Burley Encore X review
A two-seat bike trailer that also strolls, and the age question you should ask a doctor rather than the internet.
The verdict
The Encore X is the trailer to buy if you will actually use it weekly, because the suspension is what turns a rattling box into something a child will sit in for an hour. Buy it if you cycle regularly and want a trailer that also works as a stroller. Do not buy it for an infant on the assumption you can use it straight away, because trailers are not appropriate for babies and the minimum is a question for your paediatrician and the manual, not a purchase decision.
Burley Encore X 2-Seat Bike Trailer and Stroller
~$700
A two-seat bike trailer with suspension, padded seats, a weather-resistant cover and an included one-wheel stroller kit.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Seats | Two, padded, with a detachable seat for hauling cargo instead |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Included, to absorb bumps and jostling |
| Modes | Bike trailer and stroller, with the one-wheel stroller kit included |
| Other kits | Compatible with strolling, jogging and ski kits |
| Cover | Weather-resistant, with a sunshade for UV protection |
| E-bikes | Manufacturer states e-bike friendly |
| Fabric | Contains post-consumer recycled fabrics |
| Fold | Compact |
Specifications above come from Burley's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Suspension is the specification that decides whether a child tolerates a trailer. Unsuspended trailers transmit every crack in the road directly into a small spine, and children stop wanting to get in.
- The stroller kit is included rather than sold separately, which is unusual in this category and worth real money at purchase.
- A detachable seat means the trailer hauls cargo when it is not hauling children, which is the difference between a trailer used weekly and one stored in a garage.
- Two seats with a folded profile that fits a normal car boot, which is not true of every two-seat trailer.
Where it falls short
- Age is the honest limitation and it is a safety matter rather than a product one. A child needs to be able to sit up unsupported and hold their head steady while wearing a helmet before a trailer is appropriate, and this is commonly quoted from around 12 months. Manufacturers state their own minimum in the manual. Ask your paediatrician about your own child and do not take an age from a review page.
- Trailers sit low and behind you, which is where drivers do not look. A flag, lights and route choice are not optional extras, and a quiet route is worth more than any amount of high-visibility fabric.
- At about $700 it is a serious purchase for something that is unusable for the first year of a child's life and outgrown within a few years.
- The stroller mode is a convenience rather than a good stroller. It is long, it steers from one wheel, and it is not what you want for a supermarket.
- Helmets are required for the children inside, and a helmet that fits a small head correctly is its own fitting problem. A trailer does not remove the need for one.
What owners report
Published owner reviews are consistently strong on build quality and on the suspension specifically, which is the feature owners upgrading from a cheaper trailer mention first. Many report years of use across two children and good resale.
The recurring criticisms are price, the size when set up, and the stroller mode being adequate rather than good. Assembly is generally described as straightforward, which is not universal in this category.
Who it suits
- Families who cycle regularly and will use it weekly rather than occasionally.
- Parents of two children close in age, or one child plus regular cargo.
- Anyone who wants a trailer that survives two children and holds resale value.
Who should skip it
- Parents of an infant, who cannot use it yet and should not buy on the assumption they can.
- Occasional cyclists, for whom a cheaper trailer is the honest answer.
- Anyone wanting a good stroller, since this is a trailer that also strolls.
Alternatives worth considering
Veer All-Terrain Cruiser Wagon Stroller
~$699
If most of your trips are on foot rather than by bike, a wagon that pushes and pulls does the same job of moving two children and a lot of gear, without the traffic exposure. It does not attach to a bicycle.
Check price on Amazonwoom GO 3 Bicycle for Children 4 to 6 Years Old
~$499
Included because a trailer is a stage, not a destination. Once a child can ride their own bike the trailer becomes storage, and the transition often comes sooner than parents expect.
Check price on AmazonOsprey Poco Premium Child Carrier Backpack
~$450
For trails a bicycle cannot use, a carrier goes where no wheeled option does. It carries one child rather than two and puts the weight on your back, which is its own limit.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
What age can a baby go in a bike trailer?
Later than most people assume. The usual position is that a child should be able to sit up unsupported and hold their head steady while wearing a helmet, commonly quoted from around 12 months, and each manufacturer sets a minimum in the manual. Paediatric guidance has generally advised against carrying infants on bicycles at all. Ask your own paediatrician and read the manual before your first ride.
Burley Encore X vs Thule Chariot Sport?
Both are premium suspended trailers and the choice usually comes down to price, conversion kits and how much you value the Thule's stiffer frame. Our full head-to-head goes through both in detail, including which conversion kits are included with each.
Do children need helmets in a bike trailer?
Yes. A trailer is a vehicle on a road and a helmet is required for the passengers, fitted correctly rather than perched. A helmet also changes how a child sits in the seat, which is part of why the minimum age exists at all.
Is the stroller mode any good?
It is genuinely useful and it is not a real stroller. One wheel at the front, a long wheelbase and a wide body make it fine on a path and awkward in a shop. Think of it as a way to get from the car park to the trailhead, not as a stroller replacement.
Can I tow it with an e-bike?
Burley states the Encore X is e-bike friendly. Check your bicycle manufacturer's own towing guidance too, since some e-bike frames and hub motors are not rated for a trailer, and speed is the bigger issue: a trailer that is fine at 12 mph behaves differently at 20.
Keep reading
- Burley Encore X vs Thule Chariot Sport
- Best kids bike trailers
- Kids bike safety guide
- woom GO 3 review
- Veer All-Terrain Cruiser review
- Kids bike size calculator
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures, published safety standards and the general consensus of verified owner reports. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Nothing here is medical or safety advice: car seat installation belongs with a certified child passenger safety technician, infant sleep follows your paediatrician and current safe sleep guidance, and no product prevents SIDS. Confirm current specifications, fit and safety information for your own child and vehicle before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.