The Schwinn Joyrider Bicycle Trailer: The Pros and Cons

Schwinn bicycle trailer models are available in six versions. Of the six models, the Schwinn Joyrider bike trailer is noticeably sleeker and outperforms other Schwinn bike trailers. The Joyrider is a very popular children’s bike trailer option and has many virtues that make it appealing to families. Not only is it a top-of-the-line trailer for Schwinn, but it has a number of features that set it apart from its competition.

When shopping for a children’s bike trailer, you’ll find many brands to choose from. The Schwinn line of bike trailers is considered a mid-range bike trailer with prices in the $115-300 range. The main strengths of the Schwinn Joyrider bicycle trailer, as often stated by satisfied customers, include its unique styling, space and comfort, strong materials and construction, and stroller conversion.

Schwinn Joyrider style, comfort and space

Looking at various bike trailers, you’ll find that the Joyrider looks quite different from most trailers. It has a very stylish and modern design that is sure to turn heads on walks or bike rides. A hinged canopy provides a great view, while a mesh canopy allows air to flow through the cab and keeps pesky bugs out. If you happen to get caught in the rain, then the canopy has a plastic cover to keep kids dry.

The unique design creates a spacious and comfortable cabin. The padded seats can comfortably accommodate two small children. These are real seats, not the kind of bouncer or sling that many parents complain about. The seats also recline a bit so kids are comfortable enough to nap. A great benefit of the seats is that the seat pads are removable so that you can wash them.

Large 20″ alloy wheels provide a smooth ride and some customers say the ride is so smooth that the trailer/stroller “practically rolls itself.”

The quality construction of the Schwinn bicycle trailer

In addition to the quality wheels, spacious interior, and padded seats, there are a number of other heavy-duty materials and constructions that go into this Schwinn bike trailer. The high quality of construction and materials is one of the things that sets it apart from the competition. You’ll pay less than other “Cadillac” brands like Burley, but you’ll get similar quality at an affordable price. Although the hood design sets the Joyrider apart from other trailers in terms of styling, it is a unique design that is superior to other bike trailers in a much higher price range. The hinged canopy has ribs that are metal, so if the trailer ever tips over, there’s a metal frame around your child. The trailer frame is made of strong, durable, lightweight aluminum and the seats have two 5-point safety harnesses.

Stroller conversion kit is included

Many buyers of the Schwinn Joyrider bike 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 the purchase of the stroller kit separately. Trailer/stroller users say switching from trailer to stroller mode is very easy and can be done quickly. The stroller has a swivel wheel that makes it easy to push and maneuver. It also has an adjustable handle for people of different heights. One feature that gets a lot of attention and praise is the strong easy lock brake, which most bike trailers don’t have.

The drawbacks

While the Schwinn Joyrider bike trailer outperforms other bike trailers, there are some minor complaints from satisfied customers. One of the complaints has been that the seat belt straps were not long enough, making it too tight for some children. The original design of the trailer had a cross belt for two that people thought was also too short. However, Schwinn recently fixed this issue and the Joyrider now has dual 5 point safety harnesses so it seems like it’s not an issue anymore.

One of the virtues not mentioned above is how easy Schwinn bike trailers are to open and close. The Joyrider can be folded up for transport or storage, but some customers have stated in their review that they had difficulty collapsing the trailer because they weren’t strong enough or because the button used to fold the trailer was broken. Out of the many customer reviews I read, I only saw one person who said they had a broken button, but they also said they received excellent customer service when they sent it in to be fixed. There were only a few reviews where customers said they weren’t strong enough to collapse the trailer, however most customers said it was easy if they commented on this item.

Although the stroller option is a great benefit for Joyrider buyers, there are two main gripes with the stroller. First of all, the stroller is wide and won’t fit through doorways without removing the wheels (which is very easy) or folding it up. Some customers would like to see the trailer/stroller made about two inches narrower to make it easier to carry inside. Please note that this is a bicycle trailer first, and a stroller second. It is designed to be used outdoors. If you made it narrower, you would lose the space that so many customers rave about. I would suggest that if you want to bring a stroller indoors, you should buy a separate stroller and use the Schwinn bike trailer for outdoor activities.

Second, the largest number of complaints seems to center around the front wheel of the stroller when used for jogging. There appears to be a problem with the wheel vibrating and shaking, preventing the stroller from moving forward. For those who want to use the jogging stroller, there is a jogging wheel accessory that can be purchased separately. Also, the trailer wheels are proprietary wheels for which there is no replacement. So if the wheels wear out or break, then you’re out of luck. Hopefully Schwinn is listening to customer feedback and will fix these issues like they did with the seat belts. Schwinn has very high customer satisfaction and service so I am sure we will see improvements on this model as it is so popular!

The bottom line is that there are numerous children’s bike trailers to choose from and I’m sure those other bike trailers are just fine and perfectly safe. Why would you buy any other kid’s bike trailer when the Schwinn Joyrider has so many great virtues, even among minor customer complaints? If you’re looking for good looks, quality construction and materials, comfort and safety, and a stroller option, then the Schwinn bike trailer is one of the best values ​​available on the market.

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