Hi all!
I have been looking for a bike trailer for some time, and it is very hard to find Thule chariots with a discount or even used ones. If you have any comments about bike trailers I'll be happy to hear as well.
Hi all!
I have been looking for a bike trailer for some time, and it is very hard to find Thule chariots with a discount or even used ones. If you have any comments about bike trailers I'll be happy to hear as well.
Or there was one at Anaconda for about $300 that does the job (can be had less on special)
Had a basic and have a Thule, they are completely different.
The cheapy had the kids outgrow the upper height limit very very quickly.
More worryingly while riding i had the trailer disconnect from the bike and the secondary backup strap snap. Luckily i wasnt going fast so there was no injury but it could have been serious.
Edit: to be clear i havent had a look at the anaconda one but what we had was around the same price. There are probably some decent in between models but the Thule ones are seriously well made bit of kit. A bit like comparing a $99 kmart "mountain bike" to a proper one.
That is so frickin scary
This is really scary!
Yeah in hindsight i should have reported that to some safety authority.
The mounting for the Thule is massively better. You get a socket that attaches through he rear wheel hub (replacing the quick release that is probably already on there. The trailer then has a tow ball like attachment that goes into that socket and locks in.
I would never use one of the ones that clamp onto the bike frame again.
@Duff5000: I've had no problems with my Pacific Kids Bicycle Trailer. Connects in the same way as you're describing. Our daughter is 5 now, and still loves it. Have only used on road/bicycle paths, haven't tried any trails etc.
To be clear, I didn't pay this price, or from this location, but it was this model. I bought locally from 99bikes, but they are only advertising what seems to be a newer model.
I have a chariot and it is great and I don't regrest the spend after using for 5 years but compared to a cargo bike with front carry it has drawbacks - it is harder to see, even with the orange flag, so it stresses me that cars will not see it when coming around a corner etc, and clean up the kids.
The chariot makes the whole system quite long, so you cannot cross anywhere that has the island rather than lights as it will generally not fit.
If doing it again I'd spend the 2k towards a cargo bike. My mate has one of these and it is great https://www.tribebikes.com.au/. I live in Adelaide so electric isn't required and it cost 2k, the same as the chariot, but it's fairly heavy so if in Sydney I;'d be spending the 3300 on the electric version.
You are right, an electric bike is the way to go! Actually, I have one and I carry my daughter on it. However, in winter it is not really practical as it is just too cold.
I am worried about the length as you mentioned. I hope it is not as critical, the good thing is that in Melbourne we have great bike paths!!
We have a Thule Chariot CX2 and it's worth every cent we paid, it was about the same price on special.
I am really looking forward to it! Thanks for sharing your experience with the CX2
I spent a weekend with one and it offered little over our $149 Aldi one. What irked me most as a designed was the clear 2000% market on manufacturing cost. I ended up buying a whole cargo bike for less.
yeah the pricing is ridiculous especially if you compare to what the europeans or americans can buy them for.
At $2k this is new bike territory if you have the space to store another. Bakfiets start at what $3.5k?
There are intermediate options though like croozer and burlybee or whatever it's called.
Hard to find?
have you tried google
literally 1st link that came up AU $1,149.99
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/333365322902?hash=item4d9e1f2496…
model 2 AU $1,719.05
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284222255563?hash=item422cf771cb…
Hi! The links you share are models "Lite" for a single kid, and "Cab" version for 2 kids.
There are 3 versions: "Lite" "Cross" and "Sport" and "Cab". Each for 1 or 2 kids. Here is a guide for your reference:
https://www.racksforcars.com/how-to-choose-the-best-thule-ch…
I was thinking of getting the Lite, but it doesn't have the storage nor reclinable seats.
These are hard to track down in stores typically, not a lot of places stock them nor do they have them on sale all that often.
Yeah! Some models like the cross are sold out for some time now.
Roof racks galore are the worst seller. I ordered the model you linked in the afterpay sale and they said no stock until July. Yet here it is advertised. They cancelled the transaction and put the reason as "seller asked to cancel".
I've always wondered why people use these for their kids. Some kids start bike riding at 1.5 years old and putting them in this thing probably wouldn't encourage that. You could buy some really good bikes and upgrades for your kids for this price.
I have kids and i have one of these. If you are taking a 1.5 year old for a bike ride you are probably walking yourself while they ride.
Even an older kid you are going for anything like a long ride.
I won't try to speak for everyone else, but in my case I've got a 5yo who, among a suite of other issues, doesn't have the motor skills or balance to ride a bike by himself. He loves coming on bike rides with us, though =)
For us, we live in the hills of Perth, the bicycle ride to school is approximately 2km, up/down some decent hills, and crossing several roads.
I've seen the way people drive up here, and the roads aren't an easy ride for a 5 year old learning on their first bike.
For me, the trailer makes sense, and she loves it!
Doubles up as a pram too!
Perfect for my next Ikea trip
Absolutely no reason a bike trailer should cost $2000. Anyone who buys this is a moron.
You can get a different brand trailer that achieves the same purpose for around $300. You can also buy attachable harnesses to your bike frame for a similar price. The cheaper ones are not going to randomly detach or break down when you are going at 5km/h.
this one has suspension on the wheels
If I'm going to put a baby In a trailer I will be riding over a sealed smooth flat designated bike path, not over a bumpy gravel bike trail.
Not sure how much suspension you need for that.
It's obviously very nice but like most baby things, has a ridiculous markup to take advantage of new parents.
just saying. :)
neither i get why ppl spend $10k+ on a bike. i find $2k on a bike alot of money.
horses for courses.
Hi!
If you are going to be only in smooth flat bike paths, then this one might not be for you. You can use the Thule for all kind of sports activities. It even has skying attachments.
Other carriers are either heavy, or not really water proof, self contained, etc. This one can become a pram, which I found it really really useful.
"The cheaper ones are not going to randomly detach or break down when you are going at 5km/h."
That is the exact thing that happened to my $299 one.
"Absolutely no reason a bike trailer should cost $2000. "
They do have some fancy brakes and suspension the cheapies lack but yes they are rather expensive. Bought ours 2nd hand for about $400
what worries me is not the bit that attaches to the bike. the fabric feels like the kid will fall through the bottom. dont wanna think about it.
I've got the last model chariot before Thule bought the company out. Reason Thule bought them out rather than designing from the ground up is that they made the best bike trailer going. better materials, lighter, features, suspension, safer, adapters (for skis, running etc) The resale on the Thule is also really good.
Anaconda one is currently $200
https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/bike-accessories/flui…
I've used the Anaconda one, and found it was good. Folds flat, the wheels come of easy, fits in the boot. Cheapest double pram out there!
It would definately be heavier and harder to pull, but you're doing this for fitness right??
Holy moly. My wife and I had a used CX-2 that we bought in Canada for 450 because we didn't want to pay the ~900 retail plus accessories. Back then they were made in Calgary.
They are fantastic units.
I had no idea they were charging that much here.
Surprisingly, the price is not that different than from Canada these days. Keep in mind this is the TOP version, as others are half the price.
Anyone tried it on a carbon road bike with disc brakes? How does it feel? I think I have to buy an extra thru axle for my tarmac sl7 if it works.
Pushys also has 15% storewide discount dropping the price down by 300 bucks, making it 1699
whoa this is a really good price!!
Wow I had no idea these were $2000.