This is the kind of video I keep looking for and want to see more of so hooray for the algorithm for bringing me this today without even looking for it! 🎉 I'm in a rural area of Ireland and although I do have and will continue to need a car, I'm using it a lot less for everything in my local area. I got into making shopping trips to the supermarket during covid by bike. A basic Merida hybrid. I kept loading more and more into large pannier bags (actually Lidl's own brand Crivit panniers which were less than €10 each. Great value.) and more on top of the carrier until I was ridiculously overloaded and carrying about 30kg and still only about half a week's family shopping! After quite a lot of consideration I bought a Trixie large sized dog trailer from Amazon. And we don't own a dog! It was the best reviewed trailer on Amazon and it has a larger floor area than almost any other actual cargo trailer plus it's fully enclosed and secure so nothing will fall out. I fill my large reusable shopping bags at the checkout and then just load them into the trailer, throw in anything else anywhere because it's fully enclosed, zip it up and go. Just like loading bags into the boot of a car. I'm still using that ordinary hybrid bike so it's pedal power only for me but my average load whether shopping or anything else is usually 40-50kg but I have had over 70kg. I've carried a huge variety of cargo and it was certainly the best decision for me as a trailer and I would highly recommend it. On one trip, I had the cabin inside stuffed to the limit, a 24 pack of toilet rolls bungee'd to the top and the panniers on the bike full. That was my largest load by bulk although not by weight. You could only have taken it all in a small hatchback car if you let down the back seats. I've been using it for over a year now and have clocked up almost a thousand kilometres and absolutely no problems. For security I replaced the quick release clips on the towbar with bolt's and two lock nuts just to make it a little more difficult for someone to hook it off the bike. It just means it takes a few minutes instead of a few seconds to connect or disconnect the trailer from the bike. I use cables and locks also to secure it when shopping. Earlier this year I got a double 25L pannier set from Amazon for less than €10 which I leave on permanently to carry whatever small cargo I need or items I might pick up. I can take the larger panniers if I need them but that's only very occasionally now since I got the trailer. I also have cheap handlebar bags hanging permanently front and back of the handlebars which are like a car glovebox for me and I keep useful but otherwise not worth stealing essentials in them like drinks, snacks, gloves, masks, sanitiser, pen and paper, hat and various other little things. But a trailer definitely turns a bicycle of any kind into a real world practical alternative to using a car. Since I got it, often my car doesn't have to move for a week or more. I do everything I can in my local area conveniently and practically on my bike. I don't specifically ride for fitness or exercise but both are a benefit of living practically using a bicycle. But no one trailer ever will do 100% of everything you want. I have decided a while ago to get a Duramaxx Mountee because it seems to be pretty well built as the limited range of relatively cheaper trailers goes and I should be able to fit a lawnmower or other large items too bulky for the Trixie cabin on it and I could use it often without the canvas/cloth cover or one of the cross bar's front or back. Possibly extend the floor area slightly. I like to come up with my own little MacGyverism's or work arounds to make things work for me if it doesn't already. Unfortunately it's currently out of stock everywhere online so I'm just going to have to wait until it's back in stock. A rather long comment to share my own experience with a bike and trailer in words. I have often wondered if there is such a thing as a community or forum for utilitarian cycling? There's certainly no shortage for Road and MTB cycling? Anyway, great video and I found it very informative and encouraging to watch. 👍
I have a similar setup for my local shopping. Bafang-middrive at a fully-mtb (hydraulic disk-brakes). And a used children-trailer (35€), from which I removed the top and the seats and reinforced the floor. Its light and strong enough. But not covered.
Even not towing a trailer -- just a milk crate over the rear wheel -- filled with whatever -- I was breaking my quick-release rear axle left and right. I went with a solid rear axle and zero problems since then! :)
Due to health reasons I've surrendered my license, so i bought an Apolo Belmont and a second hand double kids trailer which i stripped back and added a large plastic box, big enough for the dog ( springadore ) now looking to add a front wheel kit. Glad to see the car gone, don't miss it and the bills that went with car ownership. Hopefully by staying fitter will help my vascular dementia diagnosis.
Finally, I've found a channel with similar thoughts to me! I started out driving nearly ten years ago and for a long time stopped riding a bike. Over the last few years, I've started to become less dependent on the car and move over to E Bikes. Although I don't feel I can entirely get rid of my car, I've cut my use down to the bare minimum often choosing a bike over the car. I've managed to get my spouse into using a bicycle to get around locally as well. I have experienced the same problems as you with trailers. My main hauler is a Tern GSD with a trailer from AOSOM. It can be a bit of an unwieldy beast at times, but so useful.
I tend to call it Dutch style utilitarian cycling because I use my bike to go places for a specific purpose and to carry stuff / shopping / cargo. Exercise is an additional benefit. And unless you really needed a (very expensive) cargo bike for regular everyday use, a trailer gives you every bit as much flexibility for carrying cargo at a fraction of the cost. Or more than one trailer because they all have different strengths and benefits. It's more than practical to either replace a car or need to use a car a lot less with a bike and a trailer in a real world situation. Continued happy and safe pedaling. 🚲
@@tconnolly9820 Definitely and I wish my local area had the better infrastructure to support it. Most of the time I'm riding the bike solo and the trailer is only really for big loads. I'm still trying to go a bit further afield on a multiday tour with my spouse buts it's a work in progress.
Nice setup…but make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit of your rear rack…easy to do with the box and bags carrying capacity. I ride a recumbent trike and it’s rear rack has a 55lb limit. Have two 35L pannier bags hanging on the rack…..and a burley flat bed trailer which has a 100lb max limit. Eventually I will be putting e-assist for local travel. Looking at a Kona sutra bike for longer bike tour trips as it’s easier to transport then my trike on planes, trains or busses.
Yes - Before I bought the trailer, I used to fill my panniers, and it took some trail and error to find out exactly what the weight limit actually was. I'd get balance issues before getting even near the pannier rack weight limit, and my rear wheels didn't last long - I kept having spokes break, or there was that one time my rear wheel clipped a cats eye while carrying shopping, and the axle broke. Fortunately was close to home. Bikes are versitile, but they have thier limits! The trailer has solved that problem if I want to carry heavy items, and I fully empty my panniers of tools, etc, when I'm towing. But it's still good and practical to have space capacity on the actual bike. It bounces less, for example, so fragile Items go in the pannier box.
Hello, loved the video. I moved from Devon to Normandy 5 years ago partly because I was getting scared by the amount of near misses I was having whilst on my bike. I am thinking of that same trailer for next years camping trips. Basic, fairly cheap and looks sturdy. Can you tell me where they are made, please? I like to buy as local as possible if I can but can`t find out where these are manufactured, europe or the far east. Thanks.
Hey, am glad you enjoyed the video. :) I also keep having near misses, but funnily enough I have a lot fewer here than I did when I was living in Essex. UK cycling infrastructure is sorely lacking or not fit for purpose compared to the continent. The trailer is a DuraMaxx Mountee, which I bought from Amazon - Unfortunately this means "doing a deal with the devil", so to speak. Other online stores sell it or similar too. Its made in China like everything else, but the company which distributes them appears to be German, there's a label on the frame with an address. I'll copy the info in a reply here tomorrow if I remember.
@@Roamer17 Can I pick your brain? My bike is a steel Condor racing bike, bought from Colin Lewis cycles in Paignton. Can you think of any reason this trailer wouldn`t be suitable for hitching up for camping trips? I can`t afford the only french made trailer, so will have to go with the chinese stuff.
@@HarryFenton6124 It's a large and practical trailer with not a lot that can go wrong with it, and it can pack down flat, too. According to one review I read, someone took it touring for a few thousand miles across several countries. What ever trailer you end up buying though, I suggest you use it for a few shopping trips to wear it in first and check for teething issues. I had to put extra washers on one of the wheels as it went wonky, but it's not given me trouble since. It's also a good idea to replace the inner tubes with thicker thorn resistant ones, or replace the tyres entirely, as they're a bit on the thin side. Carrying a spare inner tube is always a good idea. It's also not easy to see at night unless you put reflective tape on the frame, or triangle reflectors on the back - I cut a panel out of thick plastic and cable tied it to the frame for this. There are plenty of mounting places for lights - I put a white one on the front as well. But this is more of a winter issue than a summer one. The German company who distributes the DuraMaxx trailer is called Chal-Tec GmbH, but I dunno how much that helps you if you intend to buy local, as it looks like an online exclusive thing.
@@Roamer17 Ok, thanks for that. I`m just deciding whether to go for axle or saddle mount now. I will paint the back end yellow and maybe make a flag too. I am a big fan of visibility. I will get some new tubes and tyres. I`m glad to hear that someone tested one over thousands of miles. That is good enough for me. Good luck with your channel.
@@HarryFenton6124 The trailer I bought comes with a flag, though by default the holder for it is on the left side, which is OK if you live on the continent - I had to mount a little tube to the right side for it so it can be seen by oncoming traffic. I also highly recommend the red warning triangle reflectors that you can get for car caravans and trailers, but even smaller red bike reflectors are better than nothing. Good luck also, hope my advice was helpful. :)
This is the kind of video I keep looking for and want to see more of so hooray for the algorithm for bringing me this today without even looking for it! 🎉
I'm in a rural area of Ireland and although I do have and will continue to need a car, I'm using it a lot less for everything in my local area. I got into making shopping trips to the supermarket during covid by bike. A basic Merida hybrid.
I kept loading more and more into large pannier bags (actually Lidl's own brand Crivit panniers which were less than €10 each. Great value.) and more on top of the carrier until I was ridiculously overloaded and carrying about 30kg and still only about half a week's family shopping!
After quite a lot of consideration I bought a Trixie large sized dog trailer from Amazon. And we don't own a dog!
It was the best reviewed trailer on Amazon and it has a larger floor area than almost any other actual cargo trailer plus it's fully enclosed and secure so nothing will fall out.
I fill my large reusable shopping bags at the checkout and then just load them into the trailer, throw in anything else anywhere because it's fully enclosed, zip it up and go. Just like loading bags into the boot of a car.
I'm still using that ordinary hybrid bike so it's pedal power only for me but my average load whether shopping or anything else is usually 40-50kg but I have had over 70kg. I've carried a huge variety of cargo and it was certainly the best decision for me as a trailer and I would highly recommend it.
On one trip, I had the cabin inside stuffed to the limit, a 24 pack of toilet rolls bungee'd to the top and the panniers on the bike full. That was my largest load by bulk although not by weight. You could only have taken it all in a small hatchback car if you let down the back seats.
I've been using it for over a year now and have clocked up almost a thousand kilometres and absolutely no problems.
For security I replaced the quick release clips on the towbar with bolt's and two lock nuts just to make it a little more difficult for someone to hook it off the bike. It just means it takes a few minutes instead of a few seconds to connect or disconnect the trailer from the bike. I use cables and locks also to secure it when shopping.
Earlier this year I got a double 25L pannier set from Amazon for less than €10 which I leave on permanently to carry whatever small cargo I need or items I might pick up.
I can take the larger panniers if I need them but that's only very occasionally now since I got the trailer. I also have cheap handlebar bags hanging permanently front and back of the handlebars which are like a car glovebox for me and I keep useful but otherwise not worth stealing essentials in them like drinks, snacks, gloves, masks, sanitiser, pen and paper, hat and various other little things.
But a trailer definitely turns a bicycle of any kind into a real world practical alternative to using a car.
Since I got it, often my car doesn't have to move for a week or more. I do everything I can in my local area conveniently and practically on my bike. I don't specifically ride for fitness or exercise but both are a benefit of living practically using a bicycle.
But no one trailer ever will do 100% of everything you want. I have decided a while ago to get a Duramaxx Mountee because it seems to be pretty well built as the limited range of relatively cheaper trailers goes and I should be able to fit a lawnmower or other large items too bulky for the Trixie cabin on it and I could use it often without the canvas/cloth cover or one of the cross bar's front or back. Possibly extend the floor area slightly.
I like to come up with my own little MacGyverism's or work arounds to make things work for me if it doesn't already.
Unfortunately it's currently out of stock everywhere online so I'm just going to have to wait until it's back in stock.
A rather long comment to share my own experience with a bike and trailer in words.
I have often wondered if there is such a thing as a community or forum for utilitarian cycling?
There's certainly no shortage for Road and MTB cycling?
Anyway, great video and I found it very informative and encouraging to watch. 👍
I have a similar setup for my local shopping. Bafang-middrive at a fully-mtb (hydraulic disk-brakes). And a used children-trailer (35€), from which I removed the top and the seats and reinforced the floor. Its light and strong enough. But not covered.
Even not towing a trailer -- just a milk crate over the rear wheel -- filled with whatever -- I was breaking my quick-release rear axle left and right. I went with a solid rear axle and zero problems since then! :)
Due to health reasons I've surrendered my license, so i bought an Apolo Belmont and a second hand double kids trailer which i stripped back and added a large plastic box, big enough for the dog ( springadore ) now looking to add a front wheel kit. Glad to see the car gone, don't miss it and the bills that went with car ownership. Hopefully by staying fitter will help my vascular dementia diagnosis.
Very nice. I made a trailer by using a section of old aluminum ladder.
Finally, I've found a channel with similar thoughts to me!
I started out driving nearly ten years ago and for a long time stopped riding a bike. Over the last few years, I've started to become less dependent on the car and move over to E Bikes. Although I don't feel I can entirely get rid of my car, I've cut my use down to the bare minimum often choosing a bike over the car. I've managed to get my spouse into using a bicycle to get around locally as well.
I have experienced the same problems as you with trailers. My main hauler is a Tern GSD with a trailer from AOSOM. It can be a bit of an unwieldy beast at times, but so useful.
I tend to call it Dutch style utilitarian cycling because I use my bike to go places for a specific purpose and to carry stuff / shopping / cargo.
Exercise is an additional benefit.
And unless you really needed a (very expensive) cargo bike for regular everyday use, a trailer gives you every bit as much flexibility for carrying cargo at a fraction of the cost.
Or more than one trailer because they all have different strengths and benefits.
It's more than practical to either replace a car or need to use a car a lot less with a bike and a trailer in a real world situation.
Continued happy and safe pedaling. 🚲
@@tconnolly9820 Definitely and I wish my local area had the better infrastructure to support it. Most of the time I'm riding the bike solo and the trailer is only really for big loads.
I'm still trying to go a bit further afield on a multiday tour with my spouse buts it's a work in progress.
Hey Ed! Nice work on the video, and the bike setup!
Very nice and cool ❤
Nice setup…but make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit of your rear rack…easy to do with the box and bags carrying capacity. I ride a recumbent trike and it’s rear rack has a 55lb limit. Have two 35L pannier bags hanging on the rack…..and a burley flat bed trailer which has a 100lb max limit. Eventually I will be putting e-assist for local travel. Looking at a Kona sutra bike for longer bike tour trips as it’s easier to transport then my trike on planes, trains or busses.
Yes - Before I bought the trailer, I used to fill my panniers, and it took some trail and error to find out exactly what the weight limit actually was.
I'd get balance issues before getting even near the pannier rack weight limit, and my rear wheels didn't last long - I kept having spokes break, or there was that one time my rear wheel clipped a cats eye while carrying shopping, and the axle broke. Fortunately was close to home.
Bikes are versitile, but they have thier limits! The trailer has solved that problem if I want to carry heavy items, and I fully empty my panniers of tools, etc, when I'm towing. But it's still good and practical to have space capacity on the actual bike. It bounces less, for example, so fragile Items go in the pannier box.
Very informative top video
Nice
Hello, loved the video. I moved from Devon to Normandy 5 years ago partly because I was getting scared by the amount of near misses I was having whilst on my bike. I am thinking of that same trailer for next years camping trips. Basic, fairly cheap and looks sturdy. Can you tell me where they are made, please? I like to buy as local as possible if I can but can`t find out where these are manufactured, europe or the far east. Thanks.
Hey, am glad you enjoyed the video. :) I also keep having near misses, but funnily enough I have a lot fewer here than I did when I was living in Essex. UK cycling infrastructure is sorely lacking or not fit for purpose compared to the continent.
The trailer is a DuraMaxx Mountee, which I bought from Amazon - Unfortunately this means "doing a deal with the devil", so to speak. Other online stores sell it or similar too. Its made in China like everything else, but the company which distributes them appears to be German, there's a label on the frame with an address.
I'll copy the info in a reply here tomorrow if I remember.
@@Roamer17 Can I pick your brain? My bike is a steel Condor racing bike, bought from Colin Lewis cycles in Paignton. Can you think of any reason this trailer wouldn`t be suitable for hitching up for camping trips? I can`t afford the only french made trailer, so will have to go with the chinese stuff.
@@HarryFenton6124 It's a large and practical trailer with not a lot that can go wrong with it, and it can pack down flat, too. According to one review I read, someone took it touring for a few thousand miles across several countries.
What ever trailer you end up buying though, I suggest you use it for a few shopping trips to wear it in first and check for teething issues. I had to put extra washers on one of the wheels as it went wonky, but it's not given me trouble since.
It's also a good idea to replace the inner tubes with thicker thorn resistant ones, or replace the tyres entirely, as they're a bit on the thin side. Carrying a spare inner tube is always a good idea.
It's also not easy to see at night unless you put reflective tape on the frame, or triangle reflectors on the back - I cut a panel out of thick plastic and cable tied it to the frame for this. There are plenty of mounting places for lights - I put a white one on the front as well. But this is more of a winter issue than a summer one.
The German company who distributes the DuraMaxx trailer is called Chal-Tec GmbH, but I dunno how much that helps you if you intend to buy local, as it looks like an online exclusive thing.
@@Roamer17 Ok, thanks for that. I`m just deciding whether to go for axle or saddle mount now. I will paint the back end yellow and maybe make a flag too. I am a big fan of visibility. I will get some new tubes and tyres. I`m glad to hear that someone tested one over thousands of miles. That is good enough for me. Good luck with your channel.
@@HarryFenton6124 The trailer I bought comes with a flag, though by default the holder for it is on the left side, which is OK if you live on the continent - I had to mount a little tube to the right side for it so it can be seen by oncoming traffic.
I also highly recommend the red warning triangle reflectors that you can get for car caravans and trailers, but even smaller red bike reflectors are better than nothing.
Good luck also, hope my advice was helpful. :)
I love it!
Who knew a double kick stand was available . If govt could tax the air , I’m sure they would .
i have the same kickstand. It was great under the rubber feet came off it... lol