Schwinn bicycle trailer models are available in six versions. Of the six models, the Schwinn Joyrider bicycle trailer is noticeably more stylish and outperforms other Schwinn bike trailers. The Joyrider is a very popular choice of child bike trailer and has many virtues that make it attractive to families. Not only is it a top of the line trailer for Schwinn, but it has a number of features that separate it from its competition.
When shopping for a child bike trailer, you will find many brands and makes to choose from. The Schwinn bicycle trailer line is considered a mid-range bike trailer with prices in the range of $115-300. The top virtues of the Schwinn Joyrider bicycle trailer, as typically stated by satisfied customers, include its unique style, its roominess and comfort, heavy-duty materials and construction, and stroller conversion.
Schwinn Joyrider Style, Comfort and Roominess
As you view various bike trailers, you will find that the Joyrider looks quite different from most trailers. It has a very stylish, modern design that is sure to turn heads out on walks or bike rides. An articulating canopy provides a great view while a mesh cover allows air to flow through the cabin and keeps out pesky insects. If by chance you get caught in the rain, then the canopy has a plastic cover to keep kids dry.
The unique design creates a roomy and comfortable cabin. The padded seats can hold two small children comfortably. These are real seats, not the hammock/sling type of seats that many parents complain about. The seats also recline a tad to make kids comfortable enough to take a nap. A great benefit of the seats is that the seat pads are removable so that you can wash them.
The large 20″ alloy wheels provide a smooth ride and some customers claim that the ride is so smooth that the trailer/stroller “practically rolls on its own!” The smooth ride makes going over uneven surfaces and bumps more forgiving as well. The wheels also make it easier to roll the stroller through grass and other off-road surfaces.
The Schwinn Bicycle Trailer’s Quality Construction
In addition to the quality of the wheels, roomy interior and padded seats, there are a number of other heavy-duty construction and materials that are used in this Schwinn bicycle trailer. The high quality of the construction and materials is one of the things that set it apart from the competition. You will pay less than other “Cadillac” brands such as Burley, but will get similar quality for an affordable price. Although the canopy design sets the Joyrider apart from other trailers in terms of style, it is a unique design that is superior to other bike trailers in a much higher price range. The articulating canopy has ribs that are metal, so if the trailer were ever to tip over, there is a metal frame all around your child. The frame of the trailer is made of a sturdy, durable and lightweight aluminum and the seats have two 5-point safety harnesses.
Stroller Conversion Kit is Included
Many purchasers of the Schwinn Joyrider bicycle trailer are interested in its stroller conversion features. One of the advantages of this model is that the stroller conversion kit is included, unlike many brands that require you to purchase the stroller kit separately. Users of the trailer/stroller say that switching from trailer to stroller mode is very easy and can be done quickly. The stroller has a swiveling wheel that makes it easy to push and maneuver. It also has an adjustable handle for people of different heights. A feature that gets a lot of notice and praise is the strong and easy locking brake, which most bike trailers do not have.
The Drawbacks
While the Schwinn Joyrider bicycle trailer outperforms other bike trailers, there are a few minor complaints among satisfied customers. One complaint has been that the seatbelt straps were not long enough making it too tight for some children. The original trailer design had a transverse belt for two that people thought was also too short. However, Schwinn has recently fixed this problem and now the Joyrider has two 5-point safety harnesses, so this seems to no longer be a problem.
One of the virtues not mentioned above is how easy the Schwinn bicycle trailers are to open and close. The Joyrider can be folded for transporting or storing, but some customers have stated in their review that they had a difficult time collapsing the trailer either because they were not strong enough or the button used to fold the trailer was broken. Out of the substantial number of customer reviews that I read, I only saw one person that stated they had a broken button, but they also stated that they received great customer service when sending it in to get fixed. There were only a few reviews were customers said they were not strong enough to collapse the trailer, however the majority of customers said it was easy if they commented on this item.
Although the stroller option is a great benefit to purchasers of the Joyrider, there are two main complaints with the stroller. First of all, the stroller is wide and does not fit through doors without taking the wheels off (which is extremely easy) or folding. Some customers would like to see the trailer/stroller made about two inches narrower so that it is easier to take inside. Keep in mind that this is a bicycle trailer firstly and a stroller secondly. It is designed to be used outdoors. If it were made narrower, then you would lose the roominess that so many customers praise. I would suggest that if you want to take a stroller indoors, then you should buy a separate stroller and use the Schwinn bicycle trailer for outdoor activities.
Secondly, the largest numbers of complaints seem to be centered on the front wheel of the stroller when used for jogging. Apparently, there is a problem with the wheel vibrating and shaking, preventing the stroller moving forward. For those that want to use the stroller for jogging, there is a jogging wheel attachment that can be purchased separately. In addition, the wheels of the trailer are proprietary wheels for which there is no replacement. So, if the wheels wear out or break, then you are currently out of luck. Hopefully, Schwinn is listening to customer comments and will fix these problems like they did with the seatbelts! Schwinn has very high customer satisfaction and service, so I am sure we will see improvements to this model since it is so popular!
The bottom line is, there are numerous child bike trailers to choose from and I’m sure those other bike trailers are fine and perfectly safe. Why would you purchase any other child bike trailer when the Schwinn Joyrider has so many excellent virtues even amongst the minor customer gripes? If you are looking for good looks, quality construction and materials, comfort and safety, and a stroller option, then the Schwinn Bicycle Trailer is one of the very best values available on the market.
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