how much weight?
#1
Fraser Valley Dave
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Posts: 546
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
how much weight?
I'm normally a solo tourer but am hoping this 'tandem forum' might be able to answer my question.
How much weight can most manage while touring? As an example, if your partner weighs approximately 130 lbs. and doesn't help you peddle, are you able to carry on in most situations? I have an 80 lb. dog that I would like to bring along, so with the trailer and my gear weight it will be about 130-135 lbs. I know it's best to just try it, but I don't have a trailer and don't want to buy one if it's not feasible. Thanks for any input.
How much weight can most manage while touring? As an example, if your partner weighs approximately 130 lbs. and doesn't help you peddle, are you able to carry on in most situations? I have an 80 lb. dog that I would like to bring along, so with the trailer and my gear weight it will be about 130-135 lbs. I know it's best to just try it, but I don't have a trailer and don't want to buy one if it's not feasible. Thanks for any input.
#2
Clipless in Coeur d'Alene
If my partner weighed approximately 130 lbs. and didn't help pedal, I would be riding my single
Really though, 50-80lbs of gear is "typical" touring weight. 130lbs... is double trouble without a 2nd motor. Give yourself plenty of time and judge the distances accordingly.
Really though, 50-80lbs of gear is "typical" touring weight. 130lbs... is double trouble without a 2nd motor. Give yourself plenty of time and judge the distances accordingly.
Last edited by twocicle; 03-30-14 at 02:04 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,853
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1067 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 259 Times
in
153 Posts
If there are any significant hills you better have some low gears, be patient, and be a pretty strong cyclist. It is also a lot of weight to push you around on the downhills, worse if you are light but I suspect you are not with a name like Big Lew.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Wind Tunnels of Cheyenne
Posts: 361
Bikes: Burley Duet [of some unknown year] (the guinea pig); 2001 Ventana ECDM (the project); And always one less than I think I really need.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm normally a solo tourer but am hoping this 'tandem forum' might be able to answer my question.
How much weight can most manage while touring? As an example, if your partner weighs approximately 130 lbs. and doesn't help you peddle, are you able to carry on in most situations? I have an 80 lb. dog that I would like to bring along, so with the trailer and my gear weight it will be about 130-135 lbs. I know it's best to just try it, but I don't have a trailer and don't want to buy one if it's not feasible. Thanks for any input.
How much weight can most manage while touring? As an example, if your partner weighs approximately 130 lbs. and doesn't help you peddle, are you able to carry on in most situations? I have an 80 lb. dog that I would like to bring along, so with the trailer and my gear weight it will be about 130-135 lbs. I know it's best to just try it, but I don't have a trailer and don't want to buy one if it's not feasible. Thanks for any input.
Best suggestion, see if you can borrow a trailer and load it up with your expected dog/gear weight (sand bags, jugs of water, ect...) and see how you and your rig react...Then a short jaunt with just the dog to see how he handles the ride. Then make your decision on that purchase. Also watch as I don't think many trailers are designed for 80+ pounds
#5
Fraser Valley Dave
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Posts: 546
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Several years ago I had a light homemade 2-wheeled trailer for use on logging roads etc. and it was designed to handle 125 lbs (a deer carcass) and it was pulled by an old 18 speed rigid framed mt. bike with very low gears. That was a different scenario though because I would detach it and walk it over rough stuff or up and down steep grades. I have quite strong cycling legs and I had no problem cycling with it loaded on smooth surfaces and shallow grades but that is not the same as ripping along the shoulder of a highway or cycling for most of many days. As for the dog jumping out, a light wire hinged cage should address that concern. I have ridden several 1000-1500 mi tours while carrying 50 lbs. but this proposed ride would be another 80 lbs on top of that.
#6
Nigel
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 384 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
The weight is not a big deal - you just need the gears to deal with the load, and adjust your expectations of how far you will go in a given amount of time. You may also want to have surge brakes on the trailer if you are going down any grades.
https://appropriatetechnology.wikispa...Braking+System
https://cycletote.com/shop/automatic-brake-system/
This trailer will handle your dog:
https://cycletote.com/trailers/dog-trailers/
A much larger concern for me is; will your dog stay relatively still? 80lbs moving around is going to be very noticeable.
https://appropriatetechnology.wikispa...Braking+System
https://cycletote.com/shop/automatic-brake-system/
This trailer will handle your dog:
https://cycletote.com/trailers/dog-trailers/
A much larger concern for me is; will your dog stay relatively still? 80lbs moving around is going to be very noticeable.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
8 Posts
A few years ago I met a pair of brothers in front of my local Post Office. They were getting some ACA maps that they had mailed to themselves, which was their strategy for their entire cross-country trip for having just the maps they needed at the time. One of them had a trailer in which he pulled his ~60 pound dog. He did teach his dog to get out and walk next to the trailer on long, slow climbs. If you can manage that trick, then I'd say you can do it easily. If not, then you're going to be working a bit on the climbs.
#10
Fraser Valley Dave
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Posts: 546
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A few years ago I met a pair of brothers in front of my local Post Office. They were getting some ACA maps that they had mailed to themselves, which was their strategy for their entire cross-country trip for having just the maps they needed at the time. One of them had a trailer in which he pulled his ~60 pound dog. He did teach his dog to get out and walk next to the trailer on long, slow climbs. If you can manage that trick, then I'd say you can do it easily. If not, then you're going to be working a bit on the climbs.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 1,971
Bikes: Custom 650B tandem by Bob Brown, 650B tandem converted from Santana Arriva, Santana Noventa, Boulder Bicycle 700C, Gunnar Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CowboyClayt
General Cycling Discussion
24
08-19-18 11:00 PM
yaganon
General Cycling Discussion
8
08-25-10 10:14 PM