I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
remove the front wheel.

I am looking for a carrier like:

--> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier

or

--> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount

or

--> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray

Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.

Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
the trailer.

Am I missing any I should consider?

Thank you.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 6:03:47 PM UTC-7, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
> trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
> I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
> remove the front wheel.
>
> I am looking for a carrier like:
>
> --> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
>
> or
>
> --> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount
>
> or
>
> --> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
>
> Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.
>
> Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
> front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
> the trailer.
>
> Am I missing any I should consider?
>
> Thank you.

So if I understand correctly, you're towing a tandem on a trailer behind another
bike. Can I ask what fabricating skills you have? (Did you build the trailer?)

It seems to me that the wheel holding brackets on those racks could be fairly
easily installed on some long beam bought elsewhere - perhaps a rectangular
steel tube, an aluminum extrusion or even a wooden 2x4. The latter could be used for
prototyping, if not for a permanent solution. Fasten that onto your trailer.
(I'd recommend something sort of tubular, not just a flat U shape, so it had sufficient
torsional rigidity.)

FWIW, I had to extend our roof rack to allow carrying our tandem. I used some
square steel tube, probably 1.5" square. I welded on certain attachments to allow
easily clamping it to the existing rack. It's worked well for decades. But I'm able
to remove the front wheel and use a standard quick release to grip the fork ends.
I wonder if you should modify the tandem to allow that.

- Frank Krygowski

On Sat, 9 Apr 2022 18:59:43 -0700 (PDT), in rec.bicycles.tech Frank
Krygowski <frkrygow@gmail.com> wrote:

>So if I understand correctly, you're towing a tandem on a trailer behind another
>bike. Can I ask what fabricating skills you have? (Did you build the trailer?)

May I ask you a question: what difference does it make where I got the
trailer?

On 4/9/2022 11:29 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Apr 2022 18:59:43 -0700 (PDT), in rec.bicycles.tech Frank
> Krygowski <frkrygow@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> So if I understand correctly, you're towing a tandem on a trailer behind another
>> bike. Can I ask what fabricating skills you have? (Did you build the trailer?)
>
> May I ask you a question: what difference does it make where I got the
> trailer?

I'm just trying to get an idea of your mechanical skills. If you built
the trailer, you could certainly understand and accomplish the rest of
what I advised.

--
- Frank Krygowski

On 4/9/2022 8:03 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
> trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
> I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
> remove the front wheel.
>
> I am looking for a carrier like:
>
> --> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
>
> or
>
> --> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount
>
> or
>
> --> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
>
> Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.
>
> Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
> front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
> the trailer.
>
> Am I missing any I should consider?
>
> Thank you.
>

Since you have some metalworking skills I'd suggest a
free/cheap trainer with outside over-axle mounts :

https://primetoplist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sportneer-Bike-Trainer-2.jpg

Ditch the resistance unit. weld or bolt it to your trailer.
Add a front wheel locator (enough to keep it from sliding
around) and yes, guy straps to the captain's seatpost.

Thule used to sell a rooftop tandem carrier of that design,
easy to use and quite secure.

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> On 4/9/2022 8:03 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
>> I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
>> trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
>> I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
>> remove the front wheel.
>>
>> I am looking for a carrier like:
>>
>> --> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
>>
>> or
>>
>> --> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount
>>
>> or
>>
>> --> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
>>
>> Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.
>>
>> Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
>> front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
>> the trailer.
>>
>> Am I missing any I should consider?
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>
> Since you have some metalworking skills I'd suggest a
> free/cheap trainer with outside over-axle mounts :
>
> https://primetoplist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sportneer-Bike-Trainer-2.jpg
>
> Ditch the resistance unit. weld or bolt it to your trailer.
> Add a front wheel locator (enough to keep it from sliding
> around) and yes, guy straps to the captain's seatpost.
>
> Thule used to sell a rooftop tandem carrier of that design,
> easy to use and quite secure.
>

Is anything preventing you from using the rear wheel of the tandem as they
back half of your trailer (eg: lash the front wheel of the tandem to a very
small trailer and just let the back end follow along behind)?

On Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 4:35:57 PM UTC-7, Ralph Barone wrote:
> AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> > On 4/9/2022 8:03 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> >> I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
> >> trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
> >> I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
> >> remove the front wheel.
> >>
> >> I am looking for a carrier like:
> >>
> >> --> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
> >>
> >> or
> >>
> >> --> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount
> >>
> >> or
> >>
> >> --> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
> >>
> >> Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.
> >>
> >> Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
> >> front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
> >> the trailer.
> >>
> >> Am I missing any I should consider?
> >>
> >> Thank you.
> >>
> >
> > Since you have some metalworking skills I'd suggest a
> > free/cheap trainer with outside over-axle mounts :
> >
> > https://primetoplist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sportneer-Bike-Trainer-2.jpg
> >
> > Ditch the resistance unit. weld or bolt it to your trailer.
> > Add a front wheel locator (enough to keep it from sliding
> > around) and yes, guy straps to the captain's seatpost.
> >
> > Thule used to sell a rooftop tandem carrier of that design,
> > easy to use and quite secure.
> >
> Is anything preventing you from using the rear wheel of the tandem as they
> back half of your trailer (eg: lash the front wheel of the tandem to a very
> small trailer and just let the back end follow along behind)?

Back in the 80's it was often convenient to ride a bike to where were were going to purchase a bike hook the for to the rear wheel and tie its front wheel to the left side of the bike and go home with the new bike in tow.

On 4/9/2022 6:03 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> I am searching for a bicycle carrier to use on a dedicated bicycle
> trailer that is essentially just a cargo rack with wheels. The cycle
> I want to carry has ~ a 70" wheel base (tandem). I cannot easily
> remove the front wheel.
>
> I am looking for a carrier like:
>
> --> Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
>
> or
>
> --> Thule UpRide roof top bike rack wheel mount
>
> or
>
> --> Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
>
> Any of these would work fine if they were about 16 or 18" longer.
>
> Of course, the bicycle would have to be secured with guy-straps; the
> front wheel clamp would hold it vertical as I finished strapping it to
> the trailer.
>
> Am I missing any I should consider?
>
> Thank you.

A long time ago I purchased the Graber tandem roof rack, from Nashbar
which was essentially two single mounts but with a long wheel tray (two
piece). No front wheel removal. I used on my Thule crossbars. It held
the frame at two points and was highly adjustable. It was very stable
since it was held upright in two places and the frame clamp came from
the side, nut up from the middle. It didn't come with any locking
mechanism so a separate cable lock was necessary.

I'm sure that you could find two single mounts that could be hacked to
properly carry a tandem. Probably something like the Thule 598001 which
also has the frame clamp come in from the side.

On Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:35:51 -0000 (UTC), in rec.bicycles.tech Ralph
Barone <ralph@invalid.com> wrote:

>Is anything preventing you from using the rear wheel of the tandem as they
>back half of your trailer (eg: lash the front wheel of the tandem to a very
>small trailer and just let the back end follow along behind)?

Only my fear; however, that is significant.

Here's one:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/peruzzo-roma-tandem-bike-roof-mounted-carrier/rp-prod205391

It's Italian; doesn't look like there are many importers.
"www.chainreactioncycles.com" has *terrible* reviews.

On 4/25/2022 3:30 PM, Onomatopoeia *BOOM*! wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:35:51 -0000 (UTC), in rec.bicycles.tech Ralph
> Barone <ralph@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>> Is anything preventing you from using the rear wheel of the tandem as they
>> back half of your trailer (eg: lash the front wheel of the tandem to a very
>> small trailer and just let the back end follow along behind)?
>
> Only my fear; however, that is significant.
>
> Here's one:
> https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/peruzzo-roma-tandem-bike-roof-mounted-carrier/rp-prod205391
>
> It's Italian; doesn't look like there are many importers.
> "www.chainreactioncycles.com" has *terrible* reviews.

Weird drawing of a tandem with the timing chain on the same side as the
regular chain. I've not seen a tandem like that.

That just looks like a single bicycle carrier with a longer tray.

Look at <https://www.1up-usa.com/product/tandem-roof-tray/>. It holds
the bicycle by both wheels and doesn't clamp the frame so it's safe for
carbon fiber frames.

When I use my Graber tandem rack it clamps the frame in two places and
the uprights need to be positioned directly above the crossbars. This
works fine on some vehicles, not fine on others.

For tandems, avoid racks that clamp the front fork into the rack (not a
good idea in general, but especially not for tandems).

On Mon, 11 Apr 2022 08:03:48 -0700 (PDT), in rec.bicycles.tech Tom
Kunich <cyclintom@gmail.com> wrote:

>Back in the 80's it was often convenient to ride a bike to where were were going to purchase a bike hook the for to the rear wheel and tie its front wheel to the left side of the bike and go home with the new bike in tow.

When I was a kid in Japan, I recall seeing the Japanese kids riding
one bike and pulling two more along... one with each hand.