If you're looking for a versatile trailer, the Coho XC is a no-brainer. It can pack away tons of equipment and utilizes a one-wheel design, making it more capable on singletrack. In addition to how smooth this thing rides, it can stand on its own when detached from the bike and has an easy-to-use one-handed hitching system. What else could you want?!
Aosom Bike Trailer Instructions
The Coho has ample storage capacity for a mega grocery run, camping off your bike for an extended time, or just rolling a cooler full of ice-cold Butterbeer down to the Quiddich match to get "Lumosed." All kidding aside, this trailer can haul more weight and volume than you will realistically want to pedal, plus the space for the perfect payload balance.
Once you have the correct thru-axle or skewer for your whip, the Coho is extremely easy to use. If you're entertaining the thought of hitching up this trailer, check out Burley's bike fitting guide and make sure it is compatible with your ride. It most likely will be, but they do have some warnings related to specific carbon frames as the trailer may put forces on the rear triangle that your bike wasn't made for.
The Coho offers both one-handed hitching and unhitching as well as a kickstand to keep the contents in place while you are managing your bike. As our main gear tester has to descend stairs from his apartment before heading to the grocery store, being able to easily detach the trailer and take the bike down separately was critical.
Overall, the Coho is extremely easy to use. While determining the correct thru-axle and setup out of the box took a bit of time, the actual use of the trailer is pleasantly simple. All of the removable components of the trailer are attached with quick-release skewers giving you the option of a completely tool-free disassembly (handy if you're flying to a destination to bike tour).
If you're planning a long bike tour on a route like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and are set on utilizing a bike cargo trailer, the Coho XC would definitely get the job done.
The unique hitch system offered a huge range of motion. Like your shoulder joint, the hitch clips over the two ball joints of the thru-axle. This lets the bike and trailer move independently, allowing you to drop and climb steps without too much drama.
The biggest downside to the quality of towing is the large spacing from the rear wheel of the bike to the cargo bay of the trailer. The result of this large spacing is a bit more of a wagging sensation, almost as though the cargo was a hammock and the trailer wheel and bike wheel were the anchors it swung from.
The Coho is one of the most versatile bike cargo trailers we have tested. Not only does this trailer boast a high weight allowance at 70 pounds and haul a large volume of material, but it also does this with just one wheel. This means singletrack and chunky roads are significantly more passable than if it had two wheels and a wide profile.
Having the ability to hitch/unhitch the trailer with one hand and have it stand on its own also opens up possibilities that aren't feasible with other trailers. On a past trip, we found ourselves using the Coho as a bike-to-fish companion, allowing us to throw in a small cooler of ice (for the bounty) as well as our fishing equipment, food, and water.
The Coho isn't cheap. However, this trailer is extremely versatile, has a huge range of add-on products, and even offers a fat tire option for sandy or soft terrain. Considering these extras, the Coho is one of a kind. If its capabilities fit your needs, the price is justifiable. It's also worth noting, if your bike utilizes a 12mm thru-axle, there will be an additional cost to order the proper axle.
We feel like the Burley Coho XC is one of the most versatile bike trailers out there, not only allowing for a large payload but also allowing you to haul that stuff down singletrack and to places two-wheel trailers aren't likely to go. Like many of Burley's trailers, this trailer is refined and shows attention to detail, from one-handed hitching to variable packing options and even a cargo net for when the packing gets out of hand. We love this trailer.
Over the past 6 years, we've purchased and tested some of the highest-rated bike trailers on the market with 8 top contenders in this year's lineup. From smooth city greenway trails to rugged singletrack and washboard dirt roads, we used and abused each trailer to find their limits and see where they shine. After hundreds of miles, some flat tires, and a few microbrew-fueled picnic debates, we have the results of how each trailer performed. Get ready to hitch up your bicycle's new soul mate and head to the hills.
While the Coho sets the bar quite high in the versatility department, we had a few bones to pick. The rugged design makes for a pretty heavy product, despite only having one wheel. It also has a large gap between the bike's rear wheel and the cargo bay of the trailer, making careful packing a must to avoid wag or sway. However, these negative features are far outweighed by this top-scoring trailer's versatility, durability, and ease of use.
The Burley Flatbed is a surprisingly versatile trailer capable of hauling 100 pounds of cargo (and likely more) while maintaining a slim 14.5-pound trailer weight. This is a unique trailer not only for the cargo/trailer weight ratio but also for its simple design, open-ended bed, and attention to detail. There is likely nothing another bike cargo trailer can haul that the Flatbed couldn't haul, too.
We initially checked out more than 40 models of bike trailers before settling on the best of the bunch to purchase and test. For ease of towing, we hitched up each model in succession, comparing performance side-by-side. Ride quality was tested over various surfaces, from smooth pavement to washboard gravel to singletrack trails. All of this has meticulously taken place over many months in order to bring you a truly comprehensive assessment of cargo trailer options. Read on to learn about our testing metrics and how each trailer performed in these key areas.
Among the many important things to consider when purchasing a bike cargo trailer, price is omnipresent. There was a significant gap in price and value between the field of trailers we tested. We're talking hundreds of dollars difference between the most affordable and the most expensive. The price doesn't tell nearly the whole story, as your intended use and the trailer's overall performance are critical components in determining value for you and your cargo-hauling needs.
The two-wheeled Nomad and Flatbed have an easy-to-use trailer attachment as well. It's a forged steel hitch that mounts directly to your bike frame via the back wheel. It also has a quick-release pin that holds the trailer in place and allows it to move freely from the bike. Additionally, these trailers come with button-activated, quick-release wheels, so taking them on and off for storage or travel is easy and fast.
This year's update saw the addition of the Schwinn Day Tripper and Retrospec Rover Hauler, which were both surprisingly easy to assemble, hitch, and use day-to-day. Both trailers have relatively small and light hitching points, which can easily be left on a top-rated electric commuter bike without really noticing, allowing for quick and easy attachment whenever you need your trailer. These trailers utilize pins/clips to assemble the collapsible side rails, and both went together easily.
The wheels on the Aosom Wanderer are mounted with bolts on the trailer, so they take more time to adjust. With a pair of pliers, we managed to straighten out the back connector and get it attached to the quick-release skewer and the bike. The initial setup and connection took around 15 minutes altogether, and besides the bent back connector, it was a rather easy setup.
One of the most important considerations when selecting a single or double wheeled trailer is the efficiency and maneuverability of each. Even short sections of single track or rugged dirt paths can make a double wheel trailer nearly impossible to manage. Similar sections of trail may be passable with a single-wheel trailer with no drama simply because of the narrow profile and how closely behind your bike the trailer will track. Additionally, single-wheel trailers have significantly less rolling resistance and stay within the slipstream created as you slice through the air. Wider two-wheelers create additional wind resistance.
True to form, the single-wheeled Burley Coho XC is the easiest to tow. It tracks so well you nearly forget it's behind you. The lower center of gravity allows for better maneuverability and handling with or without a cargo load. The single-wheel design also makes an excellent trailer for maneuvering through tight spaces or a crowded street. Unfortunately, it is easy to overload a single-wheel trailer, making hike-and-bikes and technical trails a bit challenging. Still, the Coho XC is a good choice if you plan to travel on bumpy dirt roads or singletrack. When carefully loaded and balanced, the trailer will offer a smooth, drama-free ride.
Throughout our two-wheel trailer testing, it became apparent that the Burley Nomad had a significant advantage over the competition. The mounting design is especially nice as the hitch mount allows the bike to pitch and yaw without moving the trailer off of level. While this doesn't sound that spectacular, when standing up to pump up a hill, the smooth pulling trailer is much appreciated.
The Burley Travoy also has some unique features, such as a padded handle that allows you to detach the trailer from its hitch, wheel it into a grocery store, and re-clip it to your bike. All with one hand. If you plan on urban grocery-getting commutes, this trailer will certainly make your life easier than most of the other options in our lineup. 2ff7e9595c
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