Bicycle trailer in the ADAC test

Winner of bicycle trailers in the ADAC test

The ADAC awarded the Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer  the overall grade “good” (2.4) as the best trailer. It scored particularly well in the comfort for children category with its additional luggage compartment, which was separated from the interior. Thanks to this partition, the children’s seating comfort is not impaired by their purchases or luggage. The ADAC rated the Burley D’Lite bicycle trailer only slightly worse – “satisfactory” (2.6). The model was rated even better than the winner in terms of safety – “good” (2.3). In the categories of driving, comfort for the child and handling, however, it was only enough for a “satisfactory” (2.7). However, models such as the Ritschie Easy from Weber and the Twin Classic SSL from Kindercar also impressed with their good results in practical tests.

However, the models were criticized for the increased amount of harmful ingredients. Plasticizers and PAHs were found in the armrests and in the push handles of the trailers. Although the Weber bicycle trailer was convincing in the test, it is a discontinued model because it will no longer be produced from 2013.

Loser in bicycle trailers in the ADAC test

The child trailer 20 from Prophete achieved the worst result in the ADAC bicycle trailer test. Not only did it score “poor” (5.1) in the overall rating, the model was also rated “poor” in the individual categories of pollutants and comfort for the child. The material of the trailer did not hold up in the “rain chamber”. It was permeable to water and rainwater collected in the storage space. In the laboratory, the testers also found that there was PAH in the belt and seat pad. Other models also performed poorly in the ADAC bicycle trailer test: the Kid for 2 from Croozer and the Bluebird from Monz.The examiners complained that PAHs were found in the seat belts of both models. In addition, the processing of the material of the Kid for 2 was not convincing, because the frame broke in the test.

Test report: Bicycle trailer in the ADAC test

In cooperation with Stiftung Warentest, the ADAC evaluated nine bicycle trailers in the categories of driving, comfort for the child, safety, durability, handling and pollutants. In the practical test, five experienced cyclists assessed the trailer’s roadworthiness. On a test track, they checked the driving, steering and braking characteristics of the individual models. The nine bicycle trailers received ratings from “good” (2.5) to “satisfactory” (2.8) from the ADAC in the area of ​​driving.

To evaluate the handling, the testers examined the comprehensibility of the operating and assembly instructions. In addition, it was checked whether the coupling and decoupling, folding the trailer and putting children in it can be done in just a few simple steps. In this area, too, the bicycle trailers consistently received the grades “good” (2.2) to “satisfactory” (2.9) from the ADAC.

In the safety test, the bicycle trailers had to convince the ADAC testers with the following questions: Does the seat and belt protect a child from falling out? Can it open the belt by itself? The testers also examined the risk of tipping and the lighting systems of the trailers. In this category, they particularly criticized the fact that only five of the nine bicycle trailers tested were equipped with active lighting. With an adequate lighting system, the child trailers were solo and D’Lite from Burley, the Twin Classic SSL from Kindercar, the children’s trailer 20 from Prophete and the Bluebird from Monz. So the result is not surprising: the grade “good” (2.3) was only awarded twice. The remaining bicycle trailers were rated “satisfactory” by the ADAC.

Bicycle trailer tested by the ADAC in the laboratory

The ADAC also took a close look at the bicycle trailers in the laboratory. The main focus of the investigation was the upholstery and upholstery fabrics, handles and other painted components. The trailers were tested for the following harmful substances: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phthalates (plasticizers), azo and disperse dyes, organophosphorus compounds (flame retardants) and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury. Many of the substances are classified as harmful to health because they are suspected of altering the genetic material, impairing reproduction and being carcinogenic.

In the pollutant test, the Chariot Cougar 2 trailer was the test winner with the grade “satisfactory” (2.7). Monz’s Bluebird, Croozer’s one- and two-seaters and Prophete’s 20 child trailer were only given the grade “inadequate”. When examining the ingredients, increased amounts of PAH were found in belts, seat upholstery and the windows. In the case of these models, this also led to the devaluation of their overall result.