Touring - Bikes for Trailers vs Bikes for racks

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cycler0707
03-04-07, 08:08 AM
I've decided on pulling a trailer for my journey across the US next summer but now the harder choice, bike selection. Are there touring bikes that pull trailers better then others? I'm leaning towards the Safari right now (cost, speed of acquisition, and 3 riders who have purchased and recommend) but I'm still hoping to test ride a few other bikes before purchasing in mid-April. Any help is greatly appreciated

Cyclesafe
03-04-07, 10:15 AM
Actually if you are set on a trailer and if you keep strictly to pavement, you can use a road bike. What would be sweet is a steel (preferred) or aluminum road bike with 36 14 guage spoke wheels and 25mm good-quality tires (like Marathon Plus or Stelvio Plus).
Pac-Mule
03-04-07, 10:20 AM
what kind of trailer and how big also how much are you planning on carrying .

cycler0707
03-04-07, 01:23 PM
I'm looking at the Burley Nomad and doubt I'll carry over 40 lbs for any trip. I want off road capability for detours, construction, diversions, etc. I really like the Novara Safari thus far but I'm still open if there is a bike that is designed for specific trailer pulling duties. Bill
n4zou
03-04-07, 05:30 PM
Check out the new Surly Big Dummy.
http://www.surlybikes.com/new/images/bigdummy.jpg
This will eliminate the need to tow a trailer. I want one myself! I was going to order a new Surly LHT but after seeing the Big Dummy.
http://www.xtracycle.com/images/freerad-interact1.jpg
trace22clawson
03-04-07, 08:31 PM
Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. A true touring frame. The bike is solid. Made from great light weight Reynolds 853 steel. check it out at www.bikes.com.
sisddwg
03-04-07, 09:22 PM
I've decided on pulling a trailer for my journey across the US next summer but now the harder choice, bike selection. Are there touring bikes that pull trailers better then others? I'm leaning towards the Safari right now (cost, speed of acquisition, and 3 riders who have purchased and recommend) but I'm still hoping to test ride a few other bikes before purchasing in mid-April. Any help is greatly appreciated


Absolutely. I have five bikes and a B.O.B. trailer and I can tell you that one of them handles the trailer much better than the other four. On couple of my bikes the trailer gives you the sensation the the tail is wagging the dog. On the other two the flex is not as pronounced. By the way, the bike that does the best job is my 1982 Miyata 1000 Touring (a superb touring machine). My Rivendell Longlow is a distant second.
The Figment
03-05-07, 04:54 AM
Check out the new Surly Big Dummy.
http://www.surlybikes.com/new/images/bigdummy.jpg
This will eliminate the need to tow a trailer. I want one myself! I was going to order a new Surly LHT but after seeing the Big Dummy.
http://www.xtracycle.com/images/freerad-interact1.jpg

+10 on the Big Dummy

I also have a BoB and after touring with it for a year or so I love it except for one thing...The crazy high speed wobbles,especally on long steep downhills,scared the bejesus out of me the first time!!
I've used Pannier,Two wheeled trailers,and my Bob,and this thing strikes me as the best of both worlds!!