Howdy. I think this is my first post here, although I've been posting on Commuting and A&S for several years.

My wife and I have recently been tossing around the idea of buying a trailer, primary for her to haul groceries with instead of the car, but I would probably also like to use it from time to time. We haven't owned a trailer before. Since we are about a foot apart in height, we can't very well use the same bike, ruling out an Xtracycle for shared use.

I've done a little bit of research, enough to know that an axle mount is more stable than a seatpost mount. But her bike is a 1960's era Schwinn 3-speed, so my primary concern is if an axle mount can be attached to an internal hub wheel, because you've got that shifter wire coming out the one side.

If not, we could go to a seatpost mount, I guess.

Or, perhaps we could build an Xtracycle after all if we could find a frame that is "close enough" for both of us by raising or lowering the seat?

Thoughts? Thanks.

Most of the "axle" mounts I have seen actually mount on the off drive side and attach to the rear frame and/or the axle. The Bob Trailers (http://www.bobtrailers.com/trailers/trailers.php) do attach to the axle but they make the correct sized adapters to allow you to use the regular 3 speed. The Burley Flatbed (http://www.burley.com/products/flatbed.html) is another popular trailer. They have a couple of different types of hitches available depending on your configuration. I am sure there is something out there that will work. FWIW I pulled my old Cannodale Bugger for several years using my Raleigh 3 speed, but that was the seat post hitch mount on that one.

Aaron:)

If you use a 'tire strip' hitch on the seat post you can attach the
trailer to the bike by varying the length of the trailer hitch arm.

I've used the same tire strip hitch for 30 yrs with no failure.

Be careful hitching anything to a 3 speed axle like a Sturmey or equivalent: the axle is mostly hollow and isn't quite as strong as a solid. It would be okay for normal loads, but if you're hauling really heavy stuff on bad terrain, it may not like the extra stress. Probably not the most relevant concern if you're just hauling small trailers on pavement, but something to think about if you're really hauling a lot of stuff on dirt or offroad.

Howdy. I think this is my first post here, although I've been posting on Commuting and A&S for several years.

I've done a little bit of research, enough to know that an axle mount is more stable than a seatpost mount. But her bike is a 1960's era Schwinn 3-speed, so my primary concern is if an axle mount can be attached to an internal hub wheel, because you've got that shifter wire coming out the one side.

If not, we could go to a seatpost mount, I guess.

Nothing wrong with a seat post mount; don't base your choices exclusively on internet "research" of dubious value.
I've got both types. The axle mount trailer pictured is on a bike equipped with a Sachs three speed hub
Anyway, the shifting chain on Sachs/SRAM is on the right side and out of the way of the left side lower frame mounts of every trailer I've ever seen. Only the old Shimano 3 speeds shifted from the left side of the hub.

Nothing wrong with a seat post mount; don't base your choices exclusively on internet "research" of dubious value.
I've got both types. The axle mount trailer pictured is on a bike equipped with a Sachs three speed hub
Anyway, the shifting chain on Sachs/SRAM is on the right side and out of the way of the left side lower frame mounts of every trailer I've ever seen. Only the old Shimano 3 speeds shifted from the left side of the hub.
Interesting note on the Shimano 3 speeds...were those the coaster brake or non coaster brake models. I have discovered that one has the cable coming out the right side the other comes out the left side.

Aaron:)

http://www.bobtrailers.com/acsories/accessory.php?accessories_id=14

I see the Bob people have come up with a solution for their trailers internal geared hubs.

Thanks, all. ILTB, although we have clashed on other forums, I do see that you always try to be helpful to those with questions, and I appreciate that.

Interesting note on the Shimano 3 speeds...were those the coaster brake or non coaster brake models. I have discovered that one has the cable coming out the right side the other comes out the left side.

Aaron:)

I don't know about all models, but all the coaster brake 3 speed Shimano hubs that I've used had the bell crank shifter on the left side. The only Shimano 3 speed hub I have around the house at the moment is a 3CC model and it shifts from the left side.

I don't know about all models, but all the coaster brake 3 speed Shimano hubs that I've used had the bell crank shifter on the left side. The only Shimano 3 speed hub I have around the house at the moment is a 3CC model and it shifts from the left side.

I will have to go look again, it may be a year difference too. But from what I recall the coaster brake one shifts from the left side and the non coaster model shifts from the right.

Aaron:)

On our Turbo Trailer, the attachment bracket is held on by the wheel nut or quick release. There is not interference with the shifter mechanism of the Shimano Nexus-7. The adapter looks to be quite universal for any bike.

Paul

FWIW, my wife's bike is non-coaster and shifts from the right. It is a classic Raleigh with Sturmey-Archer hub.

It's not an old Schwinn, but I do have a trailer hooked up to my L200 with a Shimano Nexus 8. It's a old Trek trailer manufactured by Chariot. The chainstay clamp wouldn't work, so I ordered a hitch upgrade kit from the LBS from Chariot. The receiver for the hitch ball on the trailer goes on the non-drive side. I've been taking the kids out every weekend for a month now, and no problems yet and the receiver stays attached all the time.

If you can find a mid to late 90s Trek trailer, they're upgradable with the Chariot parts.

FWIW, my wife's bike is non-coaster and shifts from the right. It is a classic Raleigh with Sturmey-Archer hub.

John to the best of my knowledge ALL Sturmey Archer 3 speeds shift from the right. Only Shimano seems to have used different sides on different hubs for some reason.

Aaron:)

John to the best of my knowledge ALL Sturmey Archer 3 speeds shift from the right. Only Shimano seems to have used different sides on different hubs for some reason.

Aaron:)

Then again just for variety there are the Sturmey Archer S-5 and Sachs Pentasport 5 speed hubs that shift from both sides! I've had 'em both. The S-5 on my 1969 Raleigh Sprite was a particular favorite of mine.:)

A few suggestions, John, based on a set up I already use.

First, go test ride an Electra Townie. I have the Townie3 and would be surprised if the Townie cannot be adjusted to fit both you and your wife. The gears are kind of far apart on a 3 speed, as to be expected, so if (when) this bike gets replaced, I am seriously considering a Townie8 700C.

As my most stable bike, this one gets the nod for towing my 14 1/2' canoe. Easily 100+ lbs. of canoe and gear when I go fishing or hunting. I've never had any problems towing my Flatbed or Solo. Towing the canoe on my Wike Woody Wagon, on the other hand, is such a long and heavy trailer, I have to be careful how I distribute the load. This is not a concern with my other trailers. Most of this is because the Wike trailer attaches to the seatpost, putting the weight up high on the bike.

Second, consider the Burley Flatbed trailer with Classic Hitch. If the Classic Hitch is the same as the old hitch that used to come standard on the Flatbed, it fits perfectly in the chainstay/seatstay junction of the Townie, connecting the trailer to the bike low on the frame, rather than to the axle or seatpost.

Here's what it looks like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/473914140_1909b538cd.jpg
The dead body in a garbage bag is my golf bag. The little bush behind the bike is sassafras.

Oh yeah, this trailer with this hitch is also easy to swap between bikes, and easily towed by any of my other bikes.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/71291069_ef0f01c669.jpg

Then again just for variety there are the Sturmey Archer S-5 and Sachs Pentasport 5 speed hubs that shift from both sides! I've had 'em both. The S-5 on my 1969 Raleigh Sprite was a particular favorite of mine.:)

I have never had an S-5 but have ridden one:p have never had the opportunity to buy one...All of my Raleighs have been imported from other parts of the country, they apparently were not sold in great numbers in the wilds of NC, come to think of it even Schwinn Varsitys are scarce too. Anybody wanna thrift store Next for 99% of full retail:eek::rolleyes:

Aaron:)

I have never had an S-5 but have ridden one:p have never had the opportunity to buy one...All of my Raleighs have been imported from other parts of the country, they apparently were not sold in great numbers in the wilds of NC, come to think of it even Schwinn Varsitys are scarce too. Anybody wanna thrift store Next for 99% of full retail:eek::rolleyes:

Aaron:)

A thrift store in Philadelphia was where I bought my 1969 Raleigh Sprite in perfect shape with S-5 hub for $40 in 1973. Even had the twin stick ball buster gear shift mounted on the top tube. The other S-5's came from different sources. One was on a discarded 20" folder; I took the S-5 internals out and installed them in a 40 spoke AW hub attached to a 26" wheel. The dimensions and interior of the hub shells of the S-5 and AW are identical.

The other was a 26" wheel with a 1953 aluminum shell FW four speed hub. I found it discarded on a Phila street in the early 70's. It was easily converted to a 5 speed by replacing one internal part and adding the left hand shifting mechanism.

John, I second CommuterRun's suggestion of the Burley Flatbed. It's a stable, sure design, the classic hitch is fantastic, and your wife might feel more confident with a lower hitch. There's nothing wrong with seatpost hitches - I just personally feel less comfortable riding with them. If there was a way you and she could try both kinds out, that would be ideal...