Bicycle Trailer Vs. Bicycle Seat: What is for you?

Try to decide whether a bicycle seat or bicycle trailer is best for your family? You’re in the right place.

We spent the last 12.5 years at Rudes Rides, testing and browsing a lot of trailers and cycling seats, and our team cycled thousands of miles with its rugratas. In this article we will share things that you might want to consider when choosing between the two.

Also, after you decide, be sure to check our lists The best trailer for bicycles AND Best bicycle seats.

Security

Compared to children’s cycling seats, trailers are more difficult. Quality trailer (like Thule Chariot Cross) is basically a cage that protects your child in the event of a collision or top.

With a bicycle seat, on the other hand, if the parent crashes, the child collapses and does not have much to protect.

In addition, trailer weight does not affect the balance of adults, where the cycling seat works, making a trailer better option for parents who do not have great bicycle management skills.

Weight

Trailers are more difficult than a cycling seat and can weigh 30 pounds – or more! This is, even not to add your baby’s weight.

If you drive at long distance or climbing hills, the extra weight of the trailer may be significant compared to the bicycle seat. This is said, the weight is behind you, not on your bike, so that the upper point, at least it feels stable.

Number of children

The most obvious benefit of the trailer is the ability to withdraw more children. Trailer for most children’s cyclists come in one or two seats versions, so if you know that you may soon have a second child, the trailer can make more sense than a cycling seat.

With cycling seats, you can potentially mount two to one bike (especially with a long -tail cargo bike), but it’s definitely more challenging.

The ability to wear gears

Consider whether or not to carry a bunch of things on excursions. Trailers can be useful for wearing bicycles for balance, diapers bags, library books, you called. Thule Chariot has a huge rear trunk for which our family has always been really useful.

Although some bicycle seats have a small disposal space, they are quite limited in what you can wear.

Versatility

Although most of the entrance levels or trailers for budget are only a bicycle trailer, trailers with higher end parts are often transformed into jogger, stroller or ski trailer. Not all option with multiple sports are looking for, but for those who are, the trailer is an obvious choice.

Interaction of a parental child

By this point, the trailer was taking most of the victories. But that’s where the bike seats really started to shine. With a bicycle seat, especially on the front cycling seats, you have a child close to where you can talk and easily communicate with them.

In the trailer, it’s much harder to see and hear your child going. When we used the trailer, we would often have to attract and stop to help our son or hear what he is saying.

The engagement of children

Similarly, the engagement of children is also bigger on a cycling seat – especially the front seat with a bicycle. Kids can see where they go, stick to the steering wheel and ring.

In the trailer, the child cannot do. Children in trailers sleep a lot, in my experience. (Not always bad).

Maneuvering

Trailers can be cumbersome. Double trailers can be particularly difficult to blend through narrow spaces. Finding a trailer parking space or a bike walk through a pile with a trailer can be difficult. The bicycle seat is less and less intrusive.

Also, if you are planning to drive the singletrack trails with your kidd, there will be a bicycle seat, while the trailer is too wide for most trails.

Storage and transportation

If you do not have a ton of disposal space, the bicycle seat may make more sense than the trailer thanks to a smaller size. Also, it’s easier to transport. Generally, you can throw your bike on a car rack with a built -in cycling seat. With a trailer, you have to fold it and hope it will fit into the trunk.

Comparison of bicycles

With trailers and seats, a bicycle compatibility can be a problem. On the trailers you can encounter problems with bicycles that have an axle on the back wheel. You can always get an adapter from Robert Axle projectAnd some brands, like Burley, even sell their own.

With seats, compatibility issues can be more challenging. While most seats will work on most bicycles, those with the step of the frame and limited exposed seats can be a problem. Sometimes you don’t know if the seat will successfully mount until you try.

Charge

Finally, a bicycle seat is a cheaper option. The top of the line bicycle seat could cost $ 250, while the top line trailer is at least twice as high.

This is said, consider longevity. The bicycle seat does not benefit much after the baby has outgrown. Trailer on the other hand can still be used for other purposes. AND Burley d’Aryte There are even seats that have been removed, so it can become a freight trailer after your children are too big. For years we held our d’Ate and used it to pull out foods and even cyclists with our dog!

Find out more about biking with young children

For even more options that are not trailers or bicycle seats, check our article: 7 ways to draw children by bicycle!!

About us

Rascals are three families. Kristen (Mom), Blair (Dad) and Parker (Kiddo). We started driving, when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for cycling. As we found out, we shared. Over the years, we have tested hundreds of children’s bicycles, helmets, bicycle trailers and more.

Kristen is a coach of certified cycling in the USA -ui likes to share his passion for cycling with other families. Blair is a cycling geek, a mechanic and a hill for mountain bikes. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.

If you see us on the track, say hello!