Mumii VIP Zara, her husband Mike and 16-month-old Henry have been testing the Thule Chariot Cross 1 for us.
What was in the box:
We received the Thule Chariot Cross 1 – a bike trailer that can also be used as a stroller.
First Impressions:
Our first impressions when we received the Chariot is that the box was quite small – which left us more intrigued as to the set-up. The box was very substantial and looked like it offered very sturdy protection to the item inside.
Bearing in mind the box seemed smaller than we were expecting, we were concerned that the build might take forever and be quite complex – but in reality, it was quite the opposite! It was so simple and straightforward – we popped on four wheels and assembled the handle using two screws and an Allen key provided, popped in the flag, and we were set to go!
The instructions were clear, concise and very easy to follow – we had to read them twice in case we had missed something with the set-up being so easy!
Review:
Where to start… we LOVED it!
The Thule Chariot Cross is what I would call a ‘must have’ for active families! Testing this bike trailer/stroller has been the most fun experience!
My husband and I used to cycle quite regularly before Henry came along, and we’d thought of ways we could get back into regular outside activities after Henry was born but didn’t quite find any suitable way of doing so. We’d considered bike seats, but had the challenges of the weather and what happens if he falls asleep or swallows a fly?! That might sound like new-mum paranoia, but the last cycle ride I’d done, I got stung on the lip by a bee!
Cue testing the Thule Chariot Cross – this quashed any fears and anxiety I had about getting back to the outdoors as family.
Every feature had been thought about. The storage compartment, which folds up if you’re using it as a jogger or stroller, was a welcome feature to ensure everything we needed to take out with us was well stored for the journey – a small clip means that if you don’t need the storage you can clip it up out of the way. The seat recline, so that if they do fall asleep whilst out and about, a one-handed motion reclines the seat a bit for comfort. The safety of a 5-point harness and a comfortable padded seat, which Henry not once objected to – he was climbing back into it even when we were at our destination!
The Chariot Cross exudes quality, there was no part of the trailer that felt flimsy, the build is solid and from that my trust was immediately put into the product, which is so important when it is carrying your baby! Even aspects such as reflectors came with the trailer and are already installed.
We live in a very rural area, so the versatility of this product was amazing, it exceeded every expectation we both had. We hitched up to the bikes and off we went. Our first outing was to a local mere (lake) – we cycled approximately five miles and when we arrived we simply flipped the handlebar and wheels down and unhitched from the bike and went for a stroll around the mere, across the fields and tracks… not a problem.
The stroller element is such an impressive feature. As someone looking to purchase the Chariot Cross it feels like great value for money – you get everything within one product.
The safety aspect of this trailer over a bike seat was one of the most important factors for us – and it certainly lived up to the expectations. The stability on uneven road surfaces was great alongside the adjustable suspension – it covered every terrain that we asked of it.
If I was being really picky, I would say I would have liked more of a recline.
At £899, it does seem quite expensive but I would strongly recommend parents who are interested in a bike trailer to go and physically see one. In my opinion the features and benefits of this trailer hugely outweigh those of most others on the market. Even if you are looking at the Chariot Lite, the features of the Cross really do command that higher price point. Also, after browsing online at the extra accessories that are available for it, there are so many more uses for this trailer/stroller such as a jogging kit and a skiing kit for families who love other outdoor pursuits. There’s also an infant sling and comfort seat for younger babies and children, meaning there is real longevity in the product!
The ventilation was a little bit of a drawback – the front zip-down screen is a vented mesh, but in the really warm weather I did find it was lacking extra ventilation.
Finally the fold… It is genuinely a compact fold for a product of this calibre and quality. I would recommend re-reading the instructions to get the most compact fold as it illustrates the best place to store the wheels, etc.
I could go on and on and as you can tell, we really loved the product. It worked well within our family lifestyle and we would 100% recommend it to other parents (in fact, we already have, so we can go on group outings)!
PROS:
- Amazing build quality
- Easy to use
- Great storage
- Easy to tow
- Versatile
- Longevity
CONS:
- A lower recline would be amazing
- More ventilation in the front mesh screen
I would recommend this product to other parents!
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