Living Car Free - 3 ?'s for shopping

I have an old trek 7300 (before suspension) that is slowly getting geared into a comfort tank (rack lights panniers etc.) I do rec riding wth my happy (most of the time) new hip but I'd love to do more utility biking.

So I'm thinking of getting a trailer for grocery shopping (we eat a lot and with my CP I am not the most balanced so 50-70 ponds on the bike = bad plan) plus to get on and off the bike I lay it down. I realize this is a sin to some but it works for me and it's better than not riding right!?!. I don't have the money for a bent so thanks but let's not go there. Im mostly fine once on the bike but...

1) is there a trailer that I could get for hauling groceries that wouldn't require the bike to stay upright ?

maybe I should post this in the builders forum?

2) how do you secure the trailer from thieves while shopping

3) I have a cheap lock now for my bike and want recommendations on a "good cost effective lock",
How long should it be and ow should I use it (through frame around each rim once?) Please advise and forgive me for my ignorance.

I did pick up yesterdays Jewel chicken deal on the bike and it fit perfect in my rack bag and didn't have adverse effects from being "tipped over" for my mounting procedure. It is a start. Nice to burn some dinner calories before you eat them :)
thanks.

1) is there a trailer that I could get for hauling groceries that wouldn't require the bike to stay upright ?

Sounds like you're on a budget. You can find used trailers that are meant to carry kids, all the ones I've seen are designed so that they stay upright if the bike falls or is put on the ground.

Bike thieves don't seem to specifically target trailers, but you could use long cable (like the ones some people use with a U-lock so they can lock both of their wheels) to secure the trailer to the bike when it's parked. The trailer should have some frame part (such as a wheel well) where you can easily attach a cable.

If you look around -- yard sales, freecycle, craigslist, etc -- I think there's a good chance you'll find a child trailer very cheap or even free. These are the kind of things that people buy and use just a short time, until their kids get bigger, and then need to get rid of.

Also, can you rethink your style of shopping? For instance, go more often, but buy less each time. Or buy smaller stuff every week on your bike, but use other transportation once a month for big items. Consider bus, taxi or carpooling with a neighbor for those monthly trips.

1) is there a trailer that I could get for hauling groceries that wouldn't require the bike to stay upright ?



I use a BOB trailer that works well for hauling groceries. It is a single wheeled trailer that attaches to the bike's rear wheel axle, so I think you could lay your bike down with it still attached. I don't quite understand how you get going from that position, so it may not work for you, especially if the trailer was loaded down, but it is an idea anyway.

I don't think I would recommend a single wheel trailer for shopping, especially if you have to lean the bike to climb on board. Raising a loaded bike from the ground is quite an issue. Besides, loading a trailer lying down would be problematic.

You should double-check when you buy, but many (most?) bike trailers accept a leaning bike without problem. For example, both Burley and Chariot state that while their hitch allows the bike to lean flat on the ground, you should not leave it that way because it might twist the elastometer part. In other words, lean the bike to get on or off, but park it standing up.

As for locking the trailer and cargo, I bought a 10-ft cable at a hardware store. I looped it around a structural member of the trailer, so when I park, I just grab the loose end, pass it through my rear wheel and lock it with the front wheel, frame and fixed object with my U-lock. And shopping wise, I either do single-spot trips or if I stop at more than one place, I try to buy the valuable stuff at the end. So far, nobody tried to steal two loaves of bread and 4 L of milk.

some one mentioned work a bikes or bike at work trailers ...havent looked lately but I remeber 300$ and thanks for replys