Bike Hunting

[supagoose]

I haven't touched my bike in over a month been to busy playing army but ive been looking at DIY carts on the internet. think I might just build myself one when I get home.

[bmccalister]

Just picked up a new kid hauler never been used still in the box for $50. Can wait to modify it for hunting.

[whack em]

My initial test runs on the forest service roads have worked out pretty good.  The trailer is a bit noisy for my liking, but it was empty.  I need to put more weight on it for a good pull test and see how it does.  If it's still noisier that I would like, I'm debating on getting a can or two of the spray foam and see if that helps. 

 :dunno:Any tips? 

[JPhelps]

Spray can of rubber undercoating worked great on ours

[Turner89]

I put one of those foam sleep matts in mine. Works pretty good.

[whack em]

Spray can of rubber undercoating worked great on ours

Great idea, I may have to go that route.  I did notice a significant decrease it sounds coming from the trailer with the weight added to it. 
Here's an update on the weighted test run:  filled two 5 gal buckets with gravel giving me 130 lbs of dead weight.  I then strapped them to the trailer, and went for a buzz around the neighborhood (got a few wierd looks along the way ).  Bike pulled fine, but I can definately see where braking on the hills with current v-brakes adds a greater challenge.  (Concur with the folks that chimed in on the disc brakes!) The weight caused a wheelie going up hill in the lowest of gears, forcing me to walk it to the top.  Biggest limiting factors right now would be the impact of the weight on the trailers tires.  They were slightly bulging under the weight.  (Since I'm running the stock 20" tires and cheap tubes, I'm sure they're the culprit.)  Other limiting factor is me.  I'm in decent enough shape, but the legs aren't used to towing the weight behind me uphill.  Training started this morning!!! Next upgrades to come are going to be a good rear rack, handlebar ends, and heavier duty trailer tubes.

I'm also debating on going high and right with this whole venture and camo'ing the bike out as well.  The wife doesn't seen to agree with my style though.  Time will tell...   

[JPhelps]

What drove me nuts were rocks "tinging" off the cart.  With the rubber undercoating is helps to deaden the sound.

[Bullkllr]

Have you guys ever knocked your scope off riding on rough roads?

My gun or bow never gets to ride on the handlebars anymore.  In my experience too many things rattle loose.

I am also worried if I am to wreck my weapon isn't safe on the bars.

After having issues with both guns and bows on the handle bars- mine only ride on my back these days.

[throttlejocky20]

Have you guys ever knocked your scope off riding on rough roads?

My gun or bow never gets to ride on the handlebars anymore.  In my experience too many things rattle loose.

I am also worried if I am to wreck my weapon isn't safe on the bars.

Always on my back gun or bow. The primos bow sling works awesome.

After having issues with both guns and bows on the handle bars- mine only ride on my back these days.

[calib]

Just picked up a bike for me and one for my girl friend. the one she got was a 15 speed mt bike with folding baskets and a rack in the back( figure since she isn't hunting, but wants to go she can pack some stuff). Mine just a plain 21 speed mt. bike, but ill have the trailer behind me. picked it up for 50$ brand new looking.

gonna take them out this weekend for a scouting trip as well as to see how the terrain is compared to what it looked like on google earth. the one trip will be about 3 miles in, have to find a pump and some slime or tube filler in case.

[Skyvalhunter]

Better to take one of those small patch kits or extra tube. No problem patching a leek in the field. Slime pretty much makes the tube useless after it is used

[Humptulips]

Patching is a huge problem in the field if it is raining.
Get some of the liners for your tires. That will eliminate most flats.

[calib]

thanks guys, i figured i would at least carry and extra tube per rig, then i could get a patch kit as well as add in some liners before the hunt. I am eventually thinking ill get a couple lights in case i have to ride at dark, probably cree led's

[TommyH]

The trailer I modified was a kid hauler, It worked great! Up hill to elk camp was a slow push up the neverending hill but down hill was pretty extreme, I hauled a lot of gear on the trailer and had no problems with it. Didn't get to test it on a elk tho 

[jnevs23]

I know this isn't the for sale section but I'll put this up anyway. I just bought a new Mtn bike and wife wants the old one out of the garage.  Selling a 1998 Rocky Mountain Cardiac.  Solid bike, rock shox quadra 21 shock, shimano components, bar ends, tires in good shape.  Going to put it on Craigslist for $75. It could use a tune up so for around $100 it will be a good reliable bike. PM me if interested