Mountain bikes are all-around fun for riding on rough terrain in comfort and style. With their thick tires and awesome suspension, there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t try mountain biking.
But are they any good for pulling a bike trailer?
I rode with my kids using a mountain bike for a few years before I started using a road bike. This article covers the pros and cons of pulling a bike trailer with a mountain bike, including some recommended bike trailers for mountain riding.
Bike trailers can be pulled by any type of mountain bike, including disc brake bikes with a thru-axle. However, there are a few limitations when attaching a bike trailer to a mountain bike. One limitation is that mountain bikes with disc brakes may require a $60 adapter to attach the trailer.
There are a few good reasons to pull a bike trailer with a mountain bike, but there are two primary issues that make mountain bikes not the ideal bike to pull a bike trailer.
Issue #1: Mountain bikes with disc brakes will likely require you to purchase a thru-axle adapter for around $60.
Issue #2: Mountain bikes are heavy, which makes it harder to pull the trailer.
I’ll get more into these two issues below.
But before we do, I should mention that there is one very good occasion to use a mountain bike when towing a bike trailer: when you’re mountain riding.
There are several bike trailers that are designed to handle well during rough terrain riding (see options below).
Cons of pulling a bike trailer with a mountain bike
Before we get started with the drawbacks of using a mountain bike, I just want to mention that you should just use whatever is available to you. If you need to purchase an adapter to hitch your bike trailer, then just do that. Here’s everything on adapters.
Here are just a few important considerations.
Con #1. Disc brakes may not be compatible
If you have a disc brake bike that has a thru-axle, then you will most likely need to get an adapter for around $60 in order to attach a bike trailer to the bike. But not all thru-axle bikes require an adapter. Be sure to see this guide to see if your bike and bike trailer are compatible.
In particular, Burley, Thule, and Hamax bike trailers most likely require you to purchase an extra attachment in order to adapt the bike trailer hitch to work with a 12mm thru-axle.
Con #2. Harder to ride on pavements
Mountain bike are designed for the mountains, which means they are not ideal for riding on paved roads. In comparison to road bikes, mountain bikes have wider tires with lower air pressure. As a result, the rolling resistance on mountain bikes becomes less efficient on paved roads. This makes riding even harder and less efficient when pulling a bike trailer.
In addition to the wider tires on mountain bikes, the gear setup is also not ideal fo riding on pavements. Mountain bikes offer substantially more gear options than road bikes, which adds more weight to the bike and also is not optimal for paved roads.
Con #3. Heavy frame
Mountain bikes weigh 29 lbs (13.1 kg) on average. Road bikes, on the other hand, weigh just 19 lbs ( 8.6 kg) on average.
That 10 lbs of added weight on the mountain bike may not seem so significant on paper, but weight is everything when it comes to pulling a bike trailer. Bike trailers add an extra 40 to 100 lbs of extra weight to your ride, so the extra 10 lbs is definitely noticeable.
If you like the comfort of a mountain bike, but don’t want to use a road bike, then I would recommend getting a hybrid bike. Hybrid bikes are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike, which will give you the comfort you need while also being more lightweight and efficient on pavements.
Pros of pulling a bike trailer with a mountain bike
There are two main benefits of using a mountain bike to pull a bike trailer
Pro #1. Comfortable riding position
The upright riding position, suspension, and wide tires make a very comfortable ride for most people. If you’re used to the feel of a mountain bike, then you’ll probably be most comfortable pulling a bike trailer with one.
However, I’ll just mention that a mountain bike is not nearly as efficient as a road bike or hybrid bike when riding on pavement.
Pro #2. Ideal for rough-terrain riding
Obviously, if you’re going to be taking the bike trailer on mountain or gravel rides, you’ll want to use a mountain bike. But it’s only really beneficial when mountain biking will be the primary way you use the bike trailer. If not, then the mountain bike might just slow you down, as mentioned above.
Below are some recommended bike trailers that are specifically for mountain riding.
What to do if you have thru-axle disc brakes
If your disc brake bike is not compatible with your trailer, the reason is likely that you have a 12mm thru-axle style rear wheel. Thru-axles that are at least 12mm in diameter will sometimes not fit through the hole of the coupler hitch attachment that comes with the bike trailer.
Luckily, bike trailer manufacturers are keeping up with the disc brake trend by providing solutions for disc brake users.
The issue with thru-axle disc brakes is that there are so many different sizes of thru-axles that it is very difficult for bike trailer manufacturers to keep up with it.
You absolutely must read this guide on disc brakes before purchasing any adapters.
Top 3 best bike trailers for mountain biking
For smooth paths and sidewalks, any bike trailer will manage just fine. But if you plan on mountainous or gravel riding, it is recommended to get a trailer that can handle the rough terrain.
Here are my recommended trailers for rough-terrain riding.
But first, what should you look for in a trailer?
What to look for in a bike trailer for mountain biking
There are three things that you should look for when purchasing a trailer for rough terrains:
1. Suspension
Suspension adds extra comfort to your child when riding over rough terrain. If you plan on any gravel or mountain rides, then a trailer with suspension is ideal for your type of riding.
Suspension is usually found on the high-end bike trailers. But not all bike trailers with suspension have to be so expensive (see options below).
2. Large 20-inch wheels
Bike trailer wheels usually come in either 20 inches or 16 inches. The larger 20-inch wheels will offer a smoother ride when mountain biking, especially while riding over rocks.
3. Treaded tires
For the same reason that mountain bikes have treaded tires, it’s a good idea to also get a bike trailer that has treaded tires. The treads offer better traction when riding on dirt, especially when the ground is wet.
Not all bike trailers have treaded tires, so don’t sweat it if you can’t find a trailer that you like that has treads.
1. Burley D’Lite X
Price: Around $750 for Single (check on Amazon), $850 for Double (check on Amazon)
Seats: Single or Double
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 100 lbs (43 kg)
The Burley D’Lite X is a high-end bike trailer designed for all types of riding. From gravel riding to mountain riding to strolling, this trailer can do it all.
You can tell that Burley put a lot of thought into the comfort of this bike trailer, from the incredibly comfortable seat to the rare suspension for added comfort.
Comfortable seat
Both the single and double versions of the D’Lite X come with a sturdy bench-style seat that has an excellent five-point harness and headrest. It is rather rare to find a seat of this quality and comfort.
The D’Lite X seats also recline, which is a notable feature not found on cheaper trailers. However, the seats do not recline very far, so it’s a bit unfortunate.
Suspension for added comfort
Not many bike trailers come equipped with suspension. If you plan to do any type of gravel or mountain riding with your bike trailer, then a trailer with suspension is highly recommended. The suspension is located under the wheels to add comfort when riding over rough terrains.
Pros
- Stroller conversion—an excellent stroller with large wheels
- Comfortable seats—for added comfort
- Suspension—for an extra smooth ride
Cons
- Pricey—a high-end trailer
- Folding up is not easy—expected on a non-stroller trailer
- Seats do not recline much—a nice feature to have, but the seats do not go very far back
2. Thule Chariot Lite
Price: Around $1,000 for Double (check on Amazon) and $900 for Single (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 100 lbs (43 kg)
Best for active families who want the most out of their bike trailer, the Thule Chariot Lite is a top-of-the-line quality trailer that is worth every penny. Its large wheels and suspension feature make it a great option for gravel riding or mountain riding.
Although on the higher end of the price spectrum, the Chariot Lite is actually a few hundred dollars cheaper than its older brother, the Thule Chariot Cross. For that reason, the Chariot Lite makes the list of exceptional trailers and I would recommend it to someone looking for a trailer that can take a beating.
But why would anyone swing for such a pricey bike trailer?
The Chariot Lite comes with suspension, which adds extra comfort to your child on rough terrain. If you plan on any gravel or mountain rides, then this trailer is ideal for your type of riding.
But if you’re just planning on recreational riding, then the Schwinn Joyrider does many of the same things for more than half the price.
Pros
- Highest-quality materials—Truly the best components on the market
- Suspension—Added comfort on rough terrain
- Double front wheels—Makes for an excellent stroller
- Lots of storage—It even comes with a pannier bag attached to the back
Cons
- Cost—It’s a top-of-the-line bike trailer and has suspension
- Complicated to assemble—It comes with a lot of attachments that are hard to understand at first
I wrote a full review of using the Thule Chariot Cross, which you can check out here.
3. Burley Encore
Price: Around $600 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 100 lbs (43 kg)
The Burley Encore X is a high-end bike trailer with stroller conversion, suspension, and a mid-range price tag.
If you’re looking for a trailer that can handle the rough terrains of mountain or gravel riding, then this is a great choice.
Comfortable seats
The Encore X comes with a sturdy bench-style seat that has an excellent five-point harness and padding. It is rather rare to find a seat of this quality and comfort.
Suspension for added comfort
Not many bike trailers come equipped with suspension. If you plan to do any type of gravel or mountain riding with your bike trailer, then a trailer with suspension is highly recommended. The suspension is located under the wheels to add comfort when riding over rough terrains.
Pros
- Stroller conversion—an excellent stroller with large wheels
- Comfortable seats—for added comfort
- Suspension—for an extra smooth ride
Cons
- Folding up is not easy—expected on a non-stroller trailer
- Seats do not recline—a feature found on other high-end Burley trailers
In the unlikely scenario that the bike trailer does roll over, trailers are designed with a canopy-like cage that protects the passengers from coming in contact with the ground.
My recommended bike trailer: Schwinn Joyrider
My recommended trailer for most people is the Swhinn Joyrider, which is an affordable double-seater that converts beautifully to a stroller. Check out my full review with photos here.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Bike Trailer for more help with choosing a trailer. I also have compiled a list of the top bike trailers for every common situation, which you can check out here.
Ride on!
