Trailer on a Cannondale

[cutters]

I've got a Burly Solo trailer that I use on my single speed bike to tote my daughter around. I'd like to do some group rides, where I think some gears would be handy.

I have a 04' Cannondale R1000. Do you think the chain stays are strong enough on the CADD 7 frame to hook-up the trailer. I don't want to dent my frame...maybe I'm worried about nothing. Has anyone had any problems?

[zonatandem]

Sorta hard to dent heat treated aluminum!

[DieselDan]

Shouldn't be a problem. With a Burley hitch, you control how much pressure you need to apply on the tension screw, and I don't think you can dent the chain and seat stays very easily.

[K6-III]

Or you can get the skewer hitch and not worry about it...

I think its called the "alt hitch"

[Phantoj]

I would go with the alt. hitch if you really care about the bike. I pull a Burley Encore with my CAAD4 Cannondale, and I have noticed some *tiny* dents and some paint scuffs where the trailer hooks up. Maybe I crank the tension down too tight?

Also, you CAN hit your heel on the standard hitch. This isn't really a problem for me, but I have hit the hitch a few times.

The dents are pretty tiny, but my 2000 R800 is just a typical nice bike, not anything too fancy anyway.

[santiago]

Or you can get the skewer hitch and not worry about it...

I think its called the "alt hitch"

Are the "alt hitches" universal? I have a Kona Blast MTB that has gotten seriously beat up (paint chips) on the chainstay using the clamp style hitch from the wagon I pull my daughters in. I have wrapped the chainstay with electrical tape and that has helped but I would like to modify to use the skewer hitch. As it has been noted, I occasionally hit the back of my foot on the clamp. What also happens is that the hitch clamp will sometimes slide along the chainstay and start rubbing against my rear disk.

[Phantoj]

There are four different models of burley alternate hitch:

http://www.bicycletrailers.com/burley-accessories.htm#h

$40... I could live with a little paint scratching.

[santiago]

There are four different models of burley alternate hitch:

http://www.bicycletrailers.com/burley-accessories.htm#h

$40... I could live with a little paint scratching.

In my case it's more than paint chips. I either hit my foot on the clamp or the clamp ends up rubbing against my rear disk.

Is this clamp universal? I have an older Rhode Gear trailer that my aunt gave me. I have never seen a Burley up close so I don't if a Burley alternate hitch can work with my trailer. Anyone know?

[Phantoj]

I would think it would work only for trailers that have the same design as the Burley. The Burley is probably the most-copied trailer design, so it has a good chance of working. Does your trailer have a vertical bolt attaching the plastic part of the hitch to the rubber part?

[santiago]

I would think it would work only for trailers that have the same design as the Burley. The Burley is probably the most-copied trailer design, so it has a good chance of working. Does your trailer have a vertical bolt attaching the plastic part of the hitch to the rubber part?

I don't remember, I'll check it out tonight. I'll even take a pic and post it here so someone with a Burley can give me their opinion.

In my search for a possible Rhode Gear adapter I came across a reference by someone who said that the Rhode Gear has one of the biggest clamps and that hitting it with the foot is common. I also learned that Rhode Gear was bought by Bell but I cannot find any reference to the trailers on the Bell website, only helmets.

[phinney]

I have a couple of Burley skewer hitches that I got a few years ago from the local bike shop. They were about $20 each and I thought that was too much. They work great.

[Phantoj]

I'd pay $20, but $40 is a little too dear. Post the pic and I'll tell you if I think it would work.

[santiago]

OK - took the pictures. Does seem to have a bolt that holds the spring/clamp within the trailer's arm. BTW, the trailer arm has an outer diameter of approximately 1.25" if that makes a difference.

I've attached some shots of the clamp. Does it appear as if the Burley alt hitch can fit?

[Phantoj]

I feel pretty confident that the alternate Burley hitch will NOT fit.

My only recommendations are to buy a different bike or a different trailer! Maybe an old $100-200 road bike to be your trailer puller?

[santiago]

I feel pretty confident that the alternate Burley hitch will NOT fit.

My only recommendations are to buy a different bike or a different trailer! Maybe an old $100-200 road bike to be your trailer puller?


Or have my wife pull the trailer! :D She won't like that idea.

I have been tempted by the Mountain Equipment Coop trailer and I know I can sell my current trailer at a decent price. Not sure if an alternate hitch exists for it though.

[Phantoj]

I think the Chariot trailers come with a more disc-friendly hitch. If I could do my trailer purchase over, I would probably check them out. My Burley works pretty good, but I have a few niggles with it... hitch being one of 'em.

[santiago]

I think the Chariot trailers come with a more disc-friendly hitch. If I could do my trailer purchase over, I would probably check them out. My Burley works pretty good, but I have a few niggles with it... hitch being one of 'em.

Love the Chariots but they are very expensive. They are easily 2x the price of the MEC one and that's a pretty sweet looking wagon.

[Phantoj]

One thing nice, I think, would be the suspension on the Chariots. I know my son picks up some jolts from those 20" wheels when I go over rough patches or cracks. But I do most of my trailering on a smooth bike path, so it's not a big deal.

One of my big beefs with the Burley has been the safety flag (!). And the riding position is a little slouchy. And it would be nice to have the back more "compartmented" from the front. Plus, the hitch...

[phinney]

Phantoj,

What is it about the safety flag that you have a beef with?

[Phantoj]

There's a little rubber cap on the bottom of the flag. When you remove the flag, that cap gets stuck in the nylon pocket on the trailer.

Also: The flag is made in two parts. The top half of the flag slips into a sleeve that is glued onto the end of the bottom half of the flag. On a ride, this sleeve came unglued and I lost the top half of the flag. My LBS kindly and quickly gave me another flag.

On the good side, the Burley is well made and it tracks great. I have never felt any instability with it. 25 mph is about the fastest I've had it.

Having the trailer has been fun. I think I've done about 350 miles with it so far... mostly on local bike paths.