Below is my response to a similar query a few
months ago. To that response I will add:
If we need to use one trailer (if there's only one
person available to haul), we eliminate one of the
tables and one or both canopies.
- tool list: pretty much everything, we fill up
three large tool boxes, two with three drawers and
top shelf each, we keep the tool boxes on a
plastic folding table.
- cargo bike vs. trailer vs. both - I like
trailers because they're stable and cheaper, if
there's a mechanical problem you can switch
bikes. Trailers are not as attractive as the
cargo bike in the LAB article, though, or this
one:
http://www.preenbulle.ch/26/v%C3%A9lomobile
(dowload the actives_mobiles.pdf)
- consumable parts list (tires, tubes, lube, et
al) - all we bring are tubes, cables, housing,
some rim tape, brake pads, small parts drawers,
chains, ball bearings... we aren't really able to
carry wheels or tires. Actually, we could
probably get some tires on there.
- what advocacy stuff to include (banners,
stickers, brochures, and how to carry them) - we
have a plastic waterproof file box that we carry
our email list signup sheets, flyers, brochures,
donation jar, stickers, spoke cards, buncha
stuff... a lot of this goes out on a table.
- booth, tent, other - two 12x12 ezups and two
folding tables (plastic ones are lighter than
particle board)
- other issues I'm short-sighted on... getting
people to haul the trailers or bikes can be a bit
tricky sometimes, because they have to be there
earliest and stay latest.
We're mobile, looking to establish ourselves in a
building, but mobile for now. We use two medium
Bikes At Work trailers to haul everything - three
big tool boxes (two with drawers), two canopies, two
folding tables, truing stand, three folding repair
stands, two 18-gallon tubs (holding small parts
drawers, cables, housing, tubes, etc.), two
collapsible chairs, 2-gallon container for lubes and
cleaners, two pumps, banner, lil' trash can, file
box for flyers, brochures, paperwork, etc.
Advantages:
-You can keep stuff on the trailers so you don't
need to unload/reload at home base.
-Bikes are fun and make you look cool
-No rent, no gas
-Easier to store and manage than a truck trailer - I
think you need special registration for those.
Challenges:
-Subject to weather (not a big problem in Southern
California)
-You need commitment from two riders to get there
and back. We have done events doing bike
checks/minor repairs with more limited stuff using
one trailer. One long trailer probably too much
weight for one rider (unless they are herculean and
equipped with disc brakes), given the density of
everything.
-Takes about 45 min to 1 hour for set up and break
down
-Very limited parts on hand
-We've only done 10 mi round trip (on primarily flat
ground), I'd say 20-30 mi round trip is probably
pushing it for everyone but the really strong
riders, hills can be a bit difficult. We did river
trail underpasses just fine, though control may be a
little iffy at these higher speeds should an
obstacle present itself.
-Bungeeing everything in place requires a little
tetris (the first time) and time. You need a lot of
bungees - I think we use at least 15.
Other advice:
-Make sure the bikes have good brakes.
Bikes At Work specific:
-If the load balance is heavy toward the front
(which may be required by how things must be
arranged) and you rest the towbar on the ground it
bends a bit so it wont fit on the trailer hitch and
needs to be filed down (this problem mitigated in a
half-assed way by sliding an old bottle cage on the
towbar so that contacts the ground).
-Trailer hitch band clamps come loose over time.
-The wheels are held on by what looks like a paper
clip on steroids, doesn't particularly inspire my
confidence with potential sideways forces but its
worked fine and the makers are experienced using the
trailers so I guess don't worry about it.
One photo of our trailers is on our website at
www.thebicycletree.org
Bikes At Work:
www.bikesatwork.com
Good luck!
-Paul Nagel
The Bicycle Tree
P.O. Box 881
Orange, CA 92856
http://www.thebicycletree.org
info@thebicycletree.org
> Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:09:16 -0600
> From:
jonathan@slcbikecollective.org
> To:
thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Mobile shops
>
> Does anyone have a proven working (not
conceptual) mobile shop
> operation? We are going to be partnering with a
local college, and
> while we have done this in the past, I was
looking for some creative
> ideas on others have made it work.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jonathan Morrison
> Executive Director
> Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
> 2312 S. West Temple
> Salt Lake City, UT 84115
> w:
801-328-2453
> c:
801-688-0183
> f:
801-466-3856
>
www.slcbikecollective.org
>
> The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle
Collective is to promote
> cycling as an effective and sustainable form of
transportation and as
> a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and
safer society. The Bicycle
> Collective provides refurbished bicycles and
educational programs to
> the community, focusing on children and lower
income households.
The Bicycle Tree
P.O. Box 881
Orange, CA 92856
http://www.thebicycletree.org
info@thebicycletree.org
From:
samh@samh.net
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 14:34:08 -0600
To:
thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Mobile Bicycle Repair
I am interested in discussing mobile bicycle
repair with other cooperatives who currently own
or operate them. The Bozeman Bike Kitchen will
begin fund-raising toward this goal starting in
two weeks and I'm very interested in seeing or
hearing about the mobile rigs other cooperatives
have set-up.
- tool list
- cargo bike vs. trailer vs. both
- consumable parts list (tires, tubes,
lube, et al)
- what advocacy stuff to include (banners,
stickers, brochures, and how to carry them)
- booth, tent, other
- other issues I'm short-sighted on...
Thanks,
Sam
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