trailer
 

I'm looking to start touring and I was thinking about going with a trailer. I'm not sure about the one or two wheeled ones what are the pros and cons? whats a good brand? where is a good place to buy one?

Search the forum. This one has been done to death and then some and then some more.

at your local bike shop is first place to look

i can safely say most people would recommend the single wheel bob trailer.
btw meant to say this touring lark can get very addictive honest .
if its your first time into touring do yourself a big favor and buy the very best you can think lightweight, can be hard on the pocket (expensive) but easy on the body .
the best of luck enjoy.

Except those that don't.

Extra wheel
 

Hi

I am pretty happy with my BoB Ibex. I have pulled behind my Surly LHT and my Giant XTC 2 mountain bike. Has done the trick on both tours.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/...705f15b7de.jpg
IMG_2268 by aushiker, on Flickr

Andrew

Hi,

I did two trips with a double-wheel trailer (Carry Freedom Y-Frame, sold today as Wandertec): Here's the photo:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post10215936

Scroll down on that page to see my review (#1639)

I have a Mayacycle (one wheel) that has worked really well. I went with one wheel because of the width. Really, though, it just depends on what you want it to do. The previous posting of going to a shop and checking them out is a good one. Read some online reviews, too, to get a feel of how each one performs.

Nice one LOL fietsbob,

Definitely do a forum search.

Trailers let you haul a lot of weight and volume. Like most things in life, this is both a pro and a con. It's a pro because you don't have to figure out how to lighten your load, and you can have lots of bibs and bobs for every contingency. It's a con because well... no one really wants to have to manhandle a 30lb bike, 30lb trailer and 100lbs of gear, especially when the trailer got a surprise flat. Trailers will usually work with most any bike. Again, both a pro and a con. If you have a much loved bike that you put 100+ miles on each week, rain or shine, a trailer can pair with your bike and let you take your best bud on tour. If you're new to biking or don't bike a lot, a trailer can also let you get way in over your head on a bike that fits badly and is causing injuries.

On my first tour, I used panniers. I had the option of using a trailer, since friends own a Burley Nomad and it was garaged in favor of their toddler's trailer. But... it was a short distance weekend tour, and I could easily fit my gear in one of my panniers, leaving the other one free. I also planned to ride mostly on state trails, so dirt roads for the whole route. Dirt roads are tougher to ride on, and adding a trailer's extra drag probably would not have been fun. The state trails are also pretty narrow, and I could easily imagine the trailer causing problems if the route was heavily traveled. And I'm used to my panniers. While I don't use them every single ride, I do put on a lot of loaded miles with them every week. By comparison I'd had maybe as much as 20 miles in total riding with the trailer when I left on my tour.

I don't think one method or the other is "best". And almost a year on? We've got a brand new Burley Nomad of our own, and we'll probably pick up a second set of panniers in the next few months for my partner to use. For touring, I can definitely see the merits of a single wheel trailer too. But left to myself, I'd probably pick my much loved panniers and my much loved bike for my next tour... because I use them all the time and I know how they work and what my limits are with them.

For me the BOB works best, I ride a Catrike Trail. The BOB tracks beautifully behind the trike, I don't even know it's there when riding on the flats or downhill. I try to keep the center of gravity as low as I can. I've had the BOB 2yrs, last year I put an electric hub motor in the 16" wheel with the battery mounted to the trailer deck. Although I've really limited myself on the load configuration, but I'm working with it, the hiil assist is well worth it for me.

I think this looks like a cool trailer, although I have never tried one. It's not cheap, but looks good! http://www.fftouring.com/trailers I would like to try one if I get the chance.

indeed, front rack looks good also. Seems to me the seat post mount would reduce some of the tail wagging folks complain about with rear dropout mounts.

Good point LeeG. I had not thought of that, but in the video on their site the trailer seems to handle very well.

Right now I'm on touring using a burley nomad trailer. Trailer selection varies by riding style - The burley is much more stable, easier to load, easier to attach, easier to park... but it slows me down. In my mind, the good still outweighs the bad and I'm glad to have it. For someone who puts more importance in speed, a bob trailer might be a better option.