best trailer for a Brompton?
#1
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Medford, MA
Bikes: Nishiki Bel-Air, Brompton P6L, Seven Resolute SLX, Co-motion Divide, Xtracycle RFA
best trailer for a Brompton?
There's been other posts over the years, but what's available to buy has changed. So I thought I'd see what the current collective wisdom is: which trailer hitches work best on a Brompton? It'd be cool to be able to do the parking/kickstand wheel fold with the trailer on, but that's not really a requirement as I'd need to detach it to lock up anyway. It just needs to not interfere with the fold at all when the trailer is detached, and not stick out in a way that the bike wider when folded.
And I want something a little easier to load with multiple floppy canvas shopping bags than the travois-style seatpost-mount trailers.
I've been haunting my local craigslist for beat-up kid trailers I could tear down and DIY, but nothing has appeared, so if I'm going to pay retail I want to be fairly sure about what I'm getting.
(I'm in the US, so it needs to be something with an established US dealer.)
And I want something a little easier to load with multiple floppy canvas shopping bags than the travois-style seatpost-mount trailers.
I've been haunting my local craigslist for beat-up kid trailers I could tear down and DIY, but nothing has appeared, so if I'm going to pay retail I want to be fairly sure about what I'm getting.
(I'm in the US, so it needs to be something with an established US dealer.)
Last edited by antimonysarah; 11-24-14 at 09:05 AM. Reason: emphasis
#2
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Singapore
Bikes: Fully customized 11-spd MTB built on 2014 Santa Cruz 5010 frame; Brompton S2E-X 2014; Brompton M3E 2014
There's been other posts over the years, but what's available to buy has changed. So I thought I'd see what the current collective wisdom is: which trailer hitches work best on a Brompton? It'd be cool to be able to do the parking/kickstand wheel fold with the trailer on, but that's not really a requirement as I'd need to detach it to lock up anyway. It just needs to not interfere with the fold at all when the trailer is detached, and not stick out in a way that the bike wider when folded.
And I want something a little easier to load with multiple floppy canvas shopping bags than the travois-style seatpost-mount trailers.
I've been haunting my local craigslist for beat-up kid trailers I could tear down and DIY, but nothing has appeared, so if I'm going to pay retail I want to be fairly sure about what I'm getting.
(I'm in the US, so it needs to be something with an established US dealer.)
And I want something a little easier to load with multiple floppy canvas shopping bags than the travois-style seatpost-mount trailers.
I've been haunting my local craigslist for beat-up kid trailers I could tear down and DIY, but nothing has appeared, so if I'm going to pay retail I want to be fairly sure about what I'm getting.
(I'm in the US, so it needs to be something with an established US dealer.)
#3
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,652
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This is my home built trailer. Since the pictures the tires have been replaced with slicks. The folder in the pictures is what it is pulled with. I use it for getting the mail and going to the store. The box is Rubbermaid and comes in bigger sizes. Roger
#4
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From: Medford, MA
Bikes: Nishiki Bel-Air, Brompton P6L, Seven Resolute SLX, Co-motion Divide, Xtracycle RFA
Yeah, I guess I shouldn't have put as much info. I'm specifically asking which companies' hitches people have used on their Bromptons and found not to interfere with the size of the folded bike.
And which, if any, will do the wheel-tuck fold so that I wouldn't have to hold the bike upright while detaching the trailer.
And which, if any, will do the wheel-tuck fold so that I wouldn't have to hold the bike upright while detaching the trailer.
#5
What works best on a Brompton, would have to be seat post mounted. The Burley Travoy works just fine. I have both, Brompton and Burley.
Check out this YouTube video.
Also if you could find an old Cannondale Bugger, either one that carries kids or the cargo trailer, they would both work. Cannondale trailers haven't been sold for maybe decades but used ones occasionally pop up.
Check out this YouTube video.
Also if you could find an old Cannondale Bugger, either one that carries kids or the cargo trailer, they would both work. Cannondale trailers haven't been sold for maybe decades but used ones occasionally pop up.
#6
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
I like the Chariot (now a Thule brand) hitch .. It uses a ball elastomer , in a socket hitch under the left axle Nut.
Because It being a Ball, when the rear fold is done , it rotates the Hitch around the ball ..
https://www.bikekidshop.com/cart/ima...-stock-2-M.jpg
Minus the QR skewer ...safety strap optional.
I got a Carry Freedom City.. Bike trailer shop in AZ had them, then, but opted out of ordering more when the UK company changed the terms.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/carr...ers-c-198.html
It is a perfect match for Bromptons . it folds flat within it's own frame. (has rear edge rollers to slip it, vertically, between back to back train seats too)
+ because tow bar/handle, comes in at a right angle to the bike, the Ball elastomer hitch rotation works perfectly ..
and you can carry the folded up bike on top of the trailer. Say you have to run the length of the platform to your seat on the train..
In Use Picture:
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/4...96e15388_m.jpg
this is another trailer, designed for Brompton travel , a NL company.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/radi...er-p-2683.html
Because It being a Ball, when the rear fold is done , it rotates the Hitch around the ball ..
https://www.bikekidshop.com/cart/ima...-stock-2-M.jpg
Minus the QR skewer ...safety strap optional.
I got a Carry Freedom City.. Bike trailer shop in AZ had them, then, but opted out of ordering more when the UK company changed the terms.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/carr...ers-c-198.html
It is a perfect match for Bromptons . it folds flat within it's own frame. (has rear edge rollers to slip it, vertically, between back to back train seats too)
+ because tow bar/handle, comes in at a right angle to the bike, the Ball elastomer hitch rotation works perfectly ..
and you can carry the folded up bike on top of the trailer. Say you have to run the length of the platform to your seat on the train..
In Use Picture:
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/4...96e15388_m.jpg
this is another trailer, designed for Brompton travel , a NL company.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/radi...er-p-2683.html
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-29-14 at 02:18 PM.
#7
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 655
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From: Medford, MA
Bikes: Nishiki Bel-Air, Brompton P6L, Seven Resolute SLX, Co-motion Divide, Xtracycle RFA
Thanks. The travois-style trailers on the market right now are way smaller than I need -- the Travoy is the biggest I've found and it's tiny in terms of carrying bulky stuff, but if I was going to DIY I could try using their hitch. Though I'm curious how does a seatpost mount not interfere with the fold? The seatpost on mine has to go all the way down to lock correctly.
Last edited by antimonysarah; 11-24-14 at 02:30 PM.
#8
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
If you have the Brompton Extended Seat Post, rather than the shorter standard length,
you could clamp the Hitch above the part that goes into the Frame , when you fold the Bike..
I leave the Chariot hitch under the axle nut , it is not in the way when folded, at all ..
you could clamp the Hitch above the part that goes into the Frame , when you fold the Bike..
I leave the Chariot hitch under the axle nut , it is not in the way when folded, at all ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-24-14 at 04:11 PM.
#9
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 655
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From: Medford, MA
Bikes: Nishiki Bel-Air, Brompton P6L, Seven Resolute SLX, Co-motion Divide, Xtracycle RFA
But thanks -- that's very helpful. I'll take a look at the Chariot trailers. I think I'll just give up on wanting to be able to fold it under -- that was kind of just a bonus as I'm not going to be taking the trailer on the train with me -- the trailer would only be for rare occasions when I need to haul a lot of bulky cargo. I just wanted to pick out a trailer that would work with all my bikes, and the Brompton is the only one that's unusual.
#10
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Just that the rear fold under is like a Kickstand .
as long as the seat post goes down as far as the stop disc on the forward end of the rear brake Bolt,
the rear wheel will not unfold, when you lift the folded up bike.
this is their version of the Carry Freedom 'Y' trailer.
with a Platform, Or adding a box like the Rubbermade shown above, 3rd post.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/wand...ll-p-1580.html
I see their lowest price Kid Trailer is for the moment reduced, on that site https://www.bikekidshop.com/thule-ch...e2-p-3491.html
as long as the seat post goes down as far as the stop disc on the forward end of the rear brake Bolt,
the rear wheel will not unfold, when you lift the folded up bike.
this is their version of the Carry Freedom 'Y' trailer.
with a Platform, Or adding a box like the Rubbermade shown above, 3rd post.
https://www.biketrailershop.com/wand...ll-p-1580.html
I see their lowest price Kid Trailer is for the moment reduced, on that site https://www.bikekidshop.com/thule-ch...e2-p-3491.html
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-24-14 at 05:55 PM.
#11
Thanks. The travois-style trailers on the market right now are way smaller than I need -- the Travoy is the biggest I've found and it's tiny in terms of carrying bulky stuff, but if I was going to DIY I could try using their hitch. Though I'm curious how does a seatpost mount not interfere with the fold? The seatpost on mine has to go all the way down to lock correctly.

#14
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Fife Scotland
Bikes: Airnimal Chameleon; Ellis Briggs; Moulton TSR27 Moulton Esprit
I would have thought that Extrawheel would have been ideal for your needs.
They supply either a QR of the correct length or specially-shaped axle nuts and the yoke is then fixed to these. No addition to the width in each case.
I would have thought that the trailer being under eight pounds would be an advantage also and it means that normal panniers can be used.
They supply either a QR of the correct length or specially-shaped axle nuts and the yoke is then fixed to these. No addition to the width in each case.
I would have thought that the trailer being under eight pounds would be an advantage also and it means that normal panniers can be used.
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"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man". Francis Bacon
#16
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From: Fife Scotland
Bikes: Airnimal Chameleon; Ellis Briggs; Moulton TSR27 Moulton Esprit
Not yet I haven't but I was thinking of trying one with my 20" wheel Moulton.
I take it there are problems......do tell.
I take it there are problems......do tell.
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"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man". Francis Bacon
"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man". Francis Bacon
#17
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
New version has a pannier support frame .. which has a Bottom
'they ship with 26/or 700 wheels.
https://www.extrawheel.com/en/3/bicycle_trailer/
406-47 ought to work ..
Quote

However, please be aware that:
If your bicycle trailer wheel is smaller than 20", the load or panniers may rub against the ground.
The Extrawheel frame can support all bike pannier models, including those from other manufacturers.
Images https://www.google.com/search?q=Extr...w=1808&bih=891
'they ship with 26/or 700 wheels.
https://www.extrawheel.com/en/3/bicycle_trailer/
406-47 ought to work ..
Quote

However, please be aware that:
If your bicycle trailer wheel is smaller than 20", the load or panniers may rub against the ground.
The Extrawheel frame can support all bike pannier models, including those from other manufacturers.
Images https://www.google.com/search?q=Extr...w=1808&bih=891
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-02-15 at 03:04 PM.
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