Recreational & Family - Schwinn Bike trailers???

Hi Folks,

I am considering purchasing a Schwinn bike trailer so I could take my daughter biking with me. I plan to only use it on very light, flat trails and flat road.

It would be great if anyone could provide me with some feedback on your experiences with Schwinn trailers or any other descent trailer under $200.

Thanks.

I have an instep trailer. Had it for a year and it is having issues with the netting and the canvas. I would not recommend it. However, I should only need to use it for a year more. I may just patch and go.

As for schwinn, I have not a clue

Instep and Schwinn bike trailers are made by the same outfit. I don't think they are as good as the North American brands: Burley, Wike, Chariot, ???

I have a Burley Encore... I paid $290 for it, I think, at my LBS.

My Schwinn trailer is about eight years old, was was very well made. It still looks like new and rides like new.

Over those eight years, Schwinn has changed ownership. The new owners have split the product line into two levels. Higher quality products are sold through bike dealers. Lower quality products are sold at discount stores. I would be comfortable buying a 2006 Schwinn product ONLY if it were sold by a bike store that I know and trust.

I would NOT buy any brand of trailer sold at a discount store. Cheap stuff is always cheap for a reason...no kid's safety is worth saving a few bucks.

If you have just the daughter, buy a Burley Solo at REI--only $239 thru April 2nd (with membership of $15). Save over $80 over the current '06 price of $320. Hard to beat a Burley for quality and durability!

Sounds to me like the REI deal is the way to go. If you sell the trailer when your kid outgrows it, the Burley will be worth a bit still, but the Brand X trailer will not be worth much.


BUT I'm going to sort of disagree with alanbikehouston. I think you can buy and use a cheap department store bike trailer and be OK, if you assemble it carefully. Even the cheapies are going to be CPSC approved. If you really aren't planning on using it much, you might be okay with that route. A bike trailer by its nature is a pretty safe way for a kid to travel. The only way I think a serious accident could occur is if the trailer detached from the bike and wandered into traffic. All trailers have a redundant safety strap to prevent this.

But you'll have to deal with a lousy trailer. It's like riding a cheap bicycle - it can still be fun, but it's more fun on a good-quality machine. The REI deal is too good. I don't think you'll regret it.

As a bicycle shop owner I would recomend going to your LBS and checking checking out a quality model. There is a huge difference in overall quality: frame, wheel bearings, ease of break down. I have seen the Newer Schwinn Models at Target and have to admit for $139.99 they are not too bad for occasional use or for hauling the family dog around. http://www.globalbikesbikeshop.com

As a bicycle shop owner I would recomend going to your LBS and checking checking out a quality model. There is a huge difference in overall quality: frame, wheel bearings, ease of break down. I have seen the Newer Schwinn Models at Target and have to admit for $139.99 they are not too bad for occasional use or for hauling the family dog around. http://www.globalbikesbikeshop.com

Old Schwinns can quite handy for hauling the dog around.