Experience with Bike Trailer/Stroller combos?

[kimba217]

My husband is thinking he wants to get a jogger, where I would like a bike trailer. I've come across models like the Schwinn Mark II and III, which would be perfect if they work well, but they worry me a little. Does anyone have experience, good or bad with these products?

[azgirl71]

I have a Schwiin one. It is ok, but noisy as a jogger. It is heavy to pull too. If I had the money I would get a Trek bike trailer. I could live wihtout it.

[miraclebabies]

I have the same bike trailer/ stroller combo that you are talking about. I really like our, we use it for bike rides only. I don't using it as the stroller cause the front wheel sticks out really far and it seems to be cheap. I really like the way it folds and it is easy to hook up to the bike. I used it last summer when my DD was about months old, I just stuck her in the middle seat and she did really well. When we have #2 it will be nice cause you can put up to 100# in it. I also have a instep jogging stroller that we use to go to my DH triathlons and martahons and it works better for us. It has a front swivel wheel, adjustable handle (cause we are both tall) and folds pretty compact. I would rather use that on long walks than unhooking my bike trailer.

[southpawboston]

I used it last summer when my DD was about months old, I just stuck her in the middle seat and she did really well.

was that in stroller mode or trailer mode? children shouldn't ride in a trailer or bike seat until at least one year of age.

[azgirl71]

was that in stroller mode or trailer mode? children shouldn't ride in a trailer or bike seat until at least one year of age.

I had Tucker in the trailer at 9 months with a helmet. We were only in my neighborhood and she did fine. I would have never gone to a busy are with her though. There is a lot of biking here. i have seen kids 6 month old in bike trailers. No the helmets do not fit them well. Tucker just got to where the helmets fit her, but only the GIRO ones from the bike shop. She cannot wear the ones you buy at WM. They do not fit well at all. Now for the seats you put on the bikeI agree our bike shop does not recommend those until over 1 yr and with a well fitted helmet.

[southpawboston]

I had Tucker in the trailer at 9 months with a helmet. We were only in my neighborhood and she did fine. I would have never gone to a busy are with her though. There is a lot of biking here. i have seen kids 6 month old in bike trailers. No the helmets do not fit them well. Tucker just got to where the helmets fit her, but only the GIRO ones from the bike shop. She cannot wear the ones you buy at WM. They do not fit well at all. Now for the seats you put on the bikeI agree our bike shop does not recommend those until over 1 yr and with a well fitted helmet.

the reason for the age limit on bike seats/trailers is not so much fitment of the helmet and concerns of falling (there's ALWAYS a concern of falling, regardless of age), it's because of inadequately developed neck muscles. even though a 9 month old can hold his head up, the jouncing and jostling of fast-moving bike seat or trailer over bumps can cause uncontrolled head movements which can result in brain damage (similar to shaken baby syndrome).

it is for this reason that we didn't let DD1 ride on a bike seat until at least age 2 (even thought the law in our state states age 1 minimum), and DD2 won't be riding until about 2 years old as well.

we're also going to upgrade the child carrier on my bike to one that has a suspension to help absorb some of the jolts from road bumps. a trailer seat doesn't transfer quite as much jolt from bumps as a bike seat, but close, and i don't think most trailers have any type of shock-absorbing suspension.

i don't know about the laws in AZ, but 6 months old in a trailer? that's way to young IMHO. :thumbsdown:

EDIT: btw, for anyone looking for a great source of info for bicycle child-carrier information, my favorite site is helmets.org (http://www.helmets.org). this site is amazing, it's basically the car-seat.org of child bicycling safety.

here is what they say about infants and riding on bike seats/trailers:

http://www.helmets.org/little1s.htm

it was reading that page that convinced us to wait until age 2!!!

[azgirl71]

the reason for the age limit on bike seats/trailers is not so much fitment of the helmet and concerns of falling (there's ALWAYS a concern of falling, regardless of age), it's because of inadequately developed neck muscles. even though a 9 month old can hold his head up, the jouncing and jostling of fast-moving bike seat or trailer over bumps can cause uncontrolled head movements which can result in brain damage (similar to shaken baby syndrome).

it is for this reason that we didn't let DD1 ride on a bike seat until at least age 2 (even thought the law in our state states age 1 minimum), and DD2 won't be riding until about 2 years old as well.

we're also going to upgrade the child carrier on my bike to one that has a suspension to help absorb some of the jolts from road bumps.

i don't know about the laws in AZ, but 6 months old in a trailer? that's way to young IMHO. :thumbsdown:

I understand what you are saying. I can see how thta could happen. For me there was very little possiblity of a lot of jolting around as I am lucky if I can peddle the bike with the trailer... lOL. I am not used to all the gears the bikes have now. I end up walking my bike a lot. I have not been out this year at all. I am considering a bike seat on my bike instead of the trailer. I think i may have better luck. I can ride fine without her.

AZ does not have any minimums that I am aware of. I actually have seen people who have put thier infant seat in the bike trailer :thumbsdown:. We do have helmet laws for bicycles.

[southpawboston]

check out my edited comment above... :thumbsup:

[azgirl71]

check out my edited comment above... :thumbsup:

Thanks! I will check them out more tomorrow. i need ot go to bed now, but have bookmarked them. Thanks again!

[sfeitler]

I understand what you are saying. I can see how thta could happen. For me there was very little possiblity of a lot of jolting around as I am lucky if I can peddle the bike with the trailer... lOL. I am not used to all the gears the bikes have now. I end up walking my bike a lot. I have not been out this year at all. I am considering a bike seat on my bike instead of the trailer. I think i may have better luck. I can ride fine without her.

AZ does not have any minimums that I am aware of. I actually have seen people who have put thier infant seat in the bike trailer :thumbsdown:. We do have helmet laws for bicycles.

Having ridden with a trailer (a lot) and with a seat mounted above the tire (for about 5 weeks), I like the trailer a whole lot better. The seat mounted over the tire changes the center of gravity of the bike, making it harder to handle. A trailer just doesn't do that.

As for the original topic--I haven't seen the ones you're talking about, but I think this is an area where it's better to get a specialized trailer and a separate stroller. Our Burley trailer has a stroller attachment, and it's fine for walking around, but I would not use it for jogging. The most we ever used it was at the zoo, before we had a wagon.

-Sarah

[Jewels]

the reason for the age limit on bike seats/trailers is not so much fitment of the helmet and concerns of falling (there's ALWAYS a concern of falling, regardless of age), it's because of inadequately developed neck muscles. even though a 9 month old can hold his head up, the jouncing and jostling of fast-moving bike seat or trailer over bumps can cause uncontrolled head movements which can result in brain damage (similar to shaken baby syndrome).

Yeah.
I also look at it from the same point of view as why we don't like to see babies under 1 (at the min.) FF. Even if you aren't going fast you can still fall off your bike or have a collision of some sort. It really is unpredictable just like when you are in a vehicle you just never know.

[Jewels]

We have a Chariot (http://www.chariotcarriers.com/) and love it. It was recommended by our Chiropractor as it is lightweight and easier on your back to pull. How much the trailer weighs is important to me if I am going to be pulling 30-60lbs of children . . . which can quite hard but a good work out

I have also used it almost daily as a stroller for walking when I have more then one child and love it. They also hold their value extremly well and have a great warrenty.

[southpawboston]

Having ridden with a trailer (a lot) and with a seat mounted above the tire (for about 5 weeks), I like the trailer a whole lot better. The seat mounted over the tire changes the center of gravity of the bike, making it harder to handle. A trailer just doesn't do that.

there really are pros and cons for each setup. the center of gravity does become higher (but not as much as you might think) with a bike-mounted carrier making the bicycle itself slightly less stable, and it's also less stable parking the bike to mount/unmount the child. and, if the bike falls, the CHILD falls too :eek:. but then, statistics show that the majority of bike carrier accidents involving a motor vehicle (:eek:) are the trailers, not the bike mounted ones (and i ride DD1 in traffic, so that was a big consideration). also, there is a lot of data out there on trailers flipping over (it happens more easily than many cyclists realize). again, there are pros and cons, and one is not really "better" or "safer" than the other, they just fit different needs and applications. accident statistics show a pretty even split overall between the two types of carriers. that website i mentioned in my earlier post goes over the differences quite thoroughly. :thumbsup: the one thing that remains the same for both is the one year minimum age recommendation!

[QuassEE]

I ride, and I have a Chariot. I wouldn't have it any other way--it's the only trailer that functions as a great trailer, a decent stroller (wider than a standard doorway or else I'd say a good stroller) and a great jogger. Well worth the money, especially with a 20%-30% off single item coupon from REI.com. Look into it--they really are the best option out there.

-Nicole.

[AdventureMom]

We have a Chariot (http://www.chariotcarriers.com/) and love it. It was recommended by our Chiropractor as it is lightweight and easier on your back to pull. How much the trailer weighs is important to me if I am going to be pulling 30-60lbs of children . . . which can quite hard but a good work out

I have also used it almost daily as a stroller for walking when I have more then one child and love it. They also hold their value extremly well and have a great warrenty.

I ride, and I have a Chariot. I wouldn't have it any other way--it's the only trailer that functions as a great trailer, a decent stroller (wider than a standard doorway or else I'd say a good stroller) and a great jogger. Well worth the money, especially with a 20%-30% off single item coupon from REI.com. Look into it--they really are the best option out there.

-Nicole.

So glad to read this! We're thinking about plunking down money for a Chariot... :eek:.... :D. So I'm glad to see you guys like it. I went to REI and fiddled with it and it seemed so much better in terms of suspension than the other one they had (Burley, maybe?). Have either of you tried it with the infant sling (in stroller mode)?

[azgirl71]

Having ridden with a trailer (a lot) and with a seat mounted above the tire (for about 5 weeks), I like the trailer a whole lot better. The seat mounted over the tire changes the center of gravity of the bike, making it harder to handle. A trailer just doesn't do that.

Thanks, Sarah. I have been wondering that. I may just shop aroud for a new trailer. I do not care a whole lot for the double. It is ok, but not for me.

[azgirl71]

We have a Chariot (http://www.chariotcarriers.com/) and love it. It was recommended by our Chiropractor as it is lightweight and easier on your back to pull. How much the trailer weighs is important to me if I am going to be pulling 30-60lbs of children . . . which can quite hard but a good work out

I have also used it almost daily as a stroller for walking when I have more then one child and love it. They also hold their value extremly well and have a great warrenty.

Jewels how much do these run?

[sfeitler]

I ride, and I have a Chariot. I wouldn't have it any other way--it's the only trailer that functions as a great trailer, a decent stroller (wider than a standard doorway or else I'd say a good stroller) and a great jogger. Well worth the money, especially with a 20%-30% off single item coupon from REI.com. Look into it--they really are the best option out there.

-Nicole.

Wow! The Chariot looks nice. We have a Burley, and it's a fine trailer, but not good for other tasks. Fortunately, I don't need a jogger, but it would be lovely to have the ski option. If I was in the market for one now, I'd try to justify the cost of the Chariot...

I think my friend had a Trek trailer, or maybe it was Schwinn--it tipped over once when they made a nice, easy turn. They stopped using it right away... not all trailers are made equal!

-Sarah

[sfeitler]

Jewels how much do these run?

Not Jewels, but REI has them: http://www.rei.com/search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&query=chariot&x=0&y=0

They're a bit pricey. But there's a 20% off coupon for March--look at www.rei.com for info on that.

-Sarah

[azgirl71]

Not Jewels, but REI has them: http://www.rei.com/search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&query=chariot&x=0&y=0

They're a bit pricey. But there's a 20% off coupon for March--look at www.rei.com for info on that.

-Sarah

Thanks, Sarah. I may just end up sticking with what I have. DH will throw a fit if I ask for htta kind of money for a new bike trailer.

[sfeitler]

Thanks, Sarah. I may just end up sticking with what I have. DH will throw a fit if I ask for htta kind of money for a new bike trailer.

I totally understand. I couldn't stomach the $300 for the Burley--got lucky and found it at a garage sale for around $125. We ride some with the girls, but not enough to justify a really nice trailer. Of course, if the trailer was really nice we might ride more, but.... probably not. The rest of our lives would still be just as busy. ;)

-Sarah

[Jewels]

So glad to read this! We're thinking about plunking down money for a Chariot... :eek:.... :D. So I'm glad to see you guys like it. I went to REI and fiddled with it and it seemed so much better in terms of suspension than the other one they had (Burley, maybe?). Have either of you tried it with the infant sling (in stroller mode)?

I haven't but I have considered gettting one to use in stroller mode with this baby for in the summer when ds wants to ride as well. The seat back isn't super straight and if your little one can sit or is close to it then I wouldn't worry about using the infant sling :twocents:

Jewels how much do these run?

The classic line is a bit cheaper then some of their other carriers. I have the Corsaire (http://www.joggingstroller.com/Chariot-Corsaire-XL.pro?source=shopping&kw=102064000000000&zmam=6024774&zmas=4&zmac=73&zmap=102064000000000) which is at the top of the classice but I only got that because I was quoted the wrong price and it ended up only being $50 more then just the basic. I then spent another $120 for the walking kit. I bought it when I started baby sitting in my home and wanted to walk with 2 children (we only have 1 vehicle so in order for me to go anywhere I needed a double stroller for two 1yr olds) and I also wanted a bike trailer so we could bike in the evening as a family. This way I got both a double stroller and a bike trailer in one item. Sometimes I have squeezed 3 small kids in there and have been pushing close to 100lbs and still it has been incredibly easy to push. I have had it almost 3 years and have used it almost daily (except in the frigid temps we have) and totally feel it was worth the $600 we put into it.

We had looked into buying used and they were still going for $350- $400 for a 10yr old trailer with a jogger stroller.

[azgirl71]

The classic line is a bit cheaper then some of their other carriers. I have the Corsaire (http://www.joggingstroller.com/Chariot-Corsaire-XL.pro?source=shopping&kw=102064000000000&zmam=6024774&zmas=4&zmac=73&zmap=102064000000000) which is at the top of the classice but I only got that because I was quoted the wrong price and it ended up only being $50 more then just the basic. I then spent another $120 for the walking kit. I bought it when I started baby sitting in my home and wanted to walk with 2 children (we only have 1 vehicle so in order for me to go anywhere I needed a double stroller for two 1yr olds) and I also wanted a bike trailer so we could bike in the evening as a family. This way I got both a double stroller and a bike trailer in one item. Sometimes I have squeezed 3 small kids in there and have been pushing close to 100lbs and still it has been incredibly easy to push. I have had it almost 3 years and have used it almost daily (except in the frigid temps we have) and totally feel it was worth the $600 we put into it.

We had looked into buying used and they were still going for $350- $400 for a 10yr old trailer with a jogger stroller.

For your situation I think it was a great buy! I would only use it as a bike trailer. Probably one a week. So right now I can't justify buying one.

[Jewels]

For your situation I think it was a great buy! I would only use it as a bike trailer. Probably one a week. So right now I can't justify buying one.

Yeah, that is understandable :D

I know they are expensive and I had to justify buying it when we got it. It was also DH's fathers day present :whistle:

[QuassEE]

BTW, if you buy a quality child carrier (that's what a Chariot IS) then you'll get a good 75% of your value out of it--maybe more, if you use the coupon--when you're done with it and re-sell it. Other carriers will likely have to be trashed after a few years' use. The Chariot seems like better value, in that sense.

-Nicole.

[azgirl71]

BTW, if you buy a quality child carrier (that's what a Chariot IS) then you'll get a good 75% of your value out of it--maybe more, if you use the coupon--when you're done with it and re-sell it. Other carriers will likely have to be trashed after a few years' use. The Chariot seems like better value, in that sense.

-Nicole.

Very true. This (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/kids/trailers_and_joggers/littlebug/) is the one I really want! It runs around $500 give or take. I doubt DH will let me get one though.

[Morganthe]

I have to say, I REALLY like the Chariot Side Carrier (http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/sidecarrier_features.php). DD's too heavy and my feet too long to put her on the back of my bike, but I've also experienced trailor tip over when I was carting our dogs around. Scary. :thumbsdown: I also don't like the aloneness of her being so far behind, so I might splurge for the side car version.

Anyone ever try it? I'm not looking for any more strollers, so I don't mind that it lacks that ability.
So $380-20%+ $30 for shipping from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/753239). Hmmmm. Something to think about. :whistle:

http://media.rei.com/media/g/1146604.jpghttp://media.rei.com/media/k/1146616.jpg

[azgirl71]

I have to say, I REALLY like the Chariot Side Carrier (http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/sidecarrier_features.php). DD's too heavy and my feet too long to put her on the back of my bike, but I've also experienced trailor tip over when I was carting our dogs around. Scary. :thumbsdown: I also don't like the aloneness of her being so far behind, so I might splurge for the side car version.

Anyone ever try it? I'm not looking for any more strollers, so I don't mind that it lacks that ability.
So $380-20%+ $30 for shipping from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/753239). Hmmmm. Something to think about. :whistle:

http://media.rei.com/media/g/1146604.jpghttp://media.rei.com/media/k/1146616.jpg

I like that one too, but I get concerned about having DD to the side of me when there is a narrow shoulder. I will kep my eye out on this one too :whistle:

[AdventureMom]

I like the side-carrier as well, but worry about narrow bike trails or someone who is passing hitting it...

[miraclebabies]

In my previous post I said we used the jogger/stroller combo when my DD was a infant. She was about 6months old and fit perfect in it. She sat up just fine at the time and she fit really well with the 5pt harness. We only used it in our housing addition and never went very fast. She loved it and I read that it said any child younger than 1yr shold not ride in it. She fit fine and we probably only used it maybe 10 times last summer. I usually used my jogging stroller to walk around the neighborhood. I don't see any problem in her using it at 6months old..

[azgirl71]

I like the side-carrier as well, but worry about narrow bike trails or someone who is passing hitting it...

That is my worry with it too. I will have to talk to DH

[southpawboston]

I also don't like the aloneness of her being so far behind, so I might splurge for the side car version.

that's another reason i went for a bike-mounted carrier... they don't get that much closer to you than that, and you can hear them when they have something to tell you, above the roar of the wind and other environmental noises! i don't how much better a side-car setup would be over a rear trailer in terms of being able to hear them talking.

[AdventureMom]

Anyone use the seats that go in front of you rather than behind you? We had one with DS was smaller and used it briefly then gave it away. I seemed to be better able to balance it with the weight at the center of the bicycle than behind me. I hear that they're more common in other countries -- I know I got alot of strange looks in our neighborhood when we were out and about. :)

[southpawboston]

We only used it in our housing addition and never went very fast. She loved it and I read that it said any child younger than 1yr shold not ride in it. She fit fine and we probably only used it maybe 10 times last summer. I usually used my jogging stroller to walk around the neighborhood. I don't see any problem in her using it at 6months old..

i guess as a stroller, that would be fine, but no matter how careful you are using it in bike mode, it's not good CPS practice to bike around a child younger than one year in *any* bike carrier.

that would be the equivalent of saying that it's okay to tote a baby around in a carseat improperly because someone is "just going down the street to the store, right in my own neighborhood".

[lovinwaves]

I have no real input, but if I was getting one tomorrow I would definitely get the Chariot. I have heard so many good things about it here on the forum from members like Jewels :love:

I spoke with DH about this last night, and once we move he would like to get one :) :thumbsup: We were avid bike riders before having kids. We did 15-20 miles each riding session. So we would love to get our old, out of shape rumps back on the bikes :D

Now, do we get two singles ones? or get one double? :shrug-shoulders: Will I be able to save money since I don't need it to convert to a stroller/jogger?

[southpawboston]

Now, do we get two singles ones? or get one double? :shrug-shoulders:

that depends! do your children enjoy being together or do they rip each other apart? i think that would be the question for us... i would imagine it gets very lonely back there, you're pretty much removed from any human involvement.

[lovinwaves]

This is what I picture SPB> Dh hauling both of them in one trailer. Me, getting impatient because I want to FASTER! I hate leisure riding(I know, I know, I have to get over that with two kids now), so I am wondering if we each only have ONE child we will stay more together in riding, and neither one of us will want to pull ahead of each other?

Guess I will need to break out my hybrid instead of my road bike, huh? :p

[southpawboston]

you might also want to check, some trailers aren't recommended for any style of bike other than a mountain bike or hybrid. also, if your bike has any sort of rear suspension, a trailer may not be able to be hooked up. best to check with each trailer and see their restrictions. :twocents:

[Jewels]

Now, do we get two singles ones? or get one double? :shrug-shoulders: Will I be able to save money since I don't need it to convert to a stroller/jogger?

If you had a double then you would be able to bike with the kids by yourself when DH isn't around or the other way around.

With the Chariots you can buy different kinds. The Classics come with a bike attachment and you buy the conversion kits seperately. I believe they also have others available where you buy just the unit and you buy the accesories and everything that you want (ie. bike, stroller kit, jogging kit etc) seperately depending on what you want to use it for.


And as for communicating, ds and I can still talk and hear each other of course if he is talking really quietly I can't but for the most part don't have any problems hearing him.

[solmama]

Another bike/jogging stroller combo is the Wike trailer. We have one, and my super-tall dd (43.5" at 4!) can still fit in it.

www.wicycle.com

Good luck!

[hipmaman]

I'll add my 2 cents for a Chariot too. Great quality, great functionality, versatile, made in Canada, high resale value, etc. :thumbsup:

[abharrington]

any tips on which chariot? i looked at their website and they have lots of models. i read what they said on the sescriptions, but still not sure which one would be best.

[Jewels]

any tips on which chariot? i looked at their website and they have lots of models.

Depends what you want to use it for and how much you want to spend.

I have the Corsairre and it came with the hook up to the bike and I bought a walking kit (handle bar and two front wheels). I also had several kits that I could have chosen from.

[Peony]

Another bike/jogging stroller combo is the Wike trailer. We have one, and my super-tall dd (43.5" at 4!) can still fit in it.

www.wicycle.com

Good luck!

We have a Wike as well, I LOVE it. My 5y old easily rides in it. We have actually used it more as a stroller then a trailer, I got the larger wheel kit for it. I do also have a BOB that I use when I want to run. The Wike was excellent when I was pg with DD2, I biked until I couldn't anymore so I switched it to stroller mode and would walk all over town doing our errands. :thumbsup: