CliffordK

Ok, so I have my own unique car-free utility cycling.

I've gotten into the habit of checking out local thrift stores. Sunday I found an outside canopy. Canvas, with lots of poles. So, paid for it and put it on hold.

I got back to the store Monday with my trailer. I went around back, and they said to pick it up in front of the store. So, back around front, handed my ticket to a sales lady and sent her off.

She came back with 3 women, pushing a cart and carrying pieces of it. And, asked where my car was parked.

In a matter of fact voice, I said my bicycle was parked out front.

I'm not sure she believed me at first... then as I insisted my bike was out front, she changed from disbelief to puzzlement, or perhaps just thinking I was insane.

It actually fit well on the trailer, and really wasn't that heavy.

CargoCanopy.jpg

I suppose one can think of it as a negative, but sometimes the reactions of people when one shows up to pick stuff up with a bike can be a little fun.

I've also bought bike parts off of Craigslist. Most people expect drivers to be coming, but quickly realize how fitting it is to pick up bike parts by bike.

Oh, some of the thrift stores also know me for putting the oddest things on hold, that most ordinary people could toss in the seat next to them... but just don't fit into what I was carrying that day.

Maelochs

Your bike is an abomination ... a truly beautiful abomination. i like it a lot.

Did you build it yourself?

I know we went on about cargo bikes in another thread ... if you said everything there, let me know and I will search it out.{/quote] I am serious avbout this. I want to find out about your bike.

is it home-built? is it some odd small-volume model? What kind of mechanicals does it have?

50PlusCycling

Mine is parked in an underground mechanized labyrinth. I touch my apartment key to a sensor, and in a few minutes my car rises from the depths, the garage door opens, and I can drive it away. This can take anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes, depending on how deeply in the maw my car is hidden.

It is such a pain to get out the car, and put it back, I use my bike most of the time. The biggest thing I have ever carried on my bike is another bike, still in it's shipping box.

Fritzov

My car is parked out on the street and i have to move it once a week due to 7 days limit to parking on the street

cooker

My car is parked at home, my bike is in the chain-link fenced compound here outside my office.

samatthias

I don't have car. I use a shared car community or a rental service if I need one (move large furnitures, make great distance travelling into non-city areas with no or less public transport) or I take the railroad. I have two trailers: One for the kids (2 kids) and one for goods. At the moment I'm thinking about to buy a set with wheels and a clutch where you can make your own trailers within minutes for special puposes.

Best regards
Matt

PdalPowr

Good for you.

Every time I see your bike,
it says all business to me.

CliffordK

I've posted photos of it from time to time. Some of the early photos got stuck here:

Steyr Clubman / Mongoose Massif Custom Hybrid Cargo Bike | Rat Rod Bikes

The bike does its job, but it is truly quite a bit heavier than I'd like. I don't have an exact weight of the bike + trailer, but the two of them come out to somewhat over 100 lbs, or 150 lbs. And, thus it starts eating into one's cargo pulling capacity. And, it isn't the most fun bike to ride, so it stays parked except when needed.

The trailer uses a straight tongue, and Heim Joint, so the bike + trailer make a matched pair. The trailer frame was designed to be a dual layer, but as my first aluminum project, I barely got the bottom deck made, and I do like flatbeds. I should "finish" it someday, but it works well as-is. And, so far is TOUGH. Trailer wheels are pretty much stock Schwinn 16x3 wheels + moped tires. I meant to try to connect the original coaster brakes, but so far they haven't proven to be that necessary.

I also have an issue with flex. Not a big deal when riding on the flat, but it becomes an issue with coasting downhill being pushed by a heavy trailer. I probably damaged the Steyr Clubman frame some when welding it, and I'd have been better off with a more rigid MTB frame out front.

Most of the time I'm pulling the trailer with it, so I'm thinking about a re-design specifically for trailer pulling.

CliffordK

If only I motorized it like most of the other heavy haulers out there.

But, "business" and "personal" needs are in fact different.

But, yes, when it gets out in the wild... it is out to WORK.

Rollfast

I have no idea as I had my parents sell it in 2007.

CliffordK

Oh, the car was sold?

Maelochs

Thanks, @CliffordK. I will check out that thread.

wipekitty

I had a similar thrift shop experience...picking up a little hutch cupboard thing for the living room. They insisted on helping me out with it, and I showed them my bike trailer, parked right outside the front door

B. Carfree

I had a similar response at Sears a decade ago when I purchased a five-foot chest freezer. For that trip, I borrowed a trailer that had been built by a local non-profit, The Center for Appropriate Transportation (CAT). Shortly thereafter, a neighbor and I purchased one together after the customer for whom it was intended backed out of the deal.

I always enjoy the reactions of the clerks at the Home Depot when I purchase sheets of plywood, lumber and concrete or some such for projects. In fact, I've yet to see anyone leave that store with more loaded in their SUV or pick-up than I carry on my bike trailer.

Rollfast

Dude, I miss the unsecured Cheetos deposits at the Bank Of Frito-Lay. That and the bike radio can't compare.

Maelochs

Thanks, CliffordK, I checked out that site.

What a monstrosity! You could almost open a towing service ---for cars---with a bike like that!

PdalPowr

Quote




[/QUOTE]

That picture with your bike's front wheel in the air reminds me
of a rampant horse chomping at the bit and ready for anything.
I know you may feel your bike may be a bit of a clunker but
you have also hauled home incredibly heavy items that
would have immediately collapsed some of the store bought trailers.
What you have done is made a working prototype. From what I have
read you know through observation and experience exactly what you want.

CliffordK

It looks like better job parking with the trailer cropped from the photo..



Loads would be heavy for Burley style trailers. But, there are a few competitors making heavy duty trailers. It is pretty easy to get to a point where trailer maximum capacity exceeds pedaling capacity.

I have quite a few ideas of what works and what doesn't. So, it is time to get off the duff and build a second or third prototype.

I really like my 16x3 (12x3) trailer tires, but unfortunately it is hard to find bare rims. I'll have to spend some time hunting for sources shortly.

B. Carfree mentioned the CAT trailer. Their design is different, mostly seatpost pulled. But, their big trailer is monstrously heavy. I'm not sure I'd want to pull it without power assist, especially if one has to climb hills.

CAT probably use their trailer more than I use my bike, but I've heard complaints about them periodically losing trailer wheels I really like the wrap around mounts for rear axles which seem to be falling out of favor with many trailer manufacturers.

One thing, I can never quite get used to the Q-Factor on the FAT bike. So, that will change with the next incarnation.

biketourjapan

Wow, I am still putting groceries in a big backpacking pack... gotta step up my game!

Zedoo

In a junkyard. I said goodbye to an old frenemy.

CliffordK

Roads, bike paths, bike lanes, whatever.

I try to take into account how busy a road is, road shoulders, bike lanes/paths, and etc when choosing my routes. Also hills, even small ones when I'm riding heavy.

For the most part, I can choose roads that are reasonably protected, or have light traffic.

PdalPowr

Its the cars that have to be worried.
You weigh more than they do.

PdalPowr

No trailer yet but today was the first day of the Season where I did groceries by bike.
I am moving soon so no chance to make or modify a trailer.
I was looking at a childs wagon but the quality ones
are as expensive as a dedicated trailer.

Chris0516

My cars

1. Ferrari Maranello
2. Nissan 350Z
3. Porsche Boxster
4. Lamborghini Countach
5. Alfa Romeo
6. Chevrolet Corvette

are parked in the recesses of my mind, lol

bicyclridr4life

In answer to the OP's question "Where is your car parked?"

I have no idea where my last car is parked.
If I had to guess, I'd say it is probably in a junk yard by now, or recycled into a refrigerator or something.
I sold it in 1995, and have not owned a car since.
Considering the cost of a car, fuel, insurance, registration, etc., I doubt I will ever own another one.

My bike and trike take me wherever I need to go.