Reviews for Chariot Cougar 1 bike trailer

Obvously, an excellent piece of equipment; this is our second Chariot and we're very pleased, long-term users. The only problem my wife and I have is this: when changing the sqare aluminum arms (i.e. from bike hitch to front wheel configuration) the arms tend to stick in the plastic sleeves. It really takes some effort to pull them out, especially the left arm. I've put on some WD40, but it's still a very tight fit. I understand that there should be very little play to ensure connection integrity but, wow, it's tight... Thanks,

This was a baby gift for my biking daughter and husband in Perth, Australia. I had to completely disassemble it for the airline trip and was quite impressed with the quality. I would also like to add, the Chariot Company was very helpful in resolving a couple of questions that arose. My son-in-law, who is a competitive cyclist has tried a Cougar 1 and it was his suggestion for the baby gift.

We bought the 2008 Cougar 1 model in Spring 2008 for a 9-month-old and have used it throughout the summer, probably several dozen times. We bought the bike and jogging attachments. The carrier is sturdy, as are both attachments we purchased. The suspension is great and easy to adjust, depending on your child's size. The bike attachment is easy to install, it just requires a quick attachment to the back wheel of your bike, probably about five minutes the first time you try it and shorter once you've done it once. You can make tight turns in both directions without clipping your wheel on the attachment arm. The only slight drawback with the bike is that your back wheel can kick up a small amount of debris into the carrier if all the flaps are open. I actually would have expected more debris in there after some decent rides, but it wasn't bad. We haven't had a problem with heat or cold in the carrier, there's a screen, plastic rain guard and a colored sun guard. The carrier also gets good ventilation during movement. The jogging attachment is easier to install, it basically snaps in place. The first time I put the jogging wheel on the frame, it pulled slightly to the right, however, I re-mounted the wheel and it has been straight since. I like the larger wheels this model has over some of its competitors, the smooth ride as a result is very nice. The jogger can also be used as a stroller, although it's a bit long to take into a store. As for storage, it folds up decently, the back wheels come off very easily and can be placed inside the carrier for storage. The handlebar comes off easily and occupies a nice height for an average person, although its set at a specific height when in use, so I can't comment on how it is for very tall or short users. The storage space behind the child's seat is more than enough for anything you might take on a run or a bike ride and the bottom of the carrier contains lots of space for toys, bottles, sippy cups, etc... Overall, we've been very happy with our purchase.

Bought the Cougar 1 with cycling, jogging and stroller kits this winter. Started using it when the snow melted. I love to get out for a bike ride on weekend mornings and can now do them with my one year-old son. My wife doesn't ride and takes the opportunity to catch up on rest, thank you Chariot. My son loves it, plays with toys, watches the world, rocks back and forth for me to go faster. Quick changes between kits is good. Bike kit mounting is reassuringly solid, and turning circle to the left is as tight as needed. Right turns should be limited or the wheel hits the mounting arm, but it's never actually happened to me, so probably just over-worrying. Stroller kit wheels go upside down in place, so when we get somewhere, we can lock up the bike and go for a wander on foot. Cargo trunk nicely holds normal size diaper bag, pair of shoes. Don't forget that smaller kids feet don't touch the front of the carriage. They chuck their toys to the bottom and can't reach them, so putting a bag or something under their feet gives you extra storage and keeps them from being cranky and stopping your ride. Jog-stroller brake-kit seems a little-overboard unless you're roller-blading with it, in which case it would seem sensible. Rear posts are about the same size as a bike seat post and nicely mount LED lights, which are useful at twilight of course, but even more fun when you forget enough toys for cranky. And the frame is so solid-feeling that you have no question that it's safe and reliable. Suspension is cool too, adjustments are easy. Rear-wheel removal is easy and simple. Prefer the orange for visibility even though red's my favorite color. With rain cover down, surprisingly warm inside, no worries about cold baby, within reason of course. And when he outgrows it, shopping-cart.

My wife and I received this trailer/stroller as a gift from a group of friends when our daughter was born. It sat in our basement until a little after she turned one. Then, in April 2007, we started commuting to work and daycare with it. My commute is 6 miles round trip, and in the last year, I have likely towed the trailer 200-225 times in all kinds of weather except ice. It has been jogging perhaps...ahem...15 times. Regardless, in the roughly 1200 miles I have pulled this trailer, it has been great. It tows easily; it rides smoothly; it is exceptionally stable; and it readily protects my daughter from wind, rain, sun, and snow. That is, it did protect her from those things until the last month or so. Apparently, after a year or so of use, the elastic that keeps the cover tight, and the velcro tabs that keep the cover and rain fly down, have both deteriorated to the point of ineffectiveness. Now, the wind created by me pulling the trailer is sufficient to blow the cover back and expose my daughter. Having paid upwards of $500 for this thing, I expected a little better like, say, snaps versus velcro. I have contacted Chariot requesting repair information and I'm awaiting their response. I'll report back when/if I hear anything. Other than this durability issue, however, the trailer is superb and I would recommend it without reservation to anyone looking for an excellent all-round trailer that will carry your child in style and comfort.

Awsome! We keep MTBing along singletrak and this amazing trailer goes smooth! Baby 11 moths old and happy and sleeping! Strongly recommended

My expectations were fulfilled, from the sale experience to the actual use of the trailer. My 18 months old daughter loved her new toy. She's still not used to long rides yet but soon she will. I recommend.

I love my Chariot Cougar 1. The spaciousness even accommodates my large 4-year-old's long legs. The ride is very smooth for both of us, and she has great protection and ventilation. The fresh air usually lulls her to sleep. I also love the vast amount of storage compartments. Very impressively built.......no complaints!

We own the Cougar1 2005 +Strolling +Jogging +Cycling kits + rain Cover & Baby Supporter. first thing to do was to replace the original tires (20X1.75) with fatter & more durable tires (20X1.95+), and then we can go anywhere. We use the jogging kit for hiking in all terrains from the age of 4mth (with baby supporter), when she reached the age of 1 year, weâ??ve started using the cycling kit which works perfectly both on and off road. Weâ??re always â??disappointedâ?? when she falls asleep as soon as we start paddling no matter the terrain, the view or the weather. The strolling kit is very convenient for urban strolling, we use it quite a lot when going abroad. The carrier versatility is its most dominant value, though its details and accessories should be upgraded and updated: the breaking system is very poorly planed placed in the center below the storage compartment, very hard to reach by foot when its fully stored, and when uphill (when itâ??s most needed). Moreover the breaking system is problematic by itself and demand a lot of practice and effort in order to run it properly. The storage compartment â??gotâ?? bigger in the 2006 model, the 2005 model is quite small and not very convenient, specially when the net-basket above it is full. When using the carrier while its raining, even when using the rain cover, you should expect the babyâ??s feet to get wet, for the carrier is licking from the front bottom seam.

But yet again the overall review is very positive, searching for a while in the net for a baby trailer with suspension, this is the best you can find. Its versatility allows it to function quite well as a stroller, and with no competition off road behind the bike or in front of you. Go for it..

I purchased a Chariot Cougar about a year ago at it's been by far the best kid related purchase I've made. I started jogging with my daughter when she was only a few weeks old (with infant sling accessory), then I moved on to biking with the bike attachement. Last winter I also purchased the xc ski attachement and skiied with her. I've been biking and jogging all summer. Awesome product! Better than the dedicated cycling trailers I've tried.

I purchased Chariot Couger 1 with the jogging assembly and the bicycle attachment. It has exceeded all my expectation. The jogger runs straight and true without effort. The suspension makes for a very smooth ride. The "off road" capabilities (dirt or gravel roads, fields/wide trails, even at the beach) gives us a lot of freedom. The bike assembly is east to attach and secure. The plastic panel on the mesh cover can blow free on a windy day. A little more velcro midway up the panel on either side would help a lot.

We bought our Cougar nearly a year ago for our then 11 month old daughter. She likes to ride in it, often choosing it over her other stroller for walks in the neighborhood. I like that it disaasembles easily and compactly enough to fit in our Civic with room for a couple of bags. I also like that it is not heavy - an asset for biking and for loading!

We have the bike and the jogging attachments. I wish we'd gotten the regular stroller wheels too, because the jogger is a little unweidly for the store or market since, like all joggers, the front wheel doesn't corner. My only complaint stems from biking to a place and then switching to the stroller. While there is easy-to-use onboard storage for the wheels, it's trickier to fit the supports onboard if you are carrying much else in the storage area. However, this is a small glitch in an otherwise terrific setup. I would definitely recommend the Cougar.

I have been very pleased with the performance of the Chariot. I often take my 20 month old son on rides and runs since I am often the only babysitter while my wife is at work (I work nights) It is easy to change between the jogger and bicycle attatchment, the wheels and shocks provide a smooth ride, and the 4 point restraints secure my son well in his seat. He often brings a few toys and passes out for a nap while I workout. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a multipurpose jogger/bike trailer.

After consulting several different reviews of different brands, we opted for the cougar 1 (2005 model - bought 2005 because was on clearance). We love this stroller and its many features. I also love that it easily converts to a bicycle trailer. It has ample storage capacity and we feel our daughter is very safe inside. As for jogging, it is so sturdy but lightweight that you hardly notice pushing it. We are altogether very pleased with our purchase and feel that the Cougar has lived up to our high expectations.

this is a great bike trailer. very comfy, safe and rugged. we also use it for running and x-country skiing- extremely versatile.

Overall I am extremely happy with the Chariot Couger 1. We bought the jogger assembly and the bicycle attachment. The one thing I would change is the velcro strip fastening which holds the clear panel to the bottom of the mesh cover. It can blow loose in a windy situation. I would like to see some additional velcro about half way up the panel on either side.

Lots of good, sturdy features, however it's very hot inside. Not much ventilation. My daughter will not ride in it because of this. Above 70 degrees outside and she's cooking inside.

Comments from The Staff:

That's odd, even with just the screen down and the window rolled up? Sometimes we leave our screen up, but they do recommend the screen is always down. Even so, while biking, their should be plenty of venting with the window rolled up. But thanks for the review, appreciate the comments.

We bought this many months ago and it gets almost daily use. It has performed flawlessly for commuting with a 35 lb 3 year old.

High marks for the design and quality of materials and workmanship. Very good hitch system.

Nit Pics: the tires were not mounted true and it took copius talc and elbow grease to get them to sit straight on the rims, excessive play between the tow arm and chassis, should make the tow arm either side compatible, tow arm flexes enough that I wonder about high cycle failure in 4 or 5 years, conversion to jogger WITH brake is time consuming.

Overall an EXCELLENT trailer, probably the best around based on my research. The few nitpics are from an 'enginerd' who does design analysis and optimization.

Neither could my 7 month old daughter. She loves it. Convenience and quality more than make up for any add'l cost vs. buying a low-end jogger & trailer separately. Would definitely recommend.

This is the best product a new parent that wants to stay active to buy. you need nothing else. i use it for walking, jogging, biking, hiking and shopping. I love it some much that i will get the double cougar when i have my next child.

My husband is a gear-head and I am a skeptic. So when he purchased this stroller for our 5 month old son I balked at the price tag and it's necessity. Especially when he added the bike, jogger, and stroller kits. He also ordered the cargo basket and the infant harness. He was wondering if the infant harness was really necessary, but it turned out to be just what was needed.

After 3 months of using this sexy little thing, I am sold. It is comfortable for the baby and easy for me to use. My son loves our morning runs, our bike trips, and just hanging out in it while we eat outside on the patio. Everywhere we go we get comments on what a great stroller this is. We have taken it on trips across the country via airplane, via car, and around an amusement park. It is a GREAT little traveler. You can load so much in and on it, and it folds down in a snap for plane side check.

The only thing that it lacks is Heating and Air Conditioning. This is not to say that it gets too hot or cold inside for my little boy. It is just that the Chariot Cougar 1 has ALL the bells and whistles.

BUY IT. YOU'LL LOVE IT. And all the men will check you out again ;-)