Double Bass DB and Bike

[SteSte]

This is nearly what I do to haul my db's around when I don't take the el. I use a 2-bag method, though.

Bass goes into a nylon padded bag 1st, then into a heavier-duty H & B Tux bag for extra protection. I have a kiddie trailer like in this picture, bass standing and tilted back against the top part of the frame, secured with bungee cords. Be mindful of the bridge side of the instrument. The bags, aluminum frame, and 18" wheels all help to absorb the shocks.

Just watch out for the potholes and you should be ok. And get a nice, bright taillight and mount reflective tape for the rides home at night.View attachment 1091981

(Oh, it also really helps that it's mostly flatland here in Chicago!)

Yess that will be my choice, i'm very near to decide for that option, comfortable drive, safe bass, minor work to adapt the trailer, thanks for the photo that really helped me, i will go in a bike shop near house to order this baby trailer.
Of course i will ad reflectives and lights , thanks.
You really helped me, ciao.

 

[SteSte]

As a double bassist who enjoys using a bicycle as my secondary mode of transportation, I've been looking into this as well. However, the roads where I live can get pretty bad and the drivers aren't always the most willing share the road, so I'll probably only ever ride with my electric basses.

I understand...i will be very careful...ciao from Rome, Italy

 

[neddyrow]

wow....

reason #632 i need to move to Europe

i'm impressed

 

[bassfran]

Yess that will be my choice, i'm very near to decide for that option, comfortable drive, safe bass, minor work to adapt the trailer, thanks for the photo that really helped me, i will go in a bike shop near house to order this baby trailer.
Of course i will ad reflectives and lights , thanks.
You really helped me, ciao.

Glad I could help- FWIW, I found both my trailers on Craigslist for way less than what they cost new. I have a steel frame for slab gigs when I bring an amp and the aluminum one is for hauling the DB.

Happy trails!

 

[korotkov]

Hey there,

I travel by bike around the city with a bass on my back no problem. Two things that I find important. Firstly, the straps on your bag should push the bass towards your back so it doesn't move side to side or hang on your shoulders. Secondly, you don't want your bass touch the rear wheel or fender so you need a rack or some kind of protection there

Cheers,

 

[Matthijs]

I've used one of those small folding bikes for years in Amsterdam. With the much smaller back wheel the bass can hang lower without it touching the wheel and the center of gravity is much lower. It looks odd, but works very well.

 

[robobass]

Glad I could help- FWIW, I found both my trailers on Craigslist for way less than what they cost new. I have a steel frame for slab gigs when I bring an amp and the aluminum one is for hauling the DB.

Happy trails!

Yes, these things can cost a lot more than you would guess. When I was shopping a few years ago (for the kids, not my bass!) I found that in Germany they were quite pricey even used. The Dutch, though, were switching over to the "Backfiets" style thing, which are regularly used for basses in in Holland and Denmark. Expensive though, so we made day trip over the border and came back with a "Chariot" (bottom) for much cheaper. The better ones even have built in springs

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[bassfran]

Yes, these things can cost a lot more than you would guess. When I was shopping a few years ago (for the kids, not my bass!) I found that in Germany they were quite pricey even used. The Dutch, though, were switching over to the "Backfiets" style thing, which you regularly see basses in in Holland and Denmark. Expensive though, so we made day trip over the border and came back with a "Chariot" (bottom) for much cheaper. The better ones even have built in springs

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Those heavy duty cargo bikes (bakfiets?) are expensive to import here in the US, but I believe that they are really built to last.

BTW Rob, I enjoyed your thread about your friends beater bass that's in constant need of repair.
Tell him to ride steadier with his bass and save the drinking for when he gets home!

 

[robobass]

Those heavy duty cargo bikes (bakfiets?) are expensive to import here in the US, but I believe that they are really built to last.

BTW Rob, I enjoyed your thread about your friends beater bass that's in constant need of repair.
Tell him to ride steadier with his bass and save the drinking for when he gets home!

Yes, "Bakfiets", not Backfiets. I can't spell in Dutch very well Those things are really expensive here too. About double what I paid for my car! Yes, they are quite heavy duty. A bit too heavy and big for my tastes. The Chariot trailer by comparison can be quickly removed, folded, and stowed in a corner, and then I just have my normal bike.
Jan's last accident was due to the trailer hitch breaking loose while he was climbing a hill. So, besides drinking less at the gig, he needs to inspect his gear more carefully and regularly. I still haven't started the job!

 

[Bisounourse]

Yes, these things can cost a lot more than you would guess. When I was shopping a few years ago (for the kids, not my bass!) I found that in Germany they were quite pricey even used. The Dutch, though, were switching over to the "Backfiets" style thing, which you regularly see basses in in Holland and Denmark. Expensive though, so we made day trip over the border and came back with a "Chariot" (bottom) for much cheaper. The better ones even have built in springs

Bakfietsen... They are gaining in popularity in Belgium as well, and especially the town I live in; we even have what we call 'Bakfiets-Moms'; mothers that ride those things and do everything to clogg traffic on the street or bikepath.
I also checked to have my bass transported with my bike, but since I know I can be very clumsy, I ditched the idea.

 

[robobass]

Bakfietsen... They are gaining in popularity in Belgium as well, and especially the town I live in; we even have what we call 'Bakfiets-Moms'; mothers that ride those things and do everything to clogg traffic on the street or bikepath.
I also checked to have my bass transported with my bike, but since I know I can be very clumsy, I ditched the idea.

Yes, they are super popular with parents in Cologne as well. Not so much so that they block traffic, YET!

 

[robobass]

Utrecht (a beautiful city in The Netherlands, comparable to Amsterdam with its canals, but more romantic)

I do take offence in that

I like both places, but Amsterdam is where I would take my wife for a weekend without the kids In Utrecht at least you don't have to leave the car 15km outside the city!

 

[LouisF]

Or this??

 

[Bisounourse]

Hey there,

I travel by bike around the city with a bass on my back no problem. Two things that I find important. Firstly, the straps on your bag should push the bass towards your back so it doesn't move side to side or hang on your shoulders. Secondly, you don't want your bass touch the rear wheel or fender so you need a rack or some kind of protection there

Cheers,

It's been a while since I was in St.-Petersburg, but as far as I remember, it isn't the most bike-friendly place. Has it changed that much?

 

[Matthijs]

If you like the bakfiets idea: The next thing is the electrical cargo bike. Modern bakfiets-moms (our soccer mom) don't pedal themselves. There's a daycare center across the street from my house, so I know all about this.

By the way: there's a substantial second hand market for cargo bikes in Amsterdam. Yuppie soccer moms often prefer new ones. I can see a business model here: shipping second hand bikes to needy bassplayers all over the world.

 

[robobass]

Modern bakfiets-moms (our soccer mom) don't pedal themselves.

That's too bad. I imagine then that they are not so nicely shaped as our Kölner Bakfiets Moms (you need to be pretty fit to pedal one of these things) or as nice to view from behind (the one time when I ride my bike slowly)

 

[Matthijs]

That's too bad. I imagine then that they are not so nicely shaped as our Kölner Bakfiets Moms (you need to pretty be fit to pedal one of these things) or as nice to view from behind (the one time when I ride my bike slowly)

I haven't noticed a decline in that aspect. I think the whole idea is to be able to spend more time in Yoga class.

 

[robobass]

Regional pride issues naturally get in the way of objectivity, but I am happy to pedal in either place You guys definitely have us beat on the bike paths themselves, though. My daily commute is only about a tenth on dedicated bike lanes. Fortunately much of it is through parks and squares, so I don't spend much of the journey on actual roads.

 

[Don Kasper]

or as nice to view from behind

It IS "all about the (b)ass".

 

[redwookie]

I ocassionally use a child’s pull along trailer. I use padding on the sides to cut down on possible pothole abrasions. The bass is in a padded gig bag so when I arrive, I just lock up, take the bag and go.