Small trailers for commuting

[veggieburger]

Let’s talk trailers. So my resolution this year is to commute to work at least 3 days a week. I know the sensible thing is to bring my clothes in once a week, and I will try. But barring that, what would you recommend for a small trailer? I don’t like wearing a backpack when I ride, as I have a few big hills to climb and I hate the rocking motion on my back. Last week I saw someone riding with a teeny little trailer attached to his seatpost…couldn’t have been much bigger than 2 shoe boxes. Any ideas/recommendations? Thanks!

[mktng]

your bike ... rackable ?

if not.

might be a great reason to invest in a bike that is. or inquire about having pieces added onto your bike to accept racks.

[veggieburger]

nope

[cp43]

I would go for a seatpost mounted rack, or a big saddle bag before a trailer for commuting.

My experience with trailers is that a one wheeler (Bob Yak) will rock much more than a backpack when out of the saddle. A two wheeler doesn't have that problem, but it's way bigger than what you'd want to drag up a big climb to carry some clothes.

Chris

[ORMojo]

Burley Travoy (http://www.burley.com/page_12208/travoy-bike-commute-trailer)

I love mine. Very versatile, light, stable; about 10 seconds to attach or detach from bike (post or rack mount), or attach/detach bags from trailer.

Here is just a sampling of what it can do.
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_travoy_grey_folding-sequence-complete-v3.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_travoy_grey_tote-bag-5-labelled.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_travoy_yellow_upper--lower-transit-bag-2.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/travoy_2.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/universal-bag-clips-960090.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_travoy_transit-bags.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/greymarketbags.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_grocery_travoy_blackmarket_2000px.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2015_travoy_available-accessories.jpg
http://www.burley.com/shop/images/2014_travoy_yellow_on-bike-2.jpeg

[veggieburger]

Burley Travoy (http://www.burley.com/page_12208/travoy-bike-commute-trailer)

I love mine. Very versatile, light, stable; about 10 seconds to attach or detach from bike (post or rack mount), or attach/detach bags from trailer.


Exactly what I am looking for! THANKS!!

[Michael Maddox]

Not to be an ass, but I don't see how a that will be LESS annoying than a backpack!

[Coluber42]

The Travoy looks like a good design... but I *know* there is a smaller, lighter, simpler way to carry a change of clothes on a bike. Even if you don't feel it rocking, that's a substantial amount of extra weight, extra rolling resistance, and extra wind resistance, and you will definitely notice it. If it's just a change of clothes you're talking about, there are all kinds of handlebar bags, saddle bags, and saddlebag mounts and supports that are not racks and will add a whole lot less drag than an entire trailer.

I make a few models that would meet your needs, but also look at Revelate, Carradice, Swift Industries, Acorn, etc; also check out saddlebags and mounts they have at Wallingford (www.wallbike.com) or Rivendell or Harris Cyclery.

And there are also seatpost-mounted quick-release racks, some with integrated bags, too.
Basically, there are lots of ways to carry a change of clothes so that the bag plus any additional support hardware adds up to between 1 and 4 lb. No trailer can match that.

[dustyrider]

Before you buy a trailer you really need to ride with one. Trailers take the bi out of bicycle in my experience. I've used lots of them, and think they serve a purpose; just not one I enjoy.

[p nut]

Before you buy a trailer you really need to ride with one. Trailers take the bi out of bicycle in my experience. I've used lots of them, and think they serve a purpose; just not one I enjoy.

Trailers take the joy out of cycling for me as well, unless I have my kids in them. If your bike doesn't have rack mounts, you can get a front rack that mounts to the handlebar and axle. Or get a frame pack.

[bart998]

https://www.bikebagshop.com/planet-bike-rack-hardware-p-2593.html

[charliedid]

A trailer sounds like a PITA for commuting. How much *stuff* do you need to bring to work?

What type of bike are you on?

[shovelhd]

Topeak MTX bag and rack combo with P-clips.

[R3awak3n]

agreed, before I go trailer I would get a frame bag and a saddle bag.

Between this:

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/bikepacking-bike-expedition/678450d1330801944-bikepacking-gear-bags-who-makes-em-medium2.jpg

and this

http://gearjunkie.com/images/8156.jpg

there is more than space to take a change of clothes and shoes

[shovelhd]

I could easily carry a weeks worth of work clothes with the MTX setup.

[Neil]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/14555577826_db481f354f_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/14392269747_dd9bacfbaf_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14555627136_66dfc2f399_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15329334208_e03bd269c4_b.jpg

^Options being the name of the game.