Buying a bike carrier for kids

[Italianmum 12]

Hi to all

we recently moved to Munich and immediatly realized that a bike carrier for kids is a must here.

We surfed on internet and prices range from 70 euro up to 1000 euro.

 

We will not heavly use it, as I have a car, and mostly in the city.

 

We have a 2 yrs old kid, but planning to have a 2nd one: the 2 seats is definetly the option.

 

How can I choose one? What should i look at?

Where best to buy

 

Many thanks

 

ItMum

[HJH1 15]

Chariot and Burley are the favored brands here. They both have suspension, providing for a smoother ride for the kids. Cruzer is also a popular brand, but does not have suspension and is therefore cheaper. You can try before you buy at Fidelio (http://www.fidelio-mobil.de/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26). They specialize in bike trailers.

[emikseattle 259]

I would also look on Quoka.de, here in the classifieds and on ebay. We found a used one, in great condition, for about $300 less than new.

 

I agree with the brands, etc. The chariots also work great as a stroller if you will be on a LONG walk and want your kids to be able to go in/out of the stroller if they need rest.

[Italianmum 12]

thanks for all the info.

I'll go to check at Fidelio and to the shop in Starnberg (where seems they have also 2nd hand).

See you around

ItMum

[Guest]

personally I would carefully look into the safety of bike trailers in the inner city where there are no cycle paths.

many motorists do simply not see them on the roads, not to mention the kids are at the level of exhaust fumes.

[zemonkey 445]

In choosing a trailer look at:

 

- how small it folds, does it fit a trunk/or fold awy when not in use?

- do you need handle/adapter as a stroller/jogger?

- suspension is nice to have but not a must have unless you do some mountain biking (even so we never had any)?

- attach point is simple and compatible with your bike?

- rain proof? One of my early trailers was a mobile bath when it rained.

 

Burley, Cruzer and Chariot are the known market leaders. InSTEP also makes a less expensive one along with other brands.

Take a look at the ads here on TT and the small ads on eBay for used ones.

 

PLEASE NOTE, since you are planning on having another baby, that they are not intended to be used with small babies (neck/head risk).

 

From TÜV site (http://www.tuev-sued.de/sport_leisure/child_safety/bicycle_child_carriers_and_bike_trailers) English

 

 

Trailers are just ideal for parents who want to transport two children or make longer trips. Kids can comfortably nap on longer distances and parents can even stow away a little luggage. To ensure the safety of your kids, trailers should offer:

· a sturdy rollover bar

· a rigid perimeter cage

· sufficient interior height and width

· a four-point harness

· a low-level tow bar to prevent tipping over

· an all round canopy to protect children from stones, spray and insects and prevent their hands from getting into the wheels

· a safety flag to avoid the risk of being overlooked illuminators and reflectors

wheel guards

 

 

[lmosdal 527]

We have put thousands of miles on our 40 euro ebay trailer. It has met all of our needs as a family of four who bikes nearly everywhere (about 60 km this weekend along the Isar).

 

My children (3, 6) are quite mobile on their own bikes now. If I were starting again with two wee ones and were more of a city biker -- I would spring for a front loader like a Nihola. They're so safe and wonderful to communicate with your little passengers. There are even baby carrier attachments. They are very expensive but if you figure you'll use it everyday for four years -- it may make sense. Just a thought.

 

http://www.nihola.com/

[liebling 1,487]

 

 

- suspension is nice to have but not a must have unless you do some mountain biking (even so we never had any)?

- attach point is simple and compatible with your bike?

- rain proof? One of my early trailers was a mobile bath when it rained.

 

Suspension is crucial on paths and regular streets -- I use my Chariot Cougar 2 (with great suspension) on bike paths and neighborhood streets on my daily commute (about 40 minutes each way) and man are those roads and paths bumpy. Maybe it's better where you are, but our roads have lots of potholes, paved bike paths have splits and cracks (from weather and tree roots, etc.). Even if these get fixed on an annual basis, there are enough bumps (not to mention cobblestones) so that we would never have subjected our toddlers to rides in a trailer without very good suspension.

 

On compatibility, are there any attachment systems (Weberkupplung, Chariot, Instep or other) that don't fit on all adult bikes? Or to put it the other way round, what types of adult bikes don't work with these? I've never seen or heard of any but as an advocate of cycle-commuting (with kids), I'd be keen to learn of these.

 

One other word of warning about cheaper, non-suspension trailers: many have lower max. weights than their expensive cousins. Friends of ours maxed out the weight limit of their mid-priced double (sorry, I forget what brand) with a 3.5 and 1.5-year-old (35 kg was the limit of the trailer). The older child can cycle but can't handle distances (not to mention needing to cycle on the sidewalk, by law) and so they ended up having to spring for two new singles (each with 35 kg max). "Better" double trailers have max weights of 45 kg or even a bit more.

 

And while I'm at it -- RIGHT ON zemonkey regarding the warning about cycling with infants. For strolling trailers are safe enough for babies, but not for cycling.

[liebling 1,487]

And a P.S.: We had looked at those Niholas - which are a great product - but they don't allow for the easy detachment of kid-transport (and use in stroller mode, which we use daily as well), nor could we see how we could readily switch riders (my spouse and I are of vastly different sizes) if one got tired. We switch off trailers between single and doubles, and enjoy the ability to do so at a moment's notice.

[zemonkey 445]

My cheaper non-suspension trailer did easily several thousand miles in 4-5 European countries and was used on some light mountain biking. The kids did get bounced around a little but the seat is usually suspension enough (they are still whole and still like to bike) so based on that I made my suggestion about suspension being a "nice to have". But it is certainly better when possible.

 

Issues are rare, but I've seen with attachment systems:

 

- the a side attachment on a suspension bike improperly stressed a rear suspension requiring the replacement of the piston (BRAIN on a Specialized)

- the safety strap attachment did not have sufficient length to attach to a point away from the disk brake and was worn out by rubbing

- with low paniers and certain touring set-ups, the attachment points might need adapters to be moved off the axe and forward a bit

- In general for bikes with track-style or horizontal hangers for the rear wheel it is not a good idea to put an attachement on the axis -- the stress can result in movement or mis-alignment. Get an off-axis adapter.

 

A minor issue but only if you do a lot of kms with loaded weight

- the stress can require that you replace the quick-release skewer with a heavy duty one.

 

I've also heard of, but not from personal experience, that certain recumbent don't have clearance or connection points for bars, but that really isn't for the general user.

 

BTW, baby carrier attachment should only be used with 6 month-olds or older babies.

[liebling 1,487]

Many thanks for those details about the attachments systems, Zemonkey. I'm going to save those for future reference.

 

By "baby carrier attachment", do you mean the sling/hammock infant holder that is attached inside the trailer (and/or the "baby bivy")? We used neither but they are sold by manufacturers for use from birth (and anyway by 6 months most babies will have outgrown them by length if not weight). As long as parents just push the trailer as a stroller and don't attach the trailer to a bike, they should be fine. Most if not all trailer manufacturers (according to multi-government safety standards) are clear about trailers being only suitable for use with children aged 1 if they are being pulled behind a bike. From age 1 to about 18 months one can use the infant-seat-insert (basically a set of head and body cushions) to provide extra support, esp. for dozing babies, whilst cycling.

[Lusage 0]

we have been driving our 2seats chariot for the last 5 years. It is one of the best buy I ever made, even if it was so expensive since we bought it new. I actually had my Babies in the hammock when they were 4 and 5 months specially when biking and I always felt safe. Last week the trailer fell on the side on a small steep way ( I had step down the bike) but baby was fine since the hammock can not swing and the handle keep the trailer of completely laying on the side. but I wont do it again to see if everything is ok.

Munich is the perfect city to bike and people are used to trailers. If you live in the city you can use the trailer as a stroller when not biking,

so the front wheels should be easy to put on.

[ls2010 0]

What are the benefits of the trailer thing compared to a seat that just goes on the back of a bike? DH and I are having a hard time deciding what to get for the occassional weekend bike through the park (1 child, 11 months). Thx!!

[lmosdal 527]

For special trips with one small child I always loved my front seat Römer that sat just behind the handle bars. A wonderful way to sing and here those first little words while your biking in the park.

[HJH1 15]

@LS2010 - With your child being so young, if you plan to go on longer bike rides, you may want to get a trailer, as your child will probably fall asleep in the bike seat. Ours always did, and even with the higher end Roemers where the seat reclines, her head was always bobbing against our backs and it was really unsafe to have to hold her up and steer the bike at the same time. Now that our kids are older (2 and almost 4), they definitely prefer the bike seats because they can see more and communicate with you.