Product Description

It's called the Rocket for a reason. It's fast, light and will take you places you've always wanted to go¿with your family. Parents can enjoy the ride as much as the kids, and can quickly convert the trailer to a stroller. Two uses from one product ¿ that's Rocket Science! Includes rain shield for rain protection, BONUS stroller conversion kit included! Stroller wheel and push handle attach in seconds. Seats two children 100lb capacity, Rear storage area, Quick release wheels, folds flat to store, screened canopy for ventilation, Bicycle style quick release wheels, Outrigger frame stabilizes and prtects wheels, versitile bike attachment.

Product Details

• Color: Black/Gray/Green
• Brand: InStep
• Model: 12-MK551
• Released on: 2006-10-10
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 32.00" w x 37.00" l, 30.00 pounds

Features

• 2-child bicycle trailer with 20-inch, fast-rolling, rustproof rear wheels
• Aluminum frame with outrigger design protects cabin and wheels
• Universal coupler attaches to almost any bike; 100-pound capacity
• Converts easily into walking stroller; weather shield and screened canopy
• Measures 52 x 36 x 35 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 29 pounds

Amazon.com Product Description
Take your kids along when biking to the grocery store or heading to a friend's house with the InStep Rocket bike trailer. The Rocket--which holds two children weighing up to 100 pounds combined--sports an aluminum frame with an outrigger design to protect the cabin and wheels while you ride, along with a pair of 20-inch, fast-rolling, rustproof alloy rear wheels. As a result, the trailer lets you securely zip along city streets without fearing for your children's safety. The Rocket also includes a universal coupler that attaches quickly to almost any bike. And once you arrive at your destination, you can easily convert the trailer to a stroller without using any tools at all. Just attach the included stroller wheel and push handle and you're set. Other details include a weather shield that provides extra protection in rain and wind, a rear storage area for groceries or toys, and a screened canopy for ventilation. The Rocket, which boasts a quick-release mechanism on the wheels for compact storage, measures 52 by 36 by 35 inches (W x H x D) when fully assembled and weighs 29 pounds.

Key Features:

• 100-pound weight capacity
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Rust-free rims
• Assembles without tools
• Converts to stroller
• Durable aluminum frame
• Weather shield for rain protection
• Seats two children
• Bicycle style quick release wheels
• Wide body interior
• Rear storage area
• Quick-release wheels
• Folds flat to store
• Screened canopy for ventilation
• Versatile bike attachment
• Outrigger frame stabilizes and protect wheels

Customer Reviews

Low cost. Acceptable quality
Price: for what you get Great

Size: Best there is but still cramped for two. Wheel guards make this thing pretty wide.

Quality: It seems in accordance with price. It came with a broken hook but I am not even sure what the rear mount strap is for.

Assembly: Easy

Ease of use: uses snaps and velcro. Opening and closing the passenger and luggage compartments is could be improved by using bucles instead of snaps.

Comfort: My kids say they like it but still would like more room. Seat is hardly a seat. Has cup holders they like.

Attach to bike: Easy note: - DOES NOT fit all bikes (needs half inch radius clearance around the nut on the rear wheel opposite the chain to attach the coulper)

Ease to walk with: Very good / Jogging: Passable



This is my 3rd bike trailer. It is my second from in step.

My last instep was used when I got it. I loaded 2 kids, library books and groceries in it 10+ miles per week for 2 years. When its frame broke I searched through hundreds of reviews from $70-$300 trailers.

I got this (NEW) because it claimed to be larger and lighter than in-step's entry level and other brand's trailers. I also liked the ability to unhook it and walk/run with it.

Size: Compared to the Quick and EZ:

It is larger in the luggage area, shoulder area (25 inches vs. 20 inches.) and foot well width is 22" vs. 20" (foot reach is the same 12" from front of seat to cross bar at toes). height is equal.

The BIG problem is that my skinny 4.5 year old and 2.5 year old girls wanted more room at the hips. The Q&EZ and Rocket are the same at 20". The sling seat in the new one actually causes the kids to slide to the center. This seat provides less support than our old trailer. The new EZ's prob have the new poorly designed seats too.

I checked widths of pretty much everything out there ON LINE but was not able to physically check them out for widths and fit for my kids. This appeared to be the widest (along with the schwinn Mark II).

weightwise - I haven't put the old one a a scale but they feel about the same. The new one is larger but made of Aluminum rather than steel. Al+ also won't rust.

The difference between this and the step down is front wheel and push bar addition.
The difference between this and the next step up is the type of front wheel. I already have a quality jogger from Koolstop so I opted for the flip down small swivel front wheel. I did try running with it. It works fine as a jogger. Basically the front wheel doesn't interfere because it can easily be floated over the ground with light pressure on the handle bar. If you are a serious runner, even the Schwinn mark III is going to leave you wanting something better. Save the money on the not so useful harder to store and use large front wheel.

Be sure to check schwinn trailers as well - they are both made by pacific cycles - schwinn has a better warrantee and I think they look nicer and would rather sport the schwinn name. If you see one on sale for the same price get it - if price is more go with the instep.

Burley's, BOB, Chariots and everything else is WAYYYY overpriced. Unless you use you trailer a WHOLE lot and money is not an issue for you there is no reason to pay the kind of money they want.

Difficult to pull? I have read many other reviews stating this are hard to pull up hill. That is true but it is true of EVERY trailer. Blame Newton and Einstein or God himself. If you attach a 29 pound trailer, throw in 60 pounds of kids, a 5 pound bag and several books Gravity will work against you. Others say on a flat surface you can't feel it. Again - an object in motion tends to remain in motion. This stroller's axles seem well constructed and roll freely. Tire tread typ and width are pretty standard on trailers. So how easy it is depends on your fitness level, the weight your are pulling, laws of motion and gravity.
On even ground I ride between 12-15 mph and typically take 2 to 5 mile rides with it. I am a competitive triathlete.

Does not attach to all bikes!
This trailer does not attach to all bikes. Upon receipt of the product, I assembled the trailer and attempted to take it for a spin. I was extremely frustrated when I found that the trailer would not attach to my GT Avalanche 3.0. I contacted the manufacturer and they told me to return the product as there is no attachment that would fix the problem. My bike does not have an abnormal frame and I was shocked to learn that the trailer would not work. Unless you have a bike frame with a very WIDE and FLAT area where the quick release mechanism attaches to the bike, I would suggest staying away from this product. I am now looking for a trailer that will attach to the actual frame and NOT to the quick release mechanism.

a great bike trailer for a good price
I have 2 children, ages 2 and 4 and they fit well inside this trailer. They have space for their shoulders, heads and legs as well as a space for waterbottles, etc. We especially like the hitch. It actually hooks around the bike instead of just needing to be tightened around a bar, so there is no chance of it coming loose and falling off. We had a lots of problems with this in our previous bike trailer. It doesn't have lots of frills, but we use it at least a few times a week and have loved it. We also have 2 jogging strollers from Instep and they are great. I trained for a whole year for a marathon while pushing 2 kids in it and it's still going strong! Instep is a good quality brand with great prices.