Folding Bikes - Folding Trailer?

This might be an odd question. It's a logistics issue of mine I'm trying to solve.

Currently I am trying to commute more actively with bikes. In order to make it easier on me, as my commute is a bit long, I want to take a bike to the bus stop and take the bus for the remainder once in a while.

However:

I often have to carry my "little sister", a musical instrument (cello). This is dangerous without a trailer, and I can't take a bike AND a trailer on the bus.


Is there some sort of crazy solution to this, like a foldable trailer?

Thanks

Can you carry the cello on your back and just ride a bike?

There are folding trailers out there, but I'm not sure if they'll easily carry a cello. You could look into the Carry Freedom City. http://www.carryfreedom.com/city.html

got a fiberglass case for the cello or just a soft cover?
carry freedom city folds flat with in its own frame, and, part of it they make a sling bag ,
to go in the hole on the squared frame when the wheels are folded down,
the bag even when empty gives load support ,
a stretch net would probably hold the Cello case, down to the frame.
the trailer fold needs some short bungees to keep it from opening up again.

OK, as a folding bike rider (90% of the time), and as a former cello player (6th grade thru H.S.) - interesting problem.

Pretty cumbersome to strap to your back (although I am sure somebody has done it), and likely too delicate to be trusted to a small-wheeled, bumpy riding, portable trailer. Hard case or not, it would do a number on the instrument over time, IMO - especially if it's your 'performance' instrument, vs. your 'practice' instrument. I would NEVER have transported my 'performance' instrument (a 1903 August Heck made cello on-loan from my great aunt) on a bike, or a bike trailer.

With an Xtra-cycle this would be possible, but you'd have to leave the bike a, or near the bus stop. Possibly, some more creative soul will come up with a novel method to do this with a folder.

Lou

good thing that you guys dont play the piano
there I would see some problems

thor

good thing that you guys dont play the piano
there I would see some problems

thor

Thor,

Actually, a KEYBOARD (the most prevalent form of Piano today) would likely be easier to transport.

Lou

Thanks for the replies! The city trailer seems like it may work, but I'd have to rig it a bit to handle a 4.5 ft long load.

My fiberglass cello case has backpack straps.. but my center of gravity raises considerably when I try it on a bike, and it doesn't really leave room for my helmet, on top of limiting my ability to look.

Foldable two, I have considered leaving my current bike and single wheeled trailer locked to the bus stop, but some days I have to travel 4-5 mi in town once I get off the bus, so I'd have to look at the bus schedule or just walk it, which may not afford me time to get those things done. I do take my "performance" cello everywhere.. I don't have the luxury to have a practice cello right now. In fact if I did have a practice one, they have a collapsible design that compacts to the size of a violin case! Or I'd use an electric cello. Either would be considerably less bulky.

I actually forgot about the Burly Travoy, which also folds down
http://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_416/travoy.html

This guy can attach to a rear rack, which reduces its angle from the ground, allowing a lower profile for the cello. Problem is I can't find any place that carries it in my area, and I don't know if the bout of the cello case would fit between the wheels and the bottom lip of the trailer.

This might be an odd question. It's a logistics issue of mine I'm trying to solve.

Currently I am trying to commute more actively with bikes. In order to make it easier on me, as my commute is a bit long, I want to take a bike to the bus stop and take the bus for the remainder once in a while.

However:

I often have to carry my "little sister", a musical instrument (cello). This is dangerous without a trailer, and I can't take a bike AND a trailer on the bus.


Is there some sort of crazy solution to this, like a foldable trailer?

Thanks

I do admit I looked seriously at foldable trailers (there are some on the market) for towing packages larger than my present bikes could safely handle with confidence. I decided against it as the price is a good downpayement for a 3 wheel delta tricycle. Now that is far more safer and better for the odd size package such as a cello.

good thing that you guys dont play the piano
there I would see some problems

thor

Funny you should say that... at the farmers market here in SLC, there is a busker that plays a piano that he tows to the market with his bike.

Though the Cello Case can function as the trailer frame . with a removable wheel and tow fitting..

a 5 pc Band with some local connections, did a bike based tour around the PNW,
the Bass Viol player had a case- trailer for the trip..

That's a good concept fietsbob.. my case has wheels but they're pretty much rollerblade wheels. I wouldn't dare tow my cello faster than 5mph with those!

So now to invent a case that has pneumatic wheels and hitch attachment specifically for a bike.. :)

I think that Burley Travoy trailer you found would work well with a cello. You could get some of the nylon straps from camping store to secure it. I guess it would depend how far above the trailer the case sticks out and if the end of it is hitting you. Hey, you could have been playing an upright bass! ;)

Also, You could switch to the Viola, or purchase a "fractional" sized cello - see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cello

I may not be helpful, but I am creative.

Lou

Funny you should say that... at the farmers market here in SLC, there is a busker that plays a piano that he tows to the market with his bike.

That's doable, i think. Taking it on the bus would be a challenge though.

To the OP: do you think the bus would really let you board with a folder and a cello? I don't know any non-crosscountry bus service that would.

To the OP: do you think the bus would really let you board with a folder and a cello? I don't know any non-crosscountry bus service that would.

A folder, a cello - and a trailer ?

12.5" tires and tubes, wheels are common to bike friday's,
suitcase trailer,& Burly Travois,
and The Carry Freedom City trailer .
nylon composite ones, are OK, that's what they use.

tensioned cable. and a crossbar.. is what keeps the CF-C wheel nacelles in place..

The Burley is the first one that came to my mind. If the case do not fit between the wheels try and build it up with something strong and light like polestyrene.

Next is carry freedom flatbed that is fast to collapse. Maybe you`d need a longer towbar.

About using the glasfiber box of the chello as a trailer base: Look at the BF trailer that is made to be atached to a Samsonlite suitcase. https://www.bikefriday.com/thestore/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=8775 Can it be fitted to the chello case instead? If not, could you have longer axels made? Longer towbar? That way it is not really bike+ chello+ trailer that needs to go on the bike, just bike and chello case with wheels, and wheels can be removed. We made such trailers from scratch so I am sure something can be done.

chello? its a Cello, member of the Viol family ..

polestyrene polystyrene..

I've seen people carrying their kids in bike trailers around London, it makes me shudder, i would never transport anything like that I couldn't afford to lose. Just my view.

its a Cello, member of the Viol family ..
polystyrene..

Boring day? Does your mother know that you pick on the other children on the interweb?

Like I said last time i got s&!t like this from somebody: The day you speak and read my language as well as I read and speak your language I`ll take criticism from you. Is it your goal to keep peopel who do not have English as theyr native language and/or dyslexia off the forum?

FYI, this Forum, You have an 'edit post' option so you are not stuck with your first attempt..

then I can delete my correction suggestion

and then no one will know the first draft needed a little editing..

FYI, this Forum, You have an 'edit post' option so you are not stuck with your first attempt..

then I can delete my correction suggestion

and then no one will know the first draft needed a little editing..

I think you need editing more than my post does.

The Burley Travoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv5Rx-zltJA

Have to say, a folding bike, a folding trailer and a cello seems like one (or maybe two) too many items to take on a bus.

So, what's the solution you've chosen?

Lou

I have rescued some baby joggers from the trash over the years. The wheels have an axle sticking out one side of the hub, which you stick into a tube on the stroller, and then there's a spring to hold them on. They're easy to pop on and off. I suggest you find a couple those wheels and find a tube of the right size. 1/2" copper plumbing pipe is the right size, and I'm sure that's not the only option. Anyway, mount the tube permanently to your 'cello case, and pop the wheels on when needed. You will need to figure out how to keep the wheels from popping off when they shouldn't, but that shouldn't be hard. A set screw, for example, would do nicely.

1/2" copper plumbing pipe is the right size
but the wrong metal, it's rather soft, so won't be reliable..

I'd think a set of cradles to carry the case , somewhat like
kayak carrying, on car, roof racks. is another approach,.

I have the Burley Travoy trailer and I think it would fit your needs nicely. It really is a a well thought out trailer. I use it to carry two camping chairs and picinic lunches for my girlfriend and I. I used it to carry home a big toolbox that I found on sale and today I will use it to carry a suitcase that I bought which is sitting at work. Plus I use it to go grocery shopping as it as like a bundle buggy when in the store. It folds up to nothing when not in use. One of the things a like about it is, the ease in which I can take my bike and trailer out of my unit, into the elevator without having to take a two trips which I had to do when I had the Chariot and Yak trailers. Those were great trailers but didn't suit my needs all that well. The Burley does.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk319/blakcloud60/PicinicJuly045640x480.jpg

Thanks for all the replies. I have an REI close by so I can "buy" a burley travoy and if it doesn't fit, I can return it within 30 days for a full refund. I'll give that a shot, and use my standard bike on the bus, which rarely has a full rack.

Rhm and fietsbob, thanks for your suggestions, too! I think it would be a great, eventual, project to design a trailer, where the frame would basically be an air-travel case with wheels, such as the baby stroller's attached. I could use a gig bag then to put inside the travel case and it'll be nice and insulated and cushioned from shock.

Do you think the burley travoy could fit inside a backpack or messenger bag? Not necessary but I already am carrying a lot of stuff :)