I've got a new friend. His name is BOB.
No, I'm not "coming out of the closet." BOB is my new utility trailer. BOB stands for "Beast of Burden" Trailers, from San Luis Obispo, CA, and their Yak Trailer is the best thing since sliced bread.
The trailer retails for $224, and the optional 5700 cu. in. Yak Sak weather resistant duffel is $34. Together, the pair give you absolutely no excuse for taking your car to the supermarket, post office, or whatever.
BOB can haul up to 70 pounds of gear. It is very low to the ground, and, unlike other trailers on the market, rides along on one wheel, a 16-inch wheel just like those find on juvenile bikes. BOB connects and disconnects to your bike in a snap, using a special quick release skewer for your rear wheel. BOB can work on virtually any bike, from road to mountain to tandem. I have BOB attached to my Giant mountain bike, and just leave it there, ready for any errand that needs to be run (or is that ridden?).
BOB's design keeps your center of gravity low to the ground. I have, however, stacked things on quite high, and bungied them in place. I have hauled over 50 pounds of parcels to the post office, and while stacking them high makes handling a little wobbly, I am pleased to report that I did make it OK. In fact, nearly every parcel we have sent out from Ultra Sports Marketing in the past few weeks has gone to the P.O. on BOB.
Handling is quite nice, especially if you keep your load low. Headwinds don't pose much trouble, but crosswinds can slow you a little. Even with 50 pounds, I could keep in the low 20s with a tailwind, while in headwinds, I would range between 13 and 15. BOB handles well on dirt and pavement, even on washboards. About the only place I wouldn't feel comfortable with BOB would be singletrack.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for excuses to run into town. As a joke, I made a beer run with BOB last week before attending a get-together at a friend's home. The cargo survived just fine, thank you, and was immediately consumed.
If you are wondering about that 16-inch wheel, have no fear. Spare tubes are readily available at any store that stocks juvenile bike equipment, like Wal Mart. I should know....I already managed to pick up a goathead and ruin one tube.
BOB is the perfect way to say "NO" to high gas prices, and thumb your nose at our auto-centric lifestyle. As my long-time friend Carl "Carl's Bad" Sawicki said to me, "Don't you just feel so smug when you bring BOB to town?"
You betcha.
(For more info on BOB, see your local shop, or e-mail me - GERLICH@wtamu-cob.wtamu.edu.)
(Article came through the Internet--ed.)