by Alicia MacLeay
Direct from Europe, it's the Monowalker, a contraption that transforms from a normal looking bike trailer into a 15.5-pound hiking trailer/hand cart and a 6.6-pound backpack. I find this product and the video above of hikers pulling attached trailers fascinating, maybe it's the mountain scenery or maybe it's the narrator's voice and music (sorry for the lack of volume and video controls).
Of course, pulling a bike trailer or a pulk on snow with gear or kids in tow is common practice. Now that I have watched the Monowalker I am trying to imagine some other potential applications, most of which involve a lengthy, multi-terrain bike tour and heavy loads (it carries up to 100 pounds), but not so much hiking. Maybe German hikers with their alpine culture are on to something though. Or maybe I'd fall flat on my face while holding those two wooden handles.
I'm intrigued. At 900 euros, would any of you consider the Monowalker, maybe for a multi-purpose, self-contained, around the world trip? Or is this yet another solution in search of a problem?
If nothing else, it reminds me of Bierhoff Bros: House of German Coats.
For more info: www.monowalker.com/ENG-index.html
via Treehugger
