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Thinking of a trailer to use with the existing "pub bike" for shopping trips / dump trips etc. It's an old school 26" QR rear wheel.
No kids / dogs so it doesn't need to be a kiddy trailer.
I'd like a proper cargo bike but a trailer would mean we can both have the option of lugging loads.
BOB (or other single wheel) for handling and riding at any decent speed, but add a stand for ease of loading/propping.
2-wheel style for lugging very bulky or lopsided loads, but not for going fast and beware of extra width!
The cheaper trailers are great for occasional use or 'seeing if it works for you' tests, but the posh ones are expensive for a reason, they are way better built, more robust, more stable and last longer. If you're going to be using it very regularly or with very heavy loads it's worth spending the extra, but not for the occasional trip.
Whatever you go for pay attention to the hitch, some of them can be challenging to make work on some frames, some are easy to port between bikes, others not. Sadly the most secure hitches are often the most faff too!
I bought a Topeak Journey earlier in the year on our bike to work scheme.
I have used a bob and one of the cheap bob copies you often see. The Bob is far better and very easy to tow
Didn't Edinburgh cycles do a Bob copy? Any good?
the edinburgh cycles bob copy is available under many names - its OK but you get what you pay for. I had a hitch break and the thing creaked. the BOB is much better
I use a Carry Freedom two wheel trailer. Very simple, but flexible. It handles a 140 litre IKEA box with a full supermarket shop OK.
Not mine, but you get the idea:
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http://mccraw.co.uk/carry-freedom-y-frame/
i have the edinburgh bikes copy of bob -=it works to a fashion but its pretty shite compared to the real bob yak.
i ended up buying an xtracycle freeradical kit for similar purpose....
Another cheap bob-a-like owner here, its not bad but Ive never used a real one so cant compare.
I did have a long term loan of a carry freedom tho, and for carrying all kinds of shite it was streets ahead- as long as you were on a road.
bob-=a-like owner here, have had it 8 or so years, been well abused - and it's worth about what it cost -- which was a bit under £100 at the time, they're now around £80. Can be a faff to hook up, the catch is fiddly, rust protection is minimal, but they're pretty good 'value' for occasional use.
We used to it for setting out courses, getting the shopping, collecting wood, trips to the dump, bit of cycle touring - have lent it out a few times..
I think I've got the message.
Accept a faffy connector on a copy or buy a real Bob.
Topeak connector looks good as well.
it's not just the difference in the hitch, the real thing is better built, rattles less, tolerances are better on the fork pivot etc. It handles better, wobbles less and is a lot nicer in every regard. They are however expensive. 2nd hand bargains are the way forward with BOBs! I payed £70 for mine, could do with painting again though but I thought that last year too and haven't yet....
I asked a while ago and had a good response.
Here:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-use-a-trailer-for-grocery-shopping-recommend-one
I never got round to getting one (still wish I had, really) but the general consensus seemed to be that the cheap Amazon ones are fine for local shopping trips, but posher, more expensive ones are available...
I'm seriously considering knocking up a carry freedom trailer from some old bits of tubing at the back of the garage using these plans as a guide
http://www.carryfreedom.com/project/12-the-bamboo-trailer/
Bob or carry freedom. All others are frustratingly poor copies