towing a bike
 

i was wondering if anyone has built something like a tow bar for bikes because i tend to end up transporting a complete bikes more often than i like and i have tried using my trailer and it does not work too good for transporting complete bikes. i would have to take the rims off in order to use my trailer which can be really inconvenient plus my trailer hitch is starting to get worn out from all the heavy load and the bearings in my trailer are practicality shot from from all the hauling i have done. any pictures would be nice if you have built something for this purpose. i have been thinking about trying to build something but i'm not sure which way to go. should i build something like a tow bar or should i build something like wheel dollies?
thanks for any help

Here's some threads already discussed on the subject:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=towing+bike

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=towing+bike

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=towing+bike

thanks for the links but none of the idea's in any of those threads would work for me and some of them do not look too safe in my opinion. i am hoping someone has built there own tow bar or something so that i don't have to mess up too many times when i build my own.

If you're moving bikes from one place to another, did you consider getting a cheap folder and riding the bike you want to move with the folder in a backpack or on the pannier rack if it has one?

i did not think of using a folding bike. it would be a good idea but i can't afford one right now and no one sells them locally. i would have to order it online which looks like it could be even more expensive. i have fixed up my trailer a bit and think i might upgrade my deck to a 4ft deck and build some type of bike rack for it.

What do you think of this idea?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/...4c874fd6_d.jpg

that is a cool idea but not possible for me. all i have is my mountain bike. i have been working on building an extra cycle but it is still pretty far from being complete right now.

It was already mentioned a few times in the previous threads you rejected (but without giving a reason), but the method of strapping the front wheel of the towed bike to the frame and then clamping the front dropouts to the rear rack of the towing bike works fine. Various ways to attach the dropouts but note that you do want to allow for some movement as the towed bike goes over bumps in the road. One way is to use an old QR front hub clamped securely to the rack and use the QR to hold the dropouts. Another suggestion (but untried by me) was to just set the dropouts on one of the crossbars of the rear rack and firmly hold them in place with bungee cords. The cords allow some movement but can still hold the dropouts in place securely if you're careful how you wrap them around the dropouts and rack.

i don't have a rear rack on my bike.

So get one - a rack for carrying things would seem to be very useful for many applications if you're using your bike for general transportation. Or use the same technique with your trailer - but it sounds like that's falling apart as well.

I always take extra bikes along side-by-side tandem style for trips of 5 miles or so. Not so fond of using my road bike as the tow bike, MTBs are much easier to shift/brake with one hand, IMO, of course I've got DT shifters.

I grip the towed bike's stem and roll away. Track stands are incredibly easy when you've a second bike to lean on.

OH, keep your speed down to 10mph or less. Slow and steady wins the race when two-biking.

That would be 'sociable style' since tandem explicitly requires the components to be in-line rather than side-by-side. Yes, that works surprisingly well for shorter trips at slow speed. But I wouldn't want to use that method if I were needing to transport an extra bike on a regular basis.

Yeah, I only need to do it once every other month or so. I wind up with too many bikes at home or at my shop as a result of getting rides from folks in cars.

I knew there was a word for the side-by-side bikes, couldn't think of it tho.

it is a bit harder to find a rack for a full suspension bike and i have not had a chance to finish the one i started building because the weather has sucked lately. my trailer works like brand new ever since i installed the newer rim from the Schwinn parts trailer that i have.

that is what i usually do with my bikes but i am always finding my handle bars hitting the other bikes handle bars.

I've stuffed two bikes into my kiddie trailer. It's not elegant, but I made it there.