Geeting back into Biking

[Doofus McFancypants]

Back in the day - used to bike EVERYWHERE.
Dad and I even took biking camping trips ( Canada to Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh to Toledo Ohio : Pittsburgh to Outer banks)
then turned 16 and realized that a car was way "cooler"

Now ( many years later) i still have my old Cannondale ( love that bike) and want to get back into riding.

Partially for fun - but with a utilitarian twist.
I looked on a map and i have A LOT of things within 3 miles of the house.
Very easy to bike to these - So i am going to leverage the ECO aspact to get my butt in gear and ride.

Which brings me to my question.
Bike Trailers....need to haul the things you are getting right?
Has anyone made there own? know of any Budget Plans for a bike trailer?

I am thinking it could be as easy as some Scrap Front Forks - some angled steel, some plywood, and a buddy with a welder.

the Kid Carrier trailers are all over $100 - which i know i would easily make back in gas savings - but they all look skimpy canvas sides and such.

What do you guys use? anything?

Thanks
Steve

[dcb]

ingredients:
A piece of a weight bench off the curb
a couple "adult" training wheels off the curb
a bit of plywood from the garage (2x2)
a bit of carefully bent conduit
an eye bolt
a carriage bolt to capture the end of the conduit to the eye bolt.
several self drilling screws

[Doofus McFancypants]

Awsome
i figured this was something others have tackled before.
With the holiday weekend comming up and the garage Clean out planned - I bet i can find most of this hidden in the bowls of the garage.

Steve

[Doofus McFancypants]

found this as well..

BICYCLE TRAILER PLANS:Build your own for $5!!~bike~kid - eBay (item 220252571734 end time Jul-08-08 16:01:23 PDT)

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by Doofus McFancypants

What do you guys use? anything?

Thanks
Steve

#3 orange, #4 much lighter baby trailer- good e'nuff! A few older ones, but these are in use now.

[offroad1994]

I think if you get some open vented sheetmetal that would be better than plywood. The stuff used to cover old steam radiators. I also saw people use the covered plastic green boxes from walmart. Makes an airtight storage area.

[Doofus McFancypants]

Reviving my old thread with an updated / question.

I have read several plans online and have a good idea what i am going to do.
- Wood frame (already have wood from other projects
- 20 inch bike tires ( from local thrift store) and
- Bungee cords to hold loads / Plastic Tub for groceries.

By question is -
I have seen 2 ways of conencting this to the bike...
- off of the seat post
- off of the wheel axel ( or other bold in that area)

Question -
Is one "Better" than the other? I am inclined to go with the Lower attachment point as my trailer will be low profile... But i think the Upper attachment point would actually be easier to build..

Thoughts?

Steve

[trebuchet03]

I'm personally not a fan of bike trailers :/

When I need to haul a lot of stuff... I use this (with a rack installed )

Homemade Sport Utility Bike (SUB)
^^ I've recorded video wit someone sitting on the back holding a camera

which is a $10 homemade version of this:

xtracycle

For everyday items and light duty grocery shopping:


How to make DIY Bike Panniers
No, the bike isn't off balance

By question is -
I have seen 2 ways of conencting this to the bike...
- off of the seat post
- off of the wheel axel ( or other bold in that area)

As low as possible - so wheel axle. The higher it is, the longer the lever arm and the easier it is for the trailer to push you around.

For your viewing pleasure.....

As seen on a critical mass ride in San Francisco I think I also saw that trailer show up at the bike music festival too

[Doofus McFancypants]

Interesting...
I say that in the instructables site but never read through it.
Interesting - but not quite what i had in mind.

As for mounting - I had not been thinking about the trailer AND the load - so that makes sence - with load on the trailer pushing down - any angle to the bike ( like turns) will cause the load to try to push the bike over ( as opposed to the force of the spinning wheels to bring the bike back up...

Ok so Low it is. Thanks!!!

steve

[jamesqf]

I've never used a trailer, but I find that two good saddlebags would hold all the groceries & stuff I'd normally buy on a shopping trip. Or FTM camping supplies for several days, even a week.