@xtaran asks:
Q3. Do you prefer a specific bicycle trailer hitch system? If so, which and why?
If you know only the one(s) you've used so far: Which one is it and where do you see advantages and disadvantages?
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
@xtaran @bikenite A3. Let's see, I've used a couple types of hitches for trailers or trail-a-bikes:
* ball-type that attaches at rear axle
* bikes at work style where the hitch clamps onto seat stay and(?) chainstay
* small hitch that clamps to seatpost
* special rear rack that a Burley trail--a-bike attaches to
The rear axle/low mount ones are kind of nice, I like those. The ones that mount on the seatpost interfere with a rear rack and sometimes my thighs, so I like those less. The ones that attach to the rack feel nice, I think I like those and the axle mount the best.
One downside with the axle mount is that sometimes it's easier to trip on the arm of the trailer because it's low and you forget about where it is.
A3. I generally like the Burley Classic hitch for being pretty straightforward to attach and detach, and secure to ride with. It's not enough for really heavy loads, though; for those, the Bikes At Work hitch is all right, but can sometimes be tricky to line up correctly.
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite I'm a big fan of the Surly system (I think I've only used that and the Burley one). It hooks on both sides, so it's much stronger and it can flex in basically every direction so it's a smoother ride, you barely feel attached to the trailer. It does require a special axle, which is the downside, but it fits most common thru-axle and quick-release sizes so it's probably fine for 99% of bikes. I wish I had a good video of it moving around, it's really cool to see how you can lean hard into a turn without having it get in the way or restrict your movement at all!
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A3: I prefer rod end bearings, 12mm/half inch and make the failure point somewhere else. 10mm ones break too easily. They bolt on to the bike so you need tools.
Also, you should ideally weld a longnut to the bike rather than making a mounting plate that the rear axle goes through. My load bike has the welded mount, I probably still have the axle mount somewhere.
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A3: I have strong opinions and some experience :)
I mostly carry heavy things, so for small loads my experience isn't hugely relevant. The chain-in-spring hitches are cheap, robust and fairly long lasting but bounce annoyingly when riding. Most commercial hitches are more expensive, weaker and much easier to break.
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite #BikeNite A3. I have just seen the cheap, runo-of-the-mill bicycle trailer systems on lower end trailers, and the issues I have run into.
1. Almost impossible to mount/use on a road bike... it was very iffy. Though maybe putting a trailer on a racing bike is a bad idea.
2. One sided mounting on the system seemed to put a LOT of stress on one spot. Fine on a steel bike, but I don't think I'd do that on anything else.
@ai6yr @ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A4: you might be surprised at how many people approach bike shops wanting things like that. Or to fit racks to carry 30kg of gear on a carbon frame not designed for it.
At least with single speed bikes you can usually axle mount a trailer hitch and it kind of works (I rode a fixie home from mass towing a small trailer once, the original rider had an allergic reaction so needed something with gears and brakes. I do not recommend that combo)
@ascentale @bikenite #BikeNite A3: I like the 2nd generation (and IIRC still current), round Croozer hitch, as they allow to fold in the chainstay of a Brompton without detaching the trailer.
Previously they had a similar, but rectangular one with a strong spring on the trailer side instead of a universal joint without tension and was horribly tedious to mount and unmount due to the tension caused by the spring. (Granted. that spring on the trailer side is not mandatory.)
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A3: Mine are Schwinn side-of-axle attachment system, but only because the two trailer frames I salvaged to build new trailers used it. I'd kind of like something less difficult, to be honest, but it's what I've got and it works well enough.
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A3 continuance: Of course, I did built a custom hitch _attachment_ for my bike, so there's a lot more heft to it than it would have were it actually attached to the axle.
https://mastodon.murkworks.net/@moira/112662783416337162
Still working a year and... eight months later ^_^
@xtaran @ascentale @bikenite The spring in the trailer arm? Not really. Mostly it gives you more flexibility to make the stupid holes line up, which is what's difficult about it.
@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A3. I've only experienced two options myself: chainstay clamps and ball and cup hitches.
Chainstay clamps are awful unless you have rim brakes. They are completely incompatible with disc brakes.
Ball and cup hitches are pretty nice but depends on your frame having some room on the axle.
@edd @ascentale @xtaran @bikenite Bikes At Work makes two trailer hitches, and one of them is an axle + chainstay clamp that worked fine with my disc brakes.
But yes, it's *really* going to depend on the bike geometry and brake mount location.
I really like the B@W hitch system because you can lean the bike flat on either side. Fiddly to attach but not grievously so.
A3: The only one I've used is for the Burley Travoy. It's a peg with a latch at the top. The trailer has a tough semiflexible plastic hitch that slips over the peg and the latch keeps it from bouncing off.
It's available as both a semipermanent part the bolts on to the seatpost, or a quick release clamp.
It doesn't allow tall cargo on the rear rack when the trailer is attached. A mid size trunk bag fits, but not a milk crate.
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It takes a bit of force to disconnect sometimes. I have to push down on the seat as I pull up on the trailer arm while holding the latch so I'm always a bit worried I'll squash by fingers between the trailer arm and the underside of the seat.
It's inherently designed for handcart type trailers rather than conventional ones. I know there are some other such trailers, but I don't know how compatible their hitches are.
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