Touring - France tour: anyone used a CELLO for Bob Trailers?

Hi there. I'm planning a tour through France in april/may 09, and I've got a BoB Ibex.. I've been considering the difficulty of taking both my bike and the trailer on the plane, and just wanted to know if anyone's actually used the Cello to carry their trailer/bike. The idea of being able to hop off of the plane and onto a train with both my bike and trailer in one rolling package sounds nice, indeed. But when I'm ready to head off on my bike, what of the Cello? Although it's attached to the trailer folded up and you can ride with it, I understand that it's about 20 pounds, which will probably end up being about 1/3 (or more) of my touring load... seems like a catch 22. <= but the hassles I've read about regarding taking bikes on trains in France, let alone bikes with trailers makes me think it might be a good option. (I don't want to invest in panniers at this point after buying the trailer, which is used for groceries at home). Any response will be greatly appreciated!

here's the link to the Cello. http://www.wandertec.com/

I have no experience using trailers (I like panniers) but I was wondering about your trip to France. Do you have a route planned yet?

Ray

i remove the fender, flag, wheel, and arm from the bob, secure the bag to the trailer, and check it as luggage. i use a cardboard box from my lbs for my bike and recycle/bin it on arrival. i buy another one from the airlines when it's time to return, and reuse it once or twice. i don't often ride the train, and the ticket office was always helpful in finding a route that would accept bikes.

i would guess that the cello counts as a bike bag and would allow you to board high speed trains, which could be a bonus. to me, it mostly seems like additional stuff to deal with

my opinion is to skip the cello. you can probably check/carry your bob in the above manner and either take a slow train or buy/bring a bag.

i'd like to hear your route as well. i love france! /jealous

I tour in france a lot, and use a trailer at home a lot. When I tour though, I use panniers. A bike alone is enough of a hassle when it comes to touring in France. I can imagine it would be a nightmare having a bike AND a trailer on a french train.

I would have suggested getting one of those trailers that looks like a BOB yak, but is foldable. Butg since you've already got a trailer, my tip is moot.

i remove the fender, flag, wheel, and arm from the bob, secure the bag to the trailer, and check it as luggage. i use a cardboard box from my lbs for my bike and recycle/bin it on arrival. i buy another one from the airlines when it's time to return, and reuse it once or twice. i don't often ride the train, and the ticket office was always helpful in finding a route that would accept bikes.

i would guess that the cello counts as a bike bag and would allow you to board high speed trains, which could be a bonus. to me, it mostly seems like additional stuff to deal with

my opinion is to skip the cello. you can probably check/carry your bob in the above manner and either take a slow train or buy/bring a bag.

I would have to agree. The Cello seems like a neat concept, but not something to carry with you on an extended tour. Also it looks so massive that I imagine some airlines wouldn't even want to touch it.

thanks for all of the fast responses! Bikeforums is an awesome community.

So, I still haven't planned my route. Here's the big picture: I'm American, but my wife is French. She's currently teaching French in India at a university, and when she finishes in early May she'll fly back to Marseilles, close to Toulon where her parents live. My big plan is to fly in to Paris and ride across France in time to meet up with her.. (after TEN MONTHS of being apart...)

It's my first tour, but I've been commuting/utility cycling for years and am SO ready to tour. I've got a gps device, and my in laws will send me some Michelin maps (cheaper for them than for me to order..).. but my two biggest concerns are

1) getting there
2) getting out of the CDG airport on by bike and onto the road.

the rest is fine!


as far as the route, the only place I have to stop at is St Loup, a little village in the Burgundy region, then on to Toulon (which is in between Nice and Marseilles). Endless options. very exciting.

here's a link to the general route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Charles+de+Gaulle,+France&daddr=Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse,+Haute-Sa%C3%B4ne,+Franche-Comt%C3%A9,+France+to:toulon&hl=en&geocode=&mra=pe&mrcr=0,1&sll=46.057985,2.504883&sspn=10.430306,28.476562&ie=UTF8&ll=46.452997,5.976563&spn=10.355852,28.476563&z=6), just a quick google maps route that's using main highways I'm sure. just to give everyone an outline of where I have to go-- any suggestions as far as the route is concerned are very welcome! I'm bringing a tent, sleeping bag, stove, all lightweight, but am not adverse to stopping at hotels, I'm trying to be open and realistic here.

as far as that Cello thing... it's 600 BUCKS! nevermind! wow. I'd be better off buying another trailer there. way too expensive. I'll use your advice, Jabantic. Thanks everyone!