Panniers or Trailer

[kelv61]

Hi. I'm after some advice. We're in the process of planning our second End to End and I'm thinking I might like to use a trailer instead of panniers. Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't use a trailer?
I've got the idea that a trailer would give me a bit more freedom on the bike. Thanks.

 

[vernon]

Hi. I'm after some advice. We're in the process of planning our second End to End and I'm thinking I might like to use a trailer instead of panniers. Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't use a trailer?
I've got the idea that a trailer would give me a bit more freedom on the bike. Thanks.

Trailers give you less freedom in some circumstances. They add weight and expense to your set up. They can adversely affect the handling of your bike. You might have problems transporting your bike and trailer on some trains. Parking up while you go shopping would leave me feeling a lot more vulnerable with a trailer and bike rather than bike alone.

 

[kelv61]

Trailers give you less freedom in some circumstances. They add weight and expense to your set up. They can adversely affect the handling of your bike. You might have problems transporting your bike and trailer on some trains. Parking up while you go shopping would leave me feeling a lot more vulnerable with a trailer and bike rather than bike alone.

Thanks very much for your quick reply. You have made my mind up not to go with the trailer. Simply on the issue of getting on a train would prove a nightmare. Thanks again.

 

[snorri]

I have considered using a trailer for touring but feel the negatives would exceed the positives.
Most of my tours include carrying my loaded bicycle at certain points, up/down stairs, on/off small ferries and railway trains, or into tight situations for overnight parking at accommodation. All of these manoeuvres would have been complicated by having a trailer, as would negotiating narrow paths.
If for any reason you are unable to lift and carry your loaded bike, you might take a different view!

 

[kelv61]

I have considered using a trailer for touring but feel the negatives would exceed the positives.
Most of my tours include carrying my loaded bicycle at certain points, up/down stairs, on/off small ferries and railway trains, or into tight situations for overnight parking at accommodation. All of these manoeuvres would have been complicated by having a trailer, as would negotiating narrow paths.
If for any reason you are unable to lift and carry your loaded bike, you might take a different view!

I know about carrying bikes. I remember having to carry mine with fully loaded up 3 long flights at Glasgow Central because the lift was broken. Another good reason why I'm going to stick with the panniers. Thankyou

 

[david1701]

There's a guy who tours on a folder with a trailer and loves it, I'll go dig out his blog ...

 

[david1701]

Here he is, mike mcfarlane, http://www.mikemcfarlane.co.uk/photography-tips-and-articles/view/the-cycling-photographer/

He has a v good post on it there

 

[kelv61]

Here he is, mike mcfarlane, http://www.mikemcfarlane.co.uk/photography-tips-and-articles/view/the-cycling-photographer/

He has a v good post on it there

Thanks very much, I'll have a look.

 

[chrtho]

Thanks very much for your quick reply. You have made my mind up not to go with the trailer. Simply on the issue of getting on a train would prove a nightmare. Thanks again.

You seem to be forgetting that trailers are not permanently attached to their bikes. In many cases it is actually easier to get the bike and luggage on separately - I have seen people struggle with bike + attached panniers on some trains.

Trailers are difficult to maneuver when off the bike though - however on the bike they generally handle better (lower C of G) and create less wind resistance (load is in bike's slipstream).

The deciding factor should really be the amount of stuff you intend to carry. A trailer is better than bloated panniers with stuff piled high on the rear rack and front panniers like barn doors. Panniers are better if you can manage with two decent ones on the back and a couple of small low-riders on the front.

 

[kelv61]

You seem to be forgetting that trailers are not permanently attached to their bikes. In many cases it is actually easier to get the bike and luggage on separately - I have seen people struggle with bike + attached panniers on some trains.

Trailers are difficult to maneuver when off the bike though - however on the bike they generally handle better (lower C of G) and create less wind resistance (load is in bike's slipstream).

The deciding factor should really be the amount of stuff you intend to carry. A trailer is better than bloated panniers with stuff piled high on the rear rack and front panniers like barn doors. Panniers are better if you can manage with two decent ones on the back and a couple of small low-riders on the front.

Thanks for your reply. Im not forgeting that the trailer is not permantly attached to the bike. I just want to know how the bike would handle up against loaded panniers. You say that trailers handle better, thats good to hear coz I really fancy using one. I wont be carrying a big load. But your description of bloated bags and the rack piled high is what I want to get away from. I think I might just have to try it. That is, I think, the only way to find out. Thanks again.

 

[willem]

I have a superb two wheel trailer and a bike with racks and panniers. The trailer was bought when the kids were young and we had to take a lot. It was pulled by a childback tandem. It was a great way to take a lot behind a bike with a frame that had to work rather hard in the first place. I have also used it quite successfully behind a road bike that could not have coped with that sort of load in panniers. On the other hand, now that the kinds ride their own bikes I am very glad to ride my loaded tourer with panniers. It is a much lighter solution, with less rolling resistance. I also prefer the more precise and direct handling. But then, these days my normal load on the loaded tourer is no more than 15 kg in two rear panniers.
Trailers are heavy and expensive, an din my view only useful for heavy loads and with a light bike that you want to ride somewhere with luggage, to make unloaded and spirited day trips once you have reached your destination. For normal situations, I think you would do much better to spend the money on lighter and more compact gear.
Willem

 

[chrtho]

Thanks for your reply. Im not forgeting that the trailer is not permantly attached to the bike. I just want to know how the bike would handle up against loaded panniers. You say that trailers handle better, thats good to hear coz I really fancy using one. I wont be carrying a big load. But your description of bloated bags and the rack piled high is what I want to get away from. I think I might just have to try it. That is, I think, the only way to find out. Thanks again.

OK - I just thought that ruling a trailer out purely on the train issue was a mistake - I've taken mine on the train loads of times. Also, note that my comments about handling and wind resistance only apply to single-wheel trailers.

 

[saoirse50]

Just back from Arran and met three guys touring with trailers. One guy was using what looked like one of those that carry two children. I had no idea how much stuff he was carrying and it felt too rude to ask. It looked like enough for three people. The other two had more normal set ups, Bob Yaks. They said they restricted the roads they travelled. They had had to pass up a few off road tracks they had fancied. For me it's a train thing. I am not sure I could have fitted a trailer in the bike space on the Virgin Pendolino I used to get back from Scotland. And so many out of the way places have stations with no lifts. Not sure I could carry a trailer down steps. If your tour is all on ordinary roads and lifts are available anywhere there might be stairs, a trailer would be fine.