bike friday travel trailer

Summary For air transport, the trailer offers a major advantage over a large bike box. Checked bag charge is typically free or perhaps $40-$60 each way. The small luggage wheels and retractable handle make it easier than a large boxed bike to move around the airport. Unlike in Morelia Michoacán in 2014, I no longer have to search for or build my own cardboard bike box before flying. The Samsonite case protects the bike well during transport. Without heavy panniers, the bike is more stable and rides better up steep hills. Rear tire life is perhaps 10-20% longer. Overall, the Samsonite case is well built. However, the trailer is more cumbersome than panniers, and takes up more space on the road. Sometimes it wont fit on a narrow shoulder. It is harder to park bike and trailer. Bike + trailer weighs about 5 kg more than bike + 2 rear panniers and rack. In the section "Bike and Bike gear" of my 2020 blog (NT), I reviewed the pros and cons of my BF + trailer vs std bike + panniers. Note that I used 3 different designs of trailer hitch (the short section with the hydraulic hose): BF, HM1 (HomeMade 1) and HM2 (HomeMade2). HM2 is my preferred hitch. Trailer Tour #1 (3,000 miles): (Mexico City to Costa Rica). Hitch used: BF and HM1. This was my first bike tour using a trailer, so there was a learning curve. Overall the trailer worked OK although I did have a few problems. The main ones were that one of the wheel locking pins came out and I lost a wheel while cycling, and the flexible hitch to the trailer ("BF hitch") failed. See details below. Trailer Tour #2 (3,000 miles): (Middle East and North Africa). Hitch used: HM1. Overall, the trailer worked well, and made air travel (6 separate flight legs) a breeze. Trailer Tour #3 (3,000 miles): (Colombia and Ecuador 2017). Hitch used: HM1. This included about 70 miles of very rough, rocky road. The trailer performed better than expected, although my heavier-duty trailer hose failed after 3,000 miles. See details below. Trailer Tour #4 (4,200 miles): (Northern Tier 2020). Hitch used: HM2. See the section "Bike and Bike gear" of my 2020 blog. (No problems encountered). The Samsonite trailer can be purchased from Green Gear in Eugene (i.e from the Bike Friday head office) or on the internet. In the latter case you will need to drill your own holes for the trailer kit, if used. For web ordering, see the section below entitled Trailer Specifications. Here are some general pictures of my trailer. See also my 2020 blog: Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next). My bike and trailer in Mexico City Airport, ready to ride. Here I am using a red support rod to prop up my bike. This was made for me by my friend Chris White when he stayed with us in Seattle last year, before his cycle tour to Argentina . Later I stopped using this and simply laid the bike on its side. Less hassle. The front fender was supported only at the headset tube, by means of the Aluminum bracket seen in the photo. This often got bent. Eventually this broke off. The rear fender, also supported at only one place, vibrated and drove me crazy. I removed it. One really needs side stays on both fenders. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Note the orange color of the flag. By the end of the trip it had become bleached to a lighter color. A pity. Orange is more visible. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next 4). My Bike Friday trailer assembly. The Samsonite luggage was well made. I added the wheel protector bars and flag. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The interior remained dry and dust-free during the tour. Latching worked well. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The middle latch had a combination lock. This jammed during the trip and it took about 15 minutes to release the latch. Afterward I did not use the lock. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The two end latches worked well. Each had a dial which, when turned 180 degrees clockwise, locked the latch. It would deter an honest thief. Better than nothing. Toward the end of my Ethiopian tour, the rear latch broke off, so I was left with only 2. I need to contact Samsonite for a new latch. I also found I had to place plywood reinforcements under each axle, as the kids (and 1 adult) who jumped onto my trailer caused it to dent in, and the top of the wheels therefore to rub on the red plastic sides, I have got used to towing the trailer. It was easy to disconnect as it employed a useful quick-disconnect (QD) coupling. Parking wasn’t an issue as I would simply disconnect the trailer and stand it upright. (The ability to quickly connect and disconnect the trailer is a major advantage on a cycle tour. One does this often). It was easier with the trailer than with panniers to lock up my gear outside a store. Accessing my gear was also easier. It was about 5 kg heavier than panniers and rack. It was fully waterproof, more so than panniers. See also the section "Bike and Bike gear" of my 2020 blog (NT). I had to get used to the extra width of the trailer. This was a disadvantage compared with panniers. It meant that I had to be careful not to allow the outside trailer wheel to go off the road edge. More importantly, I often had difficulty cycling on narrow shoulders which were typically only 1 m (3 ft) wide. Such shoulders often had a drop-off of 2-4 “ (50-100 mm) from the hiway, owing to repaving having been done on the hiway alone, not the shoulders. It required concentration to keep my bike and trailer within such a shoulder. Often the inner wheel would jump up onto the hiway. In these cases I usually cycled in this manner, i.e. with the inner wheel on the hiway. It required less concentration. On tour drivers have given me enough space, and after over 9,000 miles of touring, never once have I aware of anyone hitting my flag. In the USA drivers are asked to give 3 ft space to cyclists, so my 2 ft extra width was acceptable. In Europe, drivers are asked to give 1.5 m (5 ft). Safety Flag I use a flag which protrudes about 18" horizontally from the trailer toward the center of the hiway. No vehicle has ever touched this flag. I think drivers give me more space when they see the flag, which also tends to alert them to my presence. My flag starts out bright red and gradually fades to a light yellow in the sun. I replace it periodically - cost is only $7 on the web. See photos. I have used the AirheadSAF-1 Stik-A-Flag Water Ski Flag . It works OK except that after a few months in the sun the orange color becomes bleached and is less striking to the eye. Anyone have a solution? It is important that it has a flexible mount, as often I need to squeeze my trailer through a narrow opening on a sidewalk. A stiff flag would probably break off. In towns, move the flag to a vertical holder to avoid hitting stationary cars in the adjacent left lane. Trailer Specifications, Weights and Dimensions 1. Part Numbers, as purchased (2012) 1.1 BF Flite TravelCase RED + BF packing system. #11812. $295. I did not need the packing system. Unnecessary extra weight. The luggage alone can be purchased on the Web. Amazon calls it the Samsonite F'lite GT Spinner 31, Black, One Size . Price (May 2018) was $140 + tax, with free shipping. Price depends on color. On Amazon I was able to purchase a bright orange one, which color was not offered by BF. All I had to do was to drill holes for the trailer kit. I also added 6 mm thick x100 x75 mm plastic pads between the axle bolts and the case, as reinforcement. I have found that the case caves in over time, after many kids have jumped onto the trailer. (It is very tempting for any kid! Once in Mexico three jumped on at the same time before I could shoo them away. In Ethiopia, a young man in his twenties jumped on while I was stopped at a traffic light). I cut the pads from an old plastic cutting-board. 1.2 BF TravTrailer Alu-Frame, Whls w/CS hitch. #972. $225. Note that the flexible hydraulic hose connector has failed several times, owing to rubbing against the sharp corner of the horizontal aluminum trailer tow tube. I reported this to BF. Hopefully they have beefed it up. See my fix under "Trailer Adaptor" below. 2. Outside dimensions & Max Load, per BF website Wt limit 75 lb. Width= 21.5” top / 23” bottom. Length=31”. Depth=12.5”. Interior dimensions: 29.5” x20” x 12.5”. Overall width outside wheels was 700 mm (as received). I reduced this to 660 mm by cutting off ends of axle. This was a bit too much, as the wheels bent inwards when the axle bolts loosened inside their axle tubes, and the tops of the wheels tended to rub against the trailer. Reducing the looseness in the axles stopped the rubbing. This I achieved by wrapping the axle bolt threads with flexible Scotch electrical tape and tapping them in firmly. The tape also provided a tighter fit of the bolt inside the bearing, to ensure that the inner bearing race rotated. Initially, it appeared that the bolt was turning inside the race, which would have worn out the bolt. The tape made it a little harder to remove the axles. However, I discovered that axle removal was only required during air transport, as a trailer wheel flat (of which I had 2) could be repaired with the wheel in place. One merely need to prop up the trailer, with the luggage left in place. 3. Touring Weights For this tour: trailer and max load (= “gross trailer weight”) = 60-70 lb (27-32 kg). Trailer weight (Wt) (original) =17.5 lb with 2 wheels, axles & tow bar. Wt (modified) = 18.0 lb (8.2 kg), with addition of 2 aluminum wheel protector tubes and Schwalbe Kid Plus tires. 4. Wt distribution Assume uniform wt distribution in trailer. An analysis of measurements gives 25% of trailer total weight on Bike Friday rear wheel, and 75% on trailer wheels. Using an electronic scale, I measured the additional vertical load on the rear BF wheel due to my 75 lb (gross wt) trailer. It was about 20 lb. I calculated 25% * 75 = 18.75 lb. Perhaps my load distribution was not quite uniform. 5. Trailer Adaptor .This has been a weak point on both my trailers. After my first trailer tour, and the premature failure of the trailer hose after only 1,500 miles , I analyzed the forces on the trailer adapter and found the downward component on the adapter to be several times larger than the horizontal one. I therefore modified the original factory design so that the connection angle was greater i.e. the adapter pointed more downwards. This I did by not using the trailer nipple adapter which was welded to the lower chain stay. Instead I clamped a removable adapter to the upper chain stay. This points more downward. It meant less bending moment on the adapter and on the hydraulic hose. I also upgraded to a stronger hydraulic hose with more steel layers. On this tour #3, the stronger hose lasted 3,000 miles, failing at the end of the tour. Both hose failures were caused by the aluminum pipe pressing repeatedly into the upward bend of the hose. The hose's wire reinforcement eventually fails through fatigue. A removable 30 degree aluminum bend would probably prevent this, but I have been unable to locate one. The factory was sympathetic but offered no solution. I am reluctant to make a permanent bend in the trailer pipe as I intend using the trailer in left hand drive countries, in which case the pipe would need to be inverted. I intend to explore this further. Trailer Offset (Right Hand Traffic) For this tour (Mex/CAm - right hand traffic), the trailer was offset toward the hiway center. See photo below. The outer wheel followed a track about in line with my right drop handlebar. The inner (left) wheel followed a track about 6” (150 mm) outside my left drop bar, i.e. toward the hiway. Once I got used to the offset, I grew to like it. It meant there was less risk of my outer (right) trailer wheel causing a crash by going off the edge of the shoulder, which often had a major drop. Together with the flag, the trailer took up about 2 ft (500 mm) extra width outside my left drop bar. The offset was increased by my longer hose connection, installed when the factory hose failed. The offset ex factory would have been perhaps 25 mm (1”) less.) Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next 4). Trailer hitch on left side, for right hand traffic (e.g. The Americas, Europe except UK). 75 lb gross wt trailer. Load evenly distributed. Note the trailer offset, toward the hiway center. In this case, about 6" (150 mm). This is fixed as the QD nipple attachment is welded on. The factory-supplied hose and coupling were shorter, and would give an offset about 1 " (25 mm) less. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The transition between aluminum tow-bar and hose is too sharp. A 45 degree upward-curving aluminum elbow would provide a better load transfer to the hose, and would extend its life. One cannot bend the Al tube as the tow bar would then lose its symmetry, necessary for cycling in countries with both right and left-hand traffic. A 45 degree short removable elbow would work well. I tried several of these purchased at Lowes, but none fitted. I also purchased a length of electrical conduit and tried bending my own elbow, but this was hokey and the after being bent the conduit didnt fit the OD of my tow bar. I then examined my hose, which I had repaired in Mexico. It had done 2,500 km and was still looking good. The factory hose had failed after an equivalent distance. I therefore decided to continue using this without an elbow. Fortunately, I have 3 spare lengths of hose, which can be fitted while on a tour. The aluminum tow tube has an OD/ID of 21.1/ 15.7 mm. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) This shows the trailer connected to my Bike Friday by means of my homemade trailer hitch "HM1". The latter has proved to be perhaps 3x more durable than the hitch supplied by Bike Friday (BF). By means of wrenches available in any motor vehicle garage, my hitch can be dismantled and repaired in the field, e.g. if the hose needs replacing. The BF hitch is not as convenient for field repair, but is shorter and lighter. Note: I prefer my later hitch design, HM2. See next page. Trailer Offset (Left Hand Traffic) The standard trailer offset, with the QD nipple welded to the left of the BF, is best suited to cycling on the right side of the road (called “right hand traffic”). This is the more common world traffic orientation. Driving on the right is standard in all of the Americas except in a few small countries north of Brazil, in Europe except the UK, and in all of Asia except India and Pakistan. Other exceptions are Japan, Thailand south to New Zealand, and Southern and East Africa, where vehicles also drive on the left. From Wikipedia : "Today, about 65% of the world's population lives in countries with right-hand traffic and 35% in countries with left-hand traffic. About 90% of the world's total road distance carries traffic on the right and 10% on the left. Right-hand traffic predominates across the continental landmasses, while the majority of the world's island nations and territories drive on the left”. This link has a useful map showing the LH Traffic countries. I am planning to use my trailer on a bike tour in South Africa, which has left hand traffic. As on this tour, I would like a trailer offset toward the hiway center, to reduce the risk of the outer trailer wheel inadvertently going off the edge of a shoulder with a large drop. I want the outer wheel to follow a track roughly in line with my outer handlebar drop. For left hand traffic, I would also need to move the flag to the opposite side of the trailer. The tow bar is symmetrical, which is a good design feature. As an experiment after this (Mex/CAm) tour, I switched the tow bar over to the right, to give the trailer a right offset. Green Gear Cycling thoughtfully provides a bolt-on trailer attachment, which is intended for the trailer to be used on a different bike, but which also allows the trailer to be attached on the right side of the BF. I bolted this attachment to the right side of my bike, but on the upper bar (or “seat stay”) of the rear triangle. The photos below were taken with a 34 kg (75 lb) gross trailer weight. The load was uniformly distributed. Note that the trailer offset is less (about 100 mm (4”) instead of 15 mm (6”)) as the QD coupling nipple in the photo is aligned closer to the axis of the bike. This could of course be varied. I chose a location such that the nipple has about 15 degrees more downward tilt than for the welded version. This provides a smoother transfer of load from the trailer to the bike than does the original QD adapter, which is welded to the left lower bar (or “chain stay”). See photos above. An advantage of the steeper downward tilt is a reduced bending moment on the QD nipple. During this (Mex/CAm) tour, I had feared that this might fail due to fatigue caused by the constant up and down motion of the trailer tow bar. The vertical force on the rear BF wheel (about 25% of gross weight i.e. about 19 lb, as discussed below) is significantly more that the horizontal force to pull the trailer which, at 10% grade, would be about 0.1* 75 (due to grade) and 0.02*75 (due to rolling and wind resistance) = 9 lb. For normal cycling at lower grades, this would be a lot less. These calculations suggest that one should design the trailer connection for the smoothest vertical load transfer, since this is the larger force. Hence, tilting the QD nipple more downward seems to make design sense. One would need to long tour to confirm this. After my return from Costa Rica I tested this right-hand attachment by towing the 75 lb trailer behind my BF on a fairly hilly 17 mile course around Seattle. Max grade was about 12% for the ascent and descent. The trailer behaved well. Hence, this is the connection method I plan to use in countries with left hand traffic. However, I still want to reduce the sharp bend where the aluminum tube meets the hose. One small point is that, when stopping on a narrow shoulder on the left of the hiway, one cannot easily open the trailer as the lid might protrude into the traffic lane. When open, the lid lies horizontal and takes up about and extra 1m (3 ft). One might have to turn around first. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next 4). Trailer hitch on right side, for left hand traffic (e.g. UK, New Zealand). 75 lb gross wt trailer. Load evenly distributed. Note the trailer offset, toward the hiway center. In this case, about 4" (100 mm). This could be varied slightly, as the QD attachment is bolted on. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The greater downward tilt of the QD nipple provides an improved transfer of load to the BF, and a reduced bending moment on the nipple. Forces with a 75 lb gross uniform trailer weight are about 9 kgf (19 lb) vertical and 0.7-4 kgf (1.5-9 lb) horizontal (0-10% grade). Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) The sharp bend in the trailer hose is undesirable. This caused the factory hose to fail after 2,500 km, about half way into this (Mex/CAm) tour. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Packing My Bike Friday (BF) packed fine inside the case for both the trip to MEX (via Aeromexico) and the return from SJO (San Jose, Costa Rica) via United. There was no damage to the luggage or contents in either direction. Total packing time (for all my gear) in each direction was about 1.2 - 1.5 hrs, much of which went into dismantling the bike, removing the front disk, Luxos lamp, bottle cages, etc. Don't believe the stories of 5 minutes. The empty trailer assembly weighted 18 lb (8.2 kg). Hence, owing to the airline limitation of 50 lb (23 kg) per standard checked bag, I was not able to pack all my bike accessories within the red case. Within the allowed weight, I was able to pack the bike, fenders, trailer kit, handlebars, empty water bottles, and rain jacket (for padding). I did not use the BF Packing Kit – too much weight. The aero bars, lights, water bottles, U-lock, clothing, food, spares, laptop, other electronics, helmet etc went into a second checked bag. I also used a carry-on bag and daypack or shoulder bag. On the outward flight, a soft-sided bag worked fine for the second checked bag. I left this with my hosts in México City. For the return flight, I purchased a wheeled luggage set at the Alajuela Wal-Mart for $57. This had a shoulder bag, wheeled cabin bag, and a wheeled checked bag. It worked great. Having the rolling wheels on everything was worth the extra dollars. See HERE . (See also the few photos prior to this). It cost $0+$40 to check the 2 bags to México City, and $20+45 to check them back to Seattle. A lot cheaper than the $240 charged by United last year, for my oversized Surly Troll (wt 50 lb) on my return flight from Morelia, Michoacán, México, to Seattle. Be aware that many airlines have blackout dates for all oversized bags, e.g. around Easter and Christmas. For packing photos and more details, click HERE . See also see the section of my 2020 blog (NT), under "Bike and Bike gear", and the packing photos further down. Hose Connection to Bike I like the quick-disconnect (QD) coupling used to attach the trailer to the bike. See photos. It is standard in the hydraulics industry and works well. I have never had it break loose and become detached from the bike. It is quick to connect and disconnect. This is an essential feature on a touring trailer. The trailer was provided with a short flexible wire-reinforced hydraulic hose. This is a good idea, as it smoothes out the ride. Hence, the trailer does not transmit shocks to the bike. However, the hose was not strong enough, and failed after only 1300 miles during tour #1. (Add to this about 400 km of loaded practice rides around Seattle before my departure). It failed in Tziscao, Chiapas . A local workshop in Tziscao did a temporary fix , which involved shortening the hose. The next day I visited a Parker Store in Comitan, and Darinela, the smart storeman provided me with a fix. Unlike the BF original, this had a removable hose end, but was heavier and longer. He included 3 extra lengths of hose, which I would be able to have installed at any workshop. At my hotel the next day I fashioned a new trailer hitch . This modified hitch lasted well for the remainder of my trip. See photos below. For my second (orange) trailer, I purchased a new trailer kit from BF. (Late 2016). The design had been changed. There was no longer a bolt attaching the trailer tow bar to the front on the trailer. I added this. It provided improved rigidity. The original design would probably have bumped up against the trailer housing enough to wear in a groove. Such slow vertical movement occurs all the time while cycling, as the trailer tends to oscillate up and down. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next 4). The replacement hose extension fashioned for me by Parker Hose in Comitan, Chiapas, Mexico. The original one supplied by Bike Friday had failed after about 2500 km. This was longer and heavier than the original, but allowed easy replacement of the hose in the field. It also employed a heavier-duty hose. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Photo of my new hose connection at the end of my tour. This had done about 2800 km. It held up better than the factory original. The hose cover had to be stripped back to allow the larger diameter hose to fit inside the tube. A better idea would be to use a larger-diameter aluminum sleeve over both items, as appears to be used by BF on their 100 lb trailer hitch. If this sleeve were a 45 degree elbow, it would avoid the severe bend in the hose. This caused the original to fail. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) (This and next). Comparison of the original (top) and new trailer hoses. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) . Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Comparison on QD coupling nipples. Original at right. My trailer was rated at 75 lb gross weight. I ran it at less than this (60-70 lb, 27-32 kg). The hose connection should therefore have lasted longer. I studied the design and realized that the problem is the sharp bend the hose makes after leaving the end of the aluminum tow tube. The tube edge cuts into and eventually abrades the hose and its wire reinforcing. See photos above. The end of the tow tube should be bent upward perhaps 15 degrees, to apply a more axial and uniform load on the hose. I plan to modify mine in this manner. The BF Store currently offers a heavy-duty trailer Bike Friday Heavy Duty Travel Trailer #8775 $239. 100 lb gross capacity . This appears to have a beefier connection to the hose, by means of an outer aluminum sleeve. However, it also appears to lack a bend. Handling on the Road The trailer handles well, even on steep descents (up to 20%). Never once has it threatened to jack-knife. This has happened to several cyclists with single-wheeled trailers. One such cyclist told me it happened twice on one tour and both times he ended up in hospital. This was before I started tour cycling, and I don’t recall the make of his trailer. The wheels were small (12”) and these sometimes made it hard to mount a high curb. I would then have to man-handle it. It generally rode well over the rough roads and over the many speed bumps. Wheel Locking Pins My trailer came equipped with axles comprising ½” x 3.5” threaded steel bolts and spring-loaded axle locking pins. See photos. This design could be improved. One has to be careful to install the locking pins toward the rear, or a blow while moving forward could knock it out. A trailer wheel came off during my exit from Mexico City . Fortunately I was cycling slowly on a quiet side street. I could not find the missing pin. Luckily, a local motorist was parked behind me and happened to have some wire. He cut me a few lengths. For the remainder of my tour, I used this to lock both axles. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Underside of trailer, showing the spring-loaded clip. One of these came loose within a few days and I lost a wheel. Not a safe design. I therefore used lock wire for the rest of the trip. (Next photo). Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) Make sure you wrap the wire around the axle so that if it breaks in the middle, both the ends dont fall out. Carry spare wires as they eventually fatigue and break. One need not remove a wheel to repair a puncture. Simply prop it up. I have no idea how the pin came loose. I was sure I had installed both correctly in the airport. BF needs to replace these with a locking-pin design, as it is a safety item and its falling out could cause an accident. Such locking pins are common in the industry. One design has a steel loop which folds back over the pin after insertion, preventing accidental removal. Wheel Protector Bars The purpose was the avoid having one of the wheels (more likely the right or outer wheel) cause a crash by striking a curb or rock. The wheel and axle would likely be damaged in the process. I have had such a crash before, with a different trailer. The wheel struck a curb and pitched me over. With this design, the ramped protector bar would instead push the trailer out of the way. See photos above. These bars worked well during the tour and I never pitched over due to such an occurrence. In fact, I fell off only once, in Cuernavaca, when I stopped at a crossroad and failed to spot a pot hole in front. When I started off again, my wheel caught and I fell off. I was unhurt, thanks to my elbow pads and hip padding. I made these protector bars myself, from the aluminum frame of an old folding beach chair. They are light and work well. They need to be removed for packing. Edit | Relation | Bookmark | Printable | Report | Link Rating: (0) I used three ¼-20 bolts and nuts to attach each of the protector bars. The tubing I obtained by cutting up an old aluminum folding beach chair. The tubing was already bent. I recommend such bars as a safety feature. See discussion. Tires Original trailer tires were CHENG SHIN 47-203 (12.5" x 1.85") - 35 psi max, 280 g. I upgraded these to Schwalbe "Kid Plus", 47-203 (12.5" x 1.85"), SKU 11102413 = 30-65 psi, 350 g, 55 kg max per tire. ($21 each from Schwalbe). I carried a spare tire but did not use it. These tires worked well. I had two flats total in 5700 km (3,500 miles). The tires showed negligible wear after the tour. For the second flat, I figured out how to prop up the trailer so that I could fix the flat without removing the wheel or the trailer gear. This was a big time saving. The original tires would probably have worked OK, although perhaps with less puncture resistance as they are lighter-duty. I had 2 trailer flats on this (Mex/CAm) tour, and avoided many more by daily examination and prompt removal of foreign objects, such as glass fragments and pieces of truck tire reinforcing wire. Bringing the Trailer into Hotels This was usually easier than lugging heavy panniers and tent bag. I could pull the trailer up stairs with less effort. I first removed the flag. Sometimes it was a little tight inside my hotel room, but I was always able to bring the trailer inside. Occasionally I had to leave my bike outside my room, but usually its shorter length (300 mm(12”) less than my Surly LHT, with 700C wheels) allowed the bike to fit inside my room as well. With my trailer lid open, it was a lot easier to access all my gear, as compared with my two Ortlieb rear panniers. Locking the Trailer outside Stores I did this several times, without issue. I used a 4 ft (1.2 m) cable which I looped through the front wheel, fed back through the protector bar (an sometimes also the luggage handle), and locked onto one leg of my U-Lock. See for example, here . To deter someone from opening the trailer lid, I turned the top latch lock ½ turn to lock it. I stopped using the lock on the center latch after it once got stuck in the locked position and I had to struggle quite a while to open it. Water Resistance I had no trouble with water ingress. One day, in Chiapas, it rained almost during the entire day’s ride , and my stuff remained dry. The trailer has an overlapping lip design and seal which work well. Overloading and Caving in of Rear Plastic Shell

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Bike Touring with a Bike Friday Trailer

January 23, 2020

We Love Our Bike Friday Bike and Trailer

The Bike Friday is the ultimate travel bike for long-distance, short distance, bike overnights, and commuting around town. The bike fits nicely inside an airline regulation size Samsonite hardshell suitcase for easy travel, allowing you to take your Bike Friday anywhere in the world for the price of an airline luggage fee.

Here are the latest luggage fees for 2020:  Delta Air Lines | American Airlines | Alaska Airlines | Southwest Airlines (free) | United Airlines

How Does the Bike Friday Trailer Work?

The real beauty of this system is the ability to convert the suitcase into a trailer . The trailer comes apart and also fits into the case with the bike. I pack all my gear into a duffel bag and the bike in the case. At my destination, I can take the bike out of the case, attach the trailer, and then put my gear in the trailer to travel. I’ve even done this at an airport and then ridden right out of the airport to begin an awesome bike tour adventure. This is particularly handy on point to point tours. Other things I like about the suitcase/trailer: It’s attached to the bike using a pneumatic airhose coupling. It attaches quickly and easily, and it allows the trailer to move independently from the bike (no tail wagging the dog situation!!) The case is waterproof, and easy-to-pack and find your gear in; unhook 3 latches and stuff everything in there.

I carry extra water in the case. I have a kick stand on my Bike Friday so I don’t have to find a wall to lean it up against anything.

The utility of the Bike Friday trailer is infinite! Hauling firewood back to camp, or a wind blocker!! You can fit a lot of beer in there too:)

On many tours we’ve led, the case becomes our food locker at night, raccoons haven’t figured out how to open one yet!

Hot day along the Douro River in Portugal. Notice how the Bike Friday trailer flexes at it’s hitch.

The trailer is slightly offset to handle any road, shoulder, or sidewalk.

Me belongings are safe and stored away.  Here I am taking a little nap as we wait for the ferry in Puerto Rico.

Your “luggage” is always on wheels!! The trailer makes it easy to get all your belongings in and out of the hotel.

This is my ultimate packing list for touring with my Bike Friday Trailer

I can fit all these items with the bike inside the Bike Friday travel case—keeping expenses down. Our bike tour budget doesn't include oversized baggage fees or shuttle costs because we can ride directly out of any airport and start our tour.

• 3 Bike Shirts
• 3 Bike Shorts
• Two outfits for after riding, I layer my outfits to be able to use in multiple ways.
• A thin wool shirt is good for any temperature, it’s a great wicking material.
• Rain gear/Vest
• Arm warmers (if needed)
• Leg warmers or long cycling pants(if needed)
• Socks (I also bring Seal Skin socks for colder rainy days)
• Gloves/mittens and Hat (if needed)
• Warmer coat for sitting around after biking (if needed)
• 2 insulated water bottles
• Patch Kits and 20” tube

How to build your own Bike Friday Trailer:

1) Bike Friday Travelcase

2) Bike Friday Trailer Kit

Taking a pit stop at the bike shop in Puerto Rico to fix my bike computer. The ease of removing the trailer made it easy for a quick mechanical check. Remember to pack a  20” tube because they are hard to find in some bike shops when traveling.

Thank you, Michelle Mathieu-Scott and her husband Rich for sharing their Bike Friday trailer wisdom with us. Learn more about Michelle here . Have questions? Just leave them in the comments below. 

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The 18 Best Bike Trailers for Bicycle Touring

Table of Contents

Why use bike trailers, bike trailer design, criteria for the best bike trailers for touring, adventure ct1, aevon kit l80, aevon std 100, aevon uno 100, bob ibex bike trailers, bob yak bike trailers, burley coho xc, burley nomad, free parable t2, radical design cyclone iv, topeak journey, topeak journey tx, tout terrain mule, weber monoporter.

Like the clip-in vs. flat pedal debate, bike trailers are very polarising amongst cyclists. There tends to be the perception that bike trailers add a lot of weight and can be cumbersome to use. While somewhat true – when you match a trailer perfectly to your use, you may find it’s better than using panniers.

This article will look at the best bike trailer options for touring… but first, a little intro about bike trailers and trailer design.

This is just a few reasons to ditch the panniers…

To Use A Lightweight Bike Trailers eliminate the need for heavy-duty frames, forks and wheels. This not only allows you to use lighter weight bikes and components, but permits the use of mountain, road, cyclocross and folding bikes (as touring bikes).

Carry a Hiking Pack If you’re biking and hiking, it can be awkward to carry a decent-sized hiking pack on the bike. Trailers are able to easily cradle large bags.

Carry Bulky Items Given the large single storage space of trailers, you can fit long tent poles and other bulky items into trailers.

One Drybag Instead of Four Panniers It’s often easier to cart around one bag off the bike rather than the complete suite of panniers. The Sentier Trailer/Trolley (above) even has a retractable handle and trolley wheels built-in!

Axle Mount The rear axle is the most common mounting location and is often the quickest for trailer installation and removal. Despite what you may be thinking, trailers put a surprisingly low-stress on bike frames. Got a 12mm rear axle? Check out any of the ‘seatpost mount’ trailers (more below), the Topeak Journey TX trailer, the Burley Coho XC trailer, and the aftermarket axles from  The Robert Axle Project  for BOB trailers.

Seatpost Mount The key advantage of seatpost mounting trailers are that they offer a tighter turning circle as they pivot closer to the front of the bike. The disadvantage is that the rear wheel cuts corners when you turn, so it’s impractical on off-road trails.

Single Wheel vs. Two Wheel You’ll notice that most bicycle touring trailers listed are single wheel. This is because they are generally narrower, lighter, have a lower rolling resistance, are more manoeuvrable (as they lean with the bike), have one less wheel to puncture and can better avoid potholes. Two wheel trailers tend to be better for around town as they’re easier to load and are more stable at low speeds.

Foldable Some trailers have been designed to fold into a small package so that you can pack them away into a bike box with your bike.

One of the reasons people avoid trailers is due to their weight. But you may find that the true weight difference is quite negligible.

For example:

Ortlieb F+R 65 litre Pannier set – 3500g Tubus F+R Steel Rack set – 1000g Total = 4500g

Free Parable 75 Litre Drybag – 1200g Free Parable T2 Trailer – 3600g Total = 4800g

When comparing like-for-like in terms of storage and waterproofing, there’s no doubt that trailers add a bit of weight. But it’s probably not as much as you’d think: it can be as little as +300g over a set of racks and panniers. To put this weight into perspective, I’ve determined that a kilogram is worth no more than a few seconds on a hilly day of bicycle touring.

Under 10kg / 22lb You already lug around enough weight when you’re bicycle touring. I’ve capped the trailer weight to 10kg because the below trailers have an adequate carrying capacity of 30kg+.

Reputation Almost all of the below trailers have been tested extensively by bicycle tourers around the world. I’m happy to add other options if enough people have firsthand experience with other bike trailers.

Ok, let’s take a look at the best bike trailers for bicycle touring.

Adventure Outdoor Co. make this single wheel bike trailer which can fold flat for storage or plane travel. The rather affordable CT1 is supplied with a large drybag and flag to get you on the road without fuss. A recommendation by users is that the low-quality rear tyre is replaced for something a bit harder wearing.

Weight – 6.5kg / 14.3lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – £249

Aevon are well-known in Europe for producing some of the best bike touring trailers. The KIT L80 is their lightweight option which can actually fold quite flat given the lack of frame; great news for those who travel with planes. All of the Aevon trailers use a seatpost mount making them quite manoeuvrable as they pivot from a mid-point on the bike. Up the back is an adjustable air shock to dampen vibrations on rougher surfaces.

You can read my review of this trailer HERE and watch me ride 2500km across Japan with it HERE .

Weight – 5.5kg / 12.1lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – 755€

The STD 100 is the biggest and most heavy-duty Aevon trailer option.  It can carry an additional 20 litres and 10 kilograms over the KIT L80 and still incorporates the shock for off-road use. With the STD 100, there’s also a more substantial side frame for additional drybag support.

Weight – 7.0kg / 15.4lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – 695€

The UNO is the low-cost Aevon model designed for road-only use. The UNO omits the rear shock which generally isn’t necessary on smooth surfaces. This model will still carry the same 100 litre drybag as the STD.

Weight – 7.0kg / 15.4lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – 355€

BOB bike trailers have got to be the most popular option for bicycle touring due to their relatively low cost and good build quality. The Ibex model employs a coil shock to reduce vibrations and make it more suitable for off-road use. All BOB trailers use axle mounts to make connecting and disconnecting a breeze.

Weight – 7.7kg / 17.0lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $409 ( Amazon Special US $318 )

The BOB Yak is the most affordable model in the BOB trailer range. The side frames do a good job of supporting the big BOB drybag and up the back is a tight fitting fender to keep everything clean.

Weight – 6.1kg / 13.4lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $329 ( Amazon Special $303 )

Fresh from receiving a 2018 Eurobike Design Award, the Coho XC is one of the most versatile trailers in this list. For the off-road riders, the trailer will fit a fat 16 x 3.0″ wide rear tyre, and it has a coil rear shock which should help on the rougher trails. A handle at the front of the trailer has been built with a neat release button for removing the Coho quickly and easily from your bike’s rear axle. A feature uncommon on most single wheel trailers is the built-in double leg stand which is actually stable enough to hold your bike up too. In addition, the Coho XC ‘folds’; you can pack the trailer’s parts away into its cargo area without tools, which will be handy for those flying or storing their trailer in the garage. A long platform at the rear helps you stow objects longer than the cargo area (as shown in the picture). And finally, all rear axle sizes including quick release and 12mm can be accommodated, however, the trailer only comes with the quick release 9mm axle. It will fit on all rear end widths from 126mm (retro road bikes) through to 197mm (fat bikes).

Weight – 9.7kg / 21.5lbs Capacity – 32kg / 70lbs Price – US $419  ( Amazon Special HERE )

The Burley Nomad is one of the only two-wheel trailers on the list. The magic of this trailer is that it folds flat for travel, or alternatively you can remove the wheels and check-in the trailer as a separate piece of baggage. The Burley Nomad actually works out to be competitive in weight, price and still offers a huge carrying capacity.

Weight – 6.5kg / 14.3lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – US $339 ( Check the best price on Amazon )

The Extrawheel trailer is unique in design as it creates a second rear rack for two additional panniers. It has a much larger wheel than most trailers which allows it to float over uneven terrain in a more efficient manner than many of the others listed here. The Extrawheels come in multiple wheel wheel sizes: 26″, 29″ or 700c.

Weight – 4.8kg / 10.6lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – US $299

The USA-made FarFarer is a seatpost mounted option that’s ultra versatile given its seatpost mount and small turning circle. It uses a hammock-style bag to carry goods which unfortunately isn’t waterproof like the rest of the options. The most impressive feature is the ability to sling the trailer over your handlebars for technical sections of trail.

Weight – 4.5kg / 9.9lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – US $550

The Free Parable T2 is the lightest trailer listed with the smallest fold and the smallest wheel (perhaps less suitable for off-road use). The T2 uses a series of ‘ribs’ under the 75 litre drybag to keep the bag stable and the weight down.

Weight – 3.6kg / 7.9lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – US $645

The Maya Cycle Bike Trailer is the cheapest trailer on this list. The construction quality isn’t quite to the same level of the other options, but from all reports it still does a great job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t use a drybag so you’ll need to ensure your gear is in waterproof bags.

Weight – 5.9kg / 13.0lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – US $249 ( Amazon special $239 )

The Radical Design Cyclone is the lightest two wheel trailer on this list. It uses better quality materials than the Burley Nomad, but this is of course reflected in the price. Like other two wheel designs, it folds flat and can be checked onto an aeroplane is baggage. A really nifty feature is that you can move the two wheels to a rear slot location (see pic) so that it’s portable off the bike. The bag isn’t waterproof, but the trailer is instead provided with a rain cover.

Weight – 5.5kg / 12.1lb Capacity – 40kg / 88lb Price – 549€

Renowned bike component manufacturer Topeak makes one of the only sub-5kg trailers. Using aluminium instead of steel, they’ve managed to shave off 15-30% when compared to similar designs. The Topeak drybag (1.6kg extra) is designed specifically for the trailer, strapping in at multiple points along the frame.

Weight – 4.85kg / 10.7lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $499 ( Amazon special $446 )

Topeak also makes a wider yoke model for those with rear 12mm thru-axles on their bikes. The trailer is good for the 142mm, 148mm, 157mm and 177mm axle widths, which means only a handful of fat bikes cannot fit it (but many can, check the dropout specs). Otherwise, the trailer and drybag (1.6kg extra) remains the same.

Weight – 5.35kg / 11.8lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $499

Tout Terrain may be famous for their touring bikes, but they also make a touring trailer called the Mule. The seatpost mount provides a tight turning circle and the air shock takes the edge off bumps on rough roads. The complete package is comparable in weight (and price) to the Aevon Kit L80.

Weight – 6.7kg / 14.8lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – US $700

The Weber Monoporter is another trailer option that folds flat. Its name is derived from the fact that the wheel attaches from just a single side. This trailer works out to be quite lightweight too as it doesn’t use a side frame to stabilise the bag on the sides.

Weight – 5.7kg / 12.6lb Capacity – 25kg / 55lb Price – US $549

The soon to be released Sentier is the only convertible trailer/trolley option. Within 23 seconds you’re able to convert your trailer into a travel trolley and vise versa. The only downside to this design is the additional weight; it works out to be about 25% heavier than a BOB trailer and drybag.

Weight – 9.0kg / 19.8lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – 549€

Have You Had Any Experience With One Of These Trailers?

54 comments

One of the biggest disadvantages of bike trailers imho are the uncomfortable way if you travel with train and bike or have to carry your bike. I believe the future is bikepacking. Ok, and if you have to carry more weight, maybe cargobikes are still an option.

But if you’re two on a tandem, that shouldn’t be a problem.

The ct1 adventure folding trailer is worth checking out as a bobalike. Managed surprisingly well over my last 20k even. Much cheaper than most of these at 250 euro and the provided drysack is fine!

We found the biggest advantages to having the trailer were 1 cars giving more space and 2 attracting many admirers/selfies/gift givers!

We were on tandem but worth mentioning no ‘tail wagging the dog’ even at 80+kph.

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fbc7cc0e635e069f0fb9e709122d13b6df52f3b4cee3fee284ac015f568f7c5c.jpg

The Adventure CT1 looks great – I’ll add it to this list. Thanks!

Got mine years ago and only used extensively this year (with throughaxle: nuts from sjs). Goggled when posting the above to see it at current price from amazon seller… but checked again now and see ebay sells units v similar for 66 euro (!) with suspension thingie.

I can’t attest for either these or the ct1 units from amazon… Only my experience: pros- *speaking with someone using an old bob the ct1 attachment is 10 times easier *through axle or qr compatibility folding-great on flight *that price! Cons- *supplied tyre poor *skewer wears and eventually brakes if bad roads+45kg!

(tip: take a spare squewer on longer tour + wheel bearings if on v grimy roads. Maintain/locktite bolts on spring fastener- I replaced mine with larger for better fit after 10km wear- now better)

We have used the Extrawheel bike trailer on the back of our tandem for a couple of 600 mile tours. Got it used for a reasonable amount so thought it was worth a try. My thinking is that it helps remove some weight from the tandem with the hopes of less wear-and-tear on the components. We use a wheel with a dynohub to generate some charging capacity for our electronics. So far it has worked great, and there are many times I look over my shoulder to make sure it is still there since I rarely feel it through the bike nor hear it. It is no wider than the bike with panniers on and trails behind us quite nicely. I have no problems maneuvering, at least as much as you can with a tandem. Yes, we are quite the sight, and draw a lot of attention, but that is all part of the fun. Haven’t tried traveling with it by train or plane yet, but with a tandem it’s not going be so easy anyway (even with the couplers). We love touring with it.

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/568737ebab40ac0c1c673385fbba24a996f63b1718c06411f98a9863b01d5a40.jpg

I was in the middle of an 11k mile tour and switched from my BOB Trailer to panniers and almost immediately regretted it. I started breaking spokes because of the added weight on the bike and more wind resistance with the front panniers (and there was a lot of headwind). But the downside was traveling with the BOB and and extra tubes, tires and bearings. I have since stuck with panniers but seeing the foldable models does spark new interest.

Thanks for another great article and informing me brands I never knew existed.

It’s great to hear your thoughts, Paul!

The tail wagging was about the only thing I didn’t like about the BOB. I had to swerve lightly back and forth, especially on long descents, to counteract the effect. The CT1 must be more rigid throughout.

Love backpacking too but this doesn’t look very uncomfortable…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyOlTUrTI2I

To prevent sway when pulling a Bob trailer: Cut an old mountain bike inner tube and tie it to the top center of the front side rail and wrap it in a figure eight configuration to the top of the yoke, like wrapping a sprained ankle. Don’t wrap it too tight nor too loose. Yes, its an effective cheap anti-sway trick.

On downhill pavement, the Bob Ibex, with the suspension doesn’t seem to sway. Using the anti-sway inner tube trick, I don’t notice a sway at all when the trailer is loaded with 15 pounds or more. I live in Colorado, USA, and have gone down some long steep, paved and gravel mountain roads and have never experienced any sway. I never go over 25 miles per hour, yes, the disk brakes get pretty hot.

Make sure you don’t stand up to power pedal or else it will become a heavy dog’s tail. This is what the people that experience sway must be doing. Also, after many downpours, the inside of the dry bag is indeed dry. This trailer was money well spent and solved a problem. My wife will tour with me only if I carry all the camping gear and food. Yup, I’m the mule. Anyway, I fully recommend the Bob Ibex.

Thanks for tip!

I’ve toured a fair bit with a frances / farfarer, and use it around town quite frequently. Honestly it is one of the best cycling inventions in decades, and the description here doesn’t do it justice. Most trailers place the load on the rear axel. By placing the load on the seatpost the farfarer prevents almost all of the lateral flex that characterize most trailer touring (“speed-wobbles” but also poor handling and large turning radius). I put my 5 year old in it frequently, without issue, and even ride dirt that way. Especially recommended for folks who consider touring on and off of roads. Contrary to the comment here about not being “water proof” the open hammock design makes it fast to use and easy to access stored items and snacks, and when touring I just shove all my gear in a dry-bag, which is cheap and easy to replace. In full disclosure, the inventor (Quintin) and fabricator (Josh) are some of my closest friends, but seriously, this trailer rules.

Thanks for the comment – it’s great to hear good things about this trailer design.

Alee, finaly you’ve touched subject of trailers 🙂 My both thumbs go up!

My vote goes to Extrawheel.

Yes, I have experience traveling with it by train. I confirm: it’s possible and easy. In my part of world (Central Europe) usually these days there are special hooks to place bicycle in special compartment, usually close to doors of wagon. If there are not so many travelers with accompanying bicycles I hang Extrawheel at additional of such hooks. If not, it’s so small I can leave it anywhere. Usually I use portable tourist lock to connect it to bicycle frame.

My review of this trailer is available here: http://mslonik.pl/rowery/turystyka/879-przyczepka-rowerowa (please don’t afraid of Polish – in top right corner of the page you may find raw of map icons, just pick up one feasible for you, e.g. British one and supported by Google translator engine magic will take place). One more word: sales and after sales support of Extrawheel producer is just superb. Not only astonishing quick, but also really supporting. It was the case they’ve provided me with spare parts free of charge (including free delivery!) which theoretically were not present as official item in their Internet shop. Also worth of mentioning is very good contact with support. This is what I call Support with capital “S”.

At last but not least, this is one of the cheapest, the most affordable trailers and the lightest at the same time. Just compare above numbers collected by Alee, and still there is some room for modification and invention. One may use whatever wheel, not necessary the one from stock. This is normal size wheel, what gives advantage that may work as a spare part (!) if necessary in your bicycle. I did some modifications (see my article) and I’m happy with that. Regards.

Thanks for letting us know about the Extrawheel. 🙂

Can you post a picture please. Or send me one… optimisticchris@gmail

Cheers, Chris

FWIW, add a Portage Pack, a Dry bag with shoulder straps and you can wear the trailer, to climb steps, walk over mud slides , etc.. And lift your unladen bike in your hands..

Can you clarify what you mean? Are you talking about a trailer in particular, or a mod that can be used with any of them?

If it takes a dry bag one can potentially add shoulder straps ,

Some of the ones I am familiar with are

a Burly Flatbed , the open cargo version of the Nomad, The BoB trailers

and the Carry Freedom City trailer … their ‘Y’ trailers also have potentials

IDK much about the others not sold in the US,,

In General, To not make sewn holes, in the bag, you can use girth straps, around the bag, and use those, to sew on D rings , to add clip on shoulder straps..

A bag I got that inspired this Idea was From Cascades Designs, the ‘thermarest’ company in Seattle

but a Canoeist who tours, would be familiar with a bag they could wear, for their gear, while they carry their canoe between lakes and streams…. over their head.. walking.

. a canoe has a ‘Shoulder Thwart.’ to do this, It’s a cross brace, at the balance point..

Portage is the act of carrying your canoe between bodies of water.

Easily the biggest bonus of a bike trailer is what was mentioned in the intro, the fact that you can use your current bike! No need to buy an entirely new bicycle plus you have ssentially 2 bikes wherever you go , one is for touring ,the other is your fancy road bike or your mountain bike which can add greatly to any trip, Compared to panniers the weight savings and cost can be negligable also which leaves just ride quality and transport. Undoubtedly, having a trailer would be more of a hassle if train hopping etc so these are things you need to consider ahead of time. Ride quality is arguably superior in all ways but up hill. My Yak is surprisingly unnoticable until a hill, its really quite a surprise. Oh, and stopping takes a bit getting used to with a single wheel. Like with everything there is no one way is better than the other because it all depends on what you are doing and what is most important to you. Bikepacking has exploded and I think its graet but that really is more of a light weight minimalist style. Not everyone wants to have to go out and buy all new equipment that will fit. This whole light weight trend is really opular and I get that but not everyone likes this. I like the camp part and if you are a minimalist the camp part is not going to be all that unless you are some super bushcrafter who can get by with just a Mora.

Thanks for providing your impressions of the Yak!

. I put my money into a Tout Terrain Mule. I did so mostly because I bought the TT Panamericana also. Although I highly prefer a trailer that connects to the seat post rather than the rear axle, I can turn on a dime still. and with a full load too. Love the hardware, hate the company. Just plain bad customer relations, but then I live in the USA so why would they care, right? I currently ride with full front Arkel Dolphin 32 panniers, containing 20 pounds per. A over full Arkel bar bag, varying from 5 to 10 pounds, maybe more at times. The bike also carries water bottle, GPS, headlight, umbrella, machete, K-Bar, cameras, folding camp chair, Fugoo XL Bluetooth speaker and digital Walkman, cable locks, a front dynamo and Rohloff Speed-hub, plus a 750w Bafang center drive and one of two 17 pound 1+ kilowatt Li-ion triangle battery packs using the newest Samsung LJ1 cells. The trailer carries about 70 additional pounds of gear to make things comfy, oh yeah, and the additional battery. As I learn and grow more capable I will be able to mount the rear Arkel Dolphin 48 panniers on the bike too, giving me 40 more pounds of gear. The mule handles it well, stay balanced, doesn’t shimmy and really can turn on a dime. The liner that comes with the trailer is ok at very best, but seems like more of an afterthought than a well-designed accompaniment to the Mule. It took a few visits to a tactical tailor to make it worthwhile. I use a large Exped waterproof expedition bag to hold the gear and stretch a x-large Sea-to-Summit backpack cover over all to keep things clean and dry when necessary. Expedition grade from start to finish. With a bow, slingshot, rod and reel and great water filtration system the only addition item I need to stay off the grid and out of towns indefinitely is a 300w portable folding solar panel. Magruder corridor here I come.

Sounds like quite the rig, Brian. Have you got any photos? And many thanks for your impressions on the Mule.

I added photos and assume they are in the process of being approved now. Here is a link – http://imgur.com/a/LfW9F

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/894f5b6580e92ecaf4d06ef570dafc1cfaee2f47c99b37973cf0713e3d10725c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/247f595df8b5e8257d2ede883231496851a56354fdffd13cd74ec3289295f737.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/910af2c3250d7a3f4bedf5f575a7491f6ea39ef6f867b91b52791039bb1a85ff.jpg

As a small person riding a small bike, I find the two wheeled Burley Nomad is excellent. Having full touring weight in panniers results in a bike too heavy for me to lift if it is lying down, and one-wheel trailers would not help that. Did a self-contained Transam with my Burley Nomad and it worked very well. My main issue with it is that it is not waterproof; however it is possible to pack internally in smaller drybags or take off the cover and the top cross-bar and use a large drybag.

I use the BOB Yak. I would say I push it to its limits. It has held up for the most part carrying anything i could pile on it. Some of the other designs in this article look interesting and well built. But they all miss one mark; Low centre of gravity. All the seat post yolk designs fail because of this, they make handling with heavy loads quite dangerous. The BOB Yak has the best overall design because of this, but i wish they were just a little more robust. After 20,000kms of touring with mine loaded like the picture below, I have had to re-weld the bottom cage and it is failing a second time. But that isn’t really the Yak’s fault, I have it weighed down over its rated capacity and to make things worse I use straps with quite a bit of pressure to hold my instruments down, pushing on the lower cage… I have already rebuilt the front-upper part of the frame to accommodate my Sitar case and I am at the point now where I will just build my own from scratch based on the bob design. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1261ea7e7a28285767a65f233f6beb40e8c93c709e31b9e951dcd119af8baff2.jpg

A great point with regards to picking a heavy bike up, and thanks for letting us know how you got along with the Burley Nomad!

Great to hear your thoughts and experience with the Bob Yak! I’d like to add that I’ve been using the Aevon KIT L80 (seatpost mount) over the last 2500km and have had no problems with handling whatsoever. I’ll have a review coming up soon after I’ve spent a bit more time with an axle mount trailer like the BOB. 🙂

I have a Aevon KIT L80 trailer to which I have installed an electric wheel. Unfortunately my knees are not up to long days of touring any more. The trailer now makes it possible to do 60-100kms between charges, fully loaded. When I need to travel by train I pull the L80 apart and it fits in a extra large duffel (including battery) with about two thirds of my equipment, this takes me about 20 minutes. The rest I carry in a Ortlieb Rackpack which I can strap to the top of the trailer. As long as most of the weight is in the trailer’s bag I have no “speed wobbles”.

I would also be interested in a picture please. My email is [email protected] I’ve just been ejected pulling a CT1 trailer. I think it happened because the correction took place at the peak of the swing so the correction amplified the movement, just like you push an ordinary child’s swing. Researching, all modern caravans have a device to prevent such swinging occurrences. Having experienced the painful result with a bike trailer, there has to be a way to solve the problem!

Hi. Missed one. Burley Travoy.

Did a quick tour of the Lesser Caucasus this summer. Nothing too long. 500 km. Will do more in the future there. I used the Topeak Journey. Light weight and strong. No problems at all. Quality is extremely good. Loaded the trailer with my and my friend’s equipment and never noticed any handling problems whatsoever. Loaded descents were no problem whatsoever. No fishtailing or swerving. Some descents were done at speeds up to 67 km/h, not recommended but it was rock solid. Highly recommended. Bike is a Charge Cooker 1. Also recommend the bike for rough road touring or bikepacking. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2ab249e7e362e6f60d8213917cbe2a555419fa407129f303829afa65ebf78632.jpg

Just looking at the blow up picture and forgot that the plastic skids on the trailer did pop off, so there is that problem. Before I our my friend who toured with me use the trailer again I will most likely wrap the aluminum tubes nearest the bike’s rear tire with some thin strips of leather or some other improvised protection. That said, great trailer.

I’m looking to convert a BoB Ibex for bike/dog-packing trips. I ride a fatbike with a Rohloff XL, so we’re spreading the yoke to accommodate that. Then the rear wheel “fork” will be removed to allow fitment of a 26″ x 4.8″ tyre on an 80mm wide rim (with 150/15 dynamo hub). This will be achieved using a cro-moly fatbike fork as the basis for the swingarm “frame”.

Then a padded “tub” for my 3yo Samoyed (see pic) to ride in when he’s taking a rest. A rear rack over the trailer wheel will take small panniers (positioned low and just forward of the axle) for his food and water needs and a rack bag up top for items being charged via the dynamo, plus his puppy first aid kit and leads etc.

We’re also planning to add a “drag brake”. Using a mechanical disc caliper on the swingarm/fork “leg”. This will be activated by an old XT thumbshifter on the handlebars and a cable joiner/connector positioned at the rear dropout of the fatbike itself.

We’ve come up with ideas for using corflute (real-estate signs), on the inside of the rear rack and inside the front yoke to keep his tail and paws away from the bikes rear wheel and the trailer wheel.

Ultimately… his comfort and safety are my first consideration.

have you done a test on the efficiency of carrying weight with a trailer compared to racks? You know, how you compared efficiency of gearboxes. I’m curious for a given weight, which of the two would be more efficient? and I’m wondering what difference would it make when going uphill and downhill?

Hi Juan. I haven’t tested it yet, but I’m hoping I have time before I go away to Argentina. If I were to guess, I would say the outcome would be roughly the same.

sounds good! going to Argentina for bike touring? I’m from Argentina!!! let me know if I can help you in any way!

Hi, I’ll tell you something interesring. I have a trek domane slr 9 58 cm.It weighs around 8.00 kg without any bags.I have a freeparable t2 trailer wieghs about 3.6 kg.So 8+3.6 kg=11.6. If i put panniers the front and rear racks in totla weigh about 1.00 kg and the panniers (front and rear) weight without luggage is 2.5kg, so, 8.00+1.00+2.5=11.5 basically the difference is just 100 grams and my bike does not have rack mounts, I have to use a trailer.

Anyone have a recommendation for a bike trailer that is safe for a carbon frame mountain bike with a dropper seat post? I think I’ll end up having to make it myself with a tig welder. I haven’t seem many out there that I’ve been impressed with.

Do you have a bolt up rear axle, or quick release? Any room under the ‘dropper’ section of your seatpost?

My I suggest this one made in France:TZC-R1. There are 2 sizes: 100L and 140Liters. We own a 140L and love it! Water proof, can be locked, 20” Wheel, 7kg. 2 Options: 1) Fiberglass or 2) Carbon Fibre. https://sites.google.com/site/tzcsite/remorque-velo-globe-trotter/caracteristiques-et-prix https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c4621489397e1ca8ef0d5afce8916beb82ab3a71931b1062712c4d3777c940e5.jpg Our friends are currently riding Alaska to Ushaia from April 2016. Currently in Chile. http://www.schnellyss.com/fr/accueil/

Great article. I own a trailer (can’t remember the brand name) but it is essentially identical to the Adventure CT1 Bike Trailer mentioned in this article. While I’d say it’s a decent trailer for light-duty use, I can’t really recommend it for heavy-duty long term use. While mine hasn’t failed me in any way, the build quality just doesn’t seem to be robust enough for long term, heavy-duty use. Also, there’s a bit of flex in the frame which becomes more and more apparent the more the trailer is loaded (this can affect handling performance and be felt in turns and slight directional changes). That being said this trailer is a great low-cost option if you just need it for light-duty use, won’t be going long distances with it, and don’t want to spend a bunch of money (you can get them on eBay new for under $90-100USD!!!)

I’ve since upgraded to the Topeak Journey trailer (also mentioned in this article). In my opinion (and for what it’s worth), the Topeak is hands down the best trailer out there of any model available. It’s at least 2-3 lbs lighter than most of all the other brands including the most popular BOB Yak trailers, and has the largest cargo area. It tows like a dream The frame is stiff with zero flex. I hardly even know it’s back there (until I have to climb a hill or go over big bumps, otherwise it just glides along smoothly and silently). The Topeak has a very rugged and robust twin spar aluminum frame design, so it’s light while durability is second to none. The custom-fit drybag is exceptionally made as well. The only downside to the Topeak is that the hitch is only compatible with standard quick release axles, so you’re out of luck if you have a bike with a thru-axle of any kind. And as far as I know, there are no aftermarket solutions (like the Robert Axle) or otherwise to adapt the Topeak to Thru axles. I’ve pushed my Topeak to the limit on 80-100 mile days off-road through nearly every type of terrain and weather condition imaginable. I’ve towed it over miles of paved roads as well as miles of off-road singletrack and everything in between, loaded with 45-50 lbs of gear (I even rode a few miles of railroad track with it once!) In a word, it worked GREAT, and is my personal top recommendation for anyone looking for a serious piece of kit in terms of a bike trailer. Check out one of the adventures I did with it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6i5bgy9Y_exCfoEinolqnaWihXdB1QqC

Does anyone have a recommendation specifically for mountain biking on fire roads and single track? Ideally with camping gear?

It’s best to steer clear of the singletrack where you can because a bike with a trailer is really long! Otherwise, pick a trailer with a rear shock. They make a huge difference on rougher surfaces. The Aevon KIT L80 I reviewed was really good in the dirt.

Hi! I’m looking for the interior dimensions of the Tout Terrain Mule. A few of the pieces that I’ll carry are 31 inches long and I’m wondering if they’ll fit. Thank you.

You’ll want to get in contact with Tout Terrain on that one…

Have had a BOB Yak for more than ten years and have done between 500 and 1000 miles a year of bike camping with it. Three advantages of the axle hitch:

*Lower center of gravity makes riding more stable *Trailer wheel tracks rear wheel very closely so you can move through tight spaces with ease *Does not tend to pull the bike over during handling/parking

Best thing about a trailer is being able to carry all the comforts of home – 70 pounds of tent, tarp, hammock, camping chair, stove and cast iron skillet etc. Perhaps bike glamping?

Have never had a problem with tail wagging and have been on long winding descents at >45MPH, I sit and spin up hills so perhaps this is why.

Oh yeah, put a Schwalbe Big Apple 2″ tire, no flats on that tire, smooths out the bumps off road and rolls easier on the road as well.

IMO bikepacking and trailers are 2 very different styles. Neither is better just different. Its like declaring ultralight backpacking is best…ut isnt. It comes down to simply what is important to the individual and what they plan to do. If you want to camp more comfortably or bring some luxury items or simply do not have a bunch of lewer minimalsit kit than a trailer is a great option. My self, I bought a used Bob Yak for $100 and was able to use my existing non UL backpacking kit . To go bikepacking would mean a lot of money spent on the bags and light weight gear. I was surprised how easy the trailer was to pull to be honest.

Actually, your “issue” with the Yak being welded raises another benefit, that it can be easily repaired. The fact you load it that much AND have that kind of milage speaks greatly to the durability of the design. I wonder if the other pricier alumium trailers would have faired. They certainly would be more difficult to repair if cracked vs steel. The smaller diameter cromo tubing should flex more and withstand much more in terms of fatigue vs aluminum which hates flexing.

Why carry a helmet if to put on handlebar. Unnecessary weight to save for your next trip! Just pulling your leg!!!

Own a BOB trailer and it’s been good to me since the day I got it. Lost the rear reflector but that about it with the mishaps. Plan on switching from a 16” to a 20” wheel, and a dynamo hub, mayby a rear rack for extra load, I don’t know, help me! But in retrospect, a strudy steed!

In my defence it was 48c with little traffic, but I ought to be more sensible on next trip 🙂

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Review: Bike Friday Tandem Traveler XL

Tandems have been bringing together the mighty cycling power of two since the late 1800s, and Bike Friday has been building tandems since the co-founders’ very first in 1987.

As a mom of two kids, functionality and reusability are often paramount when I look for new products. I had been on the hunt for a tandem that could accommodate my 11-year-old daughter, Darby, as a stoker over the next few years, then have the honor be passed down to her younger brother. Bike Friday’s Traveler XL seemed like a good choice, as it is designed to fit a captain’s height range of 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-5, and a stoker height range of 3 feet to 6-foot-5. Not only could my kids join forces with me on adventures, but my hubby and I could also ride together.

Like all Bike Friday bikes, the Traveler XL has the ability to get compact for storage and travel. In this case, the bike can be broken down into four separate pieces—the front triangle, rear triangle, and two connection tubes—simply by loosening a few Allen bolts and cable connectors.

Once disassembled, the Tandem XL fits in two Bike Friday travel cases, which each measure 29.5 by 20 by 12 inches. These cost $460 for the pair and include specially prepared packing materials, so if you plan on flying with the bike more than once it may well be worth it. Breaking the bike down also means you can forgo having to purchase a tandem rack for your car.

Stability is a key component here. Because the bike is so long and low, the center of gravity is also very low, making the Tandem XL handle easily, even with us newbies piloting. However, the bike still corners like a big bike. Plan ahead, look where you want to go, leave room for the long rear end and everything will be fine.

The custom H-bars took a little getting used to, as the comfortable hand position was on the bar ends, while the brake levers are mounted to the straight, inner portion of the bar. All in all, the setup is just fine; I never felt panicked about not being able to grab the brakes and the H-bars offer a variety of hand positions.

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Since I could use this tandem for an extended amount of time with both of my kids as they grow, it’s an investment I am willing to make. I can only hope that one day I will be able to put them together on the Traveler XL for some sibling teamwork bonding… or tormenting.

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Bike Friday TravelTrailer Manual

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• Page 1 Using Your Bike Friday ® : TravelTrailer Green Gear Cycling , Inc. ® 3364 W 11th Ave. Eugene, OR 97402 800-777-0258 USA & Canada +1-541-687-0487 Int’l • +1-541-687-0403 Fax www.bikefriday.com • [email protected] 4-14-15...

Page 2: Extra Accessories

• Page 3 Travel Trailer Assembly Your Trailer Parts: If you purchased a TravelTrailer with your bike, you should have two trailer wheels and two yellow felt bags with the tongue and axle. The bottom of your TravelCase should have three holes drilled in it if you ordered the trailer Fig 1.
• Page 4 Accessories: TravelTrailer 4. Attach Trailer Axle Connect the Axles Slip the open ends of the axles over the “T” of the T-piece. Each axle will have a threaded bolt with a thumb nut and a flat washer. Pass the threaded bolts through the holes on the case.
• Page 5 Accessories: TravelTrailer 7. Install the Trailer Wheels Remove the trailer pin fromone axle. Insert the axle bolt through recessed bearing side of the wheel. Once the bolt is in the wheel; the head of the bolt should be flush with the wheel, it should not stick out.
• Page 6 Accessories: TravelTrailer 1Axle mount hitches 1. Mount Other TravelCase (Tandem) Lean the stacker unit back and remove the two thumb nuts and washers. Place the other TravelCase on the stacker so that the two threaded studs go into the axle holes in the case. On Fig.
• Page 7 Accessories: TravelTrailer 1. Stacker Strap (Tandem) The supplied nylon strap holds the upper TravelCase in place. Slip the small loop over the trailer tongue and run the strap through the TravelCase pull handle. Fig. 1 Stacker setup. 14. Connect Trailer Hitch...

Page 8: Warranty Information

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The Ultimate Bike Friday New World Tourist Review

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The Bike Friday New World Tourist is thought by some to be the ultimate travel bike for long distance tourists. It’s small wheel base, low-step over feature, fully-loaded capabilities and its ability to fold up and fit inside an airline standard suitcase (thus saving you huge amounts of money when flying with your bicycle) are certainly appealing features for any world traveler.

But does the bike really live up to its reputation? That’s what I set out to see!

Here’s my story : I purchased a Bike Friday New World Tourist in the summer of 2008 and used it on a short 8-day trip to the island of Aruba in the Caribbean Sea. I had purchased the bike, planning to use it on similar short trips and never planned on using the small-wheeled folding bike as my ultimate travel vehicle for a 9-month tour through central and eastern Europe. But that’s exactly what happened.

Since purchasing my New World Tourist in mid-2008, I’ve been riding the bike almost every single day since then. In that time, I’ve spent more than 250 days on the bike, traveled with it on 4 airplane trips, 35 train rides, 2 boats and a handful of cars and trucks. I’ve ridden on paved roads, volcanic rock, ice, snow, mud and stone. I’ve used the bike loaded and unloaded, with the optional suitcase/trailer and without. And after all of this, I feel like I finally have enough information to properly review the bike and give you my full assessment.

So, here it is. My complete review of the Bike Friday New World Tourist:

Picking Your Parts And Selecting Your Ride

Ordering a Bike Friday is a unique process. The bikes, made by Green Gear Cycling in Eurgene, Oregon, are, for the most part, custom made. You can get one made to fit just about any body type and with practically any kind of gear arrangement you can think of. You pick the gearing, the handlebar style, and the size of the bike itself.

This custom set up, however, does take time. If you’re ordering a Bike Friday and getting a custom built ride, it’s wise to order with plenty of time between the date you make your order and the day you plan to use the bicycle on your tour.

Bike Friday says the usual build time on any of their bikes is 5-9 weeks and that when you place your order they will give you a “promise date”, which is a date on which they guarantee your ride will get to you.

My recommendation here is that you leave plenty of time between the date your bike arrives and the date you depart on your tour. For some people, riding the small-wheeled bike may take a little getting used to. Bike Friday suggests you spend “a few days getting acquainted with your new Bike Friday” before taking it out on a long trip. But I think that some people may require more than just a few days, especially when you combine the feel of a folding bike with the weight of a full-loaded bicycle.

When I ordered my bike, I was in a rush and decided to get a used stock bike instead of a custom built bike. This saved me a little money, but didn’t get me the exact bike I wanted.

The photo at the top of this article shows my New World Tourist. As you can see, I have flat handlebars with cheap plastic shift grips. I can understand why these kind of shifters are put on a folding bike like the New World Tourist (to save space when packed), but they are (in my opinion at least) far from ideal for long distance riding.

Additionally, I would have preferred a different color bike (black or gun metal gray perhaps?) and opted for a third chain ring in the front to help get me and my loaded bike up over the long steep hills any world tourist is sure to encounter.

But again, this is why ordering your bike far in advance is so important. If I had planned out my trip to Aruba further in advance and ordered my bicycle at an earlier date, I would have the bike I “really” wanted.

Customer Service

A big part of what makes a company like Bike Friday (really Green Gear Cycling) so unique is that these bikes are, for the most part, custom built. And because of this, the service one receives from the company needs to be phenomenal.

Companies that create stock bikes and sell to bike stores around the world don’t have as much of an opportunity to excel in the customer service department as a company like Bike Friday does.

According to numerous people I’ve talked to online, their impressions of the customer service at Bike Friday were, for the most part, stellar. I on the other hand (and this is hard for me to admit, because I am close with a number of people who work at the company) feel the customer service could use improvement.

When I go to buy a bike from a small business like Bike Friday, I want to feel like they really care about me, my adventures, and my overall satisfaction with the bike I order. But at the time I ordered my bike, I never really got that feeling.

Maybe because they knew I was an experienced bicycle traveler and because I run the website here at BicycleTouringPro.com , they didn’t feel the need to treat me the same way they would treat one of their traditional customers. But in reality, they should have treated me even better. Because now, here I am, writing a review where I have to say I think their customer service is not as high as it could be.

While the people at Bike Friday have done nothing in particular to wrong me or make me feel as though their company is flawed in some way, I simply feel that a company that builds custom bikes should have a customer service team that is so far above and beyond any other bike company that it makes me feel like my decision to do business with them was the best decision I ever made. I feel like they have an opportunity to be that kind of a business, but they aren’t yet living up to it. If they could make that change, then I think their sales numbers would skyrocket and everyone who ever does business with them in the future would be extremely happy.

Do you have to pedal more?

One of the first thing most people ask me when they see me on my Bike Friday is, “Don’t you have to pedal more in order to ride that thing?”

And the answer I always give them is easy: “No!”

No, you don’t have to pedal more. It rides very much like a normal 26 inch or 700c wheeled bike. According to Bike Friday, “it’s all in the gearing.” The gears on a Bike Friday are set to match that of a full size bicycle, so one revolution on a folding bike matches (or nearly matches) that of a full size bicycle.

So, no! You don’t have to pedal more on a Bike Friday.

Is It Twitchy?

The second big question I am constantly asked about the bike is, “Does it feel twitchy because of the smaller wheels?”

The answer here is, “Kinda…. To a certain degree.”

When I stepped onto the bike for the very first time, the bike did feel a bit twitchy. It wasn’t as though I felt like I was going to fall over or anything, but it did make me feel as though I might be a bear riding a unicycle.

That said, the initial twitches go away after just a few minutes of riding. And after about 5 days, the twitch goes away almost completely. So much so, that you don’t really notice it on flat level roads.

Now that I’ve been traveling with my Bike Friday for over 250+ days, I don’t feel the the slightest bit twitchy on the bike.

The only time the small wheel size concerns me is when I’m riding over big, rocky cracks, which the smaller wheels are more likely to get caught in and be unable to roll over.

How does it feel?

Those that have never ridden a folding bike before usually want to know, “What does it feel like?” And I typically answer that question by explaining that the Bike Friday New World Tourist (the way I have it configured with flat handlebars) feels very much like riding a mountain bike.

After you get used to the handling of the bike and the stares that one gets when riding around on a small-wheeled bicycle (more on this in a minute), you actually forget that you are riding a folding bike at all. I personally no longer see my bike as a “folder.” It’s just my bike! And it feels just like my normal mountain bike back home. I don’t know how else to explain it.

It Looks A Little Funny

The last thing you should know about riding a folding bike is that in some parts of the world, the bike attracts strange looks from people you pass on the road.

In Switzerland and Austria, few people turned their heads when I rode past on my Bike Friday. Folding bikes are fairly common in these countries. But in Montenegro, for example, adults and children alike stopped and stared as I rode past, wondering how I was moving so quickly on such a strange looking bike.

When you purchase a folding bike like a Bike Friday, you have to realize that some people are going to gawk and stare (and occasionally make comments about your bicycle). If you’re okay with that, then great! But if you want a bike that doesn’t draw as much attention, then a folding bike may not be the best choice for you.

Folding Speed

The advantages of having a folding bike are obvious – especially for the world traveler.

Having a bike that folds allows you to travel by train, plane, boat and automobile and, in many cases, avoid paying the excess baggage fees that are most commonly charged to passengers traveling with a full size bicycle.

The Bike Friday New World Tourist excels in this department because it is a fully-equipped touring bicycle that folds up and fits inside an airline standard suitcase.

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve now flown with the bike four separate times and have yet to have any problems with the bike at the airport. I haven’t been charged extra for flying with the bike, nor have airport security or baggage handlers given me any problems.

That said, many airlines are now charging extra for checked baggage (or at least charging extra for a second checked bag), so being able to fly a folding bike for free may not last forever. However, I assume the costs associated with flying a compact folding bike that fits inside a normal sized suitcase will be dramatically less than the cost of flying a full-size bicycle.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted a folding bike in the first place was because I’ve flown with my bicycle a lot over the years… and I plan to fly with my bike a lot more in the future. I wanted to have a bike that I could bring with me on my travels and that did not require me paying hundreds of extra dollars each time I flew. In this regards, the Bike Friday New World Tourist is superb.

That said, the time it takes to get the bike folded down and into it’s travel suitcase is not nearly as great.

When I first purchased the bike, I was expecting to get a vehicle that folded down in 12 seconds or less, much like Bike Friday’s Tikit folding bike . However, the New World Tourist is no fast folder.

Taking the New World Tourist apart requires Allen wrenches, about 15 minutes, and a little practice. You not only have to fold the bike in half, but you have to remove the front wheel, take off both the front and rear racks, remove the fenders and unscrew the water bottle cages from the frame.

When I first purchased the bike, I set up my video camera and recorded the process of me putting the bike back into it’s travel case for the very first time . The result was an hour-and-a-half long video of me struggling to wrestle the bike into place, finally getting it inside its case only after removing both water bottle cages from the frame.

The next time I tried to get the bike in its case, it took no more than 30 minutes. And each time after that has taken me no more than 15.

Now that I’ve taken the bike on 35+ trains and numerous plane rides, I can pack and unpack the bike in just a matter of minutes. And surprisingly enough, the bike does a pretty good job of staying in gear and not getting too whacked out of place, which would require me to make adjustments to the derailleur(s) each and every time I unpacked the bike.

The fold isn’t the quickest in the world. But for a folding bike like the New World Tourist (which many people will use with both racks and fenders) maybe it doesn’t need to be?

The Fold Joint

Other reviews of the Bike Friday New World Tourist talk about the fold joint (or hinge) being the weakest part of the bike. But I disagree. From my experiences, the hinge itself is quite strong.

The weakest part of the New World Tourist’s design, in my opinion at least, is not actually the hinge where the fold occurs, but the place where the back half of bike locks into place with the front half of the bike via the quick release (See photo above).

It’s a weak point on the bike because it’s difficult to tell when the quick release is set correctly. Sometimes it feels as though you have it set too tight… and other times it feels too loose.

With a little practice you discover how to quickly and easily set the quick release and properly lock the rear half of the bike in place. But for new owners of a New World Tourist, I could see how this might be a bit worrisome.

Carrying Gear

You would think that carrying a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, food, computer and all your other travel gear on a tiny little folding bike would be almost impossible. But this again is an area where the New World Tourist excels.

Just like my normal, full-size touring bike, the New World Tourist is capable of carrying panniers on both the front and back of the bike. In addition, an optional handlebar bag and/or trailer can be used as well.

There are two water bottle cages built in, just like most touring bikes on the market. And if you opt for the foldable rear rack (like I did), then you’ll save even more space when packing the bike inside its suitcase on trips made via plane, train or automobile.

If you want a folding bike that can handle the demands of a fully-loaded bike tour (whether that be with the use of panniers or a trailer), then the New World Tourist is for you!

The Suitcase/Trailer

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy the optional suitcase/trailer when I first purchased the bike. I did end up getting one (a used one) however… mainly because I wanted to review it here on the site – as I believed it was a crucial part of telling the bike’s story.

I purchased the suitcase and trailer, which are sold separately and cost a good bit more than one would expect for a plastic suitcase and a homemade aluminum trailer.

I used the suitcase/trailer on my trip to Aruba and here is what I have to say about it:

As a suitcase, the Samsonite case that Bike Friday sells is great. The bike fits right inside and airport officials have never questioned me about it or it’s contents.

That said, the suitcase as a trailer, is a different story.

My experiences pulling the trailer in Aruba left me in a state of fear. On narrow windy roads with tons of traffic and no shoulders, the wide “travel case” (as Bike Friday calls it) was not only a hindrance to my riding, but it caused cars to slow behind me before swerving into oncoming traffic in an attempt to get around me and my bike.

By the time I arrived at my hotel (only 6 miles from the airport) I was thinking to myself, “There is no way I could ever imagine myself pulling this trailer behind my bike for days on end!”

There were two reasons the Bike Friday trailer left me in such a negative state.

The first reason I don’t like the suitcase as a trailer is because it is just too wide. It sticks out into traffic. On narrow roads with no shoulders, the trailer requires you to ride almost completely in the lane, forcing cars to come to a near stop before scooting around you. This is just plain dangerous… and something you don’t experience when riding with panniers or with a more narrow trailer, like a BOB .

The other reason I don’t like the trailer as a whole is that it is just too flimsy. It’s not really made to be a bike trailer. It is, in fact, just a suitcase, which has been bolted to a homemade aluminum frame with two wheels on it.

It’s a great idea and works wonderfully for short trips on bike paths or roads with wide shoulders. But if you are considering the use of the suitcase/trailer as the ultimate round-the-world luggage transport system, I’d encourage you to think again.

Trains, Planes, Boats and Automobiles

I’ve touched on this a little already, but let me reiterate. The Bike Friday New World Tourist is made for world travel. If you travel a lot by plane, train or boat, the New World Tourist might just be the perfect bike for you.

In regards to saving money when traveling by plane, train or boat, the Bike Friday has exceeded my expectations. I’ve yet to pay extra for the bike on an airplane. and I’ve only had to pay for the bike on three different trains in Europe (a total of less than $50 for all of those three tickets).

That said, some of the trains and boats I’ve run into here in Europe did not allow bicycles of any kind – whether they were folders or not. And even though that was the case, I was able to wiggle my way onto these various modes of transport, simply because I had a folding bike and not a full sized rig.

Other than those two incidents, traveling with the Bike Friday has been a breeze.

The big question now is this: “Would I recommend the Bike Friday New World Tourist to you?“

Before I answer that, let me tell you what I would change if I were to purchase my Bike Friday all over again.

What would I change?

If I were to change anything about the new World Tourist that I have now, I would:

• Add a third chain ring to the front of the bike, allowing me to more easily climb my way up the steep inclines any world traveler is sure to encounter. I didn’t order a bike with this option, but you can! Bike Friday does sell New World Tourists with three front chain rings.
• Swap out the flat handlebars and twist shifters for something like the STI Touring Bars and Shimano STI lever shifters that Bike Friday advertises on their site.

Would I recommend the Bike Friday New World Tourist?

“Yes! I would recommend the Bike Friday New World Tourist.”

The bike does take some getting used to and because it is a folding bike, it’s not going to appeal to everyone.

But if you are someone who travels a lot and wants to take a bicycle with you on your travels, then this is a great bike for doing that. If you want a bike that you can use on long distance tours and treat just like any other loaded touring bike, then the New World Tourist is an excellent pick. And if you want a bike that can handle all kinds of conditions, from smooth paved roads to rocky, ice covered slicks, then the New World Tourist is an fantastic choice.

I’ve received a number of emails asking me, “If you could buy just one bicycle, would the New World Tourist be the one?”

My answer: “Probably not.”

For the past year-and-a-half, the Bike Friday New World Tourist has been my one and only bicycle. I’ve ridden it through all kinds of weather, on all sorts of roads, and traveled with it on numerous kinds of public transport. But faced with the decision of never riding another bike ever again, I don’t think I’d go quite that far.

The New World Tourist is indeed a great bicycle, but full-size bicycles certainly have their place in the world. For some, the New World Tourist might just be the ultimate travel bike. For others, like me, it will be just one of the many bicycles in a long line of bikes that make up my arsenal of non-motorized transport.

Photos From The Road

Finally, I’ve decided to share some of my Bike Friday New World Tourist photos with you. These are just a few of the thousands of photos I have taken over the past year while traveling with my bike. Enjoy!

Cycling through the woods in the Swiss countryside.

The red paint of my bike nearly matches the paint on the bench.

Traveling in the winter required me to wear a face mask and ski gloves almost all the time.

Traveling over ice and snow with my Bike Friday New World Tourist.

My fully-loaded bicycle and I taking a break in the woods.

Traveling by train with my fully-loaded bike.

The Bike Friday New World Tourist folded and stored on an Austrian Train.

On a day ride outside Schonberg Palace in Vienna, Austria.

Because the bike looks so small, my hotel in Salzburg had no problem with me bringing it up into my room.

Crossing a bridge in Innsbruck, Austria.

The New World Tourist folded up and waiting to board a train bound for Slovenia.

Sitting on the stairs outside a Croatian church with my New World Tourist.

My Bike Friday in Aruba – 2008

If you have any questions about Bike Friday, the New World Tourist, or anything I’ve mentioned in this review, just leave a comment below and I’ll respond shortly.

Darren Alff

My goal as the "Bicycle Touring Pro" is to give you the confidence and inspiration you need to travel by bicycle anywhere in the world. I'm here to help you plan, prepare for, and execute your first bike tour and remove all the guesswork, wasted time and frustration that plagues so many first-time bicycle travelers.

97 thoughts on “ The Ultimate Bike Friday New World Tourist Review ”

Do you find any more flex in the frame compared to a standard diamond frame bike…?? (I notice that in my brompton a lot), and is your position on the bike more upright than on normal touring bikes…??

I was surprised that you are suggeting that this is an excellent pick for pure cycling tours as well as tours that will always include plane/train/boat trips that necessitate bikes being packd away….. or at least that’s how I read the sentence…. “If you want a bike that you can use on long distance tours and treat just like any other loaded touring bike, then the New World Tourist is an excellent pick. And if you want a bike that can handle all kinds of conditions, from smooth paved roads to rocky, ice covered slicks, then the New World Tourist is an fantastic choice.”…. it seems to me that the Bike Friday should not be a serious consideration for a pure cycling tour, but only for cycle-travelling type tours… would you agree…?

Hi there Darren, i travel a bit with the suitcase trailer and love it for its low profile and ease of getting at stuff inside. If you look at your photo of you in Switzerland sitting with ski gloves and face mask, you will notice that your Bike Friday with panniers in the background is probably as wide or a smidge wider than if you had the trailor attached. So some of the downside of the trailor that you mention in terms of width may not be valid, cheers, cj

Love all the fantastic Pictures from the tour…To me Pics enhance the quality of most author’s stories by a factor of ten. As for the Bike Friday review…lets just say we see many items differently about not only the Bike but also about customer service offered from “Companies that create stock bikes”

“D.A. say’s Customer Service Companies that create stock bikes and sell to bike stores around the world don’t have as much of an opportunity to excel in the customer service department as a company like Bike Friday does.”

I find the above statement completely false in reality. Large “stock bike companies” like a C-dale, Trek and many other leaders work hard with stocking LBS dealers to make customer’s happy in every way. A prime example would be bike fit, It’s this working relationship between “stock bike companies” and LBS dealers which allows a free stem change, handle bar or seat change sometimes many weeks after the sale all in an effort from the “stock bike company” to keep customer service at high levels and to promote repeat sales at the LBS. Of course if a customer wants to upgrade then dollar charges do apply.

I find on ALL Bike Friday models that steering geometry needs improvement and has for many years…I tell new riders to relax and not “Death Grip” the handle bars…this reduces the highly technical “Twitchy” feel. However when encountering any chuckholes or uneven pathway the tendency for the rider is to tighten the grip and make handling even worse while navigating the terrain. I don’t care what any review says…small wheels have way to many draw backs for long touring on anything less than smooth surfaces: and lets not even get into things like rolling resistance, tire patch area, Hub bearing wear rates and the list goes on.

“D.A. say’s How does it feel?

After you get used to the handling of the bike and the stares that one gets when riding around on a small-wheeled bicycle (more on this in a minute), you actually forget that you are riding a folding bike at all. I personally no longer see my bike as a “folder.” It’s just my bike! And it feels just like my normal mountain bike back home. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

My simple reply to the above paragraphs is that if any MTB or Road bike felt like the Bike Friday’s it would not be in my stable for long tours even if others do it. You only need ask one question…if the folders with small wheels are so great then why is the market not huge compared to the relatively new 29er movement in the States which is even getting ready to burst in opposition Europe?

Folders with small wheels hold a place in riding for well known reasons and I don’t mean to bash them if they get people riding.

I appreciate the time in writing this review and really enjoy the fact you can make a living from internet marketing.

On an off Topic note: It’s one thing to say you want to compete in the GDR next year but an entirely different animal to commit to Extreme Endurance Racing and the training required…I wish you well and See you on the race circuits?

Norm Michaels.

Norm, I’m not sure if I agree with or completely understand what you are saying in regards to the Bike Friday and the comments I made about the bike in this review… so I’m not even going to respond.

But in regards to my Twitter comment about one-day wishing to complete the Great Divide Mountain Bike race, I think you should be careful when telling other people what they are and are not capable of. You will be surprised what people are capable of sometimes. Give people a chance… and they will amaze you!

I never said I was going to become a bicycle racer. And I have no interest in ever becoming one. I may do some races in the future, but I never said I was going to win. I would do these things more for fun than for anything else. Sorry if you misread that somehow.

I see how you could have read it that way. And yes, I agree with you. I do think that the Bike Friday would be better for “cycle travel” rather than a pure “bicycle tour”.

I personally would not buy a folding bike if I were just to use it at home and never travel with the bike on a plane, train or boat. But because I do travel so much on planes, trains and boats, the Bike Friday New World Tourist is an excellent choice, because it can do everything my full-size bike can do.

That is what I was trying to say. I was trying to say that if you want a bike that you can travel with and that is capable of doing everything a full size touring bike can, then the New World Tourist is one bike that can do exactly that.

Does that make sense? I hope so.

thanks for the reply…. your reply does make more sense. I didn’t think the act that this bike was for bike travelling rather than bike touring was properly explained in your article, which may have been a part of the point that Norm was making also. This should be made clear to readers of this website, since the title of the website is bicycleTOURINGpro, but the bike that you are recommending is for bicycle TRAVELLING…. and is not the best bike for a bike tour by a long way, as it is a compromise of foldability and useability.

A proper explanation of the pros and cons of travelling with a folding/non-folding bike might have also helped to explain this.

Lastly, whilst I understand that this is your website and I continue to get a lot of useful information from it, I do have to second Norms opinion that the article did come across as a piece of marketing material… whether it was meant that way or not, and I presume not as I would like to think that the articles on here are unbiased… that was how it read to me as well.

Thanks for your follow up here. And I never answered your first two questions so here it is:

1) Yes, the bike does have more flex than my traditional touring bike. A side to side flex. Not an up and down flex. I noticed this more at first. Now I don’t really notice it at all.

2) Yes, the bike does have a more upright riding postion than my traditional touring bike. This is why I said it feels more like riding a mountain bike. But according the the company, they can create your bike with nearly any adjustment you would like. So I’m sure if it I had ordered a more custom bike or a bike with dropped handlebars I could be leaning over a whole lot more if that is what I wanted.

Finally, I’m sorry if the article seemed to come across as a piece of marketing material. I certainly didn’t mean for it to come across that way, but overall I am really pleased with the bike, so maybe that’s why it came across like that.

Actually, I thought I came across as too harsh in some areas where I discuss the negative aspects of the bike (as well as the customer service of the company). So I’m a little surprised I guess.

As far as me explaining the difference between “bicycle touring” and “bicycle travel”, I’m not sure it matters all that much. I say time and tie again throughout the review that I got the bike because I travel on planes so much… so I think I make the point that I bought this bike for trips where I would be traveling on a plane or train and wanted to bring a bike with me.

That said, I think if someone did get a New World Tourist for a traditional bike tour, they would be more than fine. I don’t think they are comprimising all that much by riding a folder. You seem to think it is a comprimise in some way to get a folding bike… but I don’t really think it is. The biggest comprimise is that you get so many funny looks from people. Otherwise, the bike is capable of just about everything a full-size bike is capable of. It rides a little differently, but it can cover the same distance and get you to your final location – just like a big bike can.

I fi read it right, you like your NWT. I would have suggested you go with the Pocket Llama or Air Llama. The NWT is a great bike but might limit your options. I think I mentioned before (previous post) that I have owned a Pocket Llama since 1993. Since then I have had two minor breaks in the frame. Both times the BF guys have rushed to get me back on the road within a week or two (it took that long to ship the frame back and forth). The second time was 10 days before the 2006 Tour de Wyoming and they rushed it to me to ride that trip. Also, the frame is gauranteed for life…so no charge. I think their customer service is top notch.

As to the trailer, I have travelled all over, thousands of mile and much of it with the trailer. it does stick out a bit but I have never had any problems or experienced any trepidation about narrow roads or cars too close. The trailer is not for everyone but it works great for me. Also I take some exception to the term “homemade” when referring to the trailer. I think it is a work of brilliant engineering and besides, the suitcase has always been a waterproof option that has ALWAYS kept my stuff dry on tour.

I am completely sold on my Llama and commute with it and have toured with it everywhere…it is my primary bike. One more tip; I had a touring bike that I loved because its geometry fit me perfectly and BF build my llama to that exact geometry…just another option for people buying a custom bike.

Ron Taylor Why exactly do you prefer Pocket Llama over NWT? I haven’ridden either, but am considering buying a folding bike for touring. I never carry more than 15 kilo of gear

Hi Darren, I find it interesting that you decided not to use the TravelCase trailer after your experience in Aruba. I’ve been considering the purchase of a NWT because I’d like to be able to travel with a bike and avoid airline fees. However, I’m not sold on the idea of using the suitcase/trailer either – I’d prefer to go with a set of panniers, especially if doing a light-weight, hostel-hopping trip. But then you have a problem: if you don’t use the suitcase, what do you pack the bike in for air travel that still gives you the advantages of a BikeFriday? If you do use the suitcase, where do you store it upon arriving at the beginning of you cycle-trip? And what if you don’t plan to fly home from the same city/airport? Back to cardboard boxes?

How did you pack and transport your bike on your European trip, if you didn’t use the suitcase?

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your NWT!

I did a trip down the danube last year . I used the travel case for the plane, but I left the case in the first hotel and had to come back to the first hotel for my return journey.

Re: Transporting Bike Friday. We have two. We have two soft cases–one large, one small. Both work. Small case requires more dissassembly, more time. Soft cases are carried on tour. Can be used for other tasks. Soft cases are handled carefully by baggage handlers. Cases not used for busses, cars, trains– so no disassembly for ordinary travel–just air travel. Small soft case requires just one difference–removing rear wheel. Soft cases worked great for us.

Hello I liked your write up . where could I get more info. and may be a stockist in the uk. Cornwall. or catalouge. thanks . Ren

Ren, this page on the Bike Friday website lists all their dealers worldwide.

https://community.bikefriday.com/DealerLocator

It looks like there are a few in the UK

What can I say – I work for BF now, after traveling/touring/swanning around in 4 countries over 7 years, but I certainly don’t do it for the money (god forbid – in fact, make that true for ANYONE who works in the bike industry that isn’t connected to Lance).

In the words of co-founder Alan Scholz “Not everyone is meant to have a Bike Friday.”

In the words of a customer, “When I don’t want anyone to talk to me, I ride my [insert any full-sized bike brand here]”.

In the words of people who are hard to fit – petite, seniors, otherly-abled, the average height ‘merican woman and most Asians like me etc – read the article Darren asked me to write a while ago: http://bicycletouringpro.com/a-little-wheel-goes-a-long-way-why-folders-are-the-cars-of-the-future/

In the words of some pretty famous people who can ride whatever they durn well please and are probably pretty obsessed with looking cool too: https://www.bikefriday.com/famous

So if any of the above resonates with you, consider the non-obvious before going for the obvious. Otherwise, ride whatever turns your crank.

Oh, and I like the trailer sticking out in the road. It makes vehicles steer a wider berth around me. I have many, many miles to prove it. Except in NY traffic if course, Then, everyone’s squeezing everyone off the road. But only at 6-7 mph.

https://www.galfromdownunder.com/movies/bikinginnyc

I second B-rad’s question/comment above from July 20. Does anyone have experience or suggestions as to what to do with the travel case if you are riding with paniers and not pulling the case as a trailer? Particularly if returning from a different airport than from where you arrive? If returning from the same airport, I suppose you can find a locker or baggage check that might work, but otherwise it seems you are stuck hauling a suitcase whether you want to or not.

Thanks for taking the time to write up your experience with the bike.

B-rad and ftmsb,

As far as transporting the bike without the suitcase goes, yes, I think that brings us back to cardboard bike boxes. However, I don’t think that’s really all that bad. In fact, I think it’s a whole lot better than having to carry a suitcase around and/or tow the trailer behind you on an extended trip.

For my current trip in Europe, I transported my bike to Switzerland in a cardboard bike box I got for free from my local bike shop. I cut the box down to size so it not only held my bike, but also fit the airline regulations for a standard piece of checked baggage. See this article to read more about how I got to Switzerland with the bike: http://bicycletouringpro.com/packing-for-the-plane-getting-your-gear-to-the-start/

As for how I will get back home with my bike now that I don’t have a bike box. That’s easy! I just went to a bike shop in Athens, Greece and got a bike box for free. And just like when I flew to Switzerland, I will cut the box down to size, take it to the airport, check it in, and pick it back up again when in land in Los Angeles.

I hope that answers your question. This might be a bit of a pain for people going on shorter trips (these people might prefer just towing the suitcase/trailer that Bike Friday makes), but for me, being away for 9 months, I can’t imagine having to carry that trailer behind me the entire time. I never would have made it! And since getting the coardboard bike boxes is so easy and so cheap, I think it’s a perfectly fine solution. Getting to the airport with the bike and the bike box might be a little bit more difficult, but even that is relatively easy to figure out in the big scheme of things.

I bought a used Pocket Llama from Bike Friday and it has worked very well. To date it has saved me hundreds of dollars in airline baggage charges. I cannot comment on the quality of customer service since I simply selected an appropriate model that was my size from a list of clearance items, and the staff made few modifications to the existing components.

A also tried using the suitcase as a trailer with less than stellar results. I tried towing it around the Gaspe peninsula in Quebec. The pavement was in poor condition in many places and the trailer bounced around too much on the bumpy surface. In a few places the road had a paved shoulder, but it had been paved at a different time than the travelled lanes of the highway. Over time, water got into the seam between the shoulder and the road and eroded longitudinal cracks that went on for miles. The left wheel of the trailer was constantly getting caught in the cracks and trying to slew the trailer around. Most roads in Canada lack paved shoulders and the severe winter weather creates frost cracks that little wheels don’t like crossing. I won’t use the trailer for long tours again.

The bike is good for travel (not commuting) due to the length of time required to pack it up and unpack it. I have used it for trips in North America and Europe but wouldn’t use it loaded on truly ghastly roads because over time it would shake it up too much, loosen the hinges and linkages, and fatigue the frame. Not sure how the small wheels would perform on badly-corrugated roads either.

I’m glad I bought it, but I’m not throwing away my Stumpjumper or Wester Ross road bike any time soon!

Great report. Really enjoyed it for the assessment of the bike and description of travel. Two questions come to mind. First, since I also have a NWT with travel case, but don’t like to use it in Europe, how did you pack the bike for travel to Europe and back by air if you didn’t use the case? Second, what maps/GPS did you use to find your way?

Enjoyed your thorough and candid New World Tourister review. I just arrived in Kosovo with my Bike Friday – Pocket Rocket Pro. My long-distance bike travels (across the U.S. and others) have all been “credit card” trips with ten pounds of gear on a seat tube rack on a standard road bike, which is why I bought the P.R.P. instead of the touring version.

I’ll be in Kosovo for a year and plan to do some Bike Friday touring around the Balkans, at least. What was your experience riding through Kosovo, Macedonia and Greece? The roads in Kosovo appear to be horrible and the drivers insane.

Ciao, Tim Hazen

I feel like some of the other commenters are missing some of the positives of the Bike Friday as a touring machine, whether traveling by plane or not. As the reviews says, the Bike Friday is smaller than the equivalent standard bike, so it engenders fewer “get that filthy bike out of here” responses from hoteliers and the like. It also attracts friendly comments from passers by–these comments can themselves lead to new and positive adventures. This bike will simply get you into more places than a normal bike would. And isn’t getting places what touring is all about?

My experiences with my Pocket Crusoe (light touring bike) have been very positive for day rides, commuting, fully-loaded tours or SAG-supported tours for over 7800 miles and 14 airline round trips. The bike performs so well that I haven’t seen the need to get a standard touring machine. Sure there is a small penalty in weight, ride and handling (unless you like a responsive bike), but the positives more than make up for it.

I too have a NWT that I bought for occasional riding and trips and have carted it all over the place. I thought that the suitcase (by the way your suitcase is a Carlton not a Samsonite) was a little flimsy but I have taken it on 32 flights, 8 bus trips and several train and boats with no breakage. The newer samsonite cases are more substaintial but heavy and awkward. I have toured with it out of necessity several times including 600 and 850 mile trips in alaska and BC-Alberta. I preferr panniers but after a day on the road you don’t notice the trailer. It is great for dry sucure storage. Gearing, I went with internal rear hub and have 19″ low gear – what more could you want. 15,000 miles and no problem even with ultegra sti shifter I would never opt for flat handle bars – you could easily convert to a clamp on stem with drop bars. I agree on the clamp beingthe weak point. Mine broke at the where the forked plate plate is welded to the seat stay. Bike Friday took care of it and repainted rear triangle. I think it was cased by flexure at the pivot at the bottom bracket. That has been troublesome and I have gone through three designs of that with Bike Friday. I have what you have now but the older designs allowed some flexure after the wore.

Thanks for the great review Darren. My wife and I took our NWT’s to Europe for 6 months, but we didn’t cycle as far as you. Our longest cycle trip was 800 km around the west coast of Ireland. WE are fairly bike friendly – we don’t own a car and we travel everywhere around home (Victoria, BC) by bike or public transport. I agree with all the comments that you made, and I think that you mentioned all the positives. I would add as negatives: 1. We found the bikes in their suitcases heavy to carry around (e.g. up three flights of winding uneven stairs in a Moroccan hotel). 2. Traveling by train was easier when the bikes were unfolded because it was difficult to transport the folded bikes and pannier bags across several platforms when changing trains. There weren’t any luggage trolleys in the UK or Ireland. I don’t know how you managed this with a bike and four bags? 3. It is very awkward to carry the bikes any distance in the soft carry-bag. The weight distribution in the bag is poor and there is always a pedal or something else sticking into your side. Have fun on your bikes. Paul.

Plane, train, boat, what about bus? I often fold my NWT and slide it in the luggage compartment of a bus. In many parts of Europe buses are much cheaper than trains and go to more out of the way locations. I only got charged for it once in Ireland when I asked the driver if it was OK to bring the folding bike. After that I don’t bother to ask any more, and no bus driver has mentioned anything to me about it.

Darren – what a great review. I am curious about one thing. When you tour on a fully loaded bike, how do you sight-see when you want to enter buildings? What do you do with the bike then? What about if you want to enter a restaurant? Presumably if your bike wasn’t loaded with touring gear you’d just fold up the bike and bring it in with you, but what do you do if it is loaded? Of course not a problem if you’re staying in hostels or hotels, but I have a assume you did a lot of camping on your trip.

Nice review and mostly nice comments.

I bought a BF Pocket Rocket about a year ago to carry on my sailboat. Thought a nice folder would would be a good boat toy, but I never bought the Bike Friday line that it would be my full time ride.

But I ended up riding my “big” bike just once since buying the Friday, and then sold it within the week.

My Friday hasn’t toured much yet, but it has done a couple thousand miles of centuries, club rides, and weekend tours. Next Spring I’ll do my third run down the Pacific Coast, and I’ll ride the Friday.

Also, I travel a lot for work, and the greatest thing is the bike lives the trunk of the car. It takes seconds for me to go from working in some little town on the road to riding through some little the town on the road. I’ve also left boring, day long meetings, opened the trunk to throw in my bag of paper work only to see the Friday sitting there ready to go. It takes longer to out on my shorts and shoes than to get the bike out and on the road.

If I add to that the fact the bike fits under the V berth in my boat I can honestly say this is one of the most functional and best bikes I’ve ever owned.

The best bike for everyone? Doubt it. Last bike I’ll ever own? My history says that’s not likely. A real bike far more serious than it’s little wheels suggest? You bet.

Bought my Pocket Rocket Pro originally to carry on my sailboat, but it hasn’t made it on the boat yet because I am living in Kosovo (landlocked) for a year.

In 2006, like Darren, I purchased a used “Bike Friday New World Tourist.” I only buy used bicycles. As with any used vehicle, you have to take what is available. My NWT came with a triple chainring; nine cogs; flat handlebars; and thumb (rather than twist) gear shifters. My last 700 cc. bicycle had drop handlebars and shifters on the downtube. It is simply what is available. I did not change anything but I did purhase the folding racks from Green Gear/Bike Friday®.

I ride about 6000 miles a year, about 2/3rds of it loaded touring and the remainder of that distance training time and local rides.

I write and publish (Cyclotour Guide Books) bicycle tour guide books on North America’s Great Lakes, New York State’s (U. S. A.) Canal System (four canals, the Erie Canal being the most famous) and New York State’s Finger Lakes (11 Lakes) wine growing region. My books are written and used like AAA triptiks® are used by motorists! Each year I bicycle at least one of the routes to check it and then make necessary revisions to the books.

Interestingly, I have not used the hard case tor transporting my NWT since I usually travel to either by bicycle or public ground transportation (train or bus) to the tour’s starting point. I never purchased the trailer option since I prefer panniers and see no reason to haul the extra weight of the trailer.

I always use the soft bag (1000d Cordura®) to carry my NWT on to a train or bus. My bikes are dirty, really dirty. I feel it is inconsiderate if not rude of me to not take the simple precaution of using the soft bag to protect fellow passengers’ luggage and clothing from bicycle grease, oil, and dirt. The soft bag folds to a small package and sits on top of my front or rear rack.

Interestingly, a folding bicycle (as of 2006) can be carried on to the passenger car of Amtrak® trains without being encased in any type of bag. A folding bicycle is usually not counted as a piece of luggage by Amtrak.

VIARail has a different set of rules for the carriage of folding bicycles and non-folding bicycles.

On Greyhound® and Trailways® buses a folding or non-folding bike must be in a “sturdy bag” or other container. In the case of folding bicycles, the bicycle travels as a piece of luggage at no extra charge on buses.

My NWT was stolen in August and was purchased by the Sales Manager at a local producer of industrial heat exchangers (Graham Corp.) with the idea of calling Bike Friday to find out the owner of the stolen NWT. Sales people who travel love Bike Fridays!

Bike Friday called me with his name & contact information at 8:30 AM eastern time. Now that is customer service! Which I have found to be excellent.

Hi bro first I want to tell you I love your site being new to cycling and planning my first tour from FL to PA is so exciting and I must check your site out all most everyday for advice. I have found a ton of help. So here is my question I ride in PA now and its getting cooled so I started riding in jeans and pants and have been rolling them to keep them out of the gear and then i saw your pics from your last trip what is that strap around your leg and were do i get one or is that just a velcro strap you use. My up coming trip will be my first tour and I plain on buying your guide soon. Thanks you from a newer rider for putting such a great site together because I had no clue we to start with planning this trip or what gear to buy and now I know what panniers I want what tent,stove,pot, just about everything I needed. I cant say enough about this site and I hope sometime I get the chance to meet you and even ride with you sometime. I also want to add that coming from someone who also keeps a journal I feel the same way you do they could take the bike but I would die if I lost me journal. Thanks again Darren from you friend in PA Dan Kisacky carpewavem.

Really good travel discussion & much appreciated. I’ve really enjoyed my llama for daily travel over the last two years but mainly only had a chance for short travel trips although I’ve got about 13,000 miles on it now. I did just complete two weeks in Oregon and had the opportunity to use the travelcase. I was very impressed and did not find the width to be much of a problem. There were times when I took up more space in the lane due to narrow shoulders but that had a positive benefit as I was sweeping for my 10 month old grandson who was in a chariot trailer. The wheels were sturdy and handled the rough areas I pulled it well. The tour was great and this trailer experience will certainly be followed by more. I won’t be giving up solo travel via panniers but this is now a new travel tool. I’ve also picked up a used 99 pocket rocket recently and can use this system for either bike now. Thanks, Dale

Thanks Darren for your thoughtful, experienced review of the NWT. What are the gears you had – gear inches? Thanks very much.

I could not make out your Panniers. Which ones are those and would you recommend them over others?

The panniers are Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus (on the back) and Sport Packer Plus panniers (on the front). They are great panniers. Held up wonderfully, waterproof, snow-proof, etc. I would highly recommend.

I wanted to comment about the suitcase/trailer. When travelling by plane, I fly with the suitcase. When I arrive at the start of my tour, I send the suitcase to the end. You can send to a UPS store or use someone from warmshowers or a hotel or campground at the ending point of the tour. It will cost about $25 or so to ship the suitcase. By the way, I put my nicer airplane clothes in the suitcase so when I end the tour I have some fresh clothes for the return flight.

Awesome trip! Wonder how you secure the bike when you leave it behind for some on-foot exploring?

Oh and … Norm Michaels is a douchebag.

Mark, for this particular trip through Europe I rented apartments along my route and stayed there for most of the time. So when I went out on foot I usually just left the bike in the apartment. But there were times when I could not do this… and it is really, really tough sometimes.

Read this: http://bicycletouringpro.com/my-disappointing-trip-to-dubrovnik-croatia/ and http://bicycletouringpro.com/how-to-secure-your-bicycle-belongings-when-going-inside-a-building/

I’m an avid follower of your website. Some comments: I assume (and hope) that your positive comments about the Newt are applicable to all small wheel folders as a choice of a travel bike as the one I plan to buy in September for my travel in Taiwan, south China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia is either the Birdy Touring or the Dahon Speed TR. Of course each bike will be different in some details but as a whole they are all well-established in the market and have their keen followers. The latest versions – 2010 models – all sport upgrades addressing owners’ past gripes or wishes. The Birdy even has a travel case trailer similar to BF’s while the Speed TR has new front and rear racks and an iphone charger! I’m counting the days as I prepare for my trip and eventually lay my hands on my new toy, er, tool, well, toy then! You can take a peek at my utter-mutter about bike travel and other stuff at zveloyak.blogspot.com.

Darren- I bought my Air Llama in 2002 custom made for me. I don’t drive autos and just bike and use public transport. Before my BF I had some very nice 26 inchers, but going on planes was getting so expensive and such a hassle not to mention trains, buses,etc. I saw the BF ad in a magazine and decided to go for it. I was really questioning the small wheels and performance. So for 8 years I’ve been travelling and doing all my commuting with the Air Llama. I love this bike and have no intentions of using any other bike except for the new Pocket Llama that is presently being custom made for me. I have had great customer serv ice and great dealings with the BF folks. I use four ortlieb panniers on distance travelling. What a great setup. Love your website and great to see a BF customer review from you. Enjoy your NWT. Hope to see you on the road sometime. P.S. I meet such great people because of the curiosity that is attracted to this bike.. A great plus! Happy Trails, Bro.

Can you use a BOB trailer with a bikefriday?

Anthony, Yes, you can use a BOB trailer with a Bike Friday bicycle.

I have same kind of BF as you have. I noticed that your tires look great. Could you share your opinion about them (model, size included of course ;-))? I am going to tour my BF in Tasmania or New zealand and I am planning to use gravel roads also. Would you recommend those tires or do you have better options in mind?

Ville, I’m actually not sure what tires I used on my trip through Europe last year. They lasted the entire trip, but I have since replaced them with Schwalb 20″ tires. The tires I used on that trip through Europe were just the ones Bike Friday sent me with the bike. The Schwalbs I have now are recommended because I think they are a good tire that will last a long time, but they are SUPER difficult to get on and off the wheel. They are so tight that it takes forever to 1) get them on the wheel and 2) get them to rest in in the rim properly.

Thank you for your opinion. About getting schwalbes on the wheel. I don’t know do you have same rims as I do, but I blame rims for thightness. My wife has a Dahon speed tr with different rims and getting Schwalbe big apples on is easy. When I tested how much tire clearence I have with Big apples on BF, I got blisters to my thumb, those tires felt super tight.

Anyway, which Schwalbes are you using? I love big apples 2inch, but I have only 1 mm tire clearance. I don’t think thats enough for touring ;-). I want to be on safe side. I am considering Schwalbe marathon 1,5inch tires, but I am thinking, are those too narrow for real bad road with pot holes and rough gravel.

Thanks, I enjoy reading your views about touring. Altough I don’t always agree, your case is always well made!

Great review. I envy your touring experiences. I came across your review while googling around for “special” bikes. I want an about-town, go to the grocery store, ride down a country lane, bike. My days of grand touring are over. I’ve aged. But my love of bicycles endures.

I’m thinking of things like carrying groceries, step through frame, 3-speed internal hub. Folding is not important to me. It’s nice to know Bike Friday is out there. I shall be contacting them.

Again, thanks for your great review & photos. Keep pedaling!

Shipped a new NWT in late 07 to the UK to circumvent mindless Brit anti-cycling regulationalal mentality (active and passive – unless its on an advert for a Bank etc) and with dreams of unfettered world travel.

First was a demand for an additional £464 in within five days (or its going back) for the Duty (14%) and the VAT and the VAT on the Duty. This helps Brompton avoid open market competition. Tax on Tax… mmmm Berliners!

I ditched the Schwalbes in favour of Bulletproofs from Conti as I can change flats and dont need extra practice at inconvenient times with full loads on. Rubber gloves entered ‘Permanant Pile of What If…’ stuff at the bottom of my Orliebs – (now There is a Product!) so folks turning up for hand / wrist physio don’t ask if a rubber mallet would help improve range.

Late 08 the pawls in the SRAM went with intermittant ‘giving’ in low gear progressing to fully kaput. NWT was idle till this year. BF suggested that ‘there is a problem’. London has one self-presenting SRAM shop in Notting Hill (great place but a day out): SRAM support was minimal. DIY replacement ensued but only for the greasy minded with net skills and a ‘so if theres a Great PyongYang leaving cogs embedded in the ceiling so be it’ attitude … there wasn’t but alert Mr Rubrik and anyone interested in delaying the onset of dementia. SF,SG.

SRAM = Le Shrug Francais in most Shop De Velo Anglais

Oh and the QR bolt holding the frame together sheared off. Finally phoned BF after generics failed to appear, and presto but an interesting ride home. Not as bad as a seat-post QR on a regular but I remain anxous about demonstrating ‘yes this folds’ to staff on the Underground during journeys. The universal electrical tie doesn’t acutally problem solve so well here.

A bike shop in Bonn had matching Yellow Guards for 20E, but 20″ Presta tubes are ‘rare’ on the road – use Conti BP’s and buy a stash to take on hols. The rear wheel spanner should also be carried at all times.

Good things include: Turning up at Aviemore (Och Aye) peak season and being asked for 16 quid for a bit of grass on the office verge for one bike and one tent and showing them the finger. Buying a ticket to Inverness the wee man says (you need yer best Sean Connery accent here) ‘You’ll be lucky to get yer bike on the train – it’ll likely be full’ so I say with the verve of laying out a royal flush ‘its a FOLDING bike’ to which he says ‘aye, and you’ve done yer homework there’.

Too bloody right mate. So now when the gate dude say ‘where are going?’ I just say ‘Folding Bike’…

FYI ScotRail permits only 2 bikes on any one train at anytime and its usually booked years ahead – you can tell by the groups of cyclists leaving Inverness two at a time to get to Kyle of L. over the course of a day :~): see above. DBahn charge you but hey, yer on.

So its fairly unblockable as a bike/transport option and this is a great bike to chuck in the car with tons of other camping crap for long days out in foreign fields.

The brakes need a fair bit of optimising and clearly the wheel radius reduces the lever arm of same (less effective) The rear brake clearance is tight and after a fold and unfold, the gears need juggling. Oh, dont leave home without a very clear idea of DualDrive operations or instructions (if this is the story for you).

The low COG is a bit hairy on slippy non-level sideway surfaces, is good for doing front-end wheelies to hop the rear up kerbs BUT The derailleur looks well vulnerable. It hasn’t worn it yet, but having left my daughter to sleep away the day on the grass surrounded by our valuables at Morton on Marsh (Cotswolds) while I cycled to Cirencester and back by train (amazingly with the parts) after she tore hers off a regular, its worth noting. More Must Haves in obscure places.

Its also fairly heavy (or sturdy) but locking it is a challenge compared to a diamond frame as there aren’t many secure throughs that don’t have a QR bolt defining them.

Think I still have some collecting to do on the investment. Its got some real pluses: lots of conversations and a sense of adaptability. Yes thats it. Adaptability.

Trips: Cologne down the Rhine, and Scotland where I would not have had a bike at all without the fold. That alone blunts the hassles. Lots of day circuits on tour. It takes a full load: front n rear Orts plus tent n stuff. I bought the case and soft bag but the logistics so far have discouraged me from attending airports.

Folding it up makes no sense on trains unless you like pack-hauling four bags, handlebar bag, bundled tent / mat / etc, and a large metally thing and have to. A liesurely assemble with croissants and coffee would be the go at airports but things with wheels move around so much better, as the hosties demonstrate regularly.

This sounds more -ve than +ve. Like most things there is a tool for the job (unless you are one already) and this has its place in life. Not sure I’d do 1500GBP again: the drops and STi’s pushed it up but BritTax is in the Eq big time. There are times and places that you just wont get to without this. Select the correct spanner, and life is a downhill breeze

I´m alex from germany and currently thinking about getting a bike friday. One question, isn´t it possible to use the suitcase with a BOB YAK so we dont have the problems on roads without shoulders and so force..

i mean bob yak or another one wheel trailer…

Hi there Alex (Supertramp). It’s funny that you wrote when you did, because I just happened to be watching “Into the Wild” when your comment came in. I thought that was funny.

Anyway, as for your question, yes you can pull a BOB trailer behind a Bike Friday bicycle and that will give you a narrower profile on the road. The bad thing about using the BOB vs. the Bike Friday trailer, however, is that the Bike Friday is designed to fit inside it’s own suitcase/trailer. it is not designed to fit inside a BOB trailer. This means that if you plan to fly or take a train/boat/bus/etc with your bicycle, you will not only have to pack up your bicycle, but the BOB trailer as well.

The BOB trailer would be a better trailer to use if you don’t plan to travel on a plane/train/bus/boat, but the Bike Friday Suitcase/Trailer might be better if you plan to use any of these other means of transportation.

Hi Darren, nice review of the bike,I also own a BF NWT,you can check my web under cycling an see the placess I been.One thing you are wrong about the BOB Yak,bike friday don t recommend to use a BOB yak because of the rear triangle.I know that because I also own a Yak,and I already ask them they told me will be much better to use a two wheel trailer,so I got the best 2 wheel trailer the carry freedom y large,because of the same wheel size 20″ https://www.carryfreedom.com/Y-Frame.html Regards Gerardo

Best review of this bike I’ve seen anywhere. We are considering these for our next tour to screen the film, since we would be traveling via Amtrak and bike. Do you know (in the States) if you have to have the suitcase in order to bring in on Amtrak? Or can you just bring it in folded up like you show in many of the photos?

Thanks, Mandy

Hey Mandy! The answer to this question is… it depends. It depends on which AMTRAK train you are taking and which route you are traveling on. There are some trains in Southern California, for example, that you can just roll your bike right on and not have to worry about it. But most of the time, your bike has to be boxed up or in a protective case of some kind. So having the suitcases for your trip around the US might certainly come in handy. It sucks, I know, because it would certainly be nice it Amtrak did more to accommodate cyclists on their trains, but that’s simply not the case at the moment. Good luck… and let me know what you end up doing!

I HAVE A NEW WORK TOURIST AND WOULD LIKE GET A FRONT RACK. THE BIKE FRIDAY WEBSITE DOES NOT LIST THIS ITEM. WHAT FRONT RACK IS ON YOUR BIKE?

THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE

This is the rack I use on the front of my Bike Friday. It is the same rack I use on my full size touring bike. I’ve had it for 7 years now and it’s still going strong.

https://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/158_19/arkel-ac-lowrider-front-rack.cfm

I know that you can sell the bike back to Bike Friday. They have a place on their website where they sell used bicycles… so that might be a good place to start.

And on the Bike Friday forum they have a place where you can list your used Bike Friday. https://www.bikefriday.com/forum/

Other than that, I’d just try Craigslist or something similar. How old is the Bike Friday and how much are you trying to get out of it?

Last year I purchased a Pocket Companion with suit case. To this date I am totally disappointed in the bike and the case. First off, even though I got the “heavy duty tires” I got more flats riding on the STREET than any other bike I have ever owed or now own. The tires are cheap. The bike has been nothing but a disappointment. Locks don’t hold. Levers broken. Adjustments have to be made ALL the time to the bike. Suit case is too flimsy for carrying the bike and that weight. Constantly having seat post problems. The chain derailleur is junk. There are many other problems with the bike. The bike and suit case are far over rated and over priced as well. To top it off, I had to pay EXTRA to the guy in the Portland store to show me how to pack the bike in the suit case. Wow what a rip off. I say it again, a RIP OFF. Whenever I hear of anyone thinking about buying a Bike Friday, I tell them NOT TO. Save their money and time. You can find better bikes for far less hassle and money. I will never buy a Bike Friday again. I think many of the BF owners feel the same but are ashamed they were shammed too…so they keep their mouths shut instead of being known to be a fool. Over rated and overpriced. Save your money…Go elsewhere. Top it off when calling the Portland factory…the woman who answers the phone gives you the 5th degree. “Why calling?” “Who are you?” “Did you call before?” duhhh you think at least the receptionist would be nice about it. Recommendation: don’t buy one.

I’ve got to take Marty’s comments with a large grain of salt. There’s more than a few things about the review that don’t make sense: Bike Friday is based in Eugene, not Portland. Bike Friday’s service has always been good to stellar when I’ve called or stopped by. Complaints about tires, or “chain derailleurs” are miss-directed: Components are off the rack & often selected by the customer. For example, my BF Pocket Rocket has the exact same make & model of tires and derailleurs as the Specialized Roubaix sitting next to it. Any problems with this gear should be directed to Schwalbe, Shimano, or whoever made it. As for the cost: Yep, it’s a pricey machine. and yep, there are some design quirks. That being said I’d like to see any other bike that can deliver what my Friday does for less.

Wow! Marty has some real problems. . I do think that you need a little basic mechanical sense to own a Friday and that may be Marty’s problem. Flats? Can you blame that on the bikebuilder? My Specialized Tricross set the record for flats out of the box but i didn’t blame it on Spedialized (even though it came with “(Specialized tires). I found Gatorskins work on that bike. I have had several different brand tires on the Fridays and like most people settled in on what works the best for me. I have logged over 20,000 on the two NWTs that I have owned over the last 15 years. Te suitcase hase been on over 35 flights and is still going strong. I have recommended Friday to people – 9 sales have resulted and people are happy with them. The friday is not my principal bike of the 5 bikes that I own (I ride 9000 miles /year) but if I were only allowed one I guess it would be the Friday.

Hi- Great review. I’m thinking of getting a NWT and this is very helpful. One question – you discuss the time required to pack the bike for travel, which requires pretty substantial disassembly, however in most of your “on the train” pictures the bike is just folded, not broken down. How quick is the “train-fold” as compered to the “plane-pack?” I’d mostly be putting the bike in a car trunk or on a train, so this is all the fold I’d usually need.

Thanks, Pete

Good question Pete. Packing the Bike Friday New World Tourist into its suitcase is a lot more work than simply doing a quick fold and getting it ready for a trip via train, boat, car, etc. However, the quick fold on the New World Tourist is not really very quick in comparison to other commuter-style Bike Friday models and other folding bicycles on the market. The New World Tourist requires a few Allen wrench tools to take off the handlebars, seat post, etc in order to quickly fold the bicycle up for train travel, etc. For me, this quick fold usually takes about 3 minutes or so. That’s 3 minutes to take off the panniers, remove the seat post and handlebars with an Allen wrench, and then fold the bike in half via the built in Bike Friday quick release. I’m sure that with a little practice I could perform all this a bit quicker, but 3 minutes is probably a realistic estimate for a quick fold situation.

Thanks for a great review, with great pics. Was wondering how sturdy/stable the folding rear rack is? Would you buy it again?

Yeah, the folding rack from Bike Friday worked great. No problems with it. Before I left on my tour, however, I did go to Home Depot and purchase some extra screws for the rack, just in case they were to pop out on my during my tour. But that never happened thankfully… and the rack worked great! I would recommend it if you are looking for a rack that doesn’t take up as much space as a traditional rear rack.

How many kilometers u ride in one day?

I am vikas from India. I travel with my Trek 4300 mountain bike. plz reply

and best wishes for u r next journey…

Typical bicycle tourists cover about about 40-60 miles (65-95 kilometers) per day. Of course, some people do a whole lot less than this… and some people do a whole lot more.

Great review Darren! My wife and I are considering BF’s for two different purposes. The first is for our sailboat. Limited room and need to be portable aboard an inflatable dinghy. The second is for travel abroad, where we would use the bikes for touring. It seems obvious that the Tikit would be an attractive option for the boat. The question I have is ‘is the Tikit a viable consideration for touring?’ Again, really enjoyed reading your review. -Mark

My guess is that the Tikit is not intended to be used for bicycle toruing, as it is not listed in this category on the Bike Friday website: https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/touring It may not have the holes needed to attach a rear rack, which would mean that you would have to carry and of your bicycle touring gear on your back – something that is best avoided if at all possible. I have not used the Tikit myself, so I don’t really know a whole lot about it. The best way to get a good answer on this would be to contact Bike Friday themselves and see what they recommend.

Hey Mark I’ll second Darren’s advice, and add my own 2 cents. Back when I was in the market for a pair of touring bikes for my wife and I, I was considering a Tikit – mainly for it’s significant advantages in size, weight, and rapid foldability. For these reasons they might be great for your sailboat. However, they were not designed for touring.

I was interested in buying touring bikes for long distance (~1000km), self supported, tours around Europe and NA, which would include cobblestone streets, country roads, gravel paths, as well as the usual paved roads.

I spoke at length with Walter, one of the customer service / sales agents at Bike Friday (who are extremely helpful and always willing to chat, btw). He suggested that the Tikit was not designed for extended riding of this type. The Tikit is essentially an urban commuter bike – it was very purpose built for this role, and thus the overall ride and durability are somewhat compromised.

While it is possible to attach racks to the Tikit, I don’t think they will be capable of carrying the same loads as the NWT or other bikes. The smaller wheels are stiffer and twitchier, and will feel less stable when loaded with panniers. Likewise, the “finer boned” frame will not put up with the abuses of extended touring over the long term. Your options with gearing are also more limited with the Tikit.

Walter suggested that a NWT or Llama would be much more practical, cost effective, and enjoyable bike for the type of touring I wanted to do. The NWT is what we ended up buying, and they have served us very well on trips through Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

All that being said, you’ll have to decide what your primary use for the bikes really is. The Tikit would probably be ideal for storage on your sail boat, and would be quick to unfold & refold for your shore excisions. The NWT still folds up fairly small, but the “quick-fold” procedure … takes some getting used to. I find it takes about 1-2minutes to get it really squared away.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Darren and B-rad. Your feedback was very helpful. My wife and I went down to Eugene this past week and ultimately ended up ordering 2 Llamas. Can’t wait to get out on the new bikes when they arrive next month. -Mark

Just got back from Japan , where I rode for 31 out of 42 days on my Pocket Llama. Had one recurring problem that no amount of help from some of the best bicycle mechanics I could find, could fix. Every day my headset would come loose and I’d have to find someone to tighten it.Spent more time trying to get help than actually sightseeing while touring.As for Bike Friday’s customer service, I would have to give them a three out of ten. Totally disappointed in them, they may as well have told me I was lying. I’ve ridden since I was 5 years old and am now 61 I’ve even built a couple of bikes myself and I’m a tradesman who takes a pride in doing a good job and feels proud that my clients don’t have to chase me for shoddy work.I just hope that my LBS who I got the Llama from can resolve this problem . As for BF they really need to treat customers a lot better than how I felt they did to me.

Darin: Thanks for the great review! This may be a dumb question but where do you store the travel suitcase for the BF new world tourist once you get to your airport destination? thanks

Lynn, that isn’t a dumb question. I get this question quite a lot actually.

If you plan to fly in and out of the same location, then you can use the travel case and simply store it with a friend, hotel, or bike shop while you are touring… and then pick it up on your return trip home.

If you are planning to fly into one location, ride your bike to another far off location, and then fly out of that distant location, you have a couple options:

1) You can pull the travel case behind you as you travel (the case can convert into a trailer, but I don’t recommend this).

2) You can ship the travel case from your starting location to your ending location.

3) Or you can do like I do, and simply leave the travel case at home and pack the bicycle in a cardboard box instead. Then, once you get to your starting location, you simply unpack the bike and throw the cardboard box away. And when you get to your final destination and are preparing to fly home, you simply find a new cardboard box, cut it down to size, and pack your bike in that box for the return trip home.

A couple of options: Local storage units rent for $30/month. Warmshowers members will sometimes offer storage. Local bikeshops can be help in locating storage. I have pulled the trailer on several long trips and don’t find it as much of drawback as other people do. There is some advantage in using the trailer: It is waterproof, it is bear and vermin proof and is lockable when parked curbside. I did a trip of 960miles through the canadian rockies with the trailer and after day one didn’t notice it was there.

I once toured on a Specialized Rock Combo with the 26″ wheels and found this bike to be extermely stable, but quite a bit slower than a touring bike with 700 cc wheels and 700X32 tires. How does the BF compare as far as average speed? Is the BF stable on steep, curvy descents when carrying a big load? Also, I would expect the rims to heat up more quickly due to braking on long, steep descents? Does BF offer disc brakes?

I do think the Bike Fridays may be a bit slower than full-sized bicycles (especially on steep downhills, etc), but for long-distance touring the small difference in speed is almost unnoticeable and is really not that important.

I have found that my Bike Friday is surprisingly stable on downhills and even in off-road scenarios. You just have to get used to the bike and then you will feel comfortable zooming around on it – unloaded or fully-loaded!

After thousands and thousands of miles with my New World Tourist I’ve had no problem with the rims getting excessively hot while braking. And as far as I know, Bike Friday does not offer Disc Brakes (probably because they are larger and take up more space), but I could be wrong… and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them offering disc brakes in the near future.

I put my giant chiron27 foldable in a carry bag – with paddings around the gears, etc, of course, and when I arrived at Yangon airport, unzipped, folded the bag and stored it in my pannier. I find its a convenient way to bikepack…

https://shopping.howei.com/index.php?route=tips/tips&tips_id=42

I’m touring in South America with a NWT. I didn’t have the trip all planned out and we’ve ended up on unpaved loose gravel roads mainly. It has definitely not been the best bike for these types of roads and I am wishing perhaps I had purchased a pocket llama. I’m wondering what tires folks are using with the NWT and if they’ve faced problems on gravel roads with mainly loose rocks and even sand.

The “Pocket Llama SELECT 2012” has disc brakes… https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/touring/1297

Just back from a 2,500 km tour of Germany with my Bike Friday NWT.

Two suggestions:

1. Carry a wrench that fits the larger nut on the head-set. The Bike Friday supplied wrench only fits the smaller nut, and two wrenches are needed to tighten the headset.

2. Fit a bike stand. The absence of a top tube (between the seat and handle bars) makes it hard to balance the bike between your legs if you stop to take a photograph, and when leaning the bike against a tree, for example. The bike’s tendency to fall over is worse if you fit a handle-bar bag, because the weight of the bag causes the front wheel to twist backwards when stopped.

I like your bike stories….If you can, come to Bolivia, my country, where there are fantastic places for a bike friday aventure. Last week a Japanese cyclist cross the salt flat in Uyuni with a llama bike friday.

Great review. After traveling with my BF for 10 years now I can say it is still going strong. Even though all working parts have been replaced. I have flown over a dozen times and still haven’t paid a charge. You can still pack this bike and trailer setup and keep it under 50 lbs. My experience with their customer service was not as good. They even made errors making the bike that I had to correct and still deal with today. When I talked with one of the owners he just said he didn’t want me to have his bike and would give me my $ back. Nice attitude. Still the CS is poor and I just try to deal with them at a minimum and do not advertise for them via word of mouth. Unfortunate.

However I really like their bike for trips. Even the trailer, but it requires a more attentive riding style.

Great review!

I have a Metro, which looks to just be the single chainring version of the test bike. I picked up the bike used for my 5-12 mile bike commute to work. I did not find the bike twitchy at all, not even the first time I rode it. The small wheels does make it handle quickly, maybe that is what new riders are feeling. While I really like riding the bike, it would not be my first choice (or second or third or…) for a bike to take on a long loaded tour. I’d be hard pressed to want to ride it more than 20 miles. I find the stem riser very flexy, to the point of being of concern. With all the pivots and hinges I keep looking for the source of all the squeaks and creaks. Just how would you improve the customer service? I do wish they offered support for their older models. Looking at the website, it appears that the only replacement part offered for my Metro is a headtube badge.

Hi Darren Thanks for your review, esp of the travel trailer. Your drawing clearly shows the relevant issues on roads with no shoulders. You’ve saved me a spot of trouble.

2 questions:

Does one really have to remove the front and rear racks when using a cardboard box to pack/check your bike?

Which front rack do you recommend for the front rack? Thanks, jeff

In regards to having to remove the racks… it depends on how much you are breaking the bike down. If you are putting the bike inside a regular carboard bike box, you probably wouldn’t have to remove the racks. But if you are breaking the bike down to fit inside a suitcase, then yes, you need to remove the racks.

There are a number of good racks to choose from. I, however, have been using the Arkel AC Lowrider Rack. See this page for full details on my current bicycle touring packing list: http://bicycletouringpro.com/packing-list-2014-europe-asia/

Thanks for the prompt reply. I forgot to append to the 2nd question “for use on a Bike Friday New World Tourist.” The Arkel looks sturdy–it appears not to fold and it might put the panniers a bit close to ground for a BF.

OTOH, your review of the CoMotion Pangaea with s/s coupling has me thinking about Bike Friday alternatives, though it still costs as much as the GDP of a third world nation.

Hi Darren, Which are the dimension of your suitcase? I am wondering if an upright samsonite 71 is enough for that bike. Thank you!

I’m not sure exactly of the measurements of my exact case because I don’t have my Bike Friday case with me at the moment as I am currently on a bike tour in Taiwan with my Co-Motion Pangea touring bicycle. All of the current Bike Friday travel case dimensions are, however, listed on their official website https://store.bikefriday.com/index.php?cPath=46

Thanks Darren. Finally I succeded in packing my pocket llama in a Samsonite Termo Young Upright, 75/28. It is quite smaller than the one sold by BF but it is perfectly within airlines specs (158 cm).

Hello Darren. If you are still watching this site. I have a Bike Friday Llama and really like it. Would like to take it on a trip to Europe. What do you do with the suitcase you transport your bike in on the plane while touring.

Hi Lillian. That’s great to hear about your plans for an upcoming bike tour on a folding bike! Here is what I usually do with my suitcase when I travel with my bike: http://bicycletouringpro.com/what-to-do-with-your-bike-box-case-once-you-reach-your-bike-tours-starting-location/

Hi Darren, I have really enjoyed your videos. Thanks for taking such care with them. I currently have a Brompton, love it, and have done some full day trips with it. For longer trips or something international, I was thinking something like the Bike Friday would be better (fewer custom parts should something go wrong and larger wheels to smooth out the ride). I am wondering why you moved away from the Bike Friday to the Comotion bike? Are there substantial benefits or is it more a matter of preference?

I should also mention that I really appreciated the review of the trailer-suitcase. That was a selling feature for me and I’m reevaluating that…

Hi James. The main reason I moved away from the Bike Friday folding bicycle and now ride a full-size bike with S&S couplers is because I just didn’t like the way the Bike Friday looked and made me feel when I was riding it. I felt like a bear riding a tricycle – and I looked something like that in my photos. Now that I have a Co-Motion Pangea touring bicycle with S&S couplers, I can still fold my bike down for plane, train and bus rides, etc… but I have a bike that is a legitimate, full-sized bicycle (which I like much better). I still have my Bike Friday and I might use it for a short island-hopping sort of bike tour in the future, but for longer, more serious bike tours, I would take a full-size bike over a folding bike any day – not necessarily because of the difference in how the two bikes handle, but because of they way they look and make me feel when I ride them. Make sense?

So if you weren’t concerned with looks and aesthetics, would you still “take a full-size bike over a folding bike any day”, or would you consider a Friday NWT an otherwise equal?

I ask as a somewhat experienced tourist who is seriously thinking of moving from (or supplementing?) an REI Randonee with a NWT. Not primarily to save airline costs, but to make quick trips easier.

Since I am an old geezer, looks don’t matter to me. But functionality does. The competition is between a Friday NWT, an S&S or Ravello retrofit, or sticking to what I have. My thinking tends to favors the NWT as easier to quickly pack or throw into a car trunk. But if people like you, who have extensive experience with all three options hesitate to pick a Friday for reasons other than looks, I should as well.

I liked the Bike Friday when I was using it. I wish it had lower gears… and I wish it looked more manly. Other than that, it’s a good bicycle. I don’t think I will ever tour on a folding bike again, but as I said before, it has more to do with how it looks than anything else. Yes, it feels different too, but you get used to the feel of the Bike Friday after a while. I just like the feel of a full-size bicycle a whole lot more.

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The Best Bike Cargo Trailer for Bicycle Touring

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: February 11, 2024

Categories Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

Home » Bikes and Cycling » Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking » The Best Bike Cargo Trailer for Bicycle Touring

When it comes to carrying luggage on your bike, cargo trailers offer a great alternative to panniers for some tours. The best trailer for you depends on the amount of gear you need to haul, the type of terrain you plan to ride on, the type of bike you’re riding, as well as your personal preference. This guide outlines all of the different trailer designs available to help you choose the best bike cargo trailer for bicycle touring and bikepacking.

In this guide, I’ll cover trailer mount systems, one wheel vs two, materials, weight, size, carrying capacity, cost, and more. I’ll also outline some of the most popular cargo trailers on the market in each category.

Over the years, I’ve tried pretty much every bicycle touring luggage setup including panniers, bikepacking bags, and trailers. In this guide, I’ll share my experience with trailers.

Image: “Fully Loaded Ride”, by  Kevin Teague , licensed under  CC BY 2.0

Table of Contents

Bike Trailer Mount Systems: Axle Mount Vs Seatpost Mount

The mounting system determines where and how the trailer attaches to the bike. Pretty much every bike trailer mounts to either the rear axle or the seatpost. A few trailers utilize a hitch that bolts to the chainstay. In this section, I’ll outline the pros and cons of each mount design.

Axle Mount Bike Trailers

Axle mount trailers attach to the bike’s rear axle. This the most common bike trailer mount location and design. Generally, single wheel axle mount trailers attach to both sides of the rear axle. They do not pivot side to side. Just up and down. Double wheel axle mount trailers often attach just to the left side of the rear axle. They usually pivot in all directions.

These trailers usually utilize a special quick-release rear skewer that you swap out with the one that came with your bike. The skewer includes a mechanism that allows you to quickly attach and remove the trailer from the axle. These quick-release axles are available in different sizes to fit your bike’s rear dropout spacing. Most work with a variety of hub widths from 126 mm vintage bikes to 197 mm fatbikes.

Some axle mount trailers are compatible with bolt-on and 12 mm thru-axles. Be sure to check for compatibility before you buy an axle mount trailer. In some cases, you may need an adapter for your trailer to fit your axle. To get the correct adapter, you’ll need to measure the thread pitch, diameter, and length of your bolt-on or thru-axle.

Image: “Crossing Stephen’s Pass”, by Robert Ashworth ,  licensed under CC by 2.0

• Easier to avoid obstacles in the road or trail- This is only true of single wheel axle mount trailers. The wheel tracks directly behind your rear wheel. It follows the same line because it doesn’t pivot left and right on the axle. This means your trailer won’t cut a corner and hit a root or rock or go off-trail. It won’t fall into a pothole that you’re trying to avoid. For this reason, axle mount trailers are great for off-road use.
• More stable- Because the trailer mounts to your bike lower to the ground, it doesn’t have the leverage to pull your bike left or right when turning or if the trailer gets hung up on a bump or obstacle. The trailer can’t shove your bike from side to side when braking. The center of gravity is also generally lower. This can improve stability when you’re stopped.
• The cargo area is flat- This is possible because the trailer mounts lower to the ground. Having a flat cargo area makes the trailer easier to load and unload.
• Maneuverability- Axle mount bike trailers make your rig really long. The turning radius is large. This can make navigating narrow trails and busy cities a bit of a challenge. You can’t turn around just anywhere. In fact, you might need to detach the trailer to turn around in some cases.
• More stress on the rear axle and wheel- Even though trailers are pretty easy on bikes in general, axle mount trailers put more weight on the rear wheel. This can cause some wear and tear over time.

Seatpost Mount Bike Trailers

Seatpost mount trailers attach directly to the bike’s seatpost. Usually with some type of proprietary clamp mechanism. Some models have a bar that extends from the seat post and over the rear wheel. This design allows you to use a rear rack and panniers with your trailer.

Seatpost mounted trailers are available in either one or two wheel designs. They typically pivot left and right and up and down at the clamp mechanism where the trailer attaches to the seatpost.

These trailers are compatible with almost any bike because the clamp can adjust to different seat post diameters. The clamp usually includes some type of quick-release mechanism so you can easily remove and replace the trailer.

Image: “buying a steamer trunk by bike”, by jon crel, license CC BY-ND 2.0

• Maneuverability- Seatpost mounted trailers offer a smaller turning radius than axle mounted trailers. This is possible because the trailer pivots left and right closer to the front of the bike. This allows you to more easily navigate through congested cities or tight trails.
• Less stress on the axle and rear wheel and frame- Seatpost mounted trailers more evenly disperse the weight of your gear across your bike.
• Harder to avoid obstacles like potholes, curbs, rocks, etc.- The trailer wheel does not follow your rear bike wheel when you turn. It takes its own path because it pivots side to side. This can pose a challenge when riding technical terrain off-road or through a crowded area in a city. It’s harder to avoid obstacles when you don’t know exactly where your trailer wheel is going. Your trailer could fall off the side of the road when you turn if you’re not careful.
• Less stable- Because the trailer mounts high up on the bike, it has leverage to pull the bike around. For example, if you make a turn and your trailer gets stuck in a pothole or falls off a curb, the trailer can pull your saddle to the side. Essentially, the trailer has the ability to push and pull your bike around. In an extreme case, a fully loaded trailer could pull your bike to the ground.
• You need to be more careful when braking- If you brake hard on the front brake, the trailer can push the rear wheel off the ground and push the bike sideways because the trailer has more leverage on the bike. When using a seatpost mounted trailer, using your rear brakes is important.

One Wheel Vs Two Wheel Bicycle Cargo Trailers

Pretty much all bike trailers have either one or two wheels. On one wheeled trailers, the wheel rolls straight behind your bike’s rear wheel. On two wheeled trailers, the wheels are mounted on either side of the trailer.

The most popular bike cargo trailer designs use one wheel. Both types of trailers are available in axle and seatpost mount designs. In this section, I’ll outline the pros and cons of one vs two wheeled bike trailers to help you decide which is right for your style of touring.

Image: “Русский: Велоприцеп Боб Як” by Findus, licensed under  CC BY-SA 3.0

One Wheel Trailer Pros

• One wheeled trailers are easier to maintain and repair- There is one wheel to maintain instead of two. This means you have one less tire to replace, hub to grease, and wheel to true. This saves you time and money.
• Lighter- The one wheeled design often uses less material so it weighs less. After all, you’re not carrying the extra weight of a second wheel.
• Less rolling resistance- One wheel creates less rolling resistance than two. This increases efficiency because you’re fighting against less friction to accelerate the trailer when it only has one wheel. You’ll burn less energy.
• Better aerodynamics- One wheeled trailers offer a sleeker design that produces less drag. This is particularly important if you like to ride fast. At speeds of around 10 mph and higher, air resistance becomes the main force acting against you while cycling.
• Better handling- One wheeled trailers lean with the bike when you ride. In some cases, you can’t even tell that the trailer is there. For this reason, one wheeled trailers are better for off-road use.
• One wheeled trailers make it easier to avoid obstacles in the road- Because one wheeled trailers are more narrow, you can more easily gauge where the rear wheel is. It follows your rear wheel, more or less. If the trailer doesn’t pivot left and right, the rear wheel follows exactly the same line as your bike’s rear wheel. This makes it easy to avoid potholes, rocks, curbs, etc.
• Can fit through more narrow gaps- The trailer is the same width as the bike. This allows you to ride more narrow trails and between cars in a busy city.
• Smaller- Generally, one wheeled trailers have a more compact design. They are easier to store and transport. This is important if you need to fly with your trailer or haul it in a car.
• Most designs include suspension- Many single wheel trailers offer some type of suspension system. This can improve the ride quality off-road.

One Wheel Trailers Cons

• One wheeled trailers are less stable at slow speeds – Some one wheeled trailers tend to tip over while stopped because they aren’t held up by a second wheel. This is annoying if you do a lot of stop-and-go city riding.
• One wheeled trailers don’t stay upright when they are not attached to the bike- This makes loading and unloading a bit more difficult. To solve this problem, some trailers include a center stand.
• They need to be balanced- When you pack your gear, you need to make sure that it’s weighted evenly between the left and right side of the trailer. If it’s not, the trailer won’t track right and your handling will suffer. The trailer might try to pull your bike to the heavier side.
• You can’t carry tall loads- One wheeled trailers can’t transport tall items with a high center of gravity like furniture or a stack of boxes. The whole trailer and bike would topple over when you stopped.

Image: “My Trek 6500 bike and Burley trailer loaded up for three days on the C&O Trail”, by  Dion Hinchcliffe , licensed under  CC BY-SA 2.0

Two Wheel Trailers Pros

• Easier to load and unload- Two wheeled trailers always sit upright, even when they aren’t attached to the bike. The second wheel keeps the trailer propped up so they don’t tip over.
• More stable at low speed- Two wheeled trailers don’t tip over when you stop or ride at low speeds. This makes them ideal for around-town stop and go use.
• Easier to build- I f you’re handy, you can make a DIY two wheel trailer pretty easily from parts that are available at your local hardware store.
• You can carry tall loads- Because two wheeled trailers don’t tilt to the side when stopped, you can haul tall loads with a high center of gravity.
• You don’t have to worry as much about balancing your gear- Again, they don’t tip over. Of course, if the trailer is widely unbalanced, it may pull to one side.

Two Wheel Trailers Cons

• Two wheeled trailers require more maintenance and repairs- After all, there are two wheels to maintain rather than one. Both wheels experience punctures and broken spokes on occasion. There are two hubs to grease.
• Less efficient- Two wheeled trailers are generally less aerodynamic due to the wide design. They also produce more rolling resistance because there are two wheels that you need to spin up. This just slows you down. You’ll burn more energy and travel at a slightly slower average speed. You won’t be able to cover as much ground as quickly.
• Harder to transport and store- Generally, two wheeled trailers are larger and wider than one wheeled trailers. This makes them harder to transport. This is problematic if you want to fly or take a bus or plane to your touring destination. You might have to pay some oversized luggage fees. They are also harder to store due to the size. They simply take up more space in your home.
• Heavier- The large size and second wheel add weight.
• Wider- You can’t fit through as narrow of gaps while riding through busy areas or narrow trails.
• Harder to avoid potholes- The wheels are offset from your bike’s wheels. This makes it harder to avoid potholes and other obstacles. Because of this, two wheeled trailers aren’t ideal for off-road.

Bike Trailer Materials

The materials that your bike trailer is made of determine its durability, repairability, and weight. Most cargo trailers that are designed for touring are made of either steel or aluminum. Both materials have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Steel trailers offer greater durability. The material doesn’t fatigue like aluminum. It can take more of a beating without failing. Steel trailers are also easier to repair. If the frame brakes, pretty much any welder can fix it. This brings peace of mind when traveling in remote regions or in the developing world. You can find someone who can weld steel pretty much anywhere.

The main drawback of steel is that it is heavy. The added weight reduces efficiency and slows you down. Steel can also rust. For this reason, it’s not an ideal material for long term use near the ocean or in areas that salt the roads during the winter. Steel is also more expensive than aluminum.

Aluminum trailers, on the other hand, are lighter, cheaper, and they don’t rust. The reduced weight increases efficiency.

The main drawback is that aluminum is more difficult to repair if it breaks. The reason is that welding aluminum is more complicated than steel. You may have trouble finding someone who can fix your trailer if it breaks in the middle of nowhere. Aluminum generally isn’t quite as durable as steel. The material fatigues over time and will eventually crack. The trailer probably won’t last quite as long.

Bike Trailer Weight

One of the main reasons bicycle tourists avoid trailers is due to their weight. Most cargo trailers weigh somewhere in the 10-20 pound range (4.5-9 kg). While it is true that trailers generally weight more than a rack and panniers setup, the difference might not be as great as you’d expect.

For example, a standard set of Ortlieb 65 liter front and rear panniers and steel Tubus front and rear racks weigh about 4.5 kg (about 10 pounds). This is one of the most popular rack and pannier setups for bicycle touring.

The BOB Yak bike trailer weighs 6.1 kg (13.4 pounds). This is one of the most popular cargo trailers for touring.

That’s a difference of only 1.6 kilos or 3.5 pounds. Pretty insignificant for most bicycle tourists.

Lighter trailers exist as well. For example, the Free Parable T2 and dry bag weigh 4.8 kg. That’s just 300 grams heavier than a rack and pannier setup.

Bike Trailer Size

One major drawback to bike trailers is their large size. They are bulky and cumbersome. For example, most one wheel axle mount trailers are over 5 feet long (around 152 cm). The Bob Yak measures 63” x 18” x 16” (about 160 x 46 x 41 cm).

Rear racks, in comparison, measure around 15” x 15” x 6” (about 38 x 38 x 15 cm). Front racks are even smaller. Panniers can fold up when not in use. You can easily store them in a closet, under your bed, or even leave them mounted on the bike.

The large size makes trailers harder to transport and store while you’re not riding. If you live in a small apartment or you intend to travel with your trailer often, size is an important consideration. For example, if you want to fly your bike, trailer, and all of your gear to your touring destination, you’ll end up needing to check a bike box plus an additional oversized box with your trailer inside. Fees can add up to hundreds of dollars per flight depending on the airline.

Before you buy a trailer, it is important to consider how you’ll transport it, and where you’ll store it. If standard trailers are too large, you do have another option to consider. That is a foldable trailer.

Bike Trailer Carrying Capacity

When comparing trailers to other bicycle luggage options like panniers or bikepacking bags, it’s important to consider the volume and max load that each can accommodate. After all, it’s not fair to compare an ultralight set of bikepacking bags that hold 40 liters of gear to a heavy-duty trailer that holds 100 liters of gear. The two setups serve different purposes.

Trailer and Pannier Volume Capacity

Volume-wise, trailers can usually accommodate more gear than panniers. Most cargo trailers are designed to carry a large dry bag in the 75-100 liter range. For example, the BOB dry sack has a volume of at 91.8 liters.

Some trailers, like the Burley Coho, offer the option of mounting panniers in addition to a large dry bag. This will increase the total volume up to 140 liters. Trailers also allow you to strap bulky items to the top.

Compare this to a standard set of Ortlieb panniers which holds 65 liters. You can buy extra-large 70 liter rear panniers to bump the max pannier capacity up to 95 liters. You can also mount a 30 liter duffel bag to the top of the rear rack to increase capacity.

Trailer and Pannier Weight Capacity

Weight-wise, most bike cargo trailers, including the BOB Yak, can haul a max load of 70 lbs or 32 kg. There are trailers on the market that can handle up to 100 lbs or 45 kg.

Steel front and rear racks can generally support a heavier load than touring trailers. For example, front and rear Tubus racks can handle about 120 lbs combined if you choose some of their heavier-duty models. One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need some heavy-duty wheels and a strong frame to safely carry that much weight on your bike.

Foldable Trailers

These trailers are designed to fold or come apart. The idea is that you can pack your trailer in the same box as your bicycle while flying. This can save you a considerable amount of money on checked bag fees. It also comes in handy if you have to take a bus or train. As an added bonus, foldable trailers take up less space in your home when they’re not in use.

The main drawback is that foldable trailers often prioritize the compact design over strength. This means they might not have the same carrying capacity as non-folding trailers. They also often use smaller wheels to make them more compact. This can reduce off-road performance.

Bike Trailer Wheel Sizes

Bike trailers are available in a wide range of wheel sizes from 12 inch all the way to 700c. 16 and 20 inch wheels are probably the most common. There are a number of trade-offs you’ll want to consider when deciding between small wheel and large wheel trailers.

Small wheels

The main benefit of smaller wheels in the sizes of 12, 16, 18, and 20 inch is that they are more compact. This makes the trailer easier to pack and store. Particularly if it folds. Another potential benefit is that the trailer sits lower to the ground. This lowers the center of gravity, which can improve handling and stability.

The drawback of small wheels is that they don’t roll over obstacles as well as larger wheels. For example, they can get hung up in potholes, rocks, and roots. They can’t roll up a curb as easily. This makes the ride rougher and limits where you can ride. For this reason, small wheels aren’t ideal for off-road touring or bikepacking.

Large wheels

The main benefit to larger wheels in the sizes of 24” 26”, 650b, and 700c is that they roll over obstacles much easier. Whatever terrain your bike wheels can handle, your trailer wheels can handle as well. Another benefit is that you don’t have to carry as many spare parts if you choose a trailer with wheels that are the same size as your bike. This way, you can use the same tubes, tires, and maybe even spokes to repair your bike wheels and trailer wheel. This allows you to travel lighter.

The main drawback of large wheels is packability. They take up more space, making them harder to pack and transport. If you’re planning to travel often, large wheels may cost you a lot in fees and may limit your transport options.

Trailer Suspension

Some trailers come equipped with a suspension system to help dampen shocks and vibrations from the road. This can improve ride quality and comfort by preventing the trailer from bouncing around too much behind you. Suspension can also protect your load from moving around too much if you’re carrying something fragile. Most suspension trailers use a coil shock. Some models use an air shock.

There are several drawbacks to suspension systems on trailers. First, they add weight. The suspension components weight a couple of pounds. They also add complexity. You’ll need to maintain the shock and replace it when it wears out. They also add a considerable amount of cost. Suspension components are pretty expensive.

Suspension isn’t really necessary for road touring. If you plan to long-distance off-road, you’ll probably be better off with some type of suspension system on your trailer.

Bike Cargo Trailer Pricing

Bike trailers come in a wide range of prices. Lower end options run between $100 and $200. Most of these are two wheeled axle mount designs. These trailers work great for utility use around town and short tours. They may not have the durability that is needed for long-distance touring.

Mid-range options run around $300-$500. These trailers are perfect for long-distance touring. They are well made and durable. They are often pretty heavy. You can find trailers of all designs in this price range.

Premium trailers run around $500-$800. These often include additional features such as a folding design, ultralight design, or shock absorbers. They are perfect for long-distance use.

Bike Cargo Trailer Recommendations

BOB Yak Plus Bike Trailer

BOB makes some of the most popular bike trailers on the market. They are well built, durable, and reasonably priced. These trailers are a great choice for off-road riding. You’ll see plenty of them on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

The Yak Plus is their original model. It is a rear axle mounted trailer with a single 16 inch wheel. It attaches to your bike with a quick-release system. A fender helps to keep your gear clean. The frame is made of strong and durable 4130 Chromoly steel. The trailer weighs 6.1 kgs (13.5 lbs) and can carry up to 32 kgs (70 lbs) of luggage. These trailers include a dry sack. The Yak Plus 28* is also available for 29er and 700c bikes.

Burley Coho XC

This is probably the most versatile and feature-filled trailer on this list. For off-road riders, the Burley Coho features coil spring suspension. This smooths out the ride as well as reduces stress on the trailer and your gear while you’re riding rough terrain. A height adjustable kickstand holds the trailer up while you’re loading and unloading. A special release handle allows you to quickly detach the trailer with one hand. A platform over the rear wheel allows you to secure extra long items on top of your load. The trailer also folds down without requiring any tools. You can pack the parts into the cargo area for easy transport and storage.

The Burley Coho also has a number of optional accessories to make it even more functional. A rear rack can attach over the wheel. This allows you to mount standard panniers for additional storage. Off-road riders can install an extra-wide 16 x 3” rear tire. There are also a few accessory mounts where you can attach extra bottle cages and some of your tools.

The Burley Coho is on the heavier side. Even though it has an aluminum frame, the trailers weighs in at 21.5 lbs. The main cargo area allows for around 70 liters of storage. Burley sells a dry bag that fits perfectly in the storage area. The trailer is rated to hold loads up to 70 lbs (around 32 kg). It can attach to a wide range of bikes with rear axle width ranging from 126 mm all the way to 197 mm fat bikes. It is compatible with quick release rear axles as well as 12 mm through axles.

Burley Nomad Cargo Trailer

This two wheeled trailer from Burley attaches to the rear axle with a unique hitch system. The trailer weighs in at just under 15 lbs (about 6.5 kilos). It features a waterproof cover as well as interior pockets and clips for securing and organizing gear. Possibly the best feature of this trailer is the fact that it folds flat for easy transportation and storage.

This is a great choice for those who carry a lot of gear. This trailer can handle loads of up to 100 lbs (about 45 kilos). As an optional accessory, you can install a cargo rack on top of the trailer. This allows you to lash bulky gear on top, outside of the trailer.

Free Parable T2

This is one of the lightest trailers on the market at just 3.6 kg or 7.9 lbs. It achieves this lightweight by supporting the dry bag with a series of bars underneath instead of a full cage. The Free Parable T2 is also one of the most compact. It folds down small enough that you should be able to fit it in a bike box with your bike. This makes traveling much easier.

The drawback is that this trailer can’t accommodate quite as much gear as other options on this list. The dry bag holds 75 liters and the trailer is rated to hold 30 kg or 66 lbs.

Burley Travoy

This two wheeled trailer attaches to the seat post. The unique design holds your luggage at a 45 degree angle. This evenly distributes the weight over the trailer wheels, reducing the weight on your bike considerably. It basically works like a dolly.

The Burley Travoy weighs 9.8 pounds and can support up to 60 pounds of gear. The best feature of this trailer is the fact that it folds up into a package the size of a briefcase for storage. This makes it ideal for taking on flights. You might even be able to take it as a carry on some flights. You can also use the trailer as a hand cart to roll your gear around while you’re off the bike.

This lightweight trailer would be a great choice for those touring on lightweight bikes or folding bikes. It’s also ideal for those who fly or take trains and buses while touring due to the compact design. This would also be a great choice for those who like to hike while bicycle touring. A hiking backpack would fit perfectly on this trailer.

Topeak Journey Bike Trailer TX

This trailer from Topeak uses a similar design to other one wheel axle mount trailers on the market. The main difference is that Topeak decided to build the frame out of aluminum instead of steel. The result is a much lighter trailer at just 4.85 kg or 10.69 lbs. That’s about 30-40% lighter than similarly designed steel trailers.

The weight capacity is 35 kg or 70 lbs. The dry bag is designed for the trailer. It weighs 1.6 kg or 3.53 lbs. This trailer fits bikes with rear dropout spacing of 130 or 135mm with 26” or 700c wheels. A SlideLock QR attachment allows you to quickly mount and remove the trailer.

Extrawheel Bike Trailers

This Polish company uses a unique single wheel design which creates a second rear rack where you can carry two additional panniers. These trailers weigh around 4.8 kg (10.6lbs) and can carry 35 kg (77 lbs) of gear. They attach to the rear axle with a quick-release skewer.

The best feature of this trailer is that it uses a single 26”, 29”, or 700c wheel. Even a fat-tired version is available. If you match the wheel to your bike’s wheel, you can get away with carrying fewer spares than you would have to with small wheel trailers because you can use the same tires and tubes that your bike uses.

As an added benefit, the larger wheel floats over potholes and uneven terrain better than small wheel trailers, making the Extrawheel one of the best trailers for off-road use.

These trailers are also pretty customizable. You can buy them without a wheel and build your own. You can also choose your own panniers if you wish. The rack uses standard 12 mm tubing.

Schwinn Day Tripper Cargo Bike Trailer

This trailer makes for a great low budget option. The Schwinn Day Tripper uses a two wheel rear axle mount design. It attaches with a quick-release system. This trailer can handle loads weighing up to 100 lbs. It also collapses down for easy storage. It uses 16 inch wheels and includes a waterproof cover. This probably isn’t the most durable or well-built trailer on the market but it’s a solid choice if you’re on a tight budget.

Bike Friday Trailer and Folding Bike

This final option isn’t just a trailer. It’s a whole bike and trailer system. Bike Friday makes folding touring bikes that pack down into a suitcase that converts into a bike trailer once you reach your destination.

The suitcase/trailer is small enough that it can be checked as a standard-sized piece of luggage on most flights. This way, you avoid oversized luggage fees. This option isn’t for everyone but if you fly often and want to bring a bike, it may be perfect for you.

Bike Trailer Benefits

• You can use any bike- The trailer carries all of the weight of your luggage. This means you don’t need a heavy duty steel frame, 36 spoke wheels, or braze-ons for racks. You can ride whatever bike you want including carbon fiber frames, low-end bikes, folding bikes, full-suspension mountain bikes, fat bikes, recumbent bikes, or whatever bike you already have. Trailers are compatible with pretty much any bike.
• Trailers can carry bulky items- The large open cargo area allows you to carry oversized luggage such as a large tent, sleeping bag, hiking backpack, firewood, etc. You can also easily strap bulky items on top of your regular load. If you wanted, you could carry a surfboard, skis, guitar, etc.
• Some bike components last longer- Using a trailer puts less wear and tear on your bike. The trailer holds the weight and takes the wear instead. When you use a trailer, you’ll get more miles out of your rims, tires, frame, and hubs. You should also experience fewer broken spokes and flat tires caused by pinched tubes.
• Better handling- Because the trailer takes the weight of your luggage off of your bike, the bike feels unloaded while riding. It becomes more nimble. Some riders find that trailers make it easier to handle rough terrain while riding off-road.
• There is one bag instead of four- Trailers use one large dry bag to hold your luggage instead of 4 panniers. Some riders find it easier to carry around a single bag. Some drybags even include wheels to make them easier to move around off the bike.
• More luggage capacity- Generally, a trailer cargo area accommodates a 75-90 liter dry bag. There is also space to tie extra gear on top. A standard set of panniers, like Ortliebs, holds 65 liters of gear.

Bike Trailer Drawbacks

• More complex design- A trailer has wheels that need to be maintained. There are hubs to grease, tires to replace, tubes that can puncture, and spokes that can break. The wheels might need to be trued occasionally as well.
• Heavier- As outlined above, a trailer usually weighs more than a comparable rack and panniers. The difference usually isn’t too significant though.
• You cant ride as fast- Bike trailers tend to shake and sway at speed. It is not recommended to ride faster than 25 mph with most trailers.
• Trailers are cumbersome- It can be a hassle to transport and store a trailer. It might not fit on a bus or train. You might even have trouble parking your bike sometimes. Some
• spare parts might be hard to find- Trailer wheels are often smaller than standard bike wheels. If you need tires, spokes, or a rim while touring through a remote region, you might have trouble finding the parts you need.
• Harder to avoid obstacles in the road- While riding down a pothole-filled road, you can’t avoid the bumps as easily with a trailer. Particularly a two wheeled trailer. You might be in for a bumpy ride.
• Looks- Trailers attract even more attention than a fully loaded touring bike with racks and panniers. Some riders prefer to blend in.

For a more in-depth analysis, check out my bike trailer vs panniers pros and cons list.

Final Thoughts

Cargo trailers offer an excellent alternative to panniers or bikepacking bags. They are easy on the bike, allow you to carry bulky items easily, make it easy to mount and remove your luggage. You can also pair a trailer with pretty much any bike.

When it comes to choosing a trailer, you have plenty of options. The main design choices are seatpost mount vs axle mount and one vs two wheel. Hopefully, this guide makes the decision a bit easier.

If you’re still not sure whether or not trailers are for you, check out my pros and cons list to help you decide. Another popular luggage option to consider is bikepacking bags.

What is your favorite type of bike cargo trailer? Share your tips and experience in the comments below!

More from Where the Road Forks

• The Ideal Bikepacking or Bicycle Touring Tool Kit and Spare Parts List
• Tandem Bike Touring: Pros and Cons
• How to Convert an Old Mountain Bike into a Touring Bike
• How to Choose a Touring Bike

Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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