In-Step Quick N Ez Bike Trailer

"All of the straps on this trailer completely disintigrated. They aren't just torn off, they have crumbled into powder. We've had it a bit over a year.

Also, the sling seat is very uncomfortable for 2 kids.

Cheap junk."

"Let me start this review by saying that I actually teach classes on cycling with children and have towed 3 kids about 4,000 miles by bike in the last 7 years. I actually own this trailer (a slightly diff. model from 3 years ago--diff. colored canopy but otherwise identical).

I use a beautiful Trek Transit trailer for everyday, and I used to travel with it frequently. But since 9/11, it's become a real hassle checking a bike trailer on airline flights. I bike constantly when I visit my parents in Florida (about 3-4 weeks a year). The solution? This inexpensive kid trailer.

It rides well, it is easy to set-up, it folds quite compactly into it's original box for storage or the car trunk, and it seems to be comfortable for the kids. You can add a safety flag or blinkie light easily (and I'd recommend you to do so!).

Positives:

Cost

Easy to set-up and fold down

Folds compactly

Can be removed from adult bike easily when not in use

Holds 2 kids

Has loop for attaching blinkie light in back

The negatives of this trailer are:

it can get hot in full-sun summer riding

it doesn't have much storage for coats, towels, toys, snacks, etc.

it doesn't have the ability to be upgraded with a stroller kit

requires a special hitch adapter that doesn't allow you to switch the trailer between bikes. (You might be able to buy a 2nd adapter from the company, but you can't at Target)

Unknown but worth considering: I have seen the fabric shell on lesser trailers literally disintegrate because of UV exposure. I've not had that happen to mine, but it is stored in a garage and only "gets out" for about a month each year (albeit in FL sunshine, much of it in August).

I'd recommend this trailer if you only do casual cycling or are looking for an entry-level trailer. If you ride a lot, I'd highly recommend your getting a Burley or Trek as their trailers have many advantages (storage, comfort, resale value, brakes, stroller kits, etc)."

"well, after reading through a bunch of reviews, i decided to buy this trailer. i'd read the good and the bad and really thought that some people were just a little fussy about some things regarding this trailer's quality/performance. i mean, for only 99 bucks (on sale) how much do you expect?

after purchasing, my husband put it together (very easy) and we put our 7 month old daughter in for a ride. it was VERY difficult to get her into the seat and buckled in! maybe the trailers are all a little different, but ours didn't have enough fabric for any give...so her legs were basically hanging over the strap that was supposed to be supporting under the "seat". there wasn't enough fabric to have a seat! the only thing keeping her on the "seat" was the seatbelt, and she was pretty much hanging from it! i guess that's why other people mentioned that the seatbelts cut into their child. they truly do! another downside was that the buckles were difficult to work (hard on the fingers), but had the seat work well, i wouldn't have minded (i would know my child could never get out of it!).

the plus side: great color and pulls well. would be a great dog/pet trailer :)

the downside: not comfortable riding at all! she can't speak for herself yet, but i'm sure my daughter appreciates that we brought this one back."

"well, after reading through a bunch of reviews, i decided to buy this trailer. i'd read the good and the bad and really thought that some people were just a little fussy about some things regarding this trailer's quality/performance. i mean, for only 99 bucks (on sale) how much do you expect?



after purchasing, my husband put it together (very easy) and we put our 7 month old daughter in for a ride. it was VERY difficult to get her into the seat and buckled in! maybe the trailers are all a little different, but ours didn't have enough fabric for any give...so her legs were basically hanging over the strap that was supposed to be supporting under the "seat". there wasn't enough fabric to have a seat! the only thing keeping her on the "seat" was the seatbelt, and she was pretty much hanging from it! i guess that's why other people mentioned that the seatbelts cut into their child. they truly do! another downside was that the buckles were difficult to work (hard on the fingers), but had the seat work well, i wouldn't have minded (i would know my child could never get out of it!).



the plus side: great color and pulls well. would be a great dog/pet trailer :)

the downside: not comfortable riding at all! she can't speak for herself yet, but i'm sure my daughter appreciates that we brought this one back."

"First of all, let me say that anyone putting a 6 month old in the trailer DID NOT read the instructions. Don't even think of putting a child in who cannot hold their head up - unless you plan on putting them in some kind of seat first.

We have ridden miles with our trailer, with our two youngest, who weigh 90lbs together. Our seven year old is not ready for long-distance riding, so she sits quite comfortably beside her younger brother who is 3. I would imagine the ride may be rougher off-road, but we are having a blast on the streets of our neighborhood. They have not complained once of being bunched or bound in any way. Definately consider the weight of your children, not their age, as long as they are older than one year. Most 7 year olds are not 55lbs.

Every single person we see out on our rides comments about the trailer and how we are all together as a family. I would recommend this buy any day."

"I've owned this trailer for 2 years now and have used it in all kinds of weather. My son has happily ridden in it since he was 1 and is now 3. I can't conceive how people are able to adjust the straps in such a way that they are cutting into their childs flesh. I've never had a problem with the straps.

There are two straps that go over each shoulder to attach to a D-ring between the legs. The shoulder straps are adjustable up and down depending on the height of the child. There is also a lap belt that buckles independent of the D-ring and is adjustable. After 2 years of use up here in the Pacific Northwest where it rains ALOT, the straps and buckles are still as strong as ever.

The seat is a curved, sling-type, piece of fabric designed to be lightweight and fold easily. There is nothing wrong with the seat. My son has been very comfortable and has even fallen asleep a time or two. When he did fall asleep, I was pleasantly surprised to see that his head did not loll forward but was resting comfortably against the seat fabric.

The only thing that I would change would be the plastic wheels. One of mine has recently bent and is in need of replacement. Metal wheels would be sturdier, although heavier."

"Sure it's easy to assemble and attach, but the company probably spent all their energy figuring out a "quick and easy" assembly and abandoned any thought on a child's comfort. I bought this for my 15 month old son to ride with my 18 month old neice. she was okay for 2 minutes and then she just wanted out of it. My son wriggled in it and the straps got tangled. We can usually overlook small things, but it was impossible to try and make the seat work well. it's just cheap material hanging from a bar with uncomfortable and difficult straps with no padding. Definitely not a "quick 'n easy" harness system. There's no structure to the seat and it also lacked padding for back support. If you really want a trailer and a GOOD one, you should look at the more expensive ones (I saw several good ones at REI).

I finally decided I'd rather get the iBert child seat for my bike, since I've done my research on it and it has received 88 five star reviews, an award, and recognition on parenting magazine ^_^ ."

"I bought the trailer because of its reviews. even though it had one bad one I thought I would give it a try. FIrtst thing that broke was the cheap seat strap, the one that the kids sit on. It's a real cheap strap set-up that broke when I tried to tighten it. I fixed that by placing a bolt through the strap. The rest of the trailer seemed fine so I wasnt going to take it back. On my first ride I felt like I was pulling bricks, when I got home I found out that the tire had seperated from the rim. In the process the tube was slashed. I bought a new tube and went on another ride. The same tire, same problem. I know how to put on a tire, its not that hard. The trailer is going back tomorrow. I would spend the extra money and get a Bell Trailer, thats what im going to do. I hope that this helped you in making a decision."

"The sling seat is too taunt and pushes my daughter forward. Add in the horrible shoulder straps that hurt my daughters shoulders, and the D-ring and clips that fit awkwardly so they cut into her thighs, it just makes for an uncomfortable time. I put my daughter & the boy I babysit in it, both close to a year old and both under 20lbs, and they didnt fit, I dont know how older kids closer to 50 lbs each would fit. The buckles are very difficult to unlatch, but I take that as a safety precaution, if I can barely do them, than my child wont be able to during a ride. On the other hand it was fast assembly, and I like the stroller option, which the Schwinn also has. So Im returning mine today and getting the Schwinn."

"I purchased this trailer two days ago. I was so excited and put it together that night. We filled the tires to the specifications and one exploded. Then I noticed that the canopy attached at the top. This was very inconvenient for taking children in and out or making adjustments. I have a one year old and a 3 year old of average weight and size. Due to the fact that the seat is fabric and does not have a supported bottom the seat acted like a hammock and squished the kids together in the center. It looked very uncomfortable, but my kids didn't complain much. Our test ride went well, but my kids looked so uncomfortable I decided to take the trailer back. The harness is also very confusing and flimsy."