Zen Samurai

[kneebenderbiker]

Strong northwest winds with gusts of 35 mph - headwinds on the prairie making the flag stand at attention! Turbo going out made it easy. Eco all the way back was easy too.
Central Lakes Trail

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

That green is beautiful. Hope the Shakti works out well for your wife. Be sure and share photos when you get the bike.
It's so cool that Zen offers custom colors and custom bikes - built to order in Canada.
On the US website they don't offer the Shakti - only Samurai and Saral.

I hope you keep a close eye on the trailer attachment point on the rear rack and tighten it as needed.
The attachment to the rear dropout would be a bit stronger.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I hope you keep a close eye on the trailer attachment point on the rear rack and tighten it as needed.
The attachment to the rear dropout would be a bit stronger.

Most definitely... or the seat post.

 

[kneebenderbiker]

I hope you keep a close eye on the trailer attachment point on the rear rack and tighten it as needed.
The attachment to the rear dropout would be a bit stronger.

That's good advice, thank you. I have been paying attention to the attachment points. I've checked all the nuts and bolts on the bike and trailer and did so closely after the spill. All seems good so far. I actually ordered a torque wrench this morning, it can't hurt to have one. Plus, I've ordered a front rack and a mudguard and they each specify NM tightness for installation.
I considered the Burley dog trailer which uses the rear dropout and my favorite bike shop even carriers them, but the size I need is unavailable.
The trailer I have, Dutch Dog Design, does sell the side tow arm if I ever need to make a change.

Most definitely... or the seat post.

The company that makes the trailer, Dutch Dog Design, does offer a seat post mount with a rack as an option, but it wouldn't work on the Samurai.
In addition to the size for my dog, the center tow arm was my main goal. It seems more secure to me. I'm finding that there isn't much resistance while moving. The only time I even notice the trailer is when my dog moves to change position. I have some strong velcro straps that I've been bringing along in case I need to secure the rack to the seat post, but on my outings so far, all has been good.

 

[PCeBiker]

The trailer I have, Dutch Dog Design, does sell the side tow arm if I ever need to make a change.

The other thing to consider with your trailer attachment point up high (on the rack or seat post) is that if you are turning while braking or accelerating the weight of trailer will push or pull on the rack throwing off your steering and balance.
If you ever need to do an emergency steering and braking maneuver, the trailer will push your bike around making for a very unstable ebike.

A side tow arm puts that pressure down lower at the axle where it has far less impact on your ebikes stability.
A side tow arm isn't centered, but it is only off by a couple of inches and has far less impact on stability than a tow bar attached high on the ebike.

 

[kneebenderbiker]

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The other thing to consider with your trailer attachment point up high (on the rack or seat post) is that if you are turning while braking or accelerating the weight of trailer will push or pull on the rack throwing off your steering and balance.
If you ever need to do an emergency steering and braking maneuver, the trailer will push your bike around making for a very unstable ebike.

Interesting point, thanks for letting me know. I'll keep it in mind and do some experimenting to try and be prepared for when the inevitable happens.
I did have to make an emergency stop already when my dog started to climb out. I was going slow but I tipped over because I was looking back at my dog and didn't get my right foot down fast enough. The lesson learned was to use the included tether connected to my dogs harness whenever she's in the trailer. And, that even though DDD says the trailer is tip proof - it's not.

• It makes a tip-proof trailer. Includes a feature to block the trailer from tipping; per their website.

I wonder if anyone has experience with this center tow arm making their bike unstable? Luckily, I'm only taking my dog for relatively short leisurely rides and she gets to trot alongside quite a bit. She loved running the trails when I lived on a horse ranch and went trail riding in the woods.

 

[kneebenderbiker]

Another thing I just thought to mention, I was under the impression the side tow arm/rear dropout attachment wasn't compatible with an e-bike.
My LBS guy did give me a business card for a person at Burley for me to ask questions of, but I didn't ever do it since the size trailer, from Burley, that I need wasn't available.

 

[PCeBiker]

I've got side tow trailer for my old e-bike.

The only problem I had was that the 10.2 mm hole for a bicycle axle wasn't big enough for my larger ebike axle, so I drilled out the hole bigger to fit.


This is my old ebike with a box on the rack,..

When I put 20 or more pounds of stuff in the box, my bike becomes REALLY unstable.
I had 70 pounds in it once and I was all over the road.

It would similar to having my trailer connected to my rack or seat post.
It's not so much the weight, but the height above the ground.

I can load 100 pounds into my trailer and I have no stability problems.
I just notice the reduced speed and braking power.