Child Bike Trailer
One of the greatest pleasures of parenting is to share as many activities as you can with your kids, including cycling, even when they do not know how to do it yet. Although your toddler is already having fun with his balance bike, when it comes to a beautiful family bike ride, buying a child bike trailer is a natural choice.
This accessory will allow you to carry your child daily, either hooked to your bike or simply pushing it as you would with his stroller, walking or running. We invite you to discover the best models, as well as a complete guide on how to choose it.
Why use a child bike trailer?
Simply because it's the best way to ride your bike safely with your child. If they are not yet old enough to follow you on your excursions, the child bike trailer is the preferred solution for parents to carry babies or children. The walk then becomes a real pleasure with your child comfortable in the trailer, allowing him to alternate nap and moments of relaxation.Best Bike Trailer: Top rated models by parents
InStep Quick N EZ Double Bicycle Trailer
The inStep Quick N EZ Trailer has a dual functionality: both bicycle trailer for child and stroller. It offers the opportunity to walk around and specially to play sports with your children in peace. Sharing these moments with your family is now possible. The wide wheels of the trailer allow you to go in the grass or on the sand, even to practice more rugged or steep terrain.This trailer can carry one or two children, offering them both space and comfort. Since the seat is padded, the hood has a net to protect children from possible insects, and the space for children feet is wide enough. The side storage pockets are also very practical, so do not hesitate to pack everything you need. You can go on a ride in rainy weather as well as sunny days: the cover allows protect the children from rain and the side windows are tinted for extra protection.In terms of safety, the trailer has a five-point harness, as well as white and red reflective strips, respectively for the front and the back. The drawbar attaches easily to a bike and is equipped with a shock absorber spring. Thus, you do not risk destabilizing the trailer if you make sudden movements or in case of a fall, because it will remain motionless. You can also totally convert to a stroller to go walking or running: it is perfect for walks but certainly a little less if you live in an urban area because it is quite impressive.
Schwinn Echo Kids/Child Double Tow Behind Bicycle Trailer
The Schwinn Echo Children bike trailer is a quality model combining reliability of materials and great maneuverability. In fact, the steel frame ensures a fairly long life, and large tires allow you to walk on all kinds of terrain. This trailer can accommodate up to two children.It is equipped with a safety belt with five anchor points, and the seat cushion is padded so that your child is seated as comfortably as possible. The bug screen and winter shield options guarantee a significant protection against bugs and sun, especially if you go for a ride for several hours. The cover is completely airtight and ensures that your children stay dry.When it comes to safety, it is important to note that the drawbar, once attached to your bike, does not move and ensures that the trailer remains stable in all circumstances even in the event of a fall. You will also be visible from afar if you leave at night thanks to the reflective strips on each side of the trailer.
Clevr 3-in-1 collapsible 2-Seater Baby Stroller Jogger / Bicycle Trailer w Pivot Wheel
The child bike trailer Clevr Stroller Jogger has been specially designed to absorb shocks. It is equipped with a double shock absorber, and the rear wheels have an independent suspension. All these features make it possible to guarantee you a better experience since the handling is simply optimal. This trailer can accommodate up to two children. It is equipped with a mosquito net, very practical during walks in the countryside, as well as a hood of rain protection.If you want to carry a bottle of water or even some toys for your children, you can use the two internal side pockets provided for this purpose, or the largest pocket, located at the back. The assembly is fast and is done without tools. In the interest of safety, the trailer is very stable and will never go down in case of fall of the bike or will not pitch if you take a turn a little tight. In addition, the small colored flag guarantees you an optimal visibility.The trailer is also equipped with harnesses with five attachment points. Be aware that the maximum load weight must not exceed 40 kg, and regardless of the number of children sitting inside, this trailer is still perfectly manageable.Do not hesitate to convert it into a jogger to go run anywhere with your children. This child bike trailer, although very robust, can nevertheless easily fold up and be stored in no time.The Different Types of Bike Trailers
Single wheel
First, there are the single-wheel bike cart. Generally, the wheel is large and sturdy and can carry your child on any type of terrain. Be careful, however, to remember that your child will feel all the vibrations of the path, like you on your bike. To understand technically how the bike trailer is made, just imagine a wheel, rather large and wide in the rear axle of the trailer.On the front is the opening to put your child or children and a frame to attach the cart to the bike. Several things to know if you decide to opt for a single wheel child bike trailer: without being attached, it does not hold the balance and it is therefore difficult to put and tie your children since the cart pulls down. At least, it can be more manageable to drive and is less complicated when it comes to maintenance. Two wheelers
In the same way, both wheels are at the rear of the trailer on each side of the vehicle. One of the advantages of the two-wheeled trailer is that it generally supports more weight and therefore more children or bigger children. It also has greater stability on the road. Often wider, they are also more visible on the road by motorists. Three wheels
Finally, the three-wheeled trailer is a much different model, often much more expensive. Two wheels at the rear of each side and a wheel in front often smaller. The axis allows the cart to hold its balance without being attached to the bike. We are here in the top of the range of the trailer that you will have to pay for a few trips and ... a few children.At the very least, it is more secure, more balanced and allows you to carry more weight and leave more space for your children. As cons, it is a vehicle that cannot be folded and therefore, takes up a lot of space in your home when you do not use it.F.A.Q
At what age can children use bike trailer?Obviously, everything depends on the model. If you want to use it in pedestrian mode, from the first month of the child, you can carry it with you. Even if it is necessary to add that the stroller remains anyway a universe more adapted to a young baby. As for using it with a bike, the majority of manufacturers give a minimum age of 9 or 10 months.This helps to keep the baby safe. Indeed, the use of a child bike trailer is not without risk since the vibrations are important and you must always pay attention to the consequences on the baby, the movements of his head, etc. Whether the cart is equipped with suspensions or not, the baby's muscle tone is more important at this age, so it is important to follow the regulations regarding the minimum age required to put your baby in a trailer.Up to what age should you stop using a bike trailer?
Also, here, it depends on the model and the weight that can support the cart. The three wheels can obviously tow a child of a greater weight.
Then do not forget that it is you who will pedal during your long walks. The weight of the child, plus the weight of the cart, is not nothing, so consider this data.
In addition, beyond 4 or 5 years, the child begins to have much less space in the trailer. The space for the legs is narrower and the child moves more.
The naps are also shorter and he needs to be able to express himself more. Finally, as soon as he has the age and abilities, the child also wants to participate more actively in the ride. It is quite possible that he will ride with you, of course, on shorter rides.
Buying Criteria
The typeThere are several criteria to look at:The number of wheels: one wheel, two wheels or three wheels for more flexibility, stability ...The number of children you want to transport: usually one or two.Space for the child or children: the wider the trailer, the better it will be for your child or children on long journeys.The way you can attach your child: with a simple strap to a seat fully adapted to the reception of a baby with the possibility of having a hammock like position.The closure of the child's cart: whether it is for winter use or on the contrary use in rainy and windy conditions.Visibility at night or in gray weather: ensures greater security at night for your children during your walks.Quality of materials: flat tires, sealing of the trailer, suspensions for shocks and vibrations, storage inside, lightness but robustness of the materials ...
The maximum loadThe strongest of them can carry up to 45 kilos, then you have two places because a child of 45 kilos would be too big to fit a cart. But that depends on the model and the chosen brand. It will therefore be necessary to check this data before buying your child bike trailer. Security elementsSafety is the most important point when you decide to acquire a bicycle cart. Several things are to be considered. First, the stability of the vehicle. The more stable it is, the less risky it is for your child to fall or tip. Second, the way to tie your child.Indeed, a five-point safety belt seems to be the most suitable while allowing your child to play, sleep and look at the landscape. In addition, some trailers are equipped with a thicker body, to counter some shocks (as against another bike or when the bike falls ...). A solid and waterproof interior is obviously de rigueur to protect the wind, rain but also projectiles that can come from the road.Finally, the attachment system to the bike must also be well adapted and must not detach on the way because of jolts or movements of the child. The quality of the fastener and chassis is therefore important.
ComfortAs for comfort, do not neglect the effect of the wheels on the cart especially the cockpit or the cushion for the neck. The seat inside must be able to accommodate your child so that he feels at ease in his movements and his sleep. He must have enough room for his shoulders and legs. The accessoriesLike any purchase, it is possible to add a few more, sometimes they are already integrated into the starting trailer, sometimes you will have to put your hand in the pocket to improve your bike cart. Whether it's the flag to make the trailer visible, another attachment, a gearbox for a child or baby seat, towing hooks, or even bottle holders, you'll find a variety of accessories for your trailer.
aestheticsAs for aesthetics, it all depends on the tastes and colors of everyone. The different models exist in many colors but it is true that colors such as green, yellow or blue are very popular. It is also true, that some materials, their quality and their material also make the cart more beautiful (one thinks of the black or chromed chassis ...). The priceThe price range is like for bikes, exceptionally wide. You will be able to find child bike trailers between $130 and $1300, enough to satisfy all budgets. At the bottom of the range, you will find light, fragile carriages, allowing to walk baby between 1.5 years and 3 years, with little adaptation and only one place. Beyond $800, the trailers are real little jewels.They are real pleasures in walks. Children will have room to play, sleep and generally, the trailer will adapt to the age of the child. It will therefore be possible to install a hammock at the very beginning and change with the age and needs of the child, to a different product such as seats in shell.Essential accessories for carrying your child
The hammockThe hammock is the essential accessory if you want to walk your baby between one and ten months. Usually offered with four straps, the hammock can hold the baby and protect him from shaking. And why a hammock? By being suspended from the frame, the seat feels much less shaking. It will move only with the movements of the bike. Obviously, with babies of this age, it will always be necessary to think of driving less quickly. The seat The seat installs directly into the child bike trailer. Perfect for young children, the seat allows the child to have a nice sitting position but also to sleep in peace thanks to two side cushions where his head can land. The seat is, as in a car, held by a seat belt. And straps allow to attach your child in the seat.
The cushion for the neckThe neck pillow allows your baby or child to have a lot more comfort during trips. It keeps his head well protected in the seat. If he keeps his head upright, he also allows the child, when he falls asleep to be well installed. The bike helmetsKey element of security. It is sometimes unnecessary and difficult to install in some child bike trailer models. Indeed, the head being stuck in the hammock, in the seat or in a cushion for the neck, it is difficult for a child to wear a helmet. Moreover, a helmet can be dangerous if the neck of the baby is not toned and does not allow to carry a weight so important.However, on other types of cart where the child is free and his head is not well protected, the bike helmet is an essential element. First to protect the child's head in case of shock but also to teach him the good habits of riding a bike.The different uses of a trailer
Hanging on the bikeBetween 9 or 10 months and 4-5 years, you can use your child bike trailer for your family outings. A special fastener is provided for this purpose. When buying it will be necessary to check that the cart can easily adapt to any type of bike, allows the stability and the safety of your child. In pedestrian modeFrom a month and up to three years you can adapt your cart with a pedestrian kit. So you can, as would be the case with a stroller, walk your child in the city. In Rando and for joggingTo go further in this idea, but here with children a little older (from 9 or 10 months), you can with this kit consider jogging with your children. For runners and especially those who cannot keep their children to do a bit of sport, the trailer for children will allow parents to walk their children playing sports.Advantages of the bike trailer
Finally, the advantages of the child bike trailer are really to be able to do outdoor activity with the family.
For parents of young children, it is sometimes difficult to consider long walks during the day. The trailer allows parents to enjoy their ride as much as possible while having their children at their side.
These are real moments of sharing for both adults and children. Guaranteeing safety, the trailer is a means of transport that tends to develop today but remains a relatively expensive element.
This investment must be profitable over time. The trailer is therefore a modern, secure alternative to the baby / child bicycle seat. Also easier in its installation, the child benefits more from his trip, can play, sleep and enjoy as his parents, his ride.
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