And here is just such an option Paul is talking about. I was in London in 2008 before I even knew what a folding bike was or how useful they can be.One thing I learned on that trip was to travel light and simple and carry double the money.I now have a Brompton and would like to ride the length of England with a simple ,adaptable trailer set up useing the B&W hard case sometimes on the trailer and sometimes without.I also want it to be as simple and light weight as possible. The only problem is the trailers that are available today to fit the B&w are to big, to heavy,to costly and won't fit inside the hard case along with a Brompton. Origami's trailer kit was the only one that makes the whole thing work,It's well made and easy to put together, weighs only 6lb, and fits neatly inside the B&W case along with my Brompton and still comes under the 50lb limit.It also has a very good hitch that fits on the Brompton's rear axle without any thing more than a wrench and a few minutes work.It's only drawback is the B&w case is to big to fit between the trailer's wheels.
I contacted Paul Pinigis and asked if a wider version could be made to order, but he explained due to the arrangement with the kit supplier only one size is available.At only $89 delivered,I still ordered one anyway just to see if something could be worked out to make it work. I considered having new axle rods made to increase the width between the wheels ,but realized if I just raise the hard case above the wheels I would be in busness.I thought of several arrangements that would work and look good, but all would be to expensive and to heavy.In the end I went the simple route and strapped my carry on luggage to the trailer's frame using one of Brompton's front bag frames to make it easy to hook straps to and give the luggage a light weight surface to sit on.
I put the B&W case on top and strapped it down with bunge straps with three inchs of clearance above the wheels.I did several 5 mile rides with only having to stop and reattach a strap a few times.I also rode down a two block alleyway with pot holes ,cracked and bumpy pavement,etc.It still needs a few problems ironed out but the basic idea is sound.
Just for fun I even put the hard case on the trailer verticaly instead of horizontal and rode down the alleyway and back home about three miles on a city street with a good wind comeing off the ocean(I live in Long Beach,ca).I was worried at first it would blow the whole arrangment over but other than a few gusts it worked well.
I have also tried strapping the B&w on just the Brompton's rear rack with the trailer inside the case. I may find myself only a short distance from my hotel and don't want to take the time toset up the entire rig .It stands vertically across the rack and straps to both the seat post and the rack.It works and the bike handles well,but still needs work on the best strapping methode(no doubt a solid framing could be worked out but I want to keep the weight and expense down).I have done several 5mile rides with this set up on city streets,the alleyway and beach bike paths.One thing I notice is that going into the wind with such a flat area is not as bad as i first thought, my body is blocking most of the wind with only the case edges sticking out behind me and causeing drag,but it's still possible to do a steady 10mph. Going home with a good tail wind against such a large flat area as a sail really adds to the speed.
I don't think this would fit everyone's idea of a viable set up for long distance touring ,but who knows, if you don't try something you never find out,so I am still going to see if it can be improved to include touring and still keep it simple and inexpensive.
I have attached some pictures but don't have any yet of the B&W on the rear rack but will add some if there is enough interest.Also,if anyone has any ideas on improveing it I would be interested in hearing them.
