Bike trailers ?

[RufusChucklebutty]

Anyone found a preference for a trailer connected to the axle or one connected to the seat post ?

Is there any diffence in handling?

 

[raleighnut]

Anyone found a preference for a trailer connected to the axle or one connected to the seat post ?

Is there any diffence in handling?

I had one that clamped to the NDS rear stay (similar to the axle clamp type) handling was weird but still stable up to over 40mph

 

[88robb]

Axle-mounted is better. Tracks straight, no sway, bike handles normal.

Seatpost clamp makes bike wobble at low speed and you feel it on hills. Also can bend the post.

Go axle every time if your bike fits one.

 

[brommieinkorea]

I currently use a Burley Travoy, clamps to the seatpost. Only for the Bromptons because the little wheels preclude a normal axle hook up. The Travoy is only good for about 35 pounds, although that's still quite a bit of groceries. That only 15ish kg, so don't get excited.
Axle mount does handle better and is good for a more substantial load. I've towed a Burley Nomad a lot, very stable, good for 80 lbs., tracks a little left .... You have to remember to only turn left if you're turning real sharp or doing a u-turn because the hitch mounts to the left side.
Tracking a little left of the bike in the USA means the trailer does not fall off of the edge of the road as easily. In the UK it would certainly have the opposite effect. You've been warned.

 

[Deafie]

I use a Wike cargo trailer and it doesn't affect the handling at all. Single wheel trailers that attach to both sides of the axle will steer the bike when at speed. All 7 of the riders I rode the divide with who used them crashed as a result of their trailers.
I don't know about post mounted trailers

 

[Oldhippy]

I had an axle mounted one, cheap from Cycle King (the only good thing they sold). Lasted year no issues at all.

 

[Shreds]

Used a Cannondale Bug child trailer successsfully for a number of years with seat post mount, then later a Cresswell U+2 double child trike trailer fitted the same way. No real problem with handling the bike. Also more recently used a Radical axle mounted trailer, again no problems.

 

[Drago]

I preferred axle. Didnt affect handling or the cornering angle of dangle,

 

[Deafie]

I had an axle mounted one,

I preferred axle

Were these attached to one side of the axle with a flexible coupling or were they attached at both sides of the axle so the trailer would bank at the same angle as the bike?

 

[alanuni]

When you brake, the trailer pushes forward onto the back of your bike. A seatpost-mounted trailer will thus push your rear wheel off the ground.

Go axle-mounted!

 

[Oldhippy]

@Deafie axel coupling flexi.

 

[Drago]

Were these attached to one side of the axle with a flexible coupling or were they attached at both sides of the axle so the trailer would bank at the same angle as the bike?

I've had both, and both work will and impose minimally upon the bicycle.

 

[Deafie]

I've had both, and both work will and impose minimally upon the bicycle.

A rigid single wheel trailer like the BOB Yak will steer the bike from behind, especially at speed, but I suspect that as you are the size and weight of a small house your mass may have more of an effect on the trailer than the trailer has on your bike. Someone 5'2" and 120lbs towing 50lbs of camping gear plus 2 days food and water, plus the weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the bike, going down the side of a mountain, off road, will have a noticeably more butt clenching experience than you did.
Single wheel trailers are generally fine. but they are not as safe to use as 2 wheel trailers with decent flexi couplings and you can't carry anything like the stuff you can on a deuce

 

[brommieinkorea]

A rigid single wheel trailer like the BOB Yak will steer the bike from behind, especially at speed, but I suspect that as you are the size and weight of a small house your mass may have more of an effect on the trailer than the trailer has on your bike. Someone 5'2" and 120lbs towing 50lbs of camping gear plus 2 days food and water, plus the weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the bike, going down the side of a mountain, off road, will have a noticeably more butt clenching experience than you did.
Single wheel trailers are generally fine. but they are not as safe to use as 2 wheel trailers with decent flexi couplings and you can't carry anything like the stuff you can on a deuce

Never tow more than half of your own weight. So if ya weigh 180lbs the trailer and contents can weigh 90lbs. If you weigh 265 you can lug 130lbs and still control it. But, the smaller you are, the smaller your touring load. This works pretty well with full trailers and automobiles too.

 

[Deafie]

Never tow more than half of your own weight. So if ya weigh 180lbs the trailer and contents can weigh 90lbs. If you weigh 265 you can lug 130lbs and still control it. But, the smaller you are, the smaller your touring load. This works pretty well with full trailers and automobiles too.

That's an interesting comment. Where did you get that from?