As with bike seats, it’s recommended that a child is able to sit unaided before using a trailer, but the upper age limit variable, up to around 45/50kg making it a really versatile and usable piece of kit. Child on board: A guide to child bike seats and trailers. The name Burley hasn’t always been tantamount to bike trailers, though.
Burley Bee, 2 Seat, Lightweight, Kids Bike-Only Trailer. Admittedly, their prices and build times leave a lot to be desired, but much of their business model involves helping disadvantaged youth find their way and start their own small businesses, so I’m happy to wait/pay for what they do. And oh boy, do they do: Skinner City Farm, community bike repair stand/shop, recycled bikes, full service bike shop, custom anything bikes/trailers, bike rentals, Pedalers Express delivery by bike and probably other things I don’t know about. There I am, seated in a 1997-vintage Burley Lite trailer, pulled by my 1965-vintage dad, editor-at-large of BikeBiz. The best Burley bike trailers can be found at the bike trailer guide website.
Our family has been biking together for some time, and until we received the Bee we had always used our rear-mounted child seat on Daddy’s bike. This two-seater trailer has an aluminum frame roll-cage that meets ASTM safety standards, without the extra side framing (or the extra handlebar reinforcement) of the Burley D’Lite trailer/stroller. Strap one or two children in the Burley Bee Trailer and finish all your daily chores on a bike instead of a car.
Some bike trailers even accommodate two children, but always consult your trailer’s product details for information on capacity limits. Bike trailers, unlike bike seats, ride close to the ground. We have thoroughly enjoyed having the Burley Minnow bike trailer as an option for biking with the entire family.
While I was certainly not expecting anyone but Mim to get use out of this trailer, turns out that it will be the perfect biking accessory to have when baby #3 gets old enough to be able to go on biking outings with us. Although, be advised that the baby seat should only be used on trailers that have stroller option if your child is less than 12 months old. Single-seat – While Burley does make a number of other trailers that accommodate more than one kid, the Minnow seats one and that’s all we needed. If you’re looking at adding a bike trailer to your family outings, check out the Burley Minnow.
Weather-protection – While we don’t ever plan on biking through rain or storms, bike trailers offer a level of weather protection that bike-mounted seats or tow bars don’t. Safety – I don’t claim to be an expert bike rider, so having a bike trailer behind the bike, as opposed to a large toddler in a bike-mounted seat, feels much safer to me. Bike trailers are much sturdier and less likely to tip over the adult’s bike. Storage – Most bike trailers have a cargo area in the back to store a backpack, groceries, diaper bag, toys, camera, small cooler or whatever gear and supplies you need for your biking adventure.
To ensure that even the youngest member of the family enjoys the Sunday tour, Burley trailers offer a panoramic view, best ventilation, a comfortable and upgraded suspension system that absorbs bumps even better and, of course, generous space. The new Burley trailers are extremely safe and meet or even exceed already strict safety standards for child trailers. We also think the Bee should be a contender for anyone who lives in a hilly environment since its feather lightness really makes a difference on the way up. This bike trailer is sturdy enough to handle off-road travel, but its bare-bones passenger seating area makes this a less-than-ideal option for extensive off-road use.
The Bee isn’t as cushy for passengers as its more sophisticated sibling, the Burley D’Lite X , due to its lack of suspension and its unpadded seating area. Burley Bee Bike Trailer allows your little ones to join you on your bike rides. For strolling or jogging in a Burley trailer, a child should be able to sit upright unattended, which generally occurs around six months of age.
Here’s a guide to bike trailers (our choice for safety) and bicycle-mounted child seats that will let you take your child on your two-wheeled adventures long before she’s ready for training wheels. – 4 activities – designed to excel when you bike, jog, stroll, and ski (jog and ski conversion kits sold separately) – Thule VersaWing system – enables quick and easy conversion between activities, regardless of the kit used – Adjustable suspension – leaf spring suspension ensures a smooth ride – Thule Click n’ Store – convenient on-board storage of strolling, jogging, and cycling kit while changing between activities – Compact fold – makes it easy to bring the carrier with you – Reclining seat – convenient one-hand recline – Comfortable padded seats – removable and easy to clean – XL cargo space – can be stored away for increased kick stride while jogging – Includes bicycle trailer kit and strolling kit. The foldable design and quick-release wheels make it easy to store when not in use, and it uses the same hitch as Burley’s child trailers, making it simple to swap from trailer to trailer. Seats recline independently – Thule VersaWing system – enables quick and easy conversion between activities, regardless of the kit used – Adjustable suspension – leaf spring suspension ensures a smooth ride – Hand-activated disc brake – for increased control on steeper terrain and while running – Climate Control Cockpit – with removable windows and multi-position sunshade – Extra-comfortable and fully padded seats – removable and easy to clean – XL cargo space – can be stored away for increased kick stride while jogging – Thule Click n’ Store – convenient on-board storage of strolling, jogging, and cycling kit while changing between activities – Includes bicycle trailer kit and strolling kit.
Designed in Eugene, Oregon, Burley’s multi-functional child trailers, kids’ bikes, commuter and cargo trailers, jogging strollers and accessories are available throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Some states, like New York, prohibit children younger than 1 from riding in bike trailers or bike seats. A front-mounted seat allows your child a better view of the passing scenery, but we don’t find them as safe as rear-mounted seats or bike trailers.
Some rear-mounted bicycle seats, such as the Topeak BabySeat II, also have a cross bar that goes across the child’s lap, which is an added safety feature and gives her something to hold onto during the ride. There are three basic ways to tote your child along on a bike ride: seats that mount on your bike, bike trailers, and trailer cycles. • Stroller wheel stays attached and folds up out of the way when cycling • Tool-free adjustment makes switching from bike to stroll mode simple • Adjustable tracking makes for consistent, easy rolling • Burley’s easy-glide tow bar retracts closer to the trailer for easy maneuverability • Stroller wheel pushes easily Compatible with: 2007-Current D’Lite 2007-Current Encore 2007-Current Solo 2007-Current Cub 2007-Current Honey Bee 2008-Current Tail Wagon.
The drop test ensures the integrity of the child-restraint system, the rollover tests the frame’s strength in a bike-only crash (anecdotally, Burley trailers have been hit by cars and yet protected the children within), the push-pull test makes sure the critical hitch connection to the bike lasts for more than 100,000 journeys. Providing comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, the lightweight Burley Bee Bike Trailer lets you share your love for the outdoors with your little ones. If you’re looking for the best value for the money, then take a close look at the Best Choice Products 2 in 1 Pet Dog Bike Trailer , it’s sturdy, lightweight, and the third wheel behind the hitch will make it easy to turn. Don’t miss bike trailer guide if you still have questions about which bike trailer to buy.
Høye wishes to remind adults that whether we opt for bike seats or trailers when transporting kids we mustn’t ignore the essentials. Bike seats and bike trailers are often found at tag and garage sales, but secondhand equipment could put your child at risk. It’s also a good idea to buy trailers and bike seats from reputable bicycle stores and manufacturers.