Burley Nomad cargo trailer--a review
#26
Banned
Burly Brand name is no longer the Worker Owned Cooperative It was ,
The stuff is now Made in The Philippines , but that is the Norm Now ,
race to the wage bottom. Importing stiuff made elsewhere then Distribution,
and shipping and receiving jobs, in this country.
[still 40% of Worlds weapons trade though]
FWIW , I got one of the tail end of the CoOp made Flatbeds,
they use 2 20" Front hub Wheels , axle supported on Both ends .
Post CoOp Flat Bed uses the Nomad Wheel, a 16" single side hub.
I can load a Portage pack, a big Roll top river bag with shoulder straps,
and tie it on top, ,
with the shoulder straps you can even haul bag trailer and all
on foot,
if need arises.
The stuff is now Made in The Philippines , but that is the Norm Now ,
race to the wage bottom. Importing stiuff made elsewhere then Distribution,
and shipping and receiving jobs, in this country.
[still 40% of Worlds weapons trade though]
FWIW , I got one of the tail end of the CoOp made Flatbeds,
they use 2 20" Front hub Wheels , axle supported on Both ends .
Post CoOp Flat Bed uses the Nomad Wheel, a 16" single side hub.
I can load a Portage pack, a big Roll top river bag with shoulder straps,
and tie it on top, ,
with the shoulder straps you can even haul bag trailer and all
on foot,
if need arises.
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-16-10 at 01:10 PM.
#27
-
#28
Senior Member
Boy, talk about an old thread resurrected!
Couple of thoughts on the Nomad, since I'm here:
1. Keep an eye on those quick release wheels. Those little locks inside that axle can work themselves loose over time and the whole assembly can start to pull out of the axle. You don't want a wheel coming off on a descent.
2. The stock tires suck. I put on Schwalbe racers and they are great.
3. The flag can blow off in a crosswind. I never found mine. (if anyone finds a burley flag alongside Hwy. 2 in Montana, it's mine but you can keep it.)
4. I've taken lots of corners at much higher speeds than Burley recommends and never had the trailer tip, especially once it's loaded.
Couple of thoughts on the Nomad, since I'm here:
1. Keep an eye on those quick release wheels. Those little locks inside that axle can work themselves loose over time and the whole assembly can start to pull out of the axle. You don't want a wheel coming off on a descent.
2. The stock tires suck. I put on Schwalbe racers and they are great.
3. The flag can blow off in a crosswind. I never found mine. (if anyone finds a burley flag alongside Hwy. 2 in Montana, it's mine but you can keep it.)
4. I've taken lots of corners at much higher speeds than Burley recommends and never had the trailer tip, especially once it's loaded.
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One point of worry I have: the yaw swivel occurs by means of what I think is a thick piece of rubber which can take some twisting. (It's inside of the aluminum tubing, so I can't be sure). How long will that last? I know Burley uses a similar design on its child carriers, though, and those have a good reputation for longevity, so I won't worry too much about that
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Touring with the Nomad
I owned a nomad for years, and used it for several weekend tours. Here is what I've learned:
1. A Nomad can carry a lot more than you think. It's probably much more than an individual tourist needs, unless you are going on an extended, self-supported tour requiring cold weather gear - extra clothes, larger sleeping bag, etc. Or if you're bringing your skis.
(I actually took mine to a black powder rendezvous once - and camped with the "moderns", of course.)
2. I found the nomad to be perfect for touring with my wife. She always complained that I went too fast or too long, so I loaded all of our touring gear in the trailer, and she rode unloaded. It's a great equalizer, especially on hills.
1. A Nomad can carry a lot more than you think. It's probably much more than an individual tourist needs, unless you are going on an extended, self-supported tour requiring cold weather gear - extra clothes, larger sleeping bag, etc. Or if you're bringing your skis.

2. I found the nomad to be perfect for touring with my wife. She always complained that I went too fast or too long, so I loaded all of our touring gear in the trailer, and she rode unloaded. It's a great equalizer, especially on hills.
#31
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Boy, talk about an old thread resurrected!
Couple of thoughts on the Nomad, since I'm here:
1. Keep an eye on those quick release wheels. Those little locks inside that axle can work themselves loose over time and the whole assembly can start to pull out of the axle. You don't want a wheel coming off on a descent.
2. The stock tires suck. I put on Schwalbe racers and they are great.
3. The flag can blow off in a crosswind. I never found mine. (if anyone finds a burley flag alongside Hwy. 2 in Montana, it's mine but you can keep it.)
4. I've taken lots of corners at much higher speeds than Burley recommends and never had the trailer tip, especially once it's loaded.
Couple of thoughts on the Nomad, since I'm here:
1. Keep an eye on those quick release wheels. Those little locks inside that axle can work themselves loose over time and the whole assembly can start to pull out of the axle. You don't want a wheel coming off on a descent.
2. The stock tires suck. I put on Schwalbe racers and they are great.
3. The flag can blow off in a crosswind. I never found mine. (if anyone finds a burley flag alongside Hwy. 2 in Montana, it's mine but you can keep it.)
4. I've taken lots of corners at much higher speeds than Burley recommends and never had the trailer tip, especially once it's loaded.

I decided to build my own, and except for the fenders, it is done. Tows very well, and tracks like a train--had it up to 39.6mph (by my Astralle 8) with no wiggles or wobbles. I use Ortlieb dry bags for gear, and have had no problem with wet gear.

I built up a MTB frame for a tow bike, and with 203mm rotor and Avid BB7 front disc, V-brake/booster rear, I have all the stopping power I need.
#32
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I've had a Nomad for a couple of years, and used it for grocery shopping and some touring. Overall, I'm quite happy with it. It's not the trailer if you're going offroad (as I discovered, and had to push my rig along on hiking trails for a few miles), or descending a long hill with 50+ pounds of camping gear, but it's great for the cyclist hauling gear for two, or getting groceries for a week. My favorite use of the trailer: Hauling a folding bike.

IMG_1733.JPG by neilfein, on Flickr
I've done this when bringing the folder in for repair, or when dropping my wife off at the train station. I have to remove the roof strut to get my Dahon in the trailer, but it removes easily and without tools. (I just have to remember to bring along a bungee cord or two!)

IMG_1733.JPG by neilfein, on Flickr
I've done this when bringing the folder in for repair, or when dropping my wife off at the train station. I have to remove the roof strut to get my Dahon in the trailer, but it removes easily and without tools. (I just have to remember to bring along a bungee cord or two!)
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Keep goin' zombie! Just started using a Travoy and wanted something for the heavier/bulkier items. This thread give me the info I needed for the purchase of a Nomad and I have not regreted it. Still have a BoB Yak, I use on the mountain bike, but I think the Nomad will move up to 'Top Trailer!'
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This thread has been great to read through. A few weeks ago I was certain I'd be buying a BOB, but I'm pretty well sold on the Burley Nomad now. I like that it won't be so much of an annoyance when I stop, it can be more recklessly loaded(carrying lots of water comes to mind), it won't stress my frame. The width, possibility of tipping, and the care of an extra tire I'll just have to live with.
Does anyone have a picture of the disassembled trailer? I'm wondering how possible it would be to take it apart and ferry it across an impassable trail on a rack or in a pannier.
Does anyone have a picture of the disassembled trailer? I'm wondering how possible it would be to take it apart and ferry it across an impassable trail on a rack or in a pannier.
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It would be nice to actually see the parts in proportion to whatever else may be in the photo, but yeah I guess it's kind of a long shot that anyone reading this would just happen to have that sitting around in their hard drive. Oh well

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I believe "Let me Google that for you" exists solely to make others feel stupid. How rude.
I couldn't find any on the net, but based on mine: It's pretty large even when disassembled, not something you could put in a pannier. The trailer is basically a frame with tough canvas fitted on it.
I couldn't find any on the net, but based on mine: It's pretty large even when disassembled, not something you could put in a pannier. The trailer is basically a frame with tough canvas fitted on it.
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My bands:
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My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.