Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
While panniers are the clear favorite with the touring mob, there are some good reasons to use a trailer.
1. One of the main reasons panniers are preferred over trailers is that your bike is much more compact when cycling with panniers. As soon as you attach a trailer to your bicycle, you are suddenly twice as long as you normally would be on a regular bike.
2. In most cases the added length of your bicycle and trailer isn't a problem, but when you start riding in traffic and need to navigate your way around small or perilous obstacles, you're really going to have a hard time, and could seriously get injured in the process.
3. Another benefit of using panniers is that you will have fewer wheels touching the ground when you use this method. The drawback of a trailer is that it adds 1 or 2 more wheels to your rig. And the more wheels you have touching the ground, the more traction you are creating and the more you are going to have to work to get your bike and gear up and over the hills you are sure to encounter.
1a) So, how about us tandem geeks who want to ride with a trailer? My point being, we're already ungainly in size and don't pack up very well so in for a pinch in for a pound eh?
2a) I'm not going to say that it's safe, but I'm going to counter your argument that you'll be just as slow & ungainly with a fully loaded single touring bike. Really, you should practice your navigational skills in some kind of urban environment first as that's as challenging as anything else you'll ever encounter out on the road. (and I ride my single w/ trailer in Portland traffic all the time)
3a) And then practically speaking for those of us who are riding tandems, we're already putting some real weight on our hubs & wheels so I personally feel much better in putting all additional weight on a trailer. As far as friction goes, sure, there will be increased weight, but the tradeoff will be the increase in handling of your bike.