Anyone know anthing about trailers ?

[JohnInStockie]

John, to see the suitcase trailer you need to look at Bike Friday folding bicycles, travel bicycles and folding bike accessories.

Regards

Steve

Thanks Steve. The only trailer on the Bike Friday site I can find is the one that BicycleR calls 'The Shopper' as shown here. I assume thats the one you have then?

It looks solid like a car roof box, is it?

John

 

[danieldrough]

BF trailer

John,go to the BF homepage and click on "standard airline suitcase",it shows the Samsonite case and trailer. Alternatively, download the catalogue.Now only if I could afford the Bionx.

Steve

 

[MaryinScotland]

Very interesting Mary, Im very interested in that Brompton setup with the trailer ... Do you have any pics?

Hi John,

I find I've never yet taken a picture of the setup on the road, but this is it all packed ready for the train:

The light blue bag is the small backpack I carry for camera etc. The Brompton is in the navy blue bag at the back (I think I packed my helmet with it). The Cyclone trailer is red & black. It doesn't have a handle on the side, so I put a couple of straps round it for easier handling. You can just see the hole in the frame between the straps, which is where the wheel fits in for cycling. The other hole towards the back is where you put the wheel (one each side! ) for walking with it.

The bag has a single zip which doesn't go quite the full length, so it wouldn't be easy to load with large single items. And it has no internal divisions, so I put a few dees on the bottom so I can strap stuff in place if I have a half load.

You can get more info on the trailer here: Radical Design Cyclone trailer

Mary

 

[Footie]

I find I've never yet taken a picture of the setup on the road, but this is it all packed ready for the train .....

That's a very smart set-up you have there Mary - I like it
.

 

[Caractacus Potts]

Hi John,

I find I've never yet taken a picture of the setup on the road, but this is it all packed ready for the train:

Mary, how do you carry all that AND run for the train at the same time
I'd much rather be riding the bike, pulling the trailer and photographing the train !

 

[MaryinScotland]

John, I don't run anywhere with any of that! I ride/tow to the station. Walk the bike through the station with the trailer towing behind. Find out from the information board, or from station staff, which end of the train will have the bike compartment. (Opposite end of the train from First Class, on Cross-Country services.) Park myself at the appropriate point of the platform. And only then do I fold the bike and stow away the trailer wheels.

If necessary I can pick up the Brompton in one hand and the Cylcone in the other, and walk a few yards, but I prefer not to. I'll lift the big bags one at a time on to the train. The Brompton fits okay on the normal luggage rack. The Cyclone is harder because it's a little too long, and sticks out. It can stand up in the space behind a seat, but I try to be near the bike-storage space at the end of the train, because (if not already full of bikes!) it's easier to put big bags in there.

I admit that it is a bit of a hassle. On the other hand, to get to (for example) Paddington, put everything back on wheels, and ride off the two miles to Euston for my next train, is very satisfying. No dependence on taxis. (And not much slower, given London traffic!) Scotrail sleeper trains do have extra luggage spaces, although when I had a sleeper compartment to myself, I kept it all with me.

By the book, train passengers are allowed 2 large bags and 1 small one, which is what is shown in my ready-to-go photo. However, by stretching it to 2 large and 2 small, I can speed up the process: I have an open-topped front bag on my Brompton, which is packed away in the photo. If I keep this out and separate, it's big enough to take the trailer wheels, towbar and my helmet, which is faster than packing them all away in the holdall.

I don't do quite as much as the A to B group with my car-free lifestyle, but I try!

Mary