What is the most weight a handlebar or side bags will hold?

[forcelite]

I have a 30 pound dog. He is a little bigger than a small dog but will fit in the segway handlebar bag. Question is would he be to heavy and cause some type of problem.

Maybe it would be better to put him in a side wheel bag.

My last option is a rear towing trailer but he is a little to small to tow all that.

Thanks
Force

[SegwayDan]

I have an i167 and have carried as much as 50lbs. of groceries in plastic bags draped over the handle bar. There's a noticeable difference in handling, as you have to lean farther back to stop, but I think your dog would not be too heavy. You'll know immediately once you try it. In my opinion, it's not dicey at all, it's just a little different, handling-wise.

[cmonkey]

I have a dog carrier on the front of my seg.
This model:
http://www.radiofence.com/pet_carriers_pet_bicycle_basket.htm

it's only designed to hold 14lbs, but I put about 18lbs of dog in it. (2 chihuahuas)

I have to stand on the very back of the platform to maintain balance, and emergency stopping becomes more difficult with more weight on the front.
Also bumps will be a problem.
To see for yourself, put about 25lbs of dead weight in your bag and try to make turns and stops.

I'd highly recommend getting a side bag.
With the side bag, your friend will be facing forward, and it'll be a much more comfortable & safer ride for both of you.

Segway orange county, has a customer whose dog absolutely loves the soft sidebag. But, at 20lbs, you may need to put a board on the bottom of the side bag.


I inititially started with my dog in the front bag, but sitting sideways, it wasn't much fun for him as he kept twisting around to see things.

[forcelite]

Great, the sidebag is a great recommendation. Do you think one side would pull more than the other since there is 30 extra pounds on it, or it will be really no problem. I guess the e- machine bags would be our best bet.

Thanks
Force

[KSagal]

30 pounds is quite a bit of weight anywhere...

If you have a gen one machine, I might suggest that you train the dog to just sit on the platform with your feet. I have seen two different individuals that have dogs that just hop up and sit on the platform, either between your feet, or on your toes. (or a bit of both)

If you have a gen 2 machine, this is more difficult, as the center is raised, and you may need to revert to the side bag. A significant advantage to the side bag is that it is centered over the axle, so you have the front half of your dog making the seg go forward, and the rear half making it brake(Segs have brakes?) so the end result is movement neutral.

For weight distribution, I would suggest you modify a golf set up. There is a cross bar for most that I have seen so far, that helps to distribute the weight.

As far as a trailer, there are many out there, and several people here have really been very creative. Your dog and you may be more comfortable with a tiny trailer, where everyone can be more comfortable.

Good luck, and post pictures of your final solution.

[forcelite]

Thanks allot, all very good recommendations. I will probably go with a side bag, but if the dog will learn to sit there that would be ideal.


Force

[cmonkey]

Yes it will pull to the side with the most weight on it.
You'll of course compensate by leaning a bit to the opposite side.
If you find yourself leaning a bit too much, then a couple of extra PSI in the dog side tire should compensate.

Great, the sidebag is a great recommendation. Do you think one side would pull more than the other since there is 30 extra pounds on it, or it will be really no problem. I guess the e- machine bags would be our best bet.

Thanks
Force

[gbrandwood]

Is there not just the tiniest bit of danger involved in putting a small pet in the front bag of a PT? Surely if you have an accident then the pet isn't going to survive? We've all heard of the term "face plant"... "pet plant"??

[wwhopper]

Having the extra weight on the handlebars does change the turning dynamics.

Today I took a large mailing to the post office, and found by putting an old fashioned paper shopping bag (Whole Foods new fashion w/handles) on the center console and held it between my legs, and had a couple of good cloth bags with handles on the handlebars, I was able to carry a lot of priority mail envelopes.

But boy did I have to be careful steering and stopping. It was a very different machine loaded down that way. Not unlike a truck loaded down!

[hellphish]

Is there not just the tiniest bit of danger involved in putting a small pet in the front bag of a PT? Surely if you have an accident then the pet isn't going to survive? We've all heard of the term "face plant"... "pet plant"??

I once took a spill with Quiznos in the front bag. The sandwich was unharmed.

[solotrek]

Speaking of weight on the front handlebar, I added the handlebar guard to my i167 so I could mount accessories. Lights etc. I attached an HID light with the ballast and battery pack. I discovered that at full speed, a high frequency, side to side, oscillation would occur in the handlebars. With a deflection of an inch or two. At first I didn't know what was going on. I thought it was the tire pressure or the new lower cargo system. I removed the handlebar guard and the vibration stopped. I reinstalled the guard without the battery pack and most of the movement subsided. Very interesting.