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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — The pleasant weather of May is a perfect time for long bike rides. And for parents, it can also be an excellent time to bring along your children.
This review looks at a handful of products that allow children to hit the road, even if they aren’t old enough to ride a bike of their own.
PRICE: Varies by retailer
GRADE: A-
Most bike trailers take their design cues from strollers, employing similar handles, seats and brakes. For their Chariot CX 2, however, Thule uses the technology of a high-performance bike. For example, it has an ergonomic handlebar, disc brakes and adjustable suspension.
These features aren’t simply aesthetic—they ensure the Chariot CX 2 rides smoother than nearly anything else on the market. One practical use for the adjustable suspension is when you’re carrying two kids. If you’ve got a 1-year-old on one side and a 3-year-old on the other, you can account for the weight differential for a nice, balanced ride.
The Chariot CX 2 is a dream for passengers. The seats are incredibly padded, allowing your kids to be comfortable on longer treks. It also has tinted windows, so your kids aren’t left squinting into the sun on summer rides. And it’s designed with ample helmet space. Other trailers often lack this, which forces children to either lean slightly forward or go without a helmet.
As with most trailer/strollers on the market, the 33-pound Chariot CX 2 folds up for transportation and storage. Because of its robust design, it’s actually not the easiest trailer to fold. But that’s a small quibble when compared to the many features that help your children have an incredibly smooth, comfortable and safe ride.
The Chariot CX 2 has a high price tag, but it offers more versatility than the competition. You get a four-season child carrier that can be used (with a conversion kit) as a trailer, jogger, off-road stroller or snow sleigh.
Bell Classic Cocoon Bicycle Child Carrier
PRICE: $39
GRADE: B+
This carrier has a lot going for it. First off, it’s an extremely affordable way to bring a child along on a bike ride. Also, it’s compact enough that it works well in confined spaces where a trailer wouldn’t.
The seat has a five-point harness for safety, which is better than the two- and three-point harnesses that are sometimes used on this type of carrier. It can also accommodate kids up to 40 pounds, which is better than many of the other comparable models on the market.
At the same time, it’s got a few limitations. The assembly can be tricky, which may throw you off from the onset. For example, the support bars are supposed to be universal, but they won’t work with some bikes.
Confidence Double Bike Trailer/Jogger
PRICE: $116
GRADE: D+
The Confidence is a 2-in-1 trailer and stroller. Although it has a nice price, it’s definitely not worth the money. This is a poorly-made trailer that will never hold up to repeated use. It may have a steel frame, but all the plastic components are flimsy. The wheels are particularly low quality and rickety.
Don’t waste your money on this trailer. You’re much better off going with the InStep Robin 2-Seater Trailer, listed below, which actually costs less money and is a lot more reliable.
PRICE: $79
GRADE: A
InStep makes some great trailers at great prices. The Robin is one of their best, as its price is low, but it is still has quality features and is built to last. It can hold up to 100 pounds and folds up quite well for storage.
The Robin has 16-inch rims with pneumatic tires. There’s a zippered bug screen and a roll-up weather shield, so it can be adapted for most weather conditions.
One thing to note is that the bike coupler used by InStep isn’t as universal as those used by some other brands. This means that there’s a fair chance it won’t be compatible with your bike. So if you buy an InStep trailer, make sure the coupler works with your bike before you take the time setting up the trailer.
PRICE: $359
GRADE: A-
Burley makes some of the best trailers in the industry, and they’ve also added trailercycles like the Piccolo to their lineup. Trailercycles are great because they allow your child to accompany you on bike outings, while learning riding skills at the same time.
A clunky connector can definitely hamper the riding experience, but the Piccolo has an aluminum ball-bearing guided hitch that makes your rides safe and smooth. It has to be one of the sleekest setups on the market. You’ll find that it’s easy to balance and doesn’t require maintenance while on the road.
The Piccolo can accommodate riders up to 85 pounds. It’s specifically designed for children from 4 to 10 years old. The cool thing is that it has a 7-speed thumb shifter that allows your child to master different gear speeds before they’re old enough to venture off on their own bike. So even as early as four, your child can get valuable biking experience.
The Piccolo has a streamlined design that makes it ideal for long rides. It has a lightweight aluminum frame, tipping the scales at about 18 pounds. And the 20-inch wheel is durable enough to handle many different types of terrain.
