Shifting to Canberra this year has given me the opportunity to increase my bicycle usage. I routinely ride to university, and Clansi and I have begun cycling to buy groceries. This year I have accumulated over 1000 kms on my cycle-computer odometer.
Tasks such as buying groceries, while clearly more healthy and eco-friendly when done on a bicycle, are fraught with difficulties. Hanging shopping bags on the handle-bars is the most intuitive, but least effective, technique. It makes control dramatically erratic, and the bags are typically destroyed as they brush against the front wheel. A slightly more exotic solution, one which we currently use regularly, is to take a back-pack in which to bring home the groceries.
A trailer that could be pulled behind a bicycle would, however, be the most satisfactory solution. They exist, and for a while now I have been observing the various designs that are available.
Of course, a well-designed trailer would be good for a lot more than simply shopping. I have wanted to do a cycling expedition for many years now, and one of the challenges is finding a way to carry tents and camping gear. Riding a bike while wearing my Macpac Cascade is something I’d rather avoid.
So I think I will build a custom bicycle trailer, and will attempt to keep notes here on my progress.
I like this post. and your painted eggs are awesome! maybe when Jasper is...
#1 by billy on November 25, 2007 - 3:12 am
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You may wonder, as I did, why so many cycle tourists go for panniers rather than trailers. It cannot be cost because my four Ortlieb panniers were dearer than a trailer. The reason is that the panniers are more versatile. You can sub divide your load and still get easy access to any item; the weight is carried within the wheelbase of the bicycle which is where it belongs for stability; and you do not increase the length of your machine as you do with a trailer.
#2 by Clansi on November 29, 2007 - 10:48 am
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wouldn’t panniers affect your balance if you didn’t have them evenly weighted?
#3 by billy on December 1, 2007 - 9:21 am
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I guess that seems obvious but in fact they only need to be near even and I guess that you compensate by body weight. I can’t say that it is something that I have noticed. As I said, look at how many cycle tourists use panniers rather than trailers.
A jack knifing trailer will certainly upset your balance.
#4 by Lachlan on December 3, 2007 - 3:32 pm
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billy,
Your perspective on panniers is useful, and you are right to point out that my not mentioning them was an omission.
I guess I have to admit that part of my reason for wanting to build a bicycle trailer is that it will be a fun design project. But I’m sure I will find it useful for at least some of my requirements. Its true that the ability to sub-divide a load for easy access is an advantage that panniers offer; but it makes them less suitable for carrying loads that are not easily divisible.
I also suspect that for short journeys with awkward loads (such as groceries), the benefits of a trailer become more significant than some of its drawbacks.
#5 by billy on December 4, 2007 - 2:43 am
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Do you know of this site? http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html
Free plans.