The media could not be loaded. This is a review of the InStep Sync Single Bicycle Trailer. ♦I purchased this at full price on Amazon about three years ago. ♦Meet Wrigley, the 4-year old Maltese who has us wrapped around his fluffy paws. ♦WHAT’S IN THE VIDEO? (1) ride with GoPro mounted to back of seat post, facing trailer: going over bumps; riding at 10 mph (max recommended speed) and 15 mph (not recommended); transitioning from street to sidewalk to street; riding up switchbacks; (2) ride with GoPro mounted to bicycle handlebars following trailer; (3) ride with GoPro mounted to car windshield following trailer; (4) assembly + tour of trailer and storage tips; (5) changing the tube on a tire; (6) installing coupler (piece that attaches to bicycle) ♦SUMMARY •SAVE: As long as you’re aware of the drawbacks (listed below), I think you’d like this trailer if: (1) budget is a primary consideration; (2) it will only be used for one child and then re-homed; (3) it’s important to have a narrow footprint (to fit easily through interior doors and stay completely on the sidewalk or bike lane); (4) you ride at a leisurely pace (max 10mph). •SPLURGE: I think the premium double trailers are worth it if: (1) you’re willing to spend three to twelve hundred plus; (2) you like to ride at a faster pace (> 10mph); (3) it’s anticipated that the trailer will be used for many years; (4) it will be used for multiple children or grandchildren; (5) you’re looking for a stroller conversion option (Pacific Cycle no longer makes a stroller conversion kit for the InStep); (6) you’d like the option to use as a cargo trailer as well (with seats that fold down) ♦I SAVED This trailer is at the bottom of the price range; when I purchased, I couldn’t even find used trailed for much less. I thus decided to take a chance on this, knowing that if little bipeds are in our future, I could upgrade to a premium double trailer. ♦THEN I SPLURGED In the midst of crafting this review, I stumbled uponBurley Design Tail Wagon Bike Trailer, Yellow/Black (get it?) (TW), a trailer made specifically for fur babies. The alloy wheels capable of going 15 mph, the solid platform, the stroller conversion kit, the mesh sides, and the option to use as a cargo trailer with a 75lb max capacity appealed to me. Seeing a good deal on it, I ordered somewhat impulsively about 5 months ago. Although I do feel that the quality is worth the price tag (four times the InStep), I still have the InStep and have no regrets in purchasing it. ♦MY EXPERIENCE The trailer is easy to pull: my husband towed it for the first time when filming and he was expecting it to be much more difficult. •ASSEMBLY & DIS-ASSEMBLY: I remember the InStep being quick and intuitive to put together. Setup/collapse should take no more than 5 minutes. The coupler is simple to install as well. I found it worth it to purchase an additional [inexpensive] couplerCoupler Attachment - InStep & Schwinn Bike Trailers for each bicycle that will tow the trailer, instead of switching back and forth. •WRIGLEY RIDE: Initially, Wrigley would ride in one of these strapped into the InStep’s seatAmerican Kennel Club Pet Booster Seat . We since upgraded toK&H Manufacturing Mod Safety Seat Gray 15-Inch by 15-Inch by 15-Inch , which Wrigley uses in the TW and his new Burley Solstice Jogging Stroller. Wrigley’s harness is connected to the built-in child harness using a seat belt loop and webbing. When riding in the summer, Wrigley wears his Ruffwear Cooling Vest. He also brings a bowl of water and a cooling towel. We’ve taken rides up to 40 miles with the InStep. •WHAT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY: The trailer *will* tip over if too many items are loaded in the back or bumps/corners are taken too fast. Ever since a too-close encounter with a car, I make sure to unclip my cleats well in advance of each intersection so I can prepare to stop. No matter how hard that hill seems, DO NOT run the chain from the big front chain ring to the biggest rear cassette cogs, or from the small front chain ring to the smallest rear cassette cogs. This is called “cross chaining” and may cause the rear cassette and deraileur to break off your bike. [Note: this could happen when pulling any trailer or none at all] •STORAGE: When I collapse the InStep and store it under a bed, I put a pool noodle around the tow bar so it doesn’t scrape the floor. Bungee cords keep everything in place. ♦CONS(IDERATIONS) •PLASTIC WHEELS: Many other reviews mention this. I really haven’t had a problem with this and don’t think it should be a deal-breaker. I did notice that it’s easy to over-inflate the tires (i.e. the tire bulges and one side of the tire wall comes out of the rim). To avoid this, I hold the top and sides of the tire in place while filling it. •DURABILITY: My major concern is that the webbing that serves to tether the trailer and bicycle is tearing where it screws onto the tow bar. After re-reading the instructions while writing this review, I realized that I may not have been wrapping the tether as recommended. Thus it’s possible that I caused excess wear and tear. Although this is a safety concern, I consider it maintenance, akin to replacing tires or brakes on a car. It would be nice if InStep sold these as replacement items. My plan is to buy a piece of webbing and either screw it down or wrap it around the D-ring by the screw. I don’t think there’s an inherent flaw on the instep, but the design and strap quality on the TW seem far superior. When unfolding the side walls, be sure not to let fabric get stuck in the “pinch points” as this will cause stress and weaken the material. The trailer has developed three holes about the size of thumbtacks in the fabric in the bottom towards the back. I think they were caused by the frame rubbing against the fabric while collapsed. I plan on ironing on patches in hopes that the holes do not increase in side. The webbing around the trailer doesn’t seem particularly weak, but if I had to guess what would wear out or fail first, that would be it, particularly where it goes around the side of the frame to support the seat. If I had to replace this webbing myself, I’d consider it more work than the tether, although still a reasonable do it yourself project. •NOT FOR CARGO: Cargo trailers have solid bottoms. Unless you can MacGyver a platform to sit on top of the frame, the sling type bottom and seat are not well suited for hauling inanimate objects. There are many cargo trailers available, some of which are in the same price range. •OTHER OBSERVATIONS: There are gaps where the fabric meets at each of the corners of the frame. Put small objects in larger containers or bags to prevent them from falling out. [Note: this isn’t unique to the InStep] The sides of the trailer are clear vinyl. Since we live in a hot climate, I’d prefer that they were mesh like the front, with weather covers that can be rolled up or down as needed. ♦INSTEP vs. OTHER TRAILERS: I’ve had the TW for about five months now (as well as the two-wheel stroller conversion kit ordered separately). Although most shoppers aren’t choosing between an economy Single Trailer for Children and a high-end Dog Trailer, here are some first impressions of the differences: •+INSTEP: The InStep is significantly narrower than the TW, which makes it easier to maneuver both indoors and out (going slowly and carefully, the TW fits through our exterior door, but it is too wide to get through our interior doors without removing a wheel). I prefer the fool-proof way the InStep’s wheels click into the frame. Once, I must not have inserted the TW’s wheel axle fully into the trailer’s axle. Just as I was approaching a bike shop, the wheel came off, bending the axle. Luckily, the mechanic was able to straighten it out, or we would have been in trouble. Fortunately, my two other Burleys (Solstice & Travoy) don’t have the same design. Although the InStep doesn’t have a brake, the footbrake on the TW is less t
