What are the differences between one-wheelers
and two-wheelers (specific Radical Design Cyclone) trailers?
Connection
with the bicycle
One-wheelers are relatively stiff connected to the pulling bicycle. When
not, the trailer would fall to a side. This has several consequences on
the driving behaviour:
- The trailer does follow exactly in the track of the pulling bicycle.
Potholes and other road hazards, which the bicycle misses, miss the
trailer also. This makes the one-wheelers very apt for ‘singletracking’
with a mountainbike and trailer over unpaved bouncy paths where there
is frequently very limited space. For this use there is no better trailer
than the one-wheeler.
- The sideways fixed connection between bike and trailers ensures that
the movements which the bicycle makes also are passed on to the trailer.
Especially, when climbing standing on the pedals, many cyclists are
in the habit off ‘throwing’ the bicycle from left to right.
Even if the sideways movement is relatively small the trailer bounces
from left to right. The bicycle and trailer must always be put trough
the vertical position. With the bike this happens almost automatically,
with a trailer the extra weight is surely felt. Also the strain on the
axle and pads is quite noticeable.
- When assembling the one-wheel trailer to the bike you are one hand
short. Two hands are needed to lift the loaded trailer unto the hub-coupling
and one is needed to stabilise the bicycle against tipping over, because
when assembled, half the weight of the trailer pushes against the bike.
Two-wheelers are relative loosely connected to the bicycle. The link
is there only to transmit pulling forces, the trailer is in balance on
its own wheels.
- Everything hole in the pavement the bicycle wheels miss, the trailer
can hit. The turn circle is of a bicycle two-wheeler trailer combination
is larger than a one-wheeler and so it is not best suited for cycling
unpaved paths. However several users reported that two track trails
aren’t much of a concern. They report the Cyclone drives them
with one wheel on the higher middle ground and with the other wheel
in a track.
- When climbing with a Cyclone, the bicycle driving behaviour is not
changed. The pulling bicycle does not react any differently, other than
you have to pull at standstill, say, 20kg. Otherwise the driving behaviour
is not influenced. The Cyclone subjects no other force than a pulling
one and also the pads and rearwheel hub aren’t subjected to sideways
forces. Consequently the Cyclone trailer can be pulled by ultralight
racing bikes without damage. The only adaptation to the bicycle is the
bike part of the hitch which fits on any rear axle and it is made of
stainless steel, even the paint won’t be scratched!
- When assembling the Cyclone you can stabilise the bicycle (on soft
ground or when there is a child seated at the back of the bike) with
the left hand. With the right hand, you very easily place the trailer
part of the hitch over the hitch ball, the trailer is in balance
and the tow-bar weighs therefore next to nothing.
Total weight and the
effect on the bike
The weight, say 20kg, in the one-wheeler is supported at two places, at
the rear by the only wheel and up front by the coupling to the bicycle.
In this case, the bicycle receives a force of 10 kilogram’s on the
rear wheel. This is clearly noticeable, one never forget that there is
a trailer behind the bicycle. On bikes with rear suspension like fully
suspended mountainbikes, trekkingbikes and most of the recumbents, the
one-wheel trailer is supported by the non suspended part, the rear-wheel.
This wheel wants to bounce up and down, but the trailer counters this
with a force of 10 kg. This frequently gives a bumpy ride, certainly with
a load exceeding 17kg., as tests have shown. The Cylone trailer is balanced
on both wheels. The weight on the hitch is free to be determent by the
user, zero force or any amount of positive or negative force the user
prefers, by simply shifting the weight of the load to the front or the
rear of the trailer. We ourselves prefer a slightly positive force on
the hitch, the trailer then responses very favourably to the bicycle.
Walking with a trailer
Walking a one-wheeler is different than e.g a Cyclone because you contantly
have to stabilize the trailer. The Cyclone has the unique feature that
you can mount the wheels not only in the normal central mounting holes,
but in the rear mounting holes as well. This transforms the Cyclone into
a very stable and easy to move walking
trailer.
Parking
When parking the bike with a one wheel trailer, you have to be very careful
how to do it, otherwise the whole combination tips over. Especially the
Radical Design Cylone is in balance and doesn’t force the bike to
move in any direction except maybe backwards on a slope. :-) When going
shopping you can un-hitch the trailer, move the wheels to the (rear) walking
position and take the Cylone with you as a walking trailer. Because it
is so easy to unlock the Cyclone it would be prudent to lock the trailer
to the bike with a lock taken trough the bottom frame.
Traveling by train, bus or
aeroplane
A one wheeler is very difficult to disguise as normal luggage. The Cyclone
is essentially a pack on wheels so when transporting the Cyclone by train
or other public transport, tow-bar and wheels can be detached with a twist
of the hand, which visually leaves only a big duffle
bag. Duffle bags, generally speaking, aren’t subject to surcharges
as trailers tend to be.
Carrying capacity
A one wheel trailer has great carrying capacity, but above 25 kg’s
reaction forces get seriously noticeable. The Cyclone can handle loads
up to 40kg’s without much discomfort to the bike. A small note is
worth mentioning here: brakes have, as with any load carried on a bike
or with whatever trailer, a bit of a workout downhill. Remember this when
charging downhill at 70 km/h.
Packing
Quite often a waterproof canoe stuff sack or a watertight plastic box
is used on one wheelers for safe and dry transportation and easy packing.
With the Cyclone the bag is not waterproof but the accessory Rain
cover is and the main bag is very easily accessible and very (100liters)
big. The rain cover also keeps the bag clean (it is riding very close
to the rear wheel of the bike). The rain cover doesn’t interfere
with the use as a hand trailer. When you want to transport very awkward
formed or large objects you can use the special developed Cargo
model of the Cyclone. Using the normal Cyclone however it is possible
to fold down the bag (it is not reinforced except at the wheel sides)
to form a platform on which you can mount all kind of things with some
straps going under de side of the trailer.
Wheels sizing of bicycles
The Cyclone is probably the only trailer with a special tow-bar for bikes
with small (16”and 20” like on folding bikes and recumbents)
rear wheels in addition to the normal 26” and 28” size. This
keeps the Cylone nicely level and in the middle behind a small wheel bike.
It is also not affected by smaller rear wheel axles like on a Brompton
folding bike.
Own weight of trailer
According to a recent Dutch test, the Cyclone is the lightest trailer
on the market today in the Netherlands.
Camping use
Some one wheelers can be put upside down and used as a camping table.
The Cyclone, lacking a hard frame, can’t. We guess nobody is perfect.
Space when not in use
Because of the missing hard frame in the bag, the Cylone can be stored
extremely compact at home or in the tent.
Testing
Of course we can tell you whatever we want, but the important thing is
to test ride, if possible, different models. When doing so we urge you
to fill them up with about the same weight as your normal load would be,
that makes all the difference!
On the construction page you find more
information on materials and waterproofness.
On the download page there are pdf's and
HTML printable pages of all of our products.
On the faq page we have put answers to the most
most common questions.
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