In the first Bicycling review in which a CycleTote was included the Family Model shared top rating with Burley D’Lite. CycleTote was described as “the most sophisticated trailer”, “singular in several respects”, having a “main frame that resembles a pill-box in sturdiness and simplicity” and “the lowest center of gravity of any trailer”, with a “remarkably effective automatic braking system; in summary “a clean, low-profile, high-performance cart”. Please click here for the entire review. Note the large Burley ad that occupied the bottom half of the last two pages of this review.

In the next review by Bicycling Magazine, the reviewer told us he had selected CycleTote first and confirmed this by purchasing one for his own 7 month old son. CycleTote was rated fourth. It is to be noted that the top three had each been featured in large ads in recent issues.

In the last review by Bicycling the same CycleTote Family Model (with a few later improvements) was rated seventh in a group of eight. Click here for the entire review and an email reply to the reviewer from a long-time CycleTote owner.

Tandem Magazine called CycleTote “The Lexus of bicycle trailers,” “A masterpiece of fine design and impeccable craftsmanship, this is a serious piece of engineering”. While I don’t have any children for it yet, this is the trailer I would entrust with my kids.” Click here for the entire review.

Consumer Guide reported that the CycleTote Family Model offered “some great features and superior performance”, that “the padded seat is by far the most comfortable of all the trailers”, that the trailer is very lightweight and that the “hitch mechanism is the easiest to use of any trailer”. They concluded: “this really is a top-notch trailer – for a price.”

Consumer Reports listed only the Burley Solo and the CycleTote Family Model in it’s Guide to Baby Products. Click here for complete text.

Eugene A. Sloane, best selling author of The Complete Book of Bicycling, called the CycleTote family model trailer: “far and away the safest child carrier” and cited the following reasons:

1. The trailer is the most resistant to impact, thanks to its hi-strength, tig-welded frame.

2. Fore and aft rollover protection is high because it has two roll bars that maintain a safe distance between passengers and the environment.

3. Tracking is excellent. The trailer follows the bicycle like a baby duck its mamma.

4. You can turn corners more safely and accurately because the trailer has a lower center of gravity that lets it hug the ground even on downhill runs. For even safer cornering the wheels are canted (tilted) about 2.5 degrees, . The trailer turns smoothly as the bicycle corners, without binding or snagging, thanks to the center pull hitch.

5. Speed control on the flats or downhill is easily maintained because the CycleTote can come with automatic drum brakes on both wheels. Emergency braking is excellent. This optional unique braking system is automatically actuated when the cyclist applies his or her own bicycle brakes.

6. Children are safely and more comfortably tucked into trailer seats with five-point safety seat harnesses. Shoulder harness straps can be adjusted for perfect fits, even for toddlers who can sit up straight.

7. For easy cycling, trailer towing and passenger comfort, the CycleTote has full sized wheels, highest quality tires and precision ball bearing wheel hubs which offer low rolling resistance.

8. For quick and easy flat tire repairs, both wheels are easily and quickly removed and reinstalled because hubs have a quick release mechanism, just like high quality bicycles.

9. The sturdy transparent plastic sides shield little fingers from ever touching wheel spokes.

Many other publications, including Bicycle Guide, San Diego Pedal Guide and Dog Fancy Magazine, have given favorable reviews of CycleTote trailers. One, American Bicyclist, gave CycleTote a poor review.