13

I am a hobby musician and would like to transport my instruments on my bike because there are just a few parking lots and it is too far to walk.

Is there a good and safe way to carry a trombone, several stands, and sheet music on a normal bike?

Improve this question
1

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
14

This is quite tricky, given a trombone is not a nicely shaped instrument. You can try some larger racks, or mount some plywood or something to a smaller rack to try to get a more stable surface to carry the trombone (or be able to build something that allowed carrying the trombone like a pannier), but I doubt it will be very good, especially with all the additional stuff you want to carry. I do know some cellists who have strapped their cello to their backs and ridden (somehow), but I don't think it was a particularly stable or safe solution.

The real solution I think is for you to get a cargo bike. One thing you might want to try is to do an Xtracycle conversion - the Freeradical was a kit which allowed you to extend a normal bike into a cargo bike (but is currently not being sold -- you may be able to find an existing bike/kit somewhere thoguh). Unfortunately, cargo bikes like the Surly Big Dummy and what not are not exactly cheap (and are not normal bikes), but your use case is pretty much what the cargo bike was designed for.

An example of a Freeradical conversion is:

enter image description here

and a xtracycle carrying another bicycle

enter image description here

Note that there are other styles of cargo bikes out there, like the Civia Halstead:

enter image description here

Another option is to throw the trombone and what not into a small trailer, such as one of those children's trailers like this (a cheap one will be about 150 bucks):

enter image description here

or attach a regular bike trailer like the Surly Ted (about 700 bucks for this model, but there are cheaper ones):

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • I expect a longtail bike would work - they can carry surfboards. IME XtraCycles are a bit flimsy - they compromise towards "can be removed" so if you have a tiny apartment then maybe an XtraCycle.
    – Móż
    Nov 1, 2014 at 22:02
  • While the longtail standard was an Xtracycle thing (which the Surly Big Dummy and some other cargo bikes are built to), I think it should be clear that I'm not endorsing any particular brand. The conversion option (Freeradical) was only done by Xtracycle to my knowledge, though.
    – Batman
    Nov 2, 2014 at 0:52
11

Use a Gig Bag that you can use as a backpack.

Thats what they are there for, and it seems there exist some for trombone with enough extra space for stands and sheets (check before you buy).

I use a baritone saxophone gig bag on my bike (an older version of this one). While it may look a bit oddly proportioned on me (115cm in height; the bag, not me), it works perfectly fine for relatively short distances (5km are fine). As trombones weight significantly less than a baritone saxophone (~2kg vs 6kg, my fully loaded bag weights in at 13.5kg), I don't think it would be a problem.

I do use a cargo trailer when I have to transport multiple instruments and non-folding stands. The baritone sax stays on my back though ... it's too large for my trailer :(

Improve this answer
4
  • Thanks for the hint. Maybe the cheaper solution than buying a new bike ;-)
    – Obl Tobl
    Nov 2, 2014 at 10:11
  • 2
    I accepted this answer because it's more specific to my case. It is a solution for a normal bike without having to change the whole frame and seems to be the simplest solution.
    – Obl Tobl
    Nov 5, 2014 at 7:06
  • +1 for specialized backpacks. I use one for my guitar and its quite comfortable if you have a bike where you can sit up straight. I do put heavy stuff like my folded stand (and sheets if I take more than an inch) in an extra bag on the rear rack because I don't like the backpack too heavy.
    – Sumyrda - remember Monica
    Jul 24, 2015 at 8:03
  • It is a really bad idea to combine trees with low hanging branches on your way with a long-neck instrument in a gig-bag. Just think about what would happen if the instrument's neck strikes such a branch! Avoiding to strike low hanging branches with our heads comes natural, avoiding to do the same with some long protrusion behind our head does not. That's the reason why I never transport a guitar or bass in this way, even though I have both with back-packable gig-bags. Of course, if you are in a city without trees, that's a non-issue.
    – cmaster - reinstate monica
    Apr 28, 2019 at 10:12
4

In the Netherlands, and other places, precious cargo is often transported in a 'bakfiets'. This test has photos of several (and a good test in Dutch) so I do not favor one over any other. There are also transporter bikes with enclosed front boxes but those are often just that bit bigger that finding a parking spot is not easy.

The traditional bakfiets in the Netherlands is quite big, you can transport a baby grand piano in them, and some do to play outside. The modern ones are smaller and handle like a normal bike, although some are trikes and handle as trikes not much bigger than a bike.

Improve this answer
2

I used to carry a small acoustic guitar (OO sized) by attaching it like a pannier to the rear rack. The neck of the guitar went straight up. I would think that you could do something similar with a trombone. I can't quite picture a trombone case, but it seems like it might actually fit in a pannier which would make it very easy.

Are the stands folding music stands? It seems like they might fit in a pannier or could be strapped on a rack. The sheet music could go in a portfolio or binder in a pannier.

If you wanted you could use something like the pannier mounting hardware from Arkel to modify a case to attach to your racks like a pannier.

Improve this answer
0

A special bike might be ideal, but for many people reading this question, they will be looking for something that uses their existing bike with minimal modifications.

I've successfully carried a variety of items in a tramping (hiking) pack while riding a conventional road bike.

  • 12" child's bike
  • suitcase-sized toolbox with many tools in it, total weight ~25 kg

And for some items I've strapped them to the bike's top-tube using velcro straps.

  • Hedge pole pruner - 2 metres length
  • Landrover driveshaft, 25 kilos

Some objects are inconveniently shaped, so would be best in a tray or basket. Musical instruments often fit this. A rear parcel rack with straps may work to hold down a hard-sided case. However consider the risk to the content from vibration and weather.

And some items are just bulky - a drumkit or a cello may simply be too large to move by standard bike, unless you have a trailer.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.