piece of kit though
I’ve got the generic BOB copy, think it’s the EBC version.
I’d be interested in demoing some of the more expensive BOB
I've got an EBC type copy, had a Bob in the past, cant notice a difference, although the Bob is a chunk lighter think.
Have had my eye on the B.O.B yak for decades now 🤣...but just looked and it’s £140 more than the COHO XC
the COHO is 7lbs heavier, but easily collapsible, has a stand/stands up by itself, has what I see as a superior hitch, fatter tyre, mudguard that doubles as load-support, designed to add panniers, etc etc. No-brainer? or am I missing some B.O.B cleverness that justifies nearly half a grand?
I have the Coho XC with the 9mm QR adapters.
Good points are its roomy,has suspension, single wheeled (no tipping over), can easily be detached, has a stand, cargo net is excellent, lots of lashing points, extra mounts for water bottles. You can also get through axle adapters and panniers and a fat tyre. Oh it also breaks down easily so you can store the yoke and wheel inside the trailer body.
Cons are not a lot to be honest other than I wouldn't take it on a big tour as the build quality (whilst good) is not up to the abuse of months of heavy travel.
We use ours for shopping, taking small loads locally and transporting the dog on longer rides so he doesn't get too tired (talk about first world bulls**t , I know , I know). I reckon it would withstand some hammer and it's been off road a fair bit and whilst it bounces about (all trailers do) it's not really noticable.
All in all, would I buy it again for what I use it for. Yes.
or am I missing some B.O.B cleverness that justifies nearly half a grand?
I think the BOB is like the Surly Troll of trailers and would withstand a nuclear blast and has a higher build quality, but if your only using it occasionally and locally/within Europe for shorter tours then the Burly is the better option.
I've had my Bob trailer for years.... Bought it in 2003 to ride from London to Munich.
It's been sat outside for years rigged up to my rat bike and get used several times a week.
It's been on several long distance tours, too.
Only thing I've had to buy for it in the last 17 years is a new axle as I managed to bend the original (although it still works).
It could do with being sand blasted and given a new coat of paint, but the rust that is on it is only surface rust. Not bad considering the lack of love it receives.
I think it's still on its original tyre and tube!
Great to read some thoughts on those, and appreciated as it’s a considerable purchase in these times. I require a trailer to live a mixed (mostly easy and occasionally tough) life
- groceries (weekly) on tarmac, gravel
- commuting (tripod, pochade, chair, water, food, overnight kit) on all terrain including moors, hills and mountains using farm tracks where possible.
- camping/touring (all the regular stuff but up to 20-30kg) mixed-surface mostly minor roads
mrconners you raised some (small?) concern about build-quality of a COHO? This has me imagining being stuck somewhere in the Welsh boondocks west of Rhayader with a snapped trailer frame and no phone signal. I suppose in remote places that ditching the trailer is an option as you still have a bike! (Worth carrying a small backpack for such an eventuality so you can at least leg it by bike along with essential valuables. Those are times to call a friend. I wouldn’t be using it in the Atlas Mountains or Alaska etc so...
I see the COHO listed as ‘29er’ but would it accept 29+?
*Edit - and yes to dog-extending duties. I don’t consider caring for your dog’s health and happiness as specifically ‘first world’! Bike-trailers either. Our old arthritic dog gets pushed in a stroller so he can still enjoy his last years/days (?) and I can still get some walking in, allowing him to bimblesniff and then get a ride home.
Nearly forgot - another thing I’ve looked at is designing/making a trailer from bamboo.
*erratum
Leg it by bikeUtter nonsense.
My only problem with the Bob is that the frame means carrying bulky items isn't so easy. A flat trailer that you can cinch things to would be more practical, imo.
Don't know if such a one wheeler exists.
If you can pack everything into 20kg, sure. Less capacity than the Coho and less flexible but compromises have to happen somewhere. A lot cheaper and marginally more secure though (I doubt it has any sort of lock that would deter anyone other than an opportunist). I can see that being handy for an all weather commuter or someone that wants a nice dry space.