Question on In-Step Trailers

[CyLowe97]

I'm looking for a reliable trailer to attach to the back of my mtn bike so my wife and I can cruise around the neighborhood with our 6 month old. I went out to e-bay to see what was there and it seemed like there were lots of the brand In-Step that were in the $100 and under range. When I go to the LBS, I see higher-end brand names going for between $200 and $300. If I'm looking for something just to jaunt around the block and paved paths in our subdivision, would the In-Step be reliable and safe? If I can spend hundreds less, that would be great, but safety is key.

Anyone have one of these In-Step trailers and what do you think?

Also, does anyone make a helmet for a 6 month old?

[PaulH]

I've got one. It made daily 10 to 16 mile trips last summer, and I expect It will do so until my child outgrows it. I have used it year-round in rain and snow. If it can do that, I would expect it to be fine for short recrational trips. I would say that higher-end units like the Burley do not give additional safety, but do have more efficiency.

Our pediatrician recommended that we not transport our child anywhere by bike until she was at least one year old.

Paul

[CyLowe97]

Thanks for the information! We'll have to consider the age factor and that it might be too soon to get into a trailer.....

[PaulH]

Of course, the trailer also works well as a grocery getter when I don't feel like driving either of the cars.

For human-powered child transportation without using a bike, there are some nifty child carrying backpacks available. We used ours a lot before she was old enough for a trailer. It allows the family to go where neither strollers nor cars can go.

Paul

[Cycliste]

We bought an In-Step Quick'n'Easy which is one of their entry level, three years ago and used it extensively for our daughter, sometime loading it with beach stuff and grocery items. The trailer has been real great and she is now about to move to a tag-along bike trailer.

We also have an Instep jogging stroller and along with the trailer can say that Instep are good quality, safe and excellent value products.

Instep started selling their products in department stores, over the internet and eBay and this has somehow devalued the brand but I don't think they should be compared to department store bikes.

Trailers such as Burley are very well made and offer less rolling resistance with larger wheels, better bearings etc. Comfort is better (though the instep is also great in this area). Fabric may also be less proned to tears (though ours does not shown any). Some Burleys or similar also tend to have higher loading capacity, important if you are thinking of carrying two kids. I found the Instep a little too small for that.

I think for people doing distance and/or higher speed, a Burley or similar high end brand is recommended, but for most people who want to ride at max 15mph and short distances, the Instep is adequate.

Regarding age, six months may be too young, recommendation is one year and when your child has passed the stage of holding his/her head. Helmet is law in most states I believe.

[Dr. Moto]

My advice on getting kids started in trailers -- do it gradually. Put the helmet on, let them wear it around the house for a while. Do this every day for a little bit. Then let them sit in the trailer without moving it. Put a book or toy in there. Let them sit in it for a short time each day. After a few days of this hook the trailer up to the bike and off you go.

And, as others have said, don't do any of this until the kid is at least 1 year old and your pediatrician has given you the OK.

[hrcarol]

I also have an InStep Quick and Easy trailer and like it very much. You can get them on ebay for less than $100 but, Target also has them for $100 (or less if you can find them on sale).

[sjqx2]

I just used my In-Step this weekend that I got from eBay. It is the same that are at LBS at a lower price. I use it on my hardtail mountain bike. I hardley notice the weight of the trailer (except uphill) when I was riding. My only concern and maybe some one else that has a trailer can help, is my streets have left over sand from the winter and when I was done riding I noticed that the dirt/sand was being shot up into the trailer from my rear tire and into my sons face. Not very much fun for him. I was wondering if there is a way to avoid that other than putting down the rain cover.

Steve

[Cycliste]

I just used my In-Step this weekend that I got from eBay. It is the same that are at LBS at a lower price. I use it on my hardtail mountain bike. I hardley notice the weight of the trailer (except uphill) when I was riding. My only concern and maybe some one else that has a trailer can help, is my streets have left over sand from the winter and when I was done riding I noticed that the dirt/sand was being shot up into the trailer from my rear tire and into my sons face. Not very much fun for him. I was wondering if there is a way to avoid that other than putting down the rain cover.

Steve

When wet or sand/dust, I pull the rain shield down. I also keep the insect mesh down at all time, this protects also from any projection of gravels or debris.

I am afraid this is the best option unless you could install some kind of screen in front of the trailer, some sort of upright mud-flap. Another idea would be to install a rear fender with a mud-flap that goes as low as possible to the ground so to retain any projections.

[veloellen]

First, if you are going on the road, a nicer trailer is worth the extra bucks. We rode with our 9 month old in a In-Step trailer (that we padded well) on a rail to trail. If money wasn't an issue, we would have bought aburley, but it was an issue and we knew we were keeping the riding simple. It was an In-Step and served us well. I found a Giro helmet that fit his head but usually put a little cap on his head (under the helmet) so the fit would be snug. We got the OK from our pediatrician. I believe our son was about 18 lbs when we first put him in the trailer. He had very good head control (hey, these helmets are heavy for a baby head) and loved "some" of the rides. I do remember a ride or 2 when he cried and cried and cried (we road quickly back to the car on those rides). Our son was 8 weeks premature - and was still a peanut at 6 months so we didn't consider it at that point....

[veloellen]

I just used my In-Step this weekend that I got from eBay. It is the same that are at LBS at a lower price. I use it on my hardtail mountain bike. I hardley notice the weight of the trailer (except uphill) when I was riding. My only concern and maybe some one else that has a trailer can help, is my streets have left over sand from the winter and when I was done riding I noticed that the dirt/sand was being shot up into the trailer from my rear tire and into my sons face. Not very much fun for him. I was wondering if there is a way to avoid that other than putting down the rain cover.

Steve

My husband put a rear fender on his bike and extended the fender with cardboard and duct tape. We also kicked sand and dirt into the trailer until we rigged this up....

[GV27]

We have an In-Step Turbo. I think I paid ~$180? Put my son in it when he was 2.5.

I've been mighty impressed with this one. It's a direct rip-off of the Burley design and other than color hard to tell apart. It's got 20" wheels that roll well - perhaps the better Burley bearings are a good thing long term but for now it's going strong. Tracks very nicely even at fairly high speeds, converts easily to a stroller.......I just can't see paying double for a Burley.

[crgowo]

Im in the market for on as well. I have one question though, is there a pivot on the arm incase i fall it wont roll the trailer over? Thanks.

[Beth76]

I'm looking for a trailer too and I'm glad to hear so many good things about this one. One thing I can't tell from descriptions and pictures though. Do the side "windows" have a screen or are they just clear plastic? I would think they would have to have a screen for ventilation, but it doesn't look like it from the pictures. I can clearly see that the front window has a screen with a roll-up plastic thing, but I'm worried about the sides since most people say they leave the plastic on the front to prevent dirt from getting in.

[PaulH]

The side windows are plastic. During the summertime, I use the mesh screen front roll up and leave the plastic one rolled unless it is raining. There is a back window which, when opened, allows air to flow through the front screen and out the back.

Paul

[Portis]

I got this one (http://www.bicycletrailers.com/schwinn-trailer.shtml) at Target last Summer. ($175) It has served us very well. I am glad we didn't spend more on a trailer as this one is perfectly fine for our rides. Generally kids patience is only so long, so unless you are planning on doing LONG, frequent rides, one of the Xmart trailers is fine.

I can't see doing a lot of long frequent rides with the kids because they are...........well...........kids. And after awhile it is time to go home. (all parents nod in agreement.)

[Beth76]

Do you all find a problem with the inside getting too hot since there are no side screens? Since a few people mentioned keeping the front panel closed, I wonder if only having the back open is enough. I don't plan on biking in extreme heat, but it does get warm here. I just don't want it a toss-up between getting air and not getting dirt blown in.

[PaulH]

I usually use the clear front panel in winter or in rain. I'm not sure what you mean by "dirt getting blown in," Are you riding on offroad dirt trails?

Paul