Hot!
- Easy, quick, tool-free assembly
- Quick Hitch for tool-free attachment/detach to seat post
- 12.5” wheels roll smoothly, almost like you’re not pulling anything
- Rolls over curbs, gravel, grass and potholes with ease
- Designed to carry a variety of items including groceries or laptop
- Trailer detaches and easily rolls through a grocery store on into an office
- Hauls up to 60 pounds (20 pounds upper shelf, 40 pounds lower shelf)
- Extendable tow arm provides clearance for racks or larger tires
- Transit bags for the commuter and market bags for shopping
- Optional rain-resistant rain cover protects items from spray
- Wheel guards keep items from shifting or getting caught in the wheels
- Folds down and stores easily, ideal for apartment dwellers
- Taillight attachment for added safety
- Storage bag and tie down straps included
- Ideal for ride share, eBikes or swapping from one bike to another
Not!
- Can not use with carbon seat post
- Bags sold separately making complete setup pricey
Price: $299.99 MSRP
Color: Black with yellow accents, People for Bikes version in Blue (limited edition)
Weight: 11.7 lbs (includes trailer, wheels, Quick hitch, tie-down straps and Travoy storage bag
Hauling Capacity: 20 lbs upper shelf; 40 lbs lower shelf; total 60 lbs
Dimensions: 11.5 x 15.5 x 37”
Folded Size: 21 x 18 x 8”
Wheel Size: 12.5“
Quick Hitch: Fits seat post diameters 25-35mm
Seat Post Caution: Do NOT use on carbon fiber seat posts
Availability: Company web site or retailer
RBR Advertiser: No
Obtained by: Company Sample
Improving Commuting and Shopping by Bike
As more and more people are turning to bicycling to run errands and commute, there’s a greater demand to be able to carry items like groceries, a laptop or clothing. Burley’s newly designed Travoy is an easy way to get around town and haul up to 60 pounds behind your bike with not much additional effort. The Travoy is also great for e-bikes, ride share bikes or even your commuter bike. Just note that it cannot be used with a carbon seat post.
The other day I attached the Travoy to an old cross bike of mine and threw all sorts of odds and ends I found in my garage into the two bags. Then off I went, riding the neighborhood running up on curbs, hitting potholes, riding on the grass and a short stretch of gravel road. I wanted to check to see if its 12.5 wheels would catch on a curb or pothole edge. It rolled so smoothly, I honestly had to turn around a couple of times to make sure it was still attached. The Travoy rolled so quietly and easily over anything I threw at it, all without jarring the bike. This is partly due to the Flex Connector. It lets the bike move in different positions while the trailer stays upright behind the bike.
I also took the Travoy out on a very windy day to see if the Tavoy would act as a sail. But in headwinds, tailwinds and crosswinds of about 13-15 mph, I found no bike handling issues. Burley has made a really nice cargo trailer.
Well Thought Out Features
Burley has really spent time thinking of every little detail when they built this model of the Travoy. From the initial unpacking and no-tool assembly to the Quick Hitch and more, everything is thoughtfully considered.
When I received the Travoy, it was quick to unpack and required no tools to assemble. I should have timed myself, but it took less than 5 minutes from start to finish. Attaching it to my seat post was fast — hence the name Quick Hitch. The Travoy attached to the Quick Hitch with just a slide of a button. To accommodate racks or larger tires on the bike, the tow arm expands to provide additional room.
Once at your destination, the Travoy detaches from the Quick Hitch so you can roll it into a grocery store or office building. The wide kickstand unfolds to provide a stable platform when freestanding.
Safety and Visibility
The Travoy comes with two reflectors on the bottom of the trailer that are visible when being pulled. At the end of the tow arm, there’s a built-in loop where a taillight can be attached. Combine these two features and you’ll have lots of added visibility to drivers.
Reflectors and taillight mounting loop for added visibility.
To prevent anything from getting caught in the wheels or cargo from shifting around, Burley has designed integrated wheel guards into the Travoy.
Compact and Easy to Store
The Travoy weighs under 12 pounds and folds down to about the size of a carry-on bag (21″ x 18″ x 8”). This makes it ideal for apartment dwellers where storage is at a premium. Expanded, the dimensions are 11.5″ x 15.5″ x 37” and could be tucked away in a corner or closet.
Bags and Accessories
Optional bags and a rain cover are available to fully customize the Travoy. The transit bags are designed for commuters, while the market bags are for shopping. The upper shelf can carry up to 20 lbs and the lower shelf 40 lbs, for a total of 60 lbs of gear. A rain resistant cover pulls over the top and lower bags and secures to the frame. This will keep water from splashing onto the bags themselves.
PeopleForBikes Version
For the same price, Burley offers a limited addition PeopleForBikes version of the Travoy with a blue frame. Burley and PeopleForBikes are working together with the aim to get more people out riding and commuting safely. Burley will donate $30 to the PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program for every PeopleForBikes Travoy sold.
Bottom Line
The Burley Travoy is a well-thought-out and constructed trailer with all the features you could want for hauling groceries or commuting to the office. Strap on your own bags or purchase the optional ones from Burley. For city dwellers who use ride share bikes, the Quick Hitch is easy to attach/detach. It also works well for families with multiple bikes. For a quick overview of all the features, watch this video.
Hi Sheri:
I’m glad to see you reviewing a trailer, as I also see so many more commuters and shoppers here in the North Midwest. As a long-time trailer tourer (10 years with a Wike) I want to point out a few more important trailer features to your readers. First, tire size matters because nonstandard tires can be tough to find locally. I prefer 20 inch tires because they’re common on many bikes. Having the weight low on the trailer really helps the cornering. Trailers that connect low on the bike like on the quick release or axle help here, but even with that I’ve flipped a trailer that was top heavy. Some trailer bags are truly waterproof – like dry bags used in watercraft. Child carrying trailers have an advantage of dual purpose: they often have a trunk for a bag or two of groceries, but without child can carry lots of stuff. While this trailer you reviewed has some positive features – easy on/off being one – it’s missing some other useful ones.
I love mine. I bought their upper and lower bags and discovered I didn’t need to. The “storage” bag it comes with would have been fine. I did buy their add on straps which are very nice if you transport boxes or a bike (Yep, I ended up with 2 bikes away from home. I carried one back on the trailer) I does better in the wind than the kid trailer I have. You can also use it as a shopping cart inside a store (or could in the before-times…)
My touring setup, panniers, handle bar bag, etc., weighs way less than 60 pounds. How well would this trailer perform on a tour? .
I always have this same question with trailers, Jack. I see people riding down the coastal highway out here in Northern California. They’re usually coming from Washington or Oregon and headed at least to Los Angeles. Most of them carry panniers. But every now and then I’ll see trailers.
My theory is that some people see the trailer as the easier option, maybe because they can access their gear more easily, carry more, and also access their bike more easily for repair since nothing’s hanging on it and in the way. And, I don’t think people who favor trailers are worried about dragging something behind, the increased weight on the brakes, or the extra vehicle and tires that might break down out on the road.
When we rode cross country, we thought about pulling a trailer. But it wasn’t for carrying gear. It was for bringing our dog along. With the right pet that might be a good reason to pull a trailer.. but we decided against it due to concern for the her safety out on the road.
With any luck, we’ll hear from some trailer tourists telling us what they like so much about traveling with theirs.
Jim
I have the Wike sport tour trailer. Weighs about the same as 2 racks and panniers. With Ortlieb drybag it’s absolutely waterproof, easy to pack. I detach it from the bike and wheel it to my tent site. I use it with my steel road bike with no issue, so no need for a second touring bike. Handling seems much less affected than with panniers. Only downsides are two more wheels for rolling resistance, and my tendency to pack everything including the kitchen sink!
Thanks, Dave. Very helpful. It seems as if the load could extend high enough that it might be top-heavy and flip on a curve with bumps, for instance. What is your experience?
On a 35mph downhill (in Acadia Nat’l Park) I flipped a top-heavy BOB trailer. And that’s a low attach trailer. Broken fork, taco-ed front wheel. And then the damage to me… Loading trailers with weight low is key. A well-balanced trailer – especially the two-wheeled types – feel like they actually stabilize the bike.
First to Jim’s question of why use a trailer on a tour. Answer is simple: you can use it with any bike. A friend rode a Trek Postal (carbon, racing geometry) with a BOB for years on our tours.
This trailer reminds me of my Bugger which got lots of stares with the kids in it in the early 80’s.
I used the original Travoy for several years and put over 10,000 miles on it, mostly commuting. I found I often forgot it was there because it didn’t impact the handling of the bike like panniers and other trailers do. I did occasionally (less than 10 times total) flip it over by hitting one wheel on something like a speed bump or a curb. I never crashed as a result, but just had to slow down and stop and flip it back over. It got scraped up a bit, but not damaged significantly. I loved being able to easily detach it and bring it into my office or into a locker room where I worked out and find an out of the way place for it. It appears they’ve redesigned the kickstand, which was a weak point in the original design. A great product!