General Cycling Discussion - building bike for trailer

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bikegeekmn
08-08-09, 11:19 PM
I'm putting together a bike for hauling a trailer along (flat bar road bike)and I was wondering if it there would be any advantage to using 180 cranks(triple).If anybody has any other tips that may help... -ps ; this bike will be made from all older parts , I probably wo'nt have to buy anything to do this project.It may grace the frankenbike thread in cv soon.

badmother
08-09-09, 03:11 AM
165 rather than 180.
noglider
08-09-09, 08:14 AM
badmother (what a weird name), why do you say that? I'd think you'd want as much leverage as you can get.

badmother
08-09-09, 10:52 AM
badmother (what a weird name), why do you say that? I'd think you'd want as much leverage as you can get.

And let your legs and knees take the beating?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369756&highlight=crank+arm+lenght

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=33450&highlight=crank+arm+lenght

And about my weird name: Want to know what glider is in my language? :D:D:twitchy: Trust me, you do not.
Zan
08-09-09, 01:52 PM
when i was younger, i built a wagon that would allow me to pull lawn equipment around through the neighborhood. that's right; i was that kid cutting people's lawns off a bicycle!

the wagon was/is about 30lbs, the lawnmower around 100lbs, leafblower, weed whacker, spare gas can, bag of grass and water were another 50lbs. So... around 180lbs of extra weight attached to a 35lb wally world bike.

You'll have trouble on the hills. I suggest getting the lowest gearing ratio you can. I couldn't pull the cart more than 15km/h due to the wagon shaking. So... you'll want a good, low gear ratio.

I don't know how heavy your trailer is going to be, but if your brakes are marginal, you may want to consider an upgrade/replacement.
bikegeekmn
08-10-09, 01:44 PM
I intend on the lowest possible gearing I have available.I also would have thought 180s would be better for the leverage.The trailer w/ 2 kids is about 100lbs.Old dia-compe centerpulls w/mountain bike levers do the stopping chores pretty good(I never liked em w/ road levers)but w/ a trailer we'll have to try and see.-pulling 100lb trailer is like climbing a tree,with an anchor.
bikegeekmn
08-10-09, 01:48 PM
bio-pace maybe?
bikegeekmn
08-28-09, 08:54 AM
any input on bio-pace rings?