Bob Yak Trailer? XCountry tour, thoughts?

[Kittery Rider]

Sorry, strange way to quote.  What are rackless frame bags?

Thanks

[RussSeaton]

What are rackless frame bags?

http://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/equipment/bikepacking/sp/revelate-designs-tangle-frame-bag/

https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=33
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=35
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMW3

[newfydog]

Some say the additional 13 pounds of the trailer is an issue, but the Arkel GT-54 rear panniers weigh 6.6 lbs (Arkel) and the fronts are 4.2 lbs.  The is 10.8 lbs verses 13 lbs for the BOB.  The difference is 2.2 lbs.  Big deal.

Add the weight of the bag in the BOB
Remove the weight of the front panniers and rack. 
 my wife rides the Great Divide with full camping gear  with less weight than an empty BoB and Bag.

[Kittery Rider]

I'd sure like to see her gear list.  I have been backpacking for years and sure can't imagine a base weight that low.  Even for an Ultralighter.  Please post her gear list. 
thanks

Some say the additional 13 pounds of the trailer is an issue, but the Arkel GT-54 rear panniers weigh 6.6 lbs (Arkel) and the fronts are 4.2 lbs.  The is 10.8 lbs verses 13 lbs for the BOB.  The difference is 2.2 lbs.  Big deal.

Add the weight of the bag in the BOB
Remove the weight of the front panniers and rack. 
 my wife rides the Great Divide with full camping gear  with less weight than an empty BoB and Bag.

[newfydog]

When we first had this conversation on the trail she had just caught and dropped a bunch of young guys on Montana's Fleeser Ridge.   Her load full was lighter than their load empty.

 We're on smooth riding titanium hardtails instead of some full suspension beast, so we have about a  4 lb headstart there,

The ubiquitous yellow BOB bag adds another 2.8 lbs

That trailer contraption is 13 lbs, the one with suspension is 17

So, for her load to be lighter than those guys empty, she needs to keep it down to 16-24 lbs. 

If you don't think that can be done, it is time for you to do some research.  We have gear from Tarptent, Mont bell, sea to summit, golite etc   Here's some lists of of far lighter setups:

http://www.driven2divide.com/2012/06/27/ollie-whalleys-tour-divide-gear-list-setup-tour-divide-2012/

http://yogiing.com/hiker/abela/

[staehpj1]

I'd sure like to see her gear list.  I have been backpacking for years and sure can't imagine a base weight that low.  Even for an Ultralighter.

That weight sounds very possible, even pretty normal to me.  I have gone with similar weights on a few trips without even going crazy with a lot of super expensive gear.  I posted some notes on some of my experiences with ever lighter packing at:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Ultralight

I have found that going light is liberating in more ways than just having a lighter load.  There is also the simplified lifestyle and the lack of extra stuff to dig through.It may not be for everyone, but for those who it suits it is a great way to go.

[Kittery Rider]

[I  re-read your post and I was a bit confused on your numbers.  That is a normal weight.  I will pull a yak with  rigid mtb bike and keep the weight down.quote author=newfydog link=topic=11364.msg63194#msg63194 date=1393209024]
When we first had this conversation on the trail she had just caught and dropped a bunch of young guys on Montana's Fleeser Ridge.   Her load full was lighter than their load empty.

 We're on smooth riding titanium hardtails instead of some full suspension beast, so we have about a  4 lb headstart there,

The ubiquitous yellow BOB bag adds another 2.8 lbs

That trailer contraption is 13 lbs, the one with suspension is 17

So, for her load to be lighter than those guys empty, she needs to keep it down to 16-24 lbs. 

If you don't think that can be done, it is time for you to do some research.  We have gear from Tarptent, Mont bell, sea to summit, golite etc   Here's some lists of of far lighter setups:

http://www.driven2divide.com/2012/06/27/ollie-whalleys-tour-divide-gear-list-setup-tour-divide-2012/

http://yogiing.com/hiker/abela/
[/quote]

[PeteJack]

FWIW I've been told this by a rider who says he saw it happen. If you go fast downhill with a single wheel trailer they can start to bounce and there's a danger, if you don't brake very carefully, of a crash caused by the trailer jacknifing.

I have to say I'm biased I like to go fast downhill and my 520 with four paniers descends like it's on rails. Last summer I started to get the slightest shake going down Going to the Sun. When I got back to my LBS it turns out I had a worn out headset.

[gpshay]

I have a BOB .. one of the cons I encountered was I had to be very much aware of keeping the bike vertical when I stopped or dismounted .. if I leaned the bike to much when dismounting the weight of the BOB would also start to fall and it became clumbersome to try and keep it upright .. this just added unnessary stress since the BOB is attached to the rear dropouts of the bike one does not need to bend one for no reason other than carelessness on the part of the rider which was me .. once I dismount successfully I would set my double legged bike kickstand then keeping one hand on the bike at all times I would make my way back to the BOB .. now the BOB is balancing on its rear wheel and is dependant on the bike to keep it upright .. you dont have a lot of wiggle room here .. the BOB needs a kickstand of sorts or you need to stradle the BOB if you are going to try and get anything out of its' dry bag .. while it is still connected to the bike .. and yes you can lean  the bike and the trailer against something solid if it is available buy you know thats not always the case .. so just know there are some inherent issues when stopping and or dismounting when using a trailer .. also I ran into a problem when I used a motel and the room was on the second floor .. either the bike or the trailer goes up first leaving one unattended .. like a lot of us I have a lot of money and time invested in both my gear and bike ... I just added a bit more concerns .. Now when I was moving I didnt even know it was there .. it was easy to pull .. easy to negotiate most tight squeezes .. although there were some that dismounting was necessary.. this next tour I am trying Panniers for those reasons mentioned .. and I probably wont like the added wind resistance that I pick up with the Panniers .. we will see .. One practice I do when riding is I carry a 12" velcro cinch strap that I use to secure the front wheel to the "down tube" this keeps the front wheel straight ...hope this helps a bit .. Glenn in Phx.   

[100#fury]

Regarding jackknifing - see this post about making the BOB ride better. Good tips here.

http://www.robertaxleproject.com/2014/05/18/bike-touring-bob-trailer-better-bob-ride/