Bicycle trailer at Stiftung Warentest

Bicycle trailer at Stiftung Warentest: The test winner

Only one bicycle trailer was rated “good” by Stiftung Warentest – the Chariot Cougar 2. It scored above all with its good quality. A child sits comfortably in the trailer and the suspension is easy on the back. In the handling category, the testers awarded it the grade “good” (2.5). Burley’s “D’Lite” was rated just a little worseadvertisement– “satisfactory” (2.6). In terms of safety, it is even better than the winning model. There were slight compromises in driving, comfort and handling. But the Ritschie Easy from Weber and the Twin Classic SSL from Kindercar also scored “satisfactory”. The Weber model scored with its good handling on the course. At the Stiftung Warentest, the bicycle trailer from Kindercar impressed with its good durability – it even received the rating “very good” (1.0) in this category.

However, both models were criticized for the increased amount of harmful ingredients. In both trailers, plasticizers were detected in the armrests and PAH in the push handles. Although Weber’s Ritschie Easy scored well with the testers, production of the trailer was discontinued in 2013.

Bicycle trailer at Stiftung Warentest: The loser

In the test by Stiftung Warentest, the child trailer 20 from Prophete came off the worst with the grade “poor” (5.1). The model was rated as “inadequate” particularly in the categories of pollutants and comfort for the child. PAHs were detected in both the belt and the seat pad. The testers also discovered phthalates in the viewing windows. The material of the trailer did not hold up under the rain shower and proved to be water-permeable. The models Kid for 2 from Croozer and the Bluebird from Monz also did poorly. Traces of PAHs were found in the seat belts of both models. The examiners also complained about the Croozer trailer that the processing of the material was insufficient. The frame broke in the test.

Test report: Bicycle trailer at Stiftung Warentest

Together with Stiftung Warentest, ADAC tested nine bicycle trailers in terms of their safety, durability, roadworthiness, handling and pollutants. But the comfort for the little passengers was also evaluated. The models were by no means only tested in the laboratory. Five experienced cyclists assessed the trailers for their fitness to drive during a ride on a course. For example, they drove around obstacles in a slalom to test the maneuverability of the trailers. In this category, the differences between the individual models were only small. All results achieved between “good” (2.5) and “satisfactory” (2.8).

In the handling category, the testers from Stiftung Warentest assessed the bicycle trailers with regard to the following questions: Can the bicycle trailer be easily converted into a jogger or buggy? Is the trailer material easy to clean? A test dummy was also used to check whether parents could easily place their child in the bicycle trailer. In these areas, too, the results were consistently between “good” (2.2) and “satisfactory” (2.9).

In addition to driving suitability and safety, comfort for the child was also tested, because it should sit comfortably in the trailer and be protected from wind and weather. The test results show: Most trailers offer “good” to “satisfactory” protection from sun and rain. The only exception is the child trailer 20 from the manufacturer Prophete. After a short time under the rain shower, the model was soaked.

Stiftung Warentest also tested the bicycle trailers with regard to their ingredients. Result: The testers detected harmful substances in the belts, upholstery and push handles. In the lab, the testers also carefully examined the side walls as well as the viewing and rain windows. In four of the nine bicycle trailers tested, Stiftung Warentest proved that the manufacturers used increased amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phenolic compounds and the plasticizer phthalate. The substances are suspected of causing cancer, altering the genetic material and impairing reproduction. In the test, the trailers in question – the Bluebird from Monz, the one- and two-seater from Croozer and the child trailer 20 from Prophete – were therefore only given the grade “poor”.the Cougar 2 by Chariot . But this one also had minor defects, as slight residues of PAH were detected in the push handles. The child trailer 20 from the manufacturer Prophete also had the worst test result. With the grade “poor” (5.1), he failed in the sub-area pollutants.

Stiftung Warentest criticized the lack of lighting in many bicycle trailers. So that the pendants can be seen well in the twilight, they need a suitable light. Only the manufacturers Burley, Kindercar, Prophete and Monz supplied front and rear lights.