Trailer pricing rant and question

[LeftyMom]

Why oh why must a decent bike trailer cost so damned much? :grr: I've had it with my yard sale trailer and it isn't worth the trouble to fix up, so I'm in the market for a replacement. Silly me, I figured this time of year I could get a sale that made it if not cheap at least something less than an AB- black market kidney. Wrongo!

After months of agonizing, I decided on the model I want- the Chariot Cabriolet. Needless to say, I managed to pick a trailer that cost more than my bike was new and never ever shows up on ebay or craigslist. (Lest anyone think I'm being a spendthrift, this is one of the chaper Chariot models.) I went to the store and petted it and I'm in love. It must be mine!

At this point to get the kid a decent trailer I'll have to sell the kid. ;) Nah, I can make it work if I have to. :)

In your opinion is the added cost of a premium trailer worth it, am I better off getting a aluminum frame trailer form a cheaper brand like instep or a entry-level model from a premium brand like the Chariot Caddy or the Burley Bee or should I scrape up the $325 + tax and get the Chariot Cabriolet?

Link to description: http://www.chariotcarriers.com/html_english/cabriolet.htm

Thanks for the help, everybody. I'm getting pretty fast, even with the thousand pound rustbucket trailer and my crappy tires. Can't wait to see how I'll do when my new tires show up (I just got a set of slicks on ebay) and I give in and buy a better trailer. :)

[Fovea]

1. Check out WIKE

http://www.wicycle.com/


I have the shopper and it has been hangin in for 3 years now.

[happyslug]

2. I use the cycletote trailer, expensive but I like it.

I like it for several reasons:
1. It uses the same wheels as my bike (The design permit the use of any wheel, you can fit your bike wheels to the trailer). You can save some, but not a lot of money by ordering without wheels and using your own wheels(You will need two FRONT wheels to do so).
2. The hitch attachment is NOT on the axle (Like the BOB trailer) nor attached to the side bar but directly to the seat post (The bad side of this is I opt for the Cycle tote trailer with option brakes, the brake lines kept getting caught on my panniers, in my opinion unless you are going up and down steep hills on a constant basis, do NOT get the cycletote brakes).
3. The attachment on the seat post permit the trailer to pivot around the end of the bike, unlike the more rigid setup when attachment is to the rear axle or bottom arm of the bike).

Now I use my trailer as a equipment hauler NOT to haul children. Cycletote can do both if you buy the "family version" but I opt for the "doggy tote" which can be used to haul pets or other goods but NOT children. For more on the Cycle tote see the following:



http://www.cycletote.com/

[wtmusic]

3. It seems like kid things (strollers, trailers etc)

are always available used in my area. But now that you've petted it, it's too late anyway :)

Go for it--it's quality time with your younguns and you deserve the best :evilgrin:

[LeftyMom]

4. You're enabling me!

Thanks!

I've looked for a decent trailer used, haven't had much luck. Some craigslister led me on a wild goose chase yesterday, I got all the way out to his house in outer mongolia yesterday and he wasn't there. :grr:

I may have a line on a used burley, if that doesn't work I think I'll just suck it up and get the Chariot. Unfortunately I'm working on my roof rack too and my budget really can't handle too many money sucking projects at a time.

[LeftyMom]

5. I picked up a trailer today

It's a Pacific Cycles model. Heavier than I wanted, but the price was right and it folds up, so I'll can take it to the DU campout. Now I just have to find a home for the old one. :)

edit: That's just a stopgap so I can pay my bills now and get the Chariot later. If nothing else I can use my christmas or tax return money for it.

[Kolesar]

6. DU is having a camp out?

Is this part of the 9/24 Antiwar Rally in Washington?

[LeftyMom]

7. No, this is in Northern California

Just a meetup, but a different setting than the usual bar. :) I wanted to have a picnic here in Sacramento, but was overruled in favor of someplace cooler and more attractive.

[Kolesar]

8. That would be a long trip for me

thanks for writing