"Simply
the Best"
The lightest full-sized bicycle cargo trailer available!
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The lightest full-sized bicycle cargo trailer available!
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Consider these factors before you make your decision Cost: The biggest factor, for many, may be cost. Inexpensive panniers and racks may be purchased for less than most trailers. However, when you are on the road, the inconvenience of poorly made panniers will definitely diminish the enjoyment of your tour. Well-made panniers may cost nearly as much as a trailer. If you insist on panniers, don't settle for less than the best you can afford. They will definitely be worth the cost because their design may prevent you from being stranded on the road. Balance: While many pannier tourists insist that their bike handles better loaded than empty, we have not found that to be the case. Bicycles were designed only for the weight of the rider. Adding extra weight may stabilize the bike as it moves in a forward direction, but add a crosswind or the need to adjust your direction quickly and the extra weight, above or behind the center of gravity, can easily create an unsafe situation. The added weight makes the bike difficult to maneuver quickly and may result in disaster (Our latest crash involved the only bike in our group equipped with panniers). Having toured with both panniers and trailers, panniers would never be our first choice unless the extra cost made a trailer out of the question. A well-designed trailer always places the center of gravity much lower than even the best pannier setup. Weight vs. carrying capacity: A rack with the lightest panniers may save a few pounds. A full capacity setup, with four bags and two racks, can weigh as much as 8 to 10 lbs. Pounds with a high center of gravity that is often behind the rear axle of the bicycle. Lightweight, two -wheel, trailers are available at about 14 pounds, pounds that have very little if any, effect on the balance of the bicycle. Pannier sizes vary, but even the largest set cannot match the carrying capacity of a good trailer. You are 0ften limited by your bags' size limitations, rather than their weight capacity. Typical touring gear includes many bulky items (sleeping bags, pads, food, clothes, etc.), so the extra space of a trailer is a definite plus. You see many cycling tourists dangerously loaded beyond the capacity of their bags. If you want the ability to handle both the weight and the day-to-day changes in your load size it is important to have a trailer that is designed to accept those changes. Wind resistance: Ride a fully loaded, pannier-equipped bike in a crosswind, and then do the same with a trailer before you decide. The extra wind resistance experienced while pulling a trailer is rarely more than that of a fully loaded pannier equipped bike. The sail effect of the pannier in a side wind can be a disastrous thing. Ride safe.Ray Quick |
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Copyright © 2008 Cycle Tectonics,LLC
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Panniers
versus trailers: