Double seat child trailer
 

Howdy!


Looking for a double seat child trailer (18 month old and 3 year old); I ride a decent distance (15-25 miles at 12-15 mph) price range between 80-150, any suggestions?




Thank you for your input.
-Charles

There were a few marketed bu various makers including Trek over the years. You always see them on sale used because children out grew them, so work the classifieds and ebay, but try to buy locally because shipping won't be cheap, and you'll want to make sure of the condition.

However, 3 years is pushing the limit, so I suspect whatever you buy, you'll be selling it soon enough.

I've never used a children's bike seat, do those finagle the balance at all? Are they comfortable for the kiddo?

Child seats aren't a problem when riding, probably because their owners rarely, if ever, ride at speeds where they might be become an issue.

IME the biggest issue is when stopped, mounting or dismounting. The child's weight is high and behind the seat, so once you step off the saddle, the bike can twist under you if allowed to lean to either side, and the bars cannot restrain it well once that starts.

There are ways to mange the problem but the rider has to be aware and ready. Whenever any of my family or friends asked about seats, I suggested buying 20#s of potatoes or onions, and riding the sack around for a while so they can get used to and manage the problem. It's far better to dump potatoes on the ground than your own child.

I had a Burley that you could put two kids in. New it was around $400, but I think there is a good resale market for these things, because they outlast kids.

That works, thank you for the advise!

I always give the same advice when it comes to child trailers- Buy a "name brand" used trailer. I have used a bunch of different trailers and have bought all of them from Craigslist or Play it Again. You should look for brands like Burley, Chariot, Trek, Co Pilot, etc. There are a few Schwinn ones that are higher end quality too, but you have to figure out which models are the good ones. I have never paid more than $120 for any of the "high end" trailers.
Bruce

I just went through ebay and found tons of them for a decent price thank you for the heads up!

Hi all, so glad I stumbled across this thread... I've been debating over a bike trailer for a couple of weeks but have been a little hesitant. Am ideally looking for one which can turn into a jogging one too as I've just taken up running this year to try and get myself in shape... but has anyone had any experience with this product: Monz Blue Bird Bike Trailer + Jogger white - Collection 2016 on Prams.net ... or the brand for that matter? I've personally not heard of them?

Don't particularly want to splash out that much cash only to find out that it's no good? So what do you guys think??

I have never heard of that company/trailer, but I have some general related experience. If you are going to actually be running/jogging with the trailer/stroller, you absolutely want one with a fixed front wheel. The rotating front wheel accessories are great for general walking and around town use, but when you are at more than a walking speed they can be unstable and hard to control. The link you posted looks like it comes with the fixed front wheel and you can buy the rotating/swiveling one separately so it looks like you would be okay. Generally that trailer looks to be good quality, but I really have no idea what's available over there (from the link I am assuming not in the US:)).
Bruce

Great, thank you so much... that's useful info and will definitely bear in mind... I've read some reviews on that trailer I posted, and I think I'm gonna go for it, so I'll let you know how I get on!

I noticed Amazon currently has the InStep Quick n Ez Double Trailer on sale from $140 down to $80. It's got decent reviews.

The only beef I have with the InStep double seat trailers is that the seat is one wide seat with two harnesses. Our older Schwinn trailer had two separate "buckets" in the seat. The difference is that with two kids, they tend to start sliding to the middle while riding in the InStep trailer and on longer rides this usually caused discomfort which then leads to grumpy kids. Other than that, the construction of the InStep has kept it going in our family for many years.

Check craigslist, offerup and such, I was able to pick up a Burley Bee for $80, looks brand new, used twice before they got their twins bikes.

I recommend this Qeridoo Speedkid2, it costs little and I think they are also very comfortable.

Curious about which brand is most comfortable for little ones? Had a terrible offbrand given to me and the kids just wouldnt sit in it. Couldn't blame them, the sests looked awful.

We mainly used a trek 2 child trailer. I don't believe they make these any longer. What I most liked about the trailer was that it was basically 2 individual seats made out of a nylon type fabric. It was like it snuggled them in. I certainly appreciated that each child had their own space. Our double trailer had a weight limit of 100 pounds.Still used it with kids about 4 and 7 however had to consider the route I'd be riding. The Chariot 2 child is also nice, we used one of those a couple times and the kids were cozy. I would avoid any sort of trailer with a hard molded type seat. Sleeping kids equal a longer ride! Also check out the WeeHoo. We had a single one however they do make a double. My kids started on the WeeHoo at about 2.5. and rode up until about age 8.

Of all that I've seen or tried over the years, the best was the original (mid-1970s) Cannondale trailer with the optional kiddie tub. This has a fairly wide stance but is a bit heavier than the fabric trailers. It's also been quite a while since I last saw one for sale.

Buy used
 

I was able to purchase a double seat burley encore trailer off of craigslist yesterday. I have not used it yet. I only have one child that needs to be towed but I figure for what I paid and the condition that it was in it was well worth the money. Now is the time to buy them before the biking season really begins as others will be out looking for the trailers also. I am looking forward to be able to take my 12 month old granddaughter on bike rides.

I have an Avenir Cleveland, great bathtub design, but it didn't have suspension and she hated it. So i bought some flat ally bar and made a pair of scissor leaf springs and drop links, to give it 5ins of suspension travel. Happy kid until she got too tall for it.