trailer on fixed
06-25-05 | 11:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Fritz M
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 959
Likes: 0
From: California
Bikes: Trek, Spesh, GT, Centurion
trailer on fixed
I've seen people mention pulling a trailer on their fixie in this forum. I left my geared bike at work last week and needed to pull my daughter across town so I bolted the child trailer hitch receiver on and gave it a shot. Here's a photo of the rig.
My city has some short, moderate hills. Pulling a 50 pound child obviously results in slower starts and stops. One one downhill, I skidded about 30 feet past a driveway I needed to turn into. I fishtailed a lot too, which surprised me.
I rode 28 miles pulling the trailer; by the time we returned home I was pretty tired. On an uphill close to home, I counted 0.29 rpm -- that's one crank of the pedal every 3.5 seconds. My 9-year-old son, who was riding with us, kept telling me to hurry up and pedal faster.
My city has some short, moderate hills. Pulling a 50 pound child obviously results in slower starts and stops. One one downhill, I skidded about 30 feet past a driveway I needed to turn into. I fishtailed a lot too, which surprised me.
I rode 28 miles pulling the trailer; by the time we returned home I was pretty tired. On an uphill close to home, I counted 0.29 rpm -- that's one crank of the pedal every 3.5 seconds. My 9-year-old son, who was riding with us, kept telling me to hurry up and pedal faster.
06-26-05 | 04:30 AM
#2
Just riding
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Exeter, UK
Bikes: Cannondale Bad Boy / Mercian track / BOB trailer / Moulton recumbent project
Ha! Sounds about right: when I hit an incline towing a Bob on my Mercian, speed falls off as fast as if someone threw an anchor out the back. On the flat, its peachy. Is it easier with someone telling you to go faster?
06-26-05 | 08:47 AM
#3
Loose Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Pa.
Bikes: IRO
I'm not so sure it's a good idea to pull the trailer on the street. Do you really want your daughter in the trailer behind your bike below the lever that most drivers can see ?
It's a bit risky to me. I couldn't even imagine putting one of my children in a trailer here in New York on the street.
Tony
It's a bit risky to me. I couldn't even imagine putting one of my children in a trailer here in New York on the street.
Tony
06-26-05 | 10:48 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 167
From: Sacramento CA
Bikes: Too Many
I'm pretty sure the guy who posted above you does.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
06-26-05 | 10:38 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Fritz M
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 959
Likes: 0
From: California
Bikes: Trek, Spesh, GT, Centurion
Originally Posted by Cynikal
I'm pretty sure the guy who posted above you does.
RFM
06-26-05 | 11:00 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Fritz M
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 959
Likes: 0
From: California
Bikes: Trek, Spesh, GT, Centurion
Originally Posted by andygates
Is it easier with someone telling you to go faster?
Originally Posted by Tony Arms
I'm not so sure it's a good idea to pull the trailer on the street
Do you really want your daughter in the trailer behind your bike below the lever that most drivers can see ?
I noticed I made a math error in my original post: That should have been 0.29 revolutions per second or about 17 rpm.
RFM
