Cycle trailer: good?

[PhilD]

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

--
<><

 

[Craig Wallace]

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

 

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:42:46 GMT, Craig Wallace
<craigw84@fast_NOSPAM_mail.fm> said in
<[email protected]>:

>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

 

[Chris Smith]

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

 

[Tom Crispin]

On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:51:23 -0800 (PST), PhilD
<[email protected]> 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/

 

[Tosspot]

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-trailers/roland_bigboy.html

I have to say, for basic shopping it's paid for itself a million times
over. It fits two beer crates exactly.

 

[David Damerell]

Quoting Craig Wallace <craigw84@fast_NOSPAM_mail.fm>:
>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 <[email protected]> Oil is for sissies
Today is Stilday, February - a weekend.

 

[Brian G]

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

 

[[email protected]]

On Feb 26, 2:02 pm, Brian G <[email protected]> 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

 

[PhilD]

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

--
<><

 

[Sandy Morton]

In article <[email protected]>, Brian G
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Assuming this meant that the Mule was either unknown or dud, I
> opted for the rather more expensive Burley Flatbed trailer.

I have a Burley Cub baby trailer which has a very large box - the top
cover is easy to remove. It attaches to the stay just in front of
the wheel nut and is very easy to put on and take off.

When I closed the shop I sold/gaveaway almost everything but that one
stayed.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net