: Hi Mike,

: your bike looks quite comfortable! Do you steer it with the wheel behind
: your back or is it done with the front wheels?

: Thank you for your quick response! I think the bamboo trailer looks a bit
: like "just for one season" and therefore I think I'll have to learn
: how to
: weld! :-) Nice! I learn soooo much by "just" building a boat! ;-)

: Best regards,

: Heiko

Hi Heiko,
The trike is comfortable on reasonable roads, a bit less so on rough roads. It could benefit from rear suspension but that's only available for 20" (406) wheels so far.
The steering is to the front wheels from an under-the-seat handlebar via two crossed steering rods.
I've only seen one design for rear wheel steering in a while, but can't remember the maker or name.

The bamboo trailer would last a few years if it's treated right. A metal one would be a bit heavier but you wouldn't have to weld much of it. The same fastening method will work on any material. One slight advantage with not welding is that it can be dismantled easily to its smallest components and stored anywhere.

My first trolley/trailer lasted at least 8 years, terribly abused, (outdoors all the time) before the cows got in. The main frame was mostly 60mm by 20mm white deal (species unknown, some white pine/fir, but it's the cheapest timber in Ireland) with a few lathes from a flat-pack bed my nephews/neices broke for some of the cross members.
The tow bar was two 60x20mm vertical boards spaced apart by 20mm blocks with a strip of 12mm ply.
The wheels were 24" bicycle front wheels from youth size MTB's. Some bits of advise on bike wheels on kayak trailers, use the aluminium rim and hubs with stainless steel spokes. They last longer bare or painted than the steel rim wheels if you're near salt water. And go for the commonest size in your area, most likely 26" MTB. They're easy to find and get tyres wider sizes. It makes the trailer easier to move than smaller wheels. If it's rough ground or road, the fatter off-road tyres are best. For good roads, use the smoother road tyres make it quicker.
The kayak was suspended on slings made from car seatbelts, (old ones) which is fine walking the trolley an kayak to the water but it rocks back and forth sometimes and it really effects a bikes handling. The second trolley/trailer has cradles instead. It's more stable and I can use the kayak as part of the towing system instead of the tow-bar.

Hope this helps,
Mike Savage
South West Cork