Getting the brand new Maya Cycle bike trailer put collectively was straightforward sufficient. All I needed to do was take away it from the field, mount the rear wheel, rear fender, and rear reflector, pump somewhat air into the tire, and place the protection flag in place. Piece of cake!
Attaching the trailer to my bicycle, nevertheless, was a bit harder. I learn and re-read the included directions, and nonetheless couldn’t determine the right way to connect the trailer to my bike. Fortunately, I used to be capable of finding a video on YouTube that had been produced by the corporate, and it confirmed how the set up course of was meant to be carried out. Solely after watching this video was I in a position to determine the issue.
The trick is, there’s a particular axle that comes with the Maya Cycle trailer and that you must substitute your bicycle’s present rear axle with this new one. When you’ve carried out that, it’s a must to mount each ends of your new rear axle with two metal washers, an axle bracket and a locking wing nut.
Lastly, that you must take away the fork from the trailer by lifting it out of the trailer’s pivot tube. Then loosen the wing nuts on every finish of your bicycle’s rear axle and place the trailer fork so every of the fork dropouts sits between the within washer and the axle bracket. Rotate the axle bracket so it presses firmly in opposition to the axle, after which tighten all the things in place with the wingnuts.
Getting the trailer fork hooked up to the trailer once more takes some observe. The corporate makes it look straightforward, however I struggled with it the primary few occasions round.
After getting the trailer hooked up to my bicycle, I rapidly realized that the trailer fork was dangerously near the underside of my bicycle’s rear rack. If I had been to hit even the smallest bump with the trailer in tow, this overlap may trigger some critical injury to my bicycle. I solved this downside by merely eradicating my bike’s rear rack, however I’m certain some folks would possibly need to journey with each a trailer and a rear set of panniers on their bicycle, so this subject is a particular disadvantage.
Sure, getting the Maya Cycle trailer hooked up to your bicycle does take some observe, however as soon as the trailer is in place, it’s a complete pleasure to journey with. The rear wheel wobbles forwards and backwards a bit, however on flat terrain, you actually don’t hear or really feel the trailer behind your bike in any respect. The journey is extremely clean! Solely when climbing a hill of any variety, or rounding a good nook, do you’re feeling the trailer’s weight behind you. Backing up takes some observe and corning works nice, so long as the nook you’re making an attempt to show isn’t too sharp.
If you’re prepared to tug to a cease, there’s no have to lean your bike up in opposition to some close by object. As a substitute, merely kick out the Maya Cycle’s built-in kickstand and your bike will steadiness in place fairly fantastically – permitting you to load and unload the trailer with no matter it’s you want to carry with you in your travels.
If you need to take away the trailer out of your bike, there’s no have to take away the rear axle. Merely go away the axle that comes with the Maya Cycle trailer in place on the again of your bicycle and take away the trailer by merely loosening the wing nuts on both sides of the axle. The trailer fork will pop misplaced, and you’re then free to journey your bike as you’ll usually. The one trick right here is that it’s a must to take away the washers and axle brackets on both sides of the axle and retailer them in a secure place for the following time you utilize the trailer. When you attempt to go away the washers and axle bracket in place, they are going to rattle round and create all kinds of noise when you’re utilizing your bicycle.
The Maya Cycle trailer will be bought with or with out the purple cargo bag you see featured on this video. Eradicating the bag permits your to haul firewood, small items of furnishings, and different cumbersome objects. Utilizing the cargo bag, nevertheless, is ideal for native commuting and long-distance bicycle touring – if you would possibly want to hold tenting gear, meals, clothes, toiletries, and an entire host of further gadgets.
Total, I’d give the Maya Cycle trailer an 8 out of 10. It’s not essentially the most well-built bicycle trailer in the marketplace (I believe the BOB trailers are increased in total high quality/sturdiness), however the Maya Cycle bike trailer is inexpensive, it seems good, it really works nicely as a one-wheel bike trailer, and it’s completely constructed for individuals who plan to apply it to road-based bike excursions and journeys round their neighborhood. I like the in-built kickstand and the purple cargo bag is a pleasant added contact. For less than $250 USD, it’s a very whole lot – particularly if you examine it with a number of the different one-wheeled bike trailers presently in the marketplace.