Test report Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer

Overview of the Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer

Thule bicycle trailers are designed for the highest demands of active parents, which are among the highest quality and most resistant products on the market. The Chariot CX 1 is a single-seater all-rounder.Walking, jogging, hiking, biking and skiing are possible with this unit, thanks to intelligent retrofitting and the manufacturer is welcome. Thus, the Chariot CX 1 bike trailer be used throughout the year for various sporting activities. The professor has been available since February 2014 and is located in the upper price segment.

Scope of delivery and first impression of the Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer

The delivery of Thule Chariot CX 1 includes a zusammegeklappte cab, a multifunctional strap, two 20 Zolll Easy running wheels, a low drawbar with aluminum trailer hitch, safety flag and an additional quick release for easy and fast installation . In addition, the trailer is accompanied by a manual with four spoke reflectors as well as four body reflectors. All parts supplied are carefully secured with cable ties and packed in plastic foil or foam. The bike trailer is delivered in a compact 14 kg carton. As for design and processing made of Thule Chariot CX 1 an excellent first impression on us, which was confirmed during the trial several times.This bike trailer is modern and robust. An interpretation of a sports caris instantly recognizable. In this respect, care in addition to a disc brake on the shaft as well as the large wheels running Schwalbe tires and a passenger compartment as from the wind tunnel. The materials used, as well as the anodized aluminum, are fantastic. The processing of the materials used as well as the seams is immaculate and precise. Adjustable parts are equipped with practical «push-button» systems or quick-release clamps and promise quick and simple commissioning.

Commissioning of the Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer

The assembling of Thule Chariot CX 1 bike trailer is intuitive and requires usually no detailed operating instructions. Complicated designs, such as disc brakes and handbrake, are assembled and delivered perfectly. The passenger compartment can be pulled apart with a few fixed handles. For this purpose, built-in articulated joints are brought into an upright position and fixed. Both wheels have an Autoventil (AV), which must be inflated before the first ride.

The wheel assembly on the chassis is due to the pressure-point locking system easily and quickly goes out of hand. Furthermore, the push handle is pushed into the inlets at the head end of the vehicle. This locks in there independently. On both sides at the bow of the bike trailer are two plastic multifunctional adjusters, which can only be found at Thule.These allow easy setup of the children’s bike trailer by clicking system .For the ride along the bicycle, the drawbar on the left side of the vehicle is pushed into an opening provided for this purpose until it clicks into place itself. The other end of the tipper is intended for the trailer coupling. The supplied clutch is attached to the rear axle together with the quick release fastener and is connected and secured by means of a ball brace and bolt. Unfortunately, numerous reflectors are not attached to the bicycle trailer from the front and must be screwed in before the vehicle is driven. Obendrauf is not included in the scope of delivery. Therefore, increased during commissioning dese Chariot CX 1 the basic structure of four on average about 14 minutes.The enclosed instructions are in German, English and French. Thanks to the large images and complete documentation, no misunderstandings should arise during the setup process.

Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer in Praxistest

In practical test convinced us the good workmanship and the easy handling of the bicycle trailer. Due to its aerodynamic design and technical sophistication of true Thule Chariot CX 1 as a sports car among bicycle trailers. The most important functions such as parking brake, safety belt, articulated joints as well as numerous adjustments of the leaf spring were visible at a glance. Therefore, we were able to adjust the vehicle to our needs intuitively without long reading or manual.
In the interior, which is conceived for toddlers from 10 months, a child finds comfortably space. The padded child seat surrounds the rider like a sports seat of a car and offers enough sideholding in every situation. Who wants to take children aged 1-10 months on tour has an additional Thule buy baby seat. The sprout is also secured with a padded 5-point harness system. In our test the entry was comfortable thanks to the barrier-free access and the child was immediately adequate seating position. The straps are variably adjustable and can be easily applied.

The fact that the Thule Chariot CX 1 is a lightweight, you can feel at the start at the start. The 13.5 kg empty weight and 9 kg test weight are barely noticeable on the rear axle and in no way affect the required effort. On asphalted roads, the light-bikes run smoothly and the driver does not have to take long periods of familiarization. Because of the low spreading width and the narrow frame construction, no increased lateral safety distance to the walkway or parked cars is required. This means that the driver can concentrate on road traffic and does not have to look backwards at all times. The trailer behaved extremely disciplined in our test and took every side curb on the side due to its large wheels with ease. In order to minimize the overall width of the child carrier, the halves can be pushed deeper into the bracket. This facilitates the advance in narrow streets and the cars on the chassis edge.

Unfortunately showed the moose test, the greatest weakness of the Chariot CX 1, due to the narrow track width. In the case of violent evasive maneuvers in our practice center, the bicycle trailer remained uneasy, but remained spurious. The function as a stroller and jogger could weinspire and count on us to particular strengths of Thule Chariot CX 1 Convinced we were also adjustable by the leaf suspension. When driving over cobbled streets, this makes a good job and contributes to the comfort of the passengers. Suspension and the built-in child seat absorb most shocks and blows. This makes tours over rough soils, such as in the old town less stressful and stressful for the child.

We were extremely satisfied with trips over unpaved bike paths and gravel roads. The Thule Chariot CX 1 behaved in a disciplined and steady manner. During the test drive, we could not hear any external noise like rattling or squeaking. Because of the low weight and the mounting on the wheel hub, the bike trailer had no increased braking distance during braking maneuvers and was easy to handle. The Chariot CX 1 with its ventilation system scored points when traveling over dusty ground. To do this, the front rain hood is closed and the side ventilation slots are opened from the inside. This keeps the passenger in the interior protected from the dust and does not have to forego fresh air. In general, we recommend to keep the rain hood open at all times in order to avoid possible heat build-up.

The concept of the Chariot CX 1 is well-thought-out and coherent. This can be seen in the large bag at the rear of the bicycle trailer, which serves as a storage space. In order to accommodate large items of luggage, the spacious sack can be folded up using a built-in quick release fastener.When jogging, the «duffle bag» is folded close to the trailer to increase the required leg clearance while walking. Very well solved we found the lid with elastic. This facilitates the frequent access and saves annoying Velcro closure. Furthermore, all contents are protected by the penetrating dust and rain. A further positive point is that the compatible additional equipment of Thule, such as the buggy wheels or the jogger wheel, do not need anything from the expensive storage space. Since these are attached either to the side of the bow or to the stern.

The Thule Chariot CX 1 bike trailer has after disassembly of the two wheels, in the folded state a height of about 27 cm. Thanks to this small measure can children Bicycle trailers are little storage space when not in use, even in small apartments, cellars and storerooms. It can become much narrower when transported in the car. This is due to the total length of 109 cm. In our praxistest the trailer fitted only just in the trunk of the VW Passat. Thus, the space requirement was identical to the larger model of Thule, the Cougar 2 . Furthermore, absolutely no space for additional payload remained. On the other hand, we found it pleasing that the seat of the bank did not have to be folded over.

Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer

Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer photo gallery

Thule Chariot CX1 bicycle trailer shortly