bike trailers

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Jan Mc from Bryan, TX on 2/2/2010 4:53:55 PM:

My husband and I will be riding the KT this year and want to pull a bike trailer. We would appreciate suggestions, pros and cons of brands, etc.

chris J from centralia IL on 2/2/2010 8:00:00 PM:

I like the one wheel BOB trailer, about $250. It hooks up easily to your bike and can haul 75 pounds. It comes with a water-proof bag large enough for tent, supplies, food,... On the KATY, we like to put a large tote in it for easy access to snacks, jacket, drinks... I has a low center of gravity and, unless you are going up hill (which you don't have to do on the KATY), you forget it's there. It doesn't catch ths wind like those tall 2-wheel ones like Burley. I took it on a 600 mile trip once and easly made 100 miles per day on the road (mostly flat). A lot of people swear by panniers, but who whats all that wieght on their bike? Plus, you have to pack them just right. If you want to pay less, Nashbar has a knock-off for about $150. Google B.O.B. trailer or go to PerformanceBike.com or Nashbar.com... I think there is even BOB on the KATY Trail map.

Trek on 2/3/2010 8:31:13 AM:

One for the BOB...one for the Nomad!

We have a Burley Nomad that works well for us. The top cover snaps on which makes it easy to get to items without digging through a bag. I've not used a BOB, but digging through a large bag to find something seems to be similar to trying to find an item in a pannier but on a larger scale. Capacity is 100 lbs. It is not water proof, but neither are the panniers or the leather saddle.

We have a small cooler that sits in the front for easy access. Wind is not an issue. When it is windy enough for a bike cargo trailer to catch wind, you and the bike make a much bigger sail than the trailer. The difference I guess being a trailer to pull kids like "those tall 2-wheel ones like Burley." If you want to haul kids....a trailer designed to do so is taller than a trailer designed to haul cargo.

We use panniers/cargo bags and the Nomad. Both systems work well and are suitable for different needs while traveling.

chris J from centralia IL on 2/3/2010 6:31:57 PM:

I think the BOB type or the 2-wheel type (Burley) would be fine for the Katy. Trek is right about the bag on the on the BOB, that's why I use a tote (like you would use to store Christmas lights in). But on a long trip on the highway, I think the BOB is best. That single wheel tracks behind your bike wheel so if you miss road debris with your bike, you also miss it with your trailer.

Pat from Washington, MO. on 2/4/2010 2:10:31 AM:

I live five miles from the Dutzow, Mo access to the KATY, ride it almost every day and have done countless overnites on various sections. My gal and I ride Catrike recumbants and I pull a Burley Nomad trailer. I swear by it for training with unnecessary weight, for day trips with a cooler and picnic basket or for long distant multiday camp rides with tent etc. It tracks perfectly behind both my trike and behind my two wheeler, its very light weight, comes with Schwalbe Big Apple tires which are bulletproof, and with the optional top rack it will haul way more than a hundred lbs. Burley told me that they picked 100 lbs as a nice round number but that the axles etc will do much more, and I know they will because I have. If both of you were pulling a Nomad you could carry the kitchen sink as well as everything else you'd need for extended touring. If you want more info about the trailer or KATY specific info email me at momule@charter.net. The Katy is a wonderful trail; it's safe, rural with ammenities along the way to provide B&Bs plus camping, and more. Hope to see you on the trail.

kim from independence, mo on 2/4/2010 2:05:03 PM:

My husband and I have done the full Katy Trail twice, once staying at B&Bs, and once camping. We used the Burley Nomad both times. We also did a shorter ride (Sedalia to Hermann) and used the carrying bag for the Nomad (purchased separately) to travel back to Sedalia on Amtrak. We carried the trailer onto the train in the bag. We also purchased the extra top rack which is perfect for packing a tent and sleeping pads above and moves easily out of the way to get into the trailer. We are big fans of this two-wheeled trailer.

robert Johnson from columbia on 2/4/2010 4:47:15 PM:

I've used a BOB, a Burley Flatbed and a Burley NOMAD.

I'm partial to either Burley but dislike the bob. If you have anything in it higher than the
little bag that comes with it then it becomes really unstable and its unstable at high speeds
regardless of load.

I actually think its kinda dangerous. I know several people who love them but they've
never used anything else.

John B. from Springfield, MO on 2/12/2010 2:53:09 PM:

BOB,BOB,BOB,BOB! I used a BOB IBEX this past summer on the trail. I also used around town, going to farmers market and other places I need to haul items. I like the fact that where my bike goes it will follow right behind, there is no concern of how wide my trailer is.

FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!

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