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Cycle trailer: good?
Dear all
We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. Thanks for your thoughts. PhilD -- |
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#2
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Cycle trailer: good?
PhilD wrote:
Dear all We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. You can buy 'Bob Nutz' - these replace the nuts on the hub gears and let you attach the trailer. If you get a set for each bike you want to use the trailer with it doesn't take long to clip the trailer on. Though they're a bit expensive for what they are. Though a 2 wheel trailer is possibly a better option for shopping etc. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. No idea about the Mule. You could also look at the Carry Freedom trailers. They use a bracket that attaches to one side of the axle, they say its compatible with nutted axles or QRs. And their trailers come with 3 hitches as standard, so you could leave one on each bike. Craig |
#3
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Cycle trailer: good?
On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:42:46 GMT, Craig Wallace
said in : a 2 wheel trailer is possibly a better option for shopping etc. Agree with this. A heavily or high loaded BoB tends to snake. (Badgerbadgerbadger...) Guy -- May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk 85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound |
#4
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Cycle trailer: good?
PhilD wrote:
So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. I have one of the earlier versions. In general, I've had good experiences with it. It can handle a full supermarket trolley's worth of stuff; including some heavies like tinned pet-food trays, multipacks of drinks and so on; probably in the order of 25/30Kg. Given that I normally tow it with a fixed gear bike, anything more than that in weight is likely to melt my knees One problem I've had is it's ability to turn over when empty. I hit a pothole with it a couple of weeks ago, and it managed to turn right over. This in turn pulled the offset towing arm into the rear wheel and mangled a couple of spokes and put the wheel well out of true. So - treat with caution when empty, otherwise a good worker. Oh - and tape your stay where the clamp fixes on. Although the clamp does have a plastic cushion, this splits and wears, and can lead to paint scraping of the stay. Insulating or duct tape is fine. Also - fit a kick stand to your bike of you can - much more convenient! HTH Chris |
#5
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Cycle trailer: good?
On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:51:23 -0800 (PST), PhilD
wrote: Dear all We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. Thanks for your thoughts. Carry Freedom Y-Frame. Simple, lightish, versatile, excellent hub hitch. You will need a socket for each bike, unless you want to waste time switching them over. http://www.carryfreedom.com/ |
#6
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Cycle trailer: good?
PhilD wrote:
Dear all We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. Thanks for your thoughts. I have an uber cheepy two wheel trailer that cost me about 30 squids. Seat post hitch. Pretty much like this; http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/bike...nd_bigboy.html I have to say, for basic shopping it's paid for itself a million times over. It fits two beer crates exactly. |
#7
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Cycle trailer: good?
Quoting Craig Wallace :
No idea about the Mule. You could also look at the Carry Freedom trailers. They use a bracket that attaches to one side of the axle, they say its compatible with nutted axles or QRs. And their trailers come with 3 hitches as standard, so you could leave one on each bike. I have one of these and am quite content with it. They were perfectly willing to send me three extra hitches, since I have a silly number of bicycles. -- David Damerell Oil is for sissies Today is Stilday, February - a weekend. |
#8
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Cycle trailer: good?
PhilD wrote:
Dear all We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. When I posted with this query about a year ago, I got no replies. (You obviously have greater NG charisma ;-) ) Assuming this meant that the Mule was either unknown or dud, I opted for the rather more expensive Burley Flatbed trailer. It's a very good trailer and is very flexible, because unlike the Mule it doesn't have a box, but merely a flat bed (hence the name!) with tie-down straps. I use a couple of cheap plastic crates to carry my shopping and so one. I like the trailer very much, but I guess it won't suit you because the hitch attaches to the bike by the rear axle nut. -- Brian G www.wetwo.co.uk |
#9
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Cycle trailer: good?
On Feb 26, 2:02 pm, Brian G wrote:
PhilD wrote: Dear all We (my wife and I) are considering getting a load-bearing trailer for such duties as carrying shopping. We specifically want something that will fix easily to almost any cycle we care to ride. Seat-post mounts are not suitable as there is not enough post available on some of our bikes. We have ruled out the Bob Yak, as this requires fiddling with quick release skewers, and two bikes I may want to use as "tractors" have hub gears. So, with this in mind, what does the team think of the Phillips Mule? I am aware that later versions need to share the left hand axle nut, but we could get an earlier version that clamps to the frame in front of the axle. When I posted with this query about a year ago, I got no replies. (You obviously have greater NG charisma ;-) ) Assuming this meant that the Mule was either unknown or dud, I opted for the rather more expensive Burley Flatbed trailer. It's a very good trailer and is very flexible, because unlike the Mule it doesn't have a box, but merely a flat bed (hence the name!) with tie-down straps. I use a couple of cheap plastic crates to carry my shopping and so one. I like the trailer very much, but I guess it won't suit you because the hitch attaches to the bike by the rear axle nut. -- Brian Gwww.wetwo.co.uk I just bought the Mule from ebay. Unfortunately, I didn't take insurance and the coupling device / hitch / clamp was lost in postage. What a nightmare to find a part for it. I've read that one can use burley parts on them but this defies the purpose of going for a cheaper trailer with more expensive or even no replacement parts. Granted they are cheaper & slightly bigger than some, it seems ok initially. If I could do it over though, I would go for a Croozer Travel or Burley Flatbed (£100 more expensive). I learned yet again, you get what you pay for! btw. if someone could point me in the direction of finding a clamp with a black knob, I'd appreciate greatly it |
#10
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Cycle trailer: good?
Thanks to all for your replies. I will add this data and experience
to the pool of "things to consider" before parting with any money! Best wishes to all, PhilD -- |
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