Cyclist0383

Does anyone have any experience with a one wheeled trailer? It seems like it would be really difficult to balance. Any thoughts?

https://www.extrawheel.com/

Marylandnewbie

I've never used the Extrawheel trailer although if you search the forum you'll find a link to a travelogue of a guy who crossed over a 1,000 km of Australia pulling one. I use a single wheel Yak clone and it works very well. You do have to learn to sort of jack knife bike and trailer to hold it up when parking on anything but flat terrain. Otherwise I haven't found any problems balancing when riding.

AndyGrow

Wow...that's wild looking!

Cyclist0383

I saw that travelogue. That's where I first heard of this strange trailer. Seems interesting, but I'd like some more info.

Shemp

I think Adventure Cycling had a short write-up in a trailer comparison in the last 6 months +/-

NoReg

The trailer attaches rigidly to both sides of the bike, so it should be just as solid as the bike. Because the axle is higher on this model they have the possibility of lower relative position for the load though it seems to depend more on bags than a big bucket. The ease of packing the yak style is one advantage. Cheaper than running suspenssion.

It does sorta raise the question "what about a trike?". Obviously not over that terain, but generally.

amaferanga

Its daft unless you need the trailer AND panniers, as was the case with the guy that did the Cannon Stock route. Effectively you're just giving yourself a third wheel to put your panniers on.

One and a half times the rolling resisitance plus the weight of an extra wheel for what?

SteveA

I agree that the rolling resistance would be higher with the trailer. But, wouldn't the rolling resistance be somewhat less than one-and-a-half times? If the weight in the trailer were on the bike wouldn't it deflect the bicycle tires more - leading to increased resistance there? At a minimum, you have the extra weight of the trailer itself contributing to deflecting its own tire. But you also have the weight in the trailer removed from deflecting the bicycle tires.

NoReg

I think that is a factor steve. I don't know for sure. One muted advantage to the bob is that it drafts better than bags, and this thing has bags probably as wide as on a set of regular rear racks. I assume this can be used with rear suspension? And it should roll over obstructions better. I guess one might be able to run a narrower tire than normal. And one might have some back-up components for repair of the main bike's wheels if something really went pearshaped.

roadfix

That's a wild looking trailer. I don't like the high center of gravity. Maneuvering off bike might be a pain...

onbike 1939

I've bought one of these but have yet to tour with it.
First impressions are good as it seems well-engineered and designed and does have a look of quality about it. The trailer follows the bike perfectly and when not heavily loaded one forgets that it's there. The rolling resistance is minimal and one specifies the size of tyre (26" or 700c.).
The main advantage for me was the light weight, at just over 8lbs.
Basically there is a internal aluminum (I think ) frame which looks like an elongated fork which has anchor points each side and front and back for the hammock-type panniers. The load is held close to the wheel by tightening a bungee running through the netting.
The wheel drop-outs are in the middle which makes repairs a doddle. I've already modded mine by securing leather patches over the wheel-nuts and padding the frame with lagging to prevent potential chafing between load and the wheel cover.
The coupling is made of sprung steel and looks a quality item and this is held on to the bulbs on the QR by spring pressure. Looks a bit strange but seems to work according to the video.
It comes with two massive waterproof sacks a la Ortieb (60 litres each) and costs p+p included, all the way from Poland at £135....a bargain I think.

NoReg

That is a good price, and while it has pros and cons, if you really needed more panniers it would be an option, say for tandems. A pair with their own paniers who also took tandem rides could just switch half their gear onto this. Or if you don't want paniers you can jam packs in there from the look of the pictures.