Child Bike Trailer - Bob Ibex

Long bike trips into the backcountry are often limited by the amount of food, water and gear you can haul in panniers or a backpack. The Ibex from Bob Trailers was made to nix that dilemma, letting you tow 15 to 70 pounds of tents, tarps, granola and Gatorade over off-road terrain.

The trailer’s unique adjustable suspension system acts just like the shocks on a bike, absorbing bumps and dips to make for a smoother tow. It attaches rigidly to your bike’s rear wheel and tracks precisely behind as you wind through the woods and bank out of curves.

A generous 16 × 25-inch platform provides enough space to store camping gear and anything else you’ll need on a multi-day trip. A few adventurers have even used the Ibex trailer on multi-month journeys through remote corners of the globe.

Gear is secured with a set of bungee straps. The company sells an optional waterproof bag that fits the Ibex trailer and can carry up to 5,700-cubic-inches of supplies.

Weighing 16 pounds, the trailer is made of a chromoly steel and feels solid and durable. The single wheel has an aluminum rim, stainless steel spokes and cartridge bearings just like a good bike wheel. The trailer can be quickly removed from the bike with the flick of a couple axle pins.

On the road and on the trail, I found the Ibex to be all but unnoticeable when towing light loads. It tracked excellently and took the bumps without a squeak.

With loads above 40 pounds, the trailer was more noticeable, especially on hills and bumpy terrain. It didn’t limit control of the bike much, but the extra weight caused my rear bike wheel to come down hard off curbs and small bumps.

On flat ground, once inertia was overcome, the trailer pulled smoothly and did its job hauling stocks of ancillary outdoor equipment for miles and miles down the trail.

Price: Ibex trailer, $359; Dry Sak waterproof bag, $30.
Contact: Bob Trailers Inc., 1-805-541-2554, http://www.bobgear.com.