I'd really like to see an open source cargo trailer developed. Single bed frames would seem to be an ideal base, easy/free to come by and capable of holding over 200lbs. Could be done as a workshop once or twice a year.

Kevin Dwyer

The Bicycle Collective

SLC, UT

On Sun, Jan 27, 2013 at 5:54 PM, Eric Montgomery <emontgo1017@gmail.com> wrote:

On Jan 27, 2013 1:50 PM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:

I am using a tadpole trike with two wheels in front with disk brakes on each front wheel. I am lucky to be in Chicago land of some of the flattest earth on the planet. With lighter trailers I can use an upright bike with wide slicks and low pressure to get as much rubber to the ground. I do not go fast with over 400 pounds, a upright piano is about 500 pounds, I just take it easy. If you go slow and do not worry about your pace it is much easier to stop. If you get moving fast you are in trouble in so many ways. It would be nice to design brakes for the trailer to use it in places like St. Louis where down hills are part of life. I could figure out a system to have four wheels on the trailer with rim or disk brakes.

My biggest problem was tongue weight and making the trailer balanced.

PS plastic wheels can not take the side loads that metal spoked wheels can.

Christopher Wallace

Holistic Cycles
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs
through bikes
From: John Brown <johnsbrown@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, January 26, 2013 7:42 am
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>

What kind of additional braking do you add to haul 350-1200lbs on a trailer?

On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 9:16 AM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:

I build trailers without welding at all, some handle up to 1200 pound. I weld other trailers because I can. My thoughts are this, if I am teaching kids to think about designing, engineering, constructing things; I want them to be able to do it in the future with the tools they or their parents may all ready have at home or tool they can buy inexpensively. Some kids may have a welder at home, More kids will have a drill. I built my trailers with a drill and a conduit bender. I normally haul 350 to 400 pounds of gear with it. It can be made small to haul groceries or large to carry a sofa.

We are currently making one to carry 12 bikes and the gear to teach a mobile bicycle safety course at schools.

Christopher Wallace
Holistic Cycles

140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs
through bikes
From: Nozomi Ikuta <nozomi@affordablebikesrecyclery.com>
Date: Wed, January 23, 2013 8:28 pm
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>

That was my thought exactly -- this is where our thoughts headed when we thought about welding. Cargo trailers, that is!

On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 5:20 PM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:

what about building trailers

Christopher Wallace

Holistic Cycles
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through
bikes
From: "Bronwyn Potthoff" <bpotthoff@gwi.net>
Date: Fri, January 18, 2013 8:55 am
To: <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>

Hello,
We’ve been unsuccessfully trying to secure insurance to initiate a welding/fabrication program through the Community Bicycle Center. Ideally, we’re helping youth develop technical job skills through creating low-rider and chopper bicycles --- but the point of the program is not about bikes, it’s about learning the welding and fabrication skills necessary to create a tricked-out ride.

The major obstacle we hear from insurance companies is that we’re creating a high-risk “Frankenstein” product (or “functional art”) that is extremely hard to insure. As soon as we chop a bike, the manufacturer’s warranty is null and void (for good reason!) The actual welding with kids is not a huge issue – it’s what happens if a weld breaks or a kid injures him/herself going off jump with a bike that is not build to handle such stressors. Waivers and disclaimers will only go so far and are not bullet-proof. Because we’re a commercial entity, it’s obviously not covered under any homeowner’s insurance policy (which would be what covers you if you’re helping your nine year-old neighbor weld a sick mutant bike). Also, vocational school insurance functions differently – I checked that too.

I may end up having to change the program so that our “product” is not a bike, but something less risky such as a static sculpture. Regardless, does anybody have any experience with securing insurance for commercial (aka nonprofit) welding work with kids during which a “product” gets fabricated? [Keep in mind, all programs are free AND the product created is also free --- no bill of sale is involved] I’ve touched base with other programs around the country that do similar work, but have not heard back.

Thanks!! If it makes more sense to talk through this via phone, my number is 207 282 9700.

Bronwyn Potthoff, Resource Development/Community Relations Director
Community Bicycle Center
(mailing) P.O. Box 783
(shop) 284 Hill Street

Biddeford, Maine 04005
t: 207.282.9700 www.communitybike.net

Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow

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