Showing posts with label burley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label burley. Show all posts

2/07/2011

BOB Yak 28 Plus Trailer In Black (Includes Dry Sak) Review

BOB Yak 28 Plus Trailer In BlackWe bought this trailer for touring with our tandem as well as for allowing us to transport larger items on our bike.We have used it for a four day tour and multiple errand rides around town.

The 28 version allows for use on bikes that have 700C wheels and fenders
Assembly took 15-30 minutes and the trailer came with proper instructions.

When riding you do not really notice the trailer all that much. If anything it makes the bike trail a little straighter. The hardest part of handling is the parking: Since it is near impossible to move the bike plus trailer backwards in a straight line you have to park the bike in such way that you can leave moving forward. Once you get used to that idea it is not that hard.

The biggest negative are the QR Levers. I have two QR levers, one for a standard bike and one for a tandem (145mm wide). It is hard to tighten them enough so that the rear wheel won't come loose. Twice I have had an issue with it: once on a regular bike where the rear wheel came out of the dropouts when I left from a stoplight (causing me to fall); the other time on our tandem, where the wheel remained in the dropout but pulled out of a straight line, causing the tire to rub against the fender.

Overall a useful trailer, but the QR lever could use a re-design

Click Here to see more reviews about: BOB Yak 28 Plus Trailer In Black (Includes Dry Sak)

Product Description:
Patented BOB attachment system. Easily attaches in seconds. Single wheeled performance and cargo versatility. Trailer tracks rear wheel of bicycle - ideal for commuting, narrow roads and single track. Low center of gravity for stability. Keeps the weight off your bicycle for improved handling and performance. 70 lb capacity lets you carry all your gear. Chromoly construction for strength and durability. Rear wheel features aluminum rim, stainless steel spokes and cartridge bearings for performance and durability The YAK's new "DRY SAK" holds 5700 plus cubic inches (94 liters) and is made of PVC coated nylon for 100% waterproof performance. The DRY SAK is custom shaped to fit the form of the trailer and features a double skinned bottom for added abrasion resistance and toughness. The DRY SAK comes standard with the YAK Plus, YAK 28 PLUS & YAK Santana Plus trailers. The patented BOB QR is the essential item behind the performance of our trailers. This attachment method ensures that the trailer tracks the rear wheel of your bike. Anywhere you go, BOB is sure to follow making it ideal for touring on narrow roads and single track. It is one of a few cargo systems that works with full suspension bikes!

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12/04/2010

Burley Design Encore Child Bicycle Trailer Review

Burley Design Encore Child Bicycle TrailerWhen my wife gave birth to our little one a couple years ago, I couldn't wait for him to be old enough to ride in a bike trailer for kids, but I had one huge worry:Safety.

These trailers are so light that they look as though they'd bounce up and down.However, nothing could be further from the truth.This is a very durable product, and while it is light, it is no "lightweight."It's very rugged, and after over a thousand miles on it, the treads on the tires are still holding up really well.

Most importantly, it connects to the rear triangle (near the dropouts) with a coupler that's built around a U-joint, so that if the bike flips over, the trailer will stay upright.I have put this to the test (with an empty trailer, of course), and the trailer stayed on both tires with so much as a nudge.

My kid fits snugly in the trailer, and during sunshiney days, the smoke-tinted side windows keep him from overheating, when used in tandem with the venting mesh front panels.He gets a lot of breeze back there, and if he drops his sippy cup, it conveniently rolls around on the floor until it comes back to him to pick up.

Speaking of tandems, this trailer is towable not only with my Bianchi road bike, but our Santana tandem my wife and I ride.It makes for one long total vehicle, but is very easy to manuever.

I notice I have to go up a gear on my rear cogset to pull this trailer with my single bike, which slows me down a little, but it doesn't feel like that much extra weight when climbing hills.This is a very efficiently built trailer and doesn't create a drag on me.When pulling with our tandem, my wife and I notice almost no slowing down, and just zip along as we always have.

The Burley Encore comes with an orange pennant and a long pole, for great visibility for other vehicles.I recommend getting a "slow moving vehicle" orange/yellow triangle for the rear for added safety, to let drivers know you're pulling precious cargo.

As for my little boy, he has a blast riding around in it, and points out birds, trains and pedestrians while travelling in style (though, with a helmet on, of course).Like a kid's car seat, this trailer is also the best thing to lull a kid to sleep when nap time is due.After five minutes, my boy is out like a light, and doesn't wake up until we're back home again.

As for me and my wife, this is an indispensable piece of exercise equipment:It has added hundreds of hours of needed exercise time to our lives, gotten us out into the great outdoors, and all without sacrificing quality time with the little one.Since she's now going to deliver another munchkin within a month, it ought to double our pleasure like Doublemint gum, as it can seat two, with plenty of elbow room.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Burley Design Encore Child Bicycle Trailer

Product Description:
Providing the ultimate in comfort and safety for children, the Encore child bicycle trailer from Burley Design is the perfect trailer for families making short distance trips and around the town rides. The soft, pliable seat with removable cushion and passive suspension protects against even the biggest bumps in the road, while a roomy interior space and large windows give plenty of capacity for up to two growing children. This trailer with 2-in-1 cover features drum-tight fabric.
The Encore easily attaches to the Burley Stroller or Burley Jogger Kit for use on the go. With a brake, handlebar, and safety strap, the trailer is easily converted to a stroller or jogger, allowing you to walk around parks, markets, and city streets without leaving or disturbing sleeping children. When you're done, the quick-release stroller wheels folds up neatly. Perfect for two bags of groceries, the large rear storage compartment makes it possible to run car-free errands, and interior storage pockets hold toys, blankets, and snacks. The Encore has a capacity of 100 pounds.
Feature Details:

    Total trailer weight: 19.45 pounds (8.8 kg)
    Length: 35 inches (89 cm)
    Width (overall): 30.6 inches (78 cm)
    Height (from ground): 37 inches (94 cm)
    Folded dimensions: 38 x 28.25 x 14 inches (96.5 x 71.8 x 35.6 cm)
    Comfortably seats 1 to 2 children
    Capacity: 100 pounds (45.5 kg)
    Interior storage pockets for toys, blankets, snacks and more
    Adjustable sunscreen protects sensitive eyes and young skin from the sun
    Tinted side windows
    Adjustable vents for comfort in any weather
    Flow-thru mesh seat keeps air flowing through the trailer and cools off the ride
    Padded front seat cushion holds child comfortably
    Meets and exceeds all ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) standards

About Burley Design
Burley Design has been the leader in child bicycle trailer design for nearly 30 years and has earned a strong reputation for high quality, superior design, safety, and trailer strength. Burley's testing and safety standards are among the most rigorous in the industry, and their designs provide a high level of child comfort in an aerodynamic and lightweight trailer. Burley's trailers are all made from lightweight aluminum tubing and covered with a stain-resistant, mildew-resistant, and water-repelling polyester, high-quality fabric. The geometry of each trailer is specifically tuned to reduce the weight on the connecting hitch, while at the same time providing an even balance point over the trailer wheels. This minimizes the load on the bicycle to maximize handling and ensure an extremely stable and secure ride.
The stylish designs are also functional with large windows, a comfortable suspended hammock-style seat that minimizes the bumps in the road, and a generous storage compartment to enable you to do it all and enjoy time with family, exercise, and run errands all at the same time. Burley trailers store easily with a quick fold and easy-to-remove wheels. You can store it in a garage, hang it indoors, or put it easily into the trunk of a car. With easy-to-use jogger or stroller options, Burley trailers can convert for a run, a stroll in the park, or a cycling adventure.


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11/11/2010

Bob Ibex 28 Plus Suspension Trailer includes Dry Sak Review

Bob Ibex 28 Plus Suspension Trailer includes Dry SakThis product is all it advertises to be...well made with quality materials with options for useful accessories.I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a bike trailer to carry their stuff.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bob Ibex 28 Plus Suspension Trailer includes Dry Sak

Product Description:
The BOB Ibex features adjustble rear suspension with 3+ inches of travel to give the rider and the gear a smoother ride.'For 700c with full-wrap fenders or 29" wheel equipped bicycles Ibex Suspension Trailers'IBEX model has adjustable suspension with a minimum of 3" travel 'Comes with one yellow Dry Sak that protects cargo, especially in inclement weather 'CroMoly construction with powder coated finish 'Rear wheel features stainless steel spokes, an aluminum rim, and uses a sealed cartridge bearing aluminum hub Color: ChampagneWeight: 17.5 lbs

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10/29/2010

Croozer 535 Double Child Bicycle Trailer (Green/Grey/Black) Review

Croozer 535 Double Child Bicycle TrailerMy wife wanted a trailer for her bike, so I looked at different offerings from Burley, Chariot, and Schwinn before stumbling across Croozer. I wasn't looking for the cheapest trailer I could find, but I was also hoping to keep things under $1,000.

Since I hadn't heard of Croozer before, I did some research online and tried to find one in a store before buying. That was probably the hardest part of the purchase -- many of the stores listed on Croozer's site (at least, the ones near me) didn't have a floor model to look at. Eventually, I found one that had the Croozer 525 Double Child Bicycle Trailer, and ended up liking it. So, I figured I'd go with the upgraded model to get the advertised five-point harness and a little more cargo space.

I ended up ordering from Amazon, and the trailer arrived unscathed. Putting the trailer together was reasonably easy, because I had the required tools. You'll need an allen wrench, Phillips screwdriver, and an 11mm wrench to put this together at minimum. Having a ratchet with a Torx bit, an 11mm socket, and an 11mm wrench helped tremendously. The instructions leave a lot to be desired, and have very grainy pictures, but fortunately, there's little "real" assembly -- you just put reflectors on the front bumper, and put the front bumper on the trailer. The wheels snap in with a pushbutton release in the center, the stroller arm goes in with a couple of pins, and everything else is basically pre-assembled. (But yes, the front bumper is a big enough pain that it warranted some griping)

What really surprised me was that the trailer itself was basically the same as the 525. Although Croozer lists the 535 as having a five-point harness and doesn't list that as a feature of the 525, their harnesses looked the same to me. The 535 has two arm / leg loops and a center strap which comprises a five-point safety system that actually snaps together as three pieces. The top of the straps have some nice padding on the shoulders and back, which I didn't see on some of the more expensive trailers from other brands.

The trailer arm has a rotating spring mechanism, which makes the trailer move fluidly with the bike, while at the same time, keeps the trailer upright if your bike isn't. Croozer uses an axle post with a pin-and-retainer mechanism to attach to your bike. If your rear wheel has a quick release, installing it takes about five minutes, tops. One thing I was especially happy about, was that Croozer includes two axle posts, so I was able to put one on my bike too, without spending more money.

The stroller wheel looks a bit cheap, but works well (note: if you do buy this, make sure the strap that holds the pin for the stroller wheel is under the bumper when you assemble it!). You don't have to remove the trailer arm to use this as a regular stroller (but you probably should, if you're planning to walk around town with it). As a stroller, this thing glides wherever you push it, and the rear brakes are super solid.

The jogging wheel is surprisingly secure, but since I'm not a jogger, I can't really say much about it beyond the build quality.

In terms of overall build quality, this looks and feels every bit as good as the more expensive trailers. In the research I did, a few people were calling the 535 a "Chinese (Chariot) Cougar 2". Having actually seen a Cougar 2, I can certainly see the comparisons. I wouldn't go as far as saying they're identical, but I don't think the Cougar 2's materials are nice enough to justify the price difference of several hundred dollars. In any case, I didn't find any part of the trailer that left me concerned about our child's safety (which was not the case with some of the InStep and Schwinn trailers I had looked at previously).

If you're not planning to go jogging, you may want to save some money and go with the 525. With the exception of the jogging wheel and a few 10cm (about 4") differences in width and height, the 525 and 535 are basically the same. One notable place where that difference may matter to you is the height of the stroller bar (the 535 bar is about 4" higher, making it much more comfortable for me to push at 6'1"). Despite being disappointed that this was so similar to the 525, I didn't regret the purchase at all, and would absolutely buy this again if I had it to do over.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Croozer 535 Double Child Bicycle Trailer (Green/Grey/Black)

Product Description:
New parents know that baby items take up quite a bit of space. So why make things harder on yourself by buying a bunch of separate items when one will do the trick? Enter the Croozer 535 double child carrier, which combines a stroller, jogger, and bicycle trailer all in one. The Croozer 535's body remains the same regardless of the use, with a two-in-one integrated cover that protects against insects and the weather, along with a comfortable seat area that holds two kids. However, the front of the unit varies depending on the use. As a bicycle carrier, the Croozer 535 offers a sturdy bicycle hitch arm with two axle-mounted hitches. Once your bike ride is complete, you can attach the 8-inch stroller wheel and walk your children to the grocery store or around the block. And when it's time to burn a few calories, you can swap the 8-inch wheel for a larger 16-inch front wheel, which offers sturdy front arms for added stability while jogging. Not only can your little ones be with you wherever you go, but you won't have to make space in the garage or basement for three different child carriers.
The Croozer 535 is extremely safe thanks to the low center of gravity, which will keep your children from tipping around turns. And parents will love the spacious storage area behind the seat, which is ideal for toys, groceries, and other smallish items. Best of all for space-challenged parents, the trailer offers a patented quick fold system for easy storage in small rooms. Other features include reflective tape on the sides and rear, a safety flag for use as a bike carrier, 21.5 inches of leg room and 24.5 inches of head room, a 100-pound weight capacity, and 20-inch spoked wheels in the rear.
The Croozer 535--which meets or exceeds all ASTM trailer standards--measures 34.5 by 38.5 by 42 inches (W x H x D) with the handle and weighs 36 pounds.


The Croozer 535 converts from a bike trailer to a stroller or jogger.

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10/07/2010

Burley SOLO Bicycle Trailer Review

Burley SOLO Bicycle TrailerFor one child this is an excellent trailer. The size (length/width/weight) is just about perfect and the materials are durable and simple to clean. It is extremely easy to hitch/unhitch to your bike. It's also fairly good as a stroller (although, of course you have to pay extra for the stroller "kit"). I especially like the way the side plastic is tinted to protect from the sun and the ease with which you can zip up the front to shield your child from the elements in case of sudden rain. It folds up and loads in the trunk of a car well, without needing to remove the wheels.It even has decent cargo capacity for grocery bags, toys, snacks, etc. Overall, I highly recommend it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Burley SOLO Bicycle Trailer

Product Description:
The Burley Solo trailer is the top of the line when it comes to a single child trailer.With its newly designed reclining seat and full suspension axel your child will be riding in comfort.Whether it's a trip down the road behind your bike or a simple stroll or jog to the local park, you'll have no reason to not do it in a Burley trailer.New in 2007, the Burley We Ski kit allows your Solo to even go with you on your winter adventures. A spacious cargo space allows for that quick trip to the grocery store or local farmers markets any day of the week.Designed for 1 child, 75lb caring capacity.

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9/25/2010

Burley Bicycle Trailer Hitch (Standard, Forged) Review

Burley Bicycle Trailer HitchWe had an older version of the Burley Bicycle Trailer Hitch on my husband's bike, which replaced his rear axle.It worked nicely, but I could not easily attach the Burley to my bike, as it was permanently affixed to his bike.So we opted to purchase a second hitch.

This newer option was a wonderful solution for us.It was very easy to install, and easy to connect the Burley to my bike.Easier to use than the option my husband has on his bike by FAR!I leave this permanently attached to my bike, and go, with or without the kids.

If you like to pull the Burley, but still like to ride on your own as well, this is the best option available!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Burley Bicycle Trailer Hitch (Standard, Forged)

Product Description:
Burley Standard Hitch for Quick Release & Bolt-On Axles.Keep all your bikes ready for trailering with extra hitches.All current Burley trailers include a quick release standard hitch.Bicycles with Breezer-style dropouts require use of alternative hitches.

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9/15/2010

Croozer 525 Double Child Bicycle Trailer (Red/Silver/Grey) Review

Croozer 525 Double Child Bicycle TrailerAfter doing significant research on bike trailers for children, I opted for Croozer Designs brand because it got great reviews from a few bike enthusiasts.The 525 model has separate seats for each child, as in separate "hammocks" on each side for each seat - many other brands of double trailers have a single "hammock" with two seat harnesses, resulting in both children eventually leaning in towards the middle and each other.The 525 seats remain separate and flat and a very comfortable ride even for taller children.
Assembly of the trailer was relatively easy, although I put the front bumper on upside-down the first time - beware.
There is a lot of storage space behind the seats.
The screen and rain cover included are sturdy, fit well, and store easily.
Installation of the trailer hitch on the bicycle is very easy, although I had to insert the screw in the opposite direction (as mentioned in the instruction manual might be required) which meant a little more work.
Attaching and detaching the trailer is a piece of cake too.
The only downside is finding vendors who sell the Croozer 525, but Amazon came through and had the best price.
Overall, I have been thrilled with my purchase!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Croozer 525 Double Child Bicycle Trailer (Red/Silver/Grey)

Product Description:
Croozer trailers are known for their adaptability and superior quality. The Croozer 525 Double Bike Trailer features the same kind of excellence in a lower-priced unit that offers tremendous value. This 2 in 1 unit is a child carrier that quickly converts from a double stroller to a bike trailer. As a trailer, it attaches securely to any adult bike with the aid of a hitch arm forward and a 2-part axle attachment in back. The 20" spoked wheels deliver a smooth, quiet ride even at biking speeds. Easily remove the arm and attach the pivoting stroller wheel, and it becomes the right option for a leisurely walk or a series of errands on foot, complete with a padded handlebar.The Croozer 525 cockpit will keep your kids safe and comfortable. Front and rear bumpers offer protection, while the padded 5-point harnesses will keep them snug and secure. The wide wheel base and low center of gravity provide good stability under road and trail conditions that are less than perfect. The weather cover keeps off the rain and sun, while the mesh sides let in lots of fresh air. A padded head rest offers additional comfort and protection.There's plenty of room for two, and a sturdy frame that will support up to 100lbs. To add convenience to value, the Croozer 525 Double Bike Trailer features a patented mechanism that makes for quick and compact folding for storage and travel. Get Croozer quality at a best-in-class price.

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