Recreational & Family - Burley or instep

Looking at purchasing either a Burley Solo or an Instep Quik n Easy. I'm getting mixed reviews on both but I'm thinking the Burley is the better choice.

Ther are in very different product classes, thats why the price difference is $100 compared to $500. The Burley is a real trailer, the instep is a departent store quality one. Someone gave us an instep and we sold it for $20 and bought a used burley for $200. if your riding bikes from walart or somehting then the instep is the equivalent.

If you plan on doing alot of riding then the Burley is the way to go. If you are only going to do the occasional ride to the park or ice cream shop, you can save some money and get the Instep.

The good thing about the Burley is the resale. Instep is almost a giveaway.

In the Burley price range I would also check out the Chariot models. REI carries them.

If you plan on having more kids, the 2 child carriers are a better way to go.

Buy something for less than $50 on craigslist. My Instep was $30 and had only been used twice. If you find you are using it often enough. Resell it for what you bought it for (or more) and get a burley.

For the insteps, look for the ones with spokes, I think they ride better.

I completely agree with masiman. If your rides are short, occasional rides get the instep. If not, definitely go for the Chariots.

I bought a Schwinn (Target, made by Pacific Cycles which also manufactures the InStep) for my son but after a month of use I returned it and bought a Chariot Cougar2 (two kid version) after much deliberation between the Burley and Chariot. For me, Schwinn may not have been that bad if my son was older (he was 13 months old at that time), but he kept slipping forward in his seat as the strap adjustment wasn't really that well thought of on the Schwinn.

Chariot added fenders to their Cougar line up for 2009 (previously optional), so if you can find a 2008 model in REI you may get one at reduced price. Also, REI puts a 20% discount on the Chariots from time to time. The only bad thing about Chariot is, you need to buy the cycling conversion kit separately. They also have excellent jogging and stroller kits as well.

Ihsan

I just had a ride using my used instep middle range model. Seemed fine to me, spoke wheels and plenty of room for my 2.5 year old. I didn't notice anything odd or cheapish about it. I guess if you are logging lots of miles then bearing type, rolling resistance, and total weight are critical. If you are doing it for fitness like me then the more work the better.

I agree on the not so good strap setup. I'll be adding some of those car seatbelt strap cushions to it to make it nice and comfy for him

Hands down. We once owned a model by the same manufacturer as the Instep. Once I tipped the trailer goofing around, and the seat belts broke and the kids fell on their heads (nobody hurt).

We now own a Chariot Cougar 2, but the Burley's, Trek's, Wike's, etc. are all well built. If your on a tight budget, parents often sell them when their kids outgrow them.

I just had a ride using my used instep middle range model. Seemed fine to me, spoke wheels and plenty of room for my 2.5 year old. I didn't notice anything odd or cheapish about it. I guess if you are logging lots of miles then bearing type, rolling resistance, and total weight are critical. If you are doing it for fitness like me then the more work the better.

I agree on the not so good strap setup. I'll be adding some of those car seatbelt strap cushions to it to make it nice and comfy for him

They must have made a few different models, all the ones I've seen have plastic wheels. Maybe your spoked model is their high end.