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Utility Cycling Want to haul groceries, beer, maybe even your kids? You don't have to live car free to put your bike to use as a workhorse. Here's the place to share and learn about the bicycle as a utility vehicle.

Check out my new trailer!

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Old 04-08-07 | 03:21 PM
  #1  
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From: Minneapolis

Bikes: CETMA Cargo, Surly Big Dummy, Surly Straggler, Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Check out my new trailer!

So I refurbed that Bell trailer I was posting about a couple of weeks ago. I think she'll do nicely. Only problem is that I have to ride my geared bike with her because when I rode with the fixie it popped my knees.

Let me know what you think...
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Old 04-08-07 | 04:50 PM
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From: Wakulla Co. FL
Looks good, David. Yessir, looks real good. I like how you left the handlebar on it so you can move it around easier when it's not on the bike. Great idea.

I put Cateye TL-LD500 taillights on the rear corners of my Burley Flatbed for riding at night.
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Old 04-08-07 | 05:50 PM
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From: Des Moines

Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed

It looks cool!

I do like the handles too. Looks like you could disconnect it from the bike and push it into the grocery store. Nice feature.

I particularly like the wheels, which are spoked and look like they use regular quick release hubs. I have found an Instep trailer for $60 on Craiglist here, but it looks like it has plastic spokes which probably wouldnt last that long.
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Old 04-08-07 | 09:52 PM
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From: Portland, OR

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Great job on that trailer! I think it's inspiring me...
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Old 04-09-07 | 09:51 AM
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That'll git-r-done!!!
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.

Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
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Old 04-09-07 | 10:08 AM
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From: southeast pennsylvania

Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike

I have found an Instep trailer for $60 on Craiglist here, but it looks like it has plastic spokes which probably wouldnt last that long.
Some of the plastic-spoked wheels I've seen were incredibly strong. Whether the hubs were of equal quality, I don't know.

So I refurbed that Bell trailer I was posting about a couple of weeks ago.
What do you prefer about the current version of the trailer relative to the original?
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Old 04-09-07 | 10:40 AM
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From: Minneapolis

Bikes: CETMA Cargo, Surly Big Dummy, Surly Straggler, Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Originally Posted by cerewa
What do you prefer about the current version of the trailer relative to the original?
The bottom was saggy and doubtfully sturdy enough to hold my things. The tub is always waterproof instead of having to velcro on the rain top of the old one. I can add bags to the top and bungy them down using the poles on each side. Maybe even find a way to bolt on an old pannier. Everything just feels sturdier. When I rode that thing home from the house I bought it at I was constantly looking back to make sure that my things hadn't fallen out!

Incidentally, when I picked it up, roughly 2-300% more people said hi to me. Must of been cause they thought I had a kiddo in the back!
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Old 04-09-07 | 01:29 PM
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That's so cool.
I just grabbed the store-bought version of a trailer, the B.O.B. Yak W/dry bag. I really wanted the bag!
I think that as long as it's workin' for ya, then just go for it!
Nice pic.
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Old 04-16-07 | 03:53 PM
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From: Calgary, AB

Bikes: Montague Folding/E-Bike, Kuwahara

Very nice! I particularly like the notion that it could be brought into a store and used as a shopping cart (would most stores let a person do that?). I have been thinking about the notion of having a trailer for shopping, but the idea of having to leave it outside with the bike was unappealing because it would be rather easy to steal.
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Old 05-27-07 | 09:50 AM
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From: Minneapolis

Bikes: CETMA Cargo, Surly Big Dummy, Surly Straggler, Rocky Mountain Blizzard

UPDATE: I've walked this thing to the grocery store several times now. No flack from the security guard and the old ladies LOVED it.
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Old 05-28-07 | 08:13 AM
  #11  
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Dave, Do yourself a favor and put a "slow moving vehicle" triangle
on the back of your trailer. You'll find that once on the trailer cars
will give you a W-I-D-E berth!! These signs can be found at farm
supply houses in metal or plastic.
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.

Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
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Old 05-28-07 | 10:16 AM
  #12  
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From: Western Burbs of Chicago
Great idea for hauling groceries and other stuff. You just inspired me to make something of a contraption with my instep canoe dolly.
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Old 05-28-07 | 10:17 AM
  #13  
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From: Pennsylvania

Bikes: Too many to list!

Wow - very nicely done. You now have HUGE capacity for hauling!

... Brad
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Old 05-28-07 | 10:48 AM
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

Nice trailer.

Is the tub lid lockable? (at least as a deterrent if left unattended, even briefly)

When I was coming home from the house I bought my trailer at, I kept asking pedestrians if they saw a baby around. (No, I didn't really, but I wanted to)
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Old 05-28-07 | 04:24 PM
  #15  
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From: Taylorsville Utah

Bikes: Long Haul Trucker

Good design, the last one I saw close it was a woody, made with very light weight wood, base was aluminum,
Dude was in the curb painting buisness.
I also seen a window washer with a bike trailer once.
I have a Schwinn Grand Kid Trailer but it gets used for groceries mostly.
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