Bikepacking Trailer Review: Burley Coho XC and Burley Cub X Review - Hardtail Party

In this episode we review our Burley Coho XC and Burley Cub X trailers we used on our latest family bikepacking adventure. Burley provided the trailers for this adventure. Consider becoming a Patron to support Hardtail Party so I can keep making more of these videos more often: / hardtailparty
Show your love for hardtails by sporting some Hardtail Party Swag (hats, shirts, hoodies, etc.): shop.spreadshi...
Learn more about our trailers.
Steve's trailer: bit.ly/2yLqIaF
Tess' trailer: bit.ly/2UVCsjD
My glasses: bit.ly/3aXBeKp
My tire sealant: bit.ly/2ULJirZ
My pedals: amzn.to/2V9DzuK
My dropper: bit.ly/3dXWq4D
My stem: bit.ly/2xUreD2
My wheels: bit.ly/33G0Wjm
What's in my water bottles: bit.ly/2Xbxy3q
Hardtail Party Shirts, Swag, etc: shop.spreadshi...
Support the channel and save some money by shopping using these links:
bit.ly/2WbHycF - 20% off at Club Ride using code "hardtailparty"
bit.ly/2UwrmQq - Ryan Leech Connection: $19 off - coupon code "hardtailparty"​
bit.ly/2U8OyFE - Velocirax racks - 5% off using coupon code: "hardtailparty"
bit.ly/3dj2nZP - RSD Bikes - 5% off any bike or frame. Use code "party"
bit.ly/3adSvyv - CushCore - 15% off using code: "HTparty20cush"
Amazon: amazon.com/shop/hardtailparty
Note: some of my links are affiliate links. That means I get a small commission on the purchases you make through these links. You don't pay anything extra, but it helps support the channel. If you've learned something from my videos, consider using the affiliate links above.

[@mendyviola]

I just got the nomad (2-wheeled). Hoping to be able to better camp into walk-in and hike-in sites as I get older and can’t carry as much on my back anymore. I looked at the CoHo and just knew that I’d crash in the first few feet.

[@Thepreppersbunkeroutdoors]

Im super stoked to find someone ACTUALLY using a kids trailer!!! Glad to hear it about the suspension!

[@marciaziemer9016]

Now this is how a review should be done! Thanks!!

[@MegaMilesteg]

Thank you for this review, helped out a lot! Will be checking out the other vids. Keep it up!

[@chrisbraun72]

Maybe use a heat gun to GENTLY mod the plastic wheel wells of the trailer in a 1/2 inch???

[@hardtailparty]

Hm... That's an idea I hadn't though of...

[@chrisbraun72]

@@hardtailparty Looks like there's enough clearance on the inside although I could only catch a glimpse. HEY! You'd be tubbing the wheel wells like a HOT ROD!....LMFAO!

[@Thenickandonly]

@@hardtailparty I once modded some wheel wells by cutting the plastic out and shaping some sheets of aluminum to match the curve better, then riveting them back in.

[@chrisbraun72]

@@Thenickandonly ya but there's a littles elbows nearby on the inside and the plastic is softer and there'd be some sharp edges going that route. Besides, it's just got to be molded in ⅜-½ inch on either side at the top ¼ arc of the wheel. You could easily just warm it from the inside and push it outward against the wheel and hold there for shape as it cools and release. The main body of the plastic should pull it back to its normal resting state. Voila!

[@Thenickandonly]

@@chrisbraun72 That's a good point. I hadn't seen the inside enough to think about that factor.

[@bruce2keys270]

Really great review on the Coho ! Would love to see a on the trail review and see how it handles on single track ! I wonder how it compares to a BOB Ibex 28, which seem really hard to find now days. Thanks for the video !!

[@mwj5368]

A one-wheel Burley vs a 2 wheeled Burley is a big question with me. I would use a trailer for camping, maybe for hauling groceries, and with my around the world bucket list journey. I'm single and don't have children to haul. In my case, what would be the better trailer to go with. I've seen a video where the COHO XC fish tails. Is that a problem with you? If you use the pannier bags that are directly over the one wheel of the COHO XC, then doesn't that ad no weight to the 70lb limit? Also if you have 70lbs in the trailer what percent of the weight is tongue weight meaning weight at the trailer hitch? Thanks for this great video!

[@Karla-Flr]

Thank you ! Very good idea , i could use it for my dog 😀

[@KPsychRN]

Almost bought a D’lite X for my kiddos this weekend. Do you think the plastic bottom of the Cub X is worth it if I don’t intend to get them on extended trips, like bikepacking? My use case would be mainly commuting around town and occasional runs up the fire roads around the local riding areas. I had looked at the Encore X, but the D’lite and Cub are supposed to have more room inside...

[@gedrot2486]

Just put tubeless milk into the inner tubes, works fine on my bike, so it should work fine on a trailer. Not sure if this works with any TL milk but at least the Schwalbe and Continental are ones advertised as being capable of it and at the Schwalbe stuff seems to work, haven't had to fix a puncture since I started using it.

[@hardtailparty]

Thats what I did on this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYaXd56wq5ameNE I'd still prefer tubeless, as I find it's far more reliable.

[@marciaziemer9016]

What bike are you riding?

[@Jinedan]

Re-dish those wheels for lateral clearance and try ghetto tubeless?

[@hardtailparty]

The tire is too big for the rim, even with ghetto tubeless. I thought about re-dishing the wheels, but that would weaken them and I don't think I could get them dished enough.

[@Jinedan]

Ah ok. My next thought would be somehow widening the axle spacing on the trailer on the Assumption that it’s an independent suspension

[@hardtailparty]

@@Jinedan there's an axle tube connecting them underneath. There's also a parking brake mechanism that keys into the hub, so I can't just lengthen the spindle. I'll keep searching....

[@Jinedan]

Is it a tube covering the axle or the actual axle? Man I want to disassemble it now and see 😀

[@Thenickandonly]

@@hardtailparty You might have to get shorter and longer spokes to dish the wheel over a little better, and still be pretty strong. It may not be perfect, but I'd say it would be plenty strong to hold anything reasonable you'd be putting in a kid trailer. I love the trailers and the content by the way. It's nice to see someone actually showing that hardtails are great on nearly any trail and you don't have to use a full squish to ride awesome trails.

[@alangladwin4356]

re-tyre rub, my dog trailer had similar because the dog would lean on one side or the other, is your daughters weight sometimes moving the side wall?

[@scoopzuk]

Did you figure out a solution for the 16+ tyres rubbing on the Cub X?

[@hardtailparty]

Unfortunately no

[@somecatchyphrase3341]

Thank you for this review. I was moments away from purchasing the Burley Cubx trailer until I noticed how the 16+ fat wheel are not compatible. My wife and I both have fat bikes (Pugsleys) and I was very much so looking forward to adding the 16+ tires. Do you have any updates about modifying the trailer to better accept them? Or how the rubbing marks on the side are doing?

[@hardtailparty]

Sadly, I haven't found a good solution. They use wheelchair hubs, so perhaps you could find a custom hub that sticks out another 20mm and then you could re-lace the wheel to that, but I wasn't able to find enough info on that.

[@somecatchyphrase3341]

@@hardtailparty Thanks for the insight. Are you still using the same setup? How have they been wearing? Is the primary issue only cosmetics with the rubbing?

[@hardtailparty]

@@somecatchyphrase3341 i favor a traditional bikepacking bag and rack setup over a trailer. The trailer ends up pushong me more than i want.

[@shiftin5thto6th]

Holding my 1 week old and getting ideas....

[@hardtailparty]

Congrats. Being a dad is the best.

[@akkdm1]

Which REI tent do you have? Any critiques on it for family bike packing?

[@hardtailparty]

It's a quarter done t3, it's discontinued now and not available. It's too bad cuz I love that tent.

[@nikitamuller1579]

Im thinking of pulling a trailer instead of like 6 bags on the bike to travel the world. Do you think that would be a good idea? Maybe the suspension would be a weak point?

[@hardtailparty]

A trailer would allow you to carry far more gear. It'll be taxing on your brakes and want to push you down hills, but for more mellow routes, I think it's a fantastic way to go. I feel like the suspension is up for the job.

[@nikitamuller1579]

@@hardtailparty i believe a lot of weight in the bags would also make the bike faster downhill. In my head the coho xc would be perfect, then again i never rode with bags or trailer.

[@hardtailparty]

The coho xc is a very nice trailer and i would expect it to withstand a trip like that. A trailer is harder to control on the downhills, as it wants to push the bike. A bike loaded with bags doesn't want to push as much.

[@branden525]

Great video, thank you. Do you run your Coho on a bike with a steel, or aluminum frame? I've recently gotten a Coho, and it's paired with a bike (Giant brand 29er) with an aluminum frame; my first ride with about 40+ pounds of gear was scary, because the trailer seemed to literally torque the rear frame as I rode down the road..balancing was weird, for sure. Have you experienced that any? I'm almost thinking these would be better with a steel frame bike; I wonder if the rigidity of a steel bike would overcome what feels to be rear frame torque. Any advice?

[@hardtailparty]

This was on a titanium bike. The nature of these single-wheel trailers makes them feel like you're hauling a loaded wheelbarrow (since that's what they are). These trailer will steer the bike when it leans. It definitely takes some getting used to. Steel frames are known to be LESS rigid than aluminum frames. But I can assure you that no matter your frame material, these trailers steer the bike and it takes a while to learn to control them. Frame material will have almost notghing to do with the way these tow.

[@branden525]

@@hardtailparty thank you so much for your reply. I'm very appreciative of your knowledge, and value what you've said. Thanks again.

[@Mrestebanito]

Great video. Have you resolved the tyre issue ? Did you find an alternative tyre that work on the standard small wheel ?

[@Mrestebanito]

It is incredible that they make a sturdy trailer for rough stuff and they don’t design it to go with fat tyres

[@hardtailparty]

I don't know anyone that makes a sturdy 16" tubeless tire.

[@Mrestebanito]

hardtail party , thank you for your reply. Do you think the standard wheel and tyre will be ok for rough stuff? I would like the Cub x for bikepacking but not be able to use the fat tyre puts me off. I am thinking the D lite x model which is less sturdy but allows you to use the fat tyres.

[@hardtailparty]

@@Mrestebanito Sadly there aren't any great tubeless options for these trailers. I feel like these fat tires and wheels aren't really up to the abuse for bikepacking. So I'd get the cub x and run the regular 20" wheels and try to find a way to set it up tubeless.

[@walterkasper467]

You guys are lucky to have such isolated trails. In Pittsburgh area The trails are so crowded they are unsafe because of social distancing. Thanks for the great videos. Be safe.

[@scottwillispiano2241]

I want to buy a Coho XC for camping this July but they no longer ship the standard QR Skewer, and none are available until late summer. Would anyone sell me their standard QR Skewer if you aren't using it?

[@hardtailparty]

Where are you located? I might be willing to sell my coho xc.

[@scottwillispiano2241]

@@hardtailparty Dallas TX, where are you?

[@hardtailparty]

Sedona, AZ. I'm afraid it would be too much of a pain to ship

[@scottwillispiano2241]

@@hardtailparty If you change your mind let me know, I think it would fit in a box once folded up like for putting in a car. It compacts pretty nicely.

[@troywatson3975]

Have you rode the new specialized epic hardtail? Considering 1 for my new bike. Have an 06 stumpy comp. Thanks

[@hardtailparty]

I haven't. Are you doing more racing or trail riding? That's a pretty racy bike. The 71* head angle is going to be sketchy on anything other than an XC race course (and I'd argue it'd be sketchy on that too).

[@troywatson3975]

@@hardtailparty i ride mostly smooth trails. My 26er is unbreakable but its time for a new bike i think. Haha

[@hardtailparty]

@@troywatson3975 if you're racing, it could be a good fit, but it's marketed as stiff and racy, the two opposite things I look for in a hardtail. I'd recommend the salsa timberjack 29er for what you describe, unless you'll be racing xc races a lot. Xc race bikes make lousy trail bikes.

[@troywatson3975]

@@hardtailparty thanks. Il check it out.

[@shiftin5thto6th]

The epic is very racy. I've ridden the AL and Carbon. Both very fast, nice bikes.

[@timhaakenson916]

LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS

[@jim_____1445]

What was your first bike ?

[@hardtailparty]

Good question. I'll have to do a video on it. It was a haro extreme with a RockShox mag21.