Saturday, 22 October 2011

BOB Trailer Review

!±8± BOB Trailer Review

This was the first time I used a trailer instead of panniers. My comments are a direct comparison between the two. Pedalling distance was about 2,500 km's, plus the ferry and train on Bass Strait and Nullarbor Plain.

The towing bike was a rigid aluminium frame, with 26" wheels and road tyres. Drive gear was 9-speed 11-34 rear and 22-32-44 front. Brakes were Shimano XT hydraulic discs with 160mm rotors. It had front panniers and a handlebar bag.

The trailer was fully-loaded, with heavy items packed low and to the front in the BOB bag. An overnight bag was strapped on top with three extra 1.5L water bottles.

The weight was noticeable. It pushed the bike during braking and dragged during acceleration. A pannier-loaded bike feels heavy but without the push and drag.

It had momentum and rolled along quite effortlessly, though as soon as the path sloped upwards I was quickly looking for a low gear.

Braking required some technique, think 'semi-trailer'. It had a longer braking distance, even with hydraulic discs. Both brakes needed to be used together, with the rear brake being applied first.

Using the front brake first felt unsafe with the weight pushing from behind, especially while cornering. I also suspect this force loosened the threadless headset.

Steering was slower and heavier. The rig preferred gentler cornering without sudden manoeuvres. Take-off was very stable and straight. A pannier-loaded bike often begins with a few seconds of wild steering, but overall has quicker manoeuvrability.

U-turns required a bigger turning circle, and moving slower with less leaning. This is when I felt my trailer was top-heavy, though I was moving slow enough to just step off when it tipped.

Parking required leaning on something, which usually meant manually handling the bike and trailer into a stable position against something solid. Often there wasn't anything available and I'd miss out on the photo.

A handbrake made a big difference; a rubber band on the brake lever will do it.

There is a free-standing technique that many use, turning the bike and trailer at right angles. I suspect it puts abnormal stress on the BOB quick-release and locking pins.

Reversing takes practice. I didn't realise how often I push the bike backwards till I had to do it with a trailer.

Train and Ferry required unhitching the trailer. This meant taking up two luggage spaces. Fortunately I wasn't required to unpack and box everything. Other articles I read discourage unhitching a loaded trailer, but I did it anyway. It needs strength and care not to bend or break anything.

Tips and Gripes:

When it falls over, grab the BOB by its frame and don't use the bike as a lever to lift it. Gravity will damage the trailer hitch.

A larger rear brake rotor would greatly improve braking performance and decrease rear pad wear. A larger front rotor might not be a good idea; I suspect it would increase the previously-mentioned stress on the front end.

A centre-stand might provide free-standing support without needing to lean on something. A side-stand will not do the job.

A piece of sleeping-mat, cut and placed in the tray, stops the metal grill rubbing holes in the bottom of the bag.

A handle to move a loaded-trailer like a wheelbarrow might be good.

BOB's Ibex trailer model with suspension would better handle the bumps and gutters, but I wanted less moving parts to maintain.

Clips on the bag are positioned so low that opening and closing the bag while it's on the trailer can be difficult.

The trailer sits lower than the bikes rear mudguard, it won't stop mud being splattered all over the BOB bag.

CONCLUSION:

The trailer looked good, carried everything, didn't break, and was a wonderful conversation piece. It travelled well and followed the bike well.

It has the ability to carry heavy gear, and the convenience of unhitching the heavy gear to go exploring without it.

Pedalling uphill, braking, doing u-turns, negotiating obstacles, parking, reversing, and using public transport, all require a different set of techniques and sometimes more effort.

The bike/trailer combination is a single unit with its own habits, and needs to be treated as such. Only a solo bike will behave like a solo bike.

Interestingly, once the necessary new riding habits were formed, the whole thing just felt so much more like a real travellers outfit than my pannier-loaded bike ever did. Or maybe I was just thrilled with all the positive attention from people... whatever; I'd definitely use it again.


BOB Trailer Review

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Sunday, 9 October 2011

Brother Industries - So Much More Than Just a Sewing Machine Manufacturer

!±8± Brother Industries - So Much More Than Just a Sewing Machine Manufacturer

What do fax machines, labelers, and printers have in common with sewing machines? Brother knows. Yausi Sewing Machine Co. was established in 1908, and was later renamed Yausi Brothers Sewing Machine Co. in 1925. By 1947 the company was producing and exporting several sewing machines. Between the 50's and 60's the company changed its name again, and divided itself, along with branching out to new product industries like: home electric appliance, business machines, and machine tools.

They continued to move into unknown territories by adding new products like typewriter and printer telecommunication, and online karaoke. The US Division of Brother Industries in Brother International Corp. formed in 1954. Printers, fax machines multifunction devices, labelers, label printers, consumer and industrial sewing machines, typewriters, stamp creators, gear motors, and machine tools, are all produced here.

Brother has made a name in the printer department. They produce black and white laser printers, color laser printers, and label printers. Shipping departments are big consumers of Brother label printers. They make printing mailing labels much easier. They can print anywhere from a 2 to 4 inch label depending on the model, when they are connected to a computer.

P-Touch label makers are a hand held unit that prints out labels on an internal paper cartridge. You input the label info into the device and the label spits out and then automatically cuts off.

Brother has also produced fax machines for many years. They started out using rolls of thermal paper and very slow moving. Today they have improved with many different types available for home and businesses around the world. They have ribbon transfers, black and white inkjets, color inkjets, and laser fax machines. Brother's top of the line fax machine product, has many luxuries like high speed modem, high capacity memory, dual paper trays, secure fax receptions, high yield toner cartridges, and network connectivity.

Wanting to make an all-in-one product, Brother produced the Multi-Function Center. This device incorporates printing, scanning, copying, and faxing all into one machine. This is a great option for consumers for space and economical reasons. Many of these multifunction devices also have corded telephone handsets, and wireless or Ethernet connections, just less that consumers will need to buy to set up an office.

Even though Brother has added many new products to their company, they still continue to make the products that gave them their start, sewing machines. The versions of sewing machines we see today are nothing like the first. Today their sewing machines have many new features like LCD display, digital controls, automatic needle threading, along with USB ports for their embroidery machines.


Brother Industries - So Much More Than Just a Sewing Machine Manufacturer

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Tuesday, 4 October 2011

BOB Revolution Stroller 2009 - Choosing the right model

!±8± BOB Revolution Stroller 2009 - Choosing the right model

Parents who have a stroller BOB Revolution swarms for many reasons. Through this "racing", many people have heard of the revolution and wants to buy a stroller, but perhaps not aware of the different ways to do before choosing the right model for your needs.

Here is a list of questions and answers are someone, if they could buy a BOB Revolution

I need a single or double ("Dualla")? This really is an interestingQuestion, and at first glance it might seem, are simple and obvious answer. The bottom line is - will be used for one or two children? The revolution is a bit 'to make an investment (worth relationships with their parents'), whether buying a single model or Dualla All conditions in which two small children will be cared for in a strong useful Dualla (Note!: The Dualla lasts up to 100 pounds - 50 pounds per seat, the individual up to 70 kg) ..

I use Revolutionfor normal everyday use - or just jogging? One of the things I love most about the stroller BOB Revolution is how versatile it is. It has a spinning wheel, which makes it an ideal stroller for everyday use (go to the mall, zoo, etc.) - but it locks the wheel to the stroller a "jogger" - in reality it is a best jogging strollers available.

Can I use the Revolution both on and off-road jogging? FYI - There are basically two types of wheels availablefor the revolution - polymer and aluminum. The polymer wheels have a deeper profile of them, giving them excellent traction for off-road. On the other hand, aluminum wheels and thinner tires are an excellent choice for jogging path.

What color should I buy? There is a good choice of colors for the 2009 BOB Revolution Mesa Orange, including black, navy blue, Chocolate / Blue Chocolate / Pink.

Regardless, while the BOB Revolution Stroller model chosen by the 2009 lineupThey love to use it with ease, and features additional comfort and safety for the child.


BOB Revolution Stroller 2009 - Choosing the right model

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