Touring - Ahh! Bob vs. Burley Nomad?? How bout flying w/them?

I've read all the posts comparing these two, but am still stuck. My big question is:
How difficult is it to get the Bob disassembled enough to go on a plane?
The Nomad, at least from the pictures, packs down and fits neatly in a bag. Which seems like it would be wonderful and no-hassle. Is it really?

I test drove both today (with weight), and though they are obviously different, couldn't tell the difference with how they carried weight or followed the bike.


So...the dealmaker/nreaker is how they travel - I think I will get on a plane with them twice a year or so.

Help?

Panniers would have the packing advantage over any trailer. They would pack together with the bike.

Weight: capacity advantage too over the BOB. About even on the Nomad, but only in the situation where you're hauling way too much gear for one person.

If you look at the box that each comes in, you will have a good idea of how much (or how little) each one folds down to.

The BOB doesn't really fold down too much. The wheel comes off, and the gooseneck or whatever you call it unbolts and swings around. But the waterproof bag makes a great piece of luggage to check!

You could always gate check a small trailer (I'm thinking BOB) as a stroller. Just a thought.

I recently bought the Nomad with the rack accessory mainly because my girlfriend and I wanted a trailer that broke down and packed easily for airplane and rail travel. We haven't flown with it yet but plan to next year. On a 5 day tandem trip earlier this summer, it handled very well with about 60 lbs of gear easily stowed. It attaches to the tandem differently than the BOB. Hitch is very strong and the complete unit gave us no problems at all. Even with two tires, compared to the BOB's one, we had no problems with tracking behind the tandem. In fact, the Nomad is even offset slightly to the left so that the right tire on the trailer does not run on a gravel shoulder if you cycle close to the edge of the pavement. Couldn't ask for anything better really.:D

In fact, the Nomad is even offset slightly to the left so that the right tire on the trailer does not run on a gravel shoulder if you cycle close to the edge of the pavement. Couldn't ask for anything better really.:D

You could if you're in a left-side driving country

Funny that you mention that. We are looking at a UK tour eventually. Doesn't look like the Nomad can be offset the other way for over there. Will have to settle for panniers only.;)

I flew to New Zealand with a BOB and it was really easy. I didn't buy the waterproof bag, I used my backpack in place of it. When it was time to get on the plane, the tire and gooseneck (for lack of a better term) went in the bike box, and the backpack stayed bungeed in the trailer as checked luggage. I used American, United, and Quantas in my travels this way and they were all fine with this setup. I also went on Greyhound and both NZ bus companies with no problems.

Also check out Carry Freedom. I heard that a cycler pulled the City Trailer across Oz.

http://www.carryfreedom.com/products.html