Carry Freedom city User manual
Welcome
Congratulations on purchasing an
exceptional award winning trailer from a
trail blazing company.
These instructions talk you through how to
get the most out of your new City trailer.
Read them carefully before using your
new trailer.
If you need help or advice with this
manual either:
Contact your dealer/distributor,
Visit www.CarryFreedom.com or
Email [email protected]
WARNING
It is your responsibility to
understand these instructions. We do not
accept responsibility for how you use,
modify, ride, or load the trailer. You must
decide whether what you are doing with
the trailer is safe, within your ability, and
within the law.
Carry Freedom
High Clunch Farm
Stewarton
Ayrshire
KA3 5JT
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1560 600 369
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Box Content
NB:
Keep the Zip ties and box.
You can reuse these to pack the trailer
securely if you are traveling by aeroplane.
1X
Shaft Pin
1X
Trailer Frame
1X Courier Bag
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Bike Brackets
Glossery of terms
When we refer to Port and Starboard we
mean the trailers left and right. If we refer
to left and right we mean your left and
right.
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Trolly Wheel
Hand Cuff
Compression Arm
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Tension Wire
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Wheel Hanger
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Handle
PORT SIDE
STARBOARD SIDE
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Wheel Hanger
Folding/Unfolding
With practice this is easy & fast.
Read and understand these instructions
before acting.
Don’t use excessive force.
Begin slow, you will get fast with practice.
Always exercise caution, and think ahead
to avoid hurting yourself.
Speci cally watch that the sliding/hinging
components don’t trap your ngers.
Follow the picture sequence carefully,
paying attention to how the user is
standing.
When folding
20 is a supplementary instruction for when
you are folding the trailer. For folding
these instructions work in reverse.
When sliding the port wheel into its folded
position it is useful to hold it in position
with your right hand, while you use your
left hand to unclip the handcuffs and fold
the handle into position.
Once in position the plastic bracket on the
handle stops the port wheel from sliding
back down the frame.
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4
1.
Lean the trailer against you. Unclip the
elastic
2.
Unfold the handle
3.
User closes the Hand Cuffs
4.
Hand Cuff closeup
20. WHEN FOLDING
hold the port wheel
in position while you fold the handle.
Folding/Unfolding
Positioning the wheels
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5
5.
Shake the frame so the wheels hang
down, and slide the port wheel back
6.
Make sure the port wheel touches its
back stop
8.
Tension wire detail
9.
Place the compression arm like this.
The wires are fully in the wheel hangers
7.
Attach the tension wire
Folding/Unfolding
Compression Arm
Make sure the comp arm is the correct
way up.
NB
Note how the user is pushing against
the starboard wheel with their foot. This
keeps the wire in tension and in place
until the compression arm is tted.
13.
Move the safety bracket so the velcro
nut sits in the hooks hole.
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6
10.
Use your left knee to push the port
wheel hanger and put its wire in tension
12.
Push the compression arm down until
the hook is fully engaged
14.
Wrap the velcro around the hook to
secure the safety bracket
15.
Wrong way up, right way up
11.
Place the hook between the washer
and the safety clip, like this
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Folding/Unfolding
Fitting the Bag
The bag hangs in the trailer frames like
a hammock. It is supported by its straps
which hang over the front, and back of the
frame. These straps connect underneath
the bag.
NB:
The bag strap passes underneath the
compression arm.
Folding the trailer
Folding the trailer is easier/smoother than
unfolding the trailer.
Simply reverse the sequence that is used
to un-fold the trailer. We reccomend the
following changes to make things easier.
Keep the trailer as vertical as possible. This
helps prevent the wheels swinging out of
line with the frame.
When sliding the port wheel into its folded
position it is useful to hold it in position
with your right hand, while you use your
left hand to unclip the handcuffs and fold
the handle into position.
Once in position the plastic bracket on the
handle stops the port wheel from sliding
back down the frame.
16.
Unfold the rear re ectors
18.
Hold the front strap against the trailer
then roll the trailer over the back strap
19.
Clip the front and back strap together
17.
Hold the front strap and roll the back
onto its back ready to meet the trailer
20. When folding
hold the port wheel in
position while you fold the handle down.
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8
Hitch
Your bike has a “Bike Bracket”
permanently xed to it. The trailer hooks
to this, and is secured by a pin. The bike
bracket will t almost all axle types, both
threaded and quick release.
The bike bracket uses your existing quick
release skewer, or wheel axle. Try and
avoid removing any existing washers/
springs on the bikes axle assembly.
NB:
Make sure there is enough thread on
your QR skewer, or axle. You will need a
spare 3mm of thread for your hitch.
Be careful that the hitch does not affect
the function of the axle assembly.
After the 1
st
mile cycled with a trailer
inspect the hitch to make sure the hitch
has not twisted, and the bikes wheel has
not moved.
Contact [email protected] if the
hitch does not t your bike.
21.
The Bike bracket attached to the left
chain stay using the rear wheels axle.
22.
With nutted axles the bracket sits
between essential washers and the nut
24.
Slide the bar into the hook
25.
Pin to secure, close the spring gate
23.
With QR Skewers the bracket ts
between the skewer and frame
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9
Trailer
Loading
Do not carry more than 45kg of luggage
when cycling. Keep Centre of gravity
lower than 0.6m, and as far back
as possible, though not behind the
compression arm. Cycle slower as you
carry more. Make sure your load is secure,
and that nothing can catch in the wheels
Adjust tyre pressures to match the load,
higher pressures for heavier loads.
Your loads should be under 1.2m wide.
Never use the trailer to carry live cargo.
Remember
It is easy to forget you are towing a trailer.
A heavy trailer takes longer than normal to
stop. Trailers turns tighter than the bike.
Stop if you hear an unusual noise, or
notice a sudden change in handling.
Practice with an empty trailer away from
traf c until you are comfortable using it.
Before every ride
Make sure the trailer is correctly hitched,
loaded, and assembled. Check your
brakes are in good working order. Once
cycling check your braking distance, for
trailer weight, and road conditions. Make
sure your hitch is secure.
Trailer leveling
The trailer handle can be adjusted down
or up so the trailer frame remains level, for
differnet wheels sizes and trailer weights.
26.
A trailer with a full bag
28.
A box supported by an empty bag
29.
Wind the handcuffs to change the
handle angle relative to the frame
27.
A suitcase strapped on top of a full
bag. It can be big enough for a bike
30.
Handle up, and handle down.
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Suitcase
Even when loaded the trailer feels
weightless when being walked.
Loading
Do not carry more than 25kg when using
the trailer as a suitcase.
For convenience you can put your helmet
in the external net when walking with the
trailer.
You can strap a folded bike above the bag.
Stairs
When going up or down stairs always
keep the trailer below you.
It is sometimes easier to go up kerbs and
steps at a slight angle so one wheel at a
time goes up.
Crowds
Uniquely the City can wheel sideways
on its castors through thin gaps. This is
particularly useful in crowds, through
turnstiles, and trhough narrow doors.
31.
The City is very easy to walk with
when it is acting as a suitcase
33.
Some stairs are best tackled by
wheeling the trailer at an angle to them
34.
You can wheel the trailer sideways
for doors turnstyles and crowds
32.
When going up or down stairs
always have the trailer below you
35.
The trailer can be stored compactly
as a suitcase by folding its handle
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Folded
The folded trailer frame is easy to store
and carry. You can carry the trailer frame
in one hand with the courier bag over
your shoulder. The folded trailer can be
wheeled along the ground
The folded trailer can be zip tied to secure
the handle and wheels for air travel.
The two wheels are tied to the
compression arm, and the handle is tied to
the main frame. The handcuff should also
be removed, and you may want to put the
trailer in its original box for air travel.
Courier Bag
The courier bag is ideal for carrying small
loads when a trailer is unnessisary. The
two straps spread the weight well over
your shoulder, and the bag shape sits
securely against your back.
When using the bag as a courier bag the
lid sits against your back. The straps go
over one shoulder, and passes under the
opposing arm.
Do not carry more than 10kg in the
courier bag. Adjust the strap so the bag is
as tight against your back as possible
36.
The City can be carried like this
38.
The trailer can be stored on the back
of doors or slid between cupboards
39.
For air travel tie the trailer so.
Note the compression arm position.
37.
Or wheeled like this
40.
Cycling with a courier bag
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Travel Advice
The City makes it easier to travel
with luggage, bike or no bike. These
suggestions will help you make the most
of the City during journeys. There are
better ways of doing things, and we take
no responsibility for the consequences of
you following our advice.
Plane Travel
If cycling to and from the airport, the
box/container that holds your bike may be
strapped above the City’s luggage bag.
When “checking in” it is best to fold the
trailer frame and put it and the courier bag
through separately. Follow these directions
to secure the trailer frame for air transit.
Separate the courier bag from the frame.
Unscrew handcuff assembly and place in
with your hold luggage.
Feed the wire through the port wheel
hanger so the compression arm is loose.
Tie the handle to the frame, and the
compression arm to each wheel . The zip
ties supplied with the trailer are reusable,
store them in one of the bags side pockets.
Wrap the Velcro around the wheel hanger
to secure the handle elastic.
Attach an address tag to bag and frame.
Baggage handlers
We have found that baggage handlers
treat the trailer with the most respect
when the frame is naked. The trailer is
tough, but its delicate looks and awkward
shape discourage mistreatment. You may
feel more comfortable shipping the trailer
in its original box, a strong plastic bag,
or if space permits alongside your bike in
its container. Pack carefully so trailer and
bike cannot dammage each other.
Customs of cials
If customs of cials ask what the City is,
we have found it easiest either to describe
it as a suitcase, or a suitcase that can tow
behind a bike. They normaly X-Ray the
frame, especialy if its in a box.
41.
Remove the Hand Cuff assembly
43.
Wrap the velcro around the wheel
hanger to secure the elastic
42.
Zip tie the compression arm to the
two wheels using one of their spokes
44.
Tie the handle to the main frame with
a zip tie
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Travel Advice
Train travel
If space is limited on a train the trailer can
be folded and slid between seats, with
the courier bag placed on the overhead
shelves. It is simpler to leave the courier
bag in place and fold the handle until it
hits the trailers wheels. The trailer can then
be sat discreetly in a corner, remember
that you can use the trolley wheels to slide
it sideways into gaps.
Shopping
Most journeys people make with the
trailer are to shops. It is easiest to park
your bike centrally and walk to ve or six
nearby shops. It may be easier to take a
bus or car to the shops, but still take the
City as a suitcase. The trailer can be used
as a suitcase inside shops.
With supermarkets fold the trailer and
hook it to the back of your trolley, or lay it
under the trolley basket. Place the courier
bag in the trolley with its lid folded back;
ll this with your shopping. This ensures
you don’t buy more than ts in the bag.
As your shopping is checked through the
till, assemble the trailer frame and put
the empty bag in, let the trailer sit like a
suitcase. Load heavy/strong things at the
bottom/back of the bag, and light/delicate
things at the front/top of the bag. Zip the
lid closed gradually as you ll the bag .
Cycle touring
Fly to a destination, nd a local bike, tour,
sell/abandon the bike when you go home.
The City allows you to carry signi cant
luggage on cheep bikes, but bear in mind
that their brakes should work well, and
they should be roadworthy.
The City’s bag is water resistant, persistent
rain will penetrate. Use plastic bags to
protect things that need to stay dry. Strap
bulky/waterproof items to the frame,
such as your sleeping mat and tent. Store
today’s lunch in the helmet net. Keep your
maps in the document pocket.
Store easily lost items in the side pockets;
work out a system so a pocket always
has the same thing or group of objects in
it. E.g. Keys in this pocket, tools in this
pocket, and so on.
If stopping at a café secure the bike and
take the trailer with you. The City can
be left in most left luggage lockers. If the
locker is small secure the City frame to
your bike and leave the bag in a locker.
Walking
The City makes it much easier to carry a
lot of luggage effortlessly when walking.
This allows you to walk further than you
might with a conventional suitcase, and
gives you another useful travel option.
Maintainence
Monthly maintainence
The City needs very little maintenance,
however its reliability and length of
service can be dramatically improved by
following these simple guidelines:
Keep the frame clean. While cleaning
inspect the frame for any damage. If there
does appear to be any damage consult
with a competent person before you use
the trailer again.
NEVER
oil or grease the hitch or the
wheel sliding mechanism. This attracts
grit and rapidly shortens their life spans.
If you want to lubricate these use graphite
powder.
How worn are the tyres, is there any
looseness in the wheel bearings. If you
do not feel comfortable performing these
checks consult your nearest bike dealer.
Check to see that the wheels are aligned,
use the follwing wheel alignment section.
Misaligned wheels waste energy.
Check cable tension, using the following
wheel alignment section.
Make sure the bump stops that catch the
wheels are in the correct position. The
four frame stops should be vertical, while
the handle stop points in and down.
45.
Note the bump stop position on the
handle and the port side of the frame
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Wheel alignment
Misaligned wheels can cause inef ciency
and excess tyre wear. A telltale sign is
tyres squeeking when the trailer is being
walked over a smooth oor.
Checking wheel alignment
Find a large at surface such as a table.
Sit the assembled trailer, with its bag
removed, on the surface so its two wheels
and hitch touch the table. Use a table mat,
tray or some other rectangular object to
act as a set square. If the wheel is vertical
the tray will touch its top and bottom.
Spin the wheel and check again, encase
the tyre is sitting badly on its rim. Repeat
for the other wheel.
If the tray only touched the wheel in one
place and this is not because the tyre is
badly seated, you will need to adjust the
length of the tension wire until the wheel
touches in two places.
Align each wheel individually, and then
adjust the compression arm length to
maintain the correct wire tension.
Wire tension
Slack/tight cables risk damaging the trailer.
Regularly check the tension of the cables.
Checking the tension
If held in the middle you should be able
to waggle them from side to side about
20-30mm. If they are too tight you may
damage the compression arm, and in
extreme circumstances if they are too
loose the wheel structure may collapse.
Setting the tension
If the wheels are aligned then the
wires will be the correct length. The
compression arm must be lengthened or
shortened to adjust the wire tension.
Loosen the adjustor nuts on the
compression arm so the hook can slide.
Connect the arm to the wheel hanger
assembly as you would normally.
Try to make the compression arm as long
as you can, and tighten one adjustor nut.
Check the wire tension. If its OK tighten
the remaining adjustor nut. Adjust until
the wires can waggle about 20-30mm at
their centre.
46.
A trailers wheel alignment being
checked.
47.
Checking wire tension
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30mm max
The wheel touches
here and here
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Adjusting wheel angle
The following should only be attempted
by a competent mechanic. If you are
unsure consult your nearest bike dealer,
bring these instructions. You will need two
10mm spanners and a 6mm allan key.
Each tension wires length is set by the nut
that sits against the wheel hanger. This
“set nut” is held in position by a 2
nd
nut
tightened against it. On the port side there
is an eye bolt between these two nuts, and
on the starboard side there is a washer.
Remove everything from the wires except
the two set nuts, and sit the trailer in the
position you originally used to check its
wheel alignment. Either you or a helper
will need to pull the wheels apart to
maintain tension on the wires. Make sure
the wheel hangers are seated against their
back stops. Adjust the nuts one side at a
time. Check regularly with the set square
to see when the wheels are correctly
aligned. Repeat for the 2nd wheel.
Re-assemble the assemblies on the two
wires threaded ends.
48.
Starboard nut assembly. There
should be a small gap between the lock
nut and safety clip
50.
Set nut
49.
Port nut assembly.
51.
Adjusting the set nut while holding
the wheels apart
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Gap
Gap
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