On the Road with bc: The ORTLIEB Factory Tour. ...
Andi visited the bicycle bag specialist ORTLIEB in Heilsbronn. A factory tour and a bike overnighter were on the agenda.
Croozer Dog Peppa: Testing a Modern Dog Trailer
Do you want to take your dog with you on cycling tours or everyday routes by bike? Isa from customer service tested the Croozer Dog Peppa trailer.
My border collie Blue is a real trail dog. She loves to tag along when I’m on my mountain bike, and runs after me on the trail with great enthusiasm. However, the distances or speeds are not always suitable for her. Even on everyday paths, it is rarely possible to take her with you on a leash on your bike. A great alternative: a bicycle trailer for dogs. With a dog trailer, she could always be with me and I could forgo the car more often. It’s a win-win in my book. So, it was especially fortunate that we added dog trailers from Croozer to our range. I ended up deciding on the Croozer Dog Peppa. At a shoulder height of about 49 centimetres, Blue fits perfectly into the trailer, which is approved for loads of up to 35 kg (max. standing height: 62 cm). For larger dogs, Croozer also has models such as the Jokke (standing height up to 77 cm) and Bruuno (standing height up to 87 cm) in its range – both are approved for loads up to 45 kg. My sporty commuter serves as the tractor: a Focus Mares AL. Over the last four weeks, we’ve been on the road three times a week for an hour and a half on average. Our excursions have taken us to the Eifel as well as the Vennbahn cycle path.
The first tours took us along the quiet and, above all, smooth asphalt on the Vennbahn bike path.
On steady ground and in a quiet atmosphere, Border Collie Blue quickly feels comfortable in the trailer.
Relaxed on the road.
A thoughtfully-designed trailer
My first impression of the trailer: very stable and equipped with clever details. At the front there is a “bumper” that not only protects the trailer, but is also very practical for connecting to a bike rack for parking, for example. The basic structure is a foldable metal frame covered with a robust, high-quality stitched fabric. The interior has generous “convertible” openings on the front and top. The rear entrance is slightly lower, so that Blue can climb in easily. All access points are closed with zips that leave you with a very stable impression: they can withstand frequent use without any problems. During the ride, the openings remain securely closed, but since they are mostly made of fly screen, plenty of fresh air gets inside. A removable splash guard keeps splashing dirt and water off the rear wheel of the bike when needed. There are also airy windows made of fly screen on the sides as well as practical outer pockets, where you can stow snacks or other small items such as an air pump. When it’s raining cats and dogs outside, Croozer also offers a rain cover. The trailer lacks nothing: clever details such as the lockable tow bar and the included rear light show that Croozer thinks a couple steps ahead. To keep the dog comfortable, a padded dog bed is a recommended accessory.
Assembling and mounting on the bike
Before we could set off, I had to mount the trailer, of course. Assembly is very easy, also thanks to the very detailed and well-illustrated assembly instructions: unpack, unfold the frame and mount the bumper and the tow bar. The wheels are mounted quickly and effortlessly with a quick-release fastener. It took me about half an hour, and unpacking was the most time-consuming part. Even if you’re not all that handy with tools or assembly work, you will certainly be able to set up the dog trailer without any issues. All I had to do was mount the axle hitch on the bike. A universal hitch for clamping under a quick release or a solid axle is included – however, this does not secure the trailer well against theft. If you don’t connect it in a certain way, it could be stolen along with the hitch by loosening the quick-release. I therefore recommend the Quick Release Axle Hitch from Croozer. If you install these, there is no way to detach the trailer from the bike as long as the hitch of the tow bar is locked. It hides the hex socket, as the hanger mount is slipped over the entire end of the Croozer quick-release. There are also various adapters for bikes with thru-axles, which take into account a variety of over locknut dimensions and thread pitches. Hooking it up to the bike itself is then a matter of a few seconds, and is very easy to handle. However, the bike must stand upright. Since there is no side stand mounted on my crosser-commuter, I can only hitch the trailer if I lean the bike somewhere. This also applies when I open the "door" for Blue to get in or out. It would often be easier with a stand on the bike, but it also works that way. The trailer’s parking brake stabilises the situation so that the whole thing does not suddenly roll away when Blue jumps into the trailer.
The Croozer dog trailer impresses with its solid construction and clever details.
The optional dog bed gives the suspension-less trailer some light padding.
Treats or bicycle tools can be conveniently stowed in the small side pockets.
Can be opened if required: convenient during breaks when your dog wants to keep an eye on everything but doesn’t want to get out...
Low entry, robust zippers, quick release for the "tailgate": The Croozer Dog Peppa stands up well to frequent use.
The wheels can be mounted and removed quickly and easily by means of a quick-release fastener.
Getting the dog used to it
The most crucial aspect of the dog trailer is how well your four-legged friend gets on with it. Every dog is different and will react differently to the trailer: it may be that your best friend jumps into it readily, but it could also happen that they’re too stubborn to go in. Basically, as with any new situation, the dog should be given the opportunity to get used to it slowly. We began the introduction process long before our first trip with the trailer, in the familiar environs of our home. I made sure Blue was around during assembly, and she was lying on the dog bed and in the hanger even then. Without the wheels – which can be removed with a quick-release fastener – you can use the Croozer Dog Peppa as a kind of dog house. The dog bed can also serve as a resting place for your dog outside of the trailer. When it came to moving the trailer, things got a bit tricky: Blue yelped a lot at first, but with patience we managed to get going. After pushing for the first few metres, I began to ride very slowly and only on asphalt, and made sure to give her lots of praise. We often took breaks on the first tours, and practised getting in and out of the car. After five or six rides she managed to get the hang of it, and now she’s able to stay relaxed even during the ride. However, every dog reacts differently, and it can be helpful to consult an experienced dog trainer in difficult cases.
Lots of treats, lots of praise: through positive reinforcement and with a little patience, the acclimatisation process can go well. © bc GmbH & Co. KG
Surprisingly good handling
The handling of the trailer is much better than I expected. Despite the decent length of the bike and Croozer, even winding roads and narrow paths pose no problems, though I had expected it to be much more cumbersome and less manoeuvrable. Gravel roads and dirt tracks are also no problem. For bumpier rides, you should drive a little slower, as the trailer has no suspension apart from the pneumatic tyres.
Of course, you notice the extra weight. At just under 14 kilograms, the trailer weighs quite a bit. With the additional 17 kilograms that Blue weighs on the scale, I'm dragging an extra 31 kilos behind me. When you’re riding uphill, this definitely requires strength and endurance – but also promotes them. However, using a pedelec as the towing vehicle naturally makes life easier here.
Summary
The Croozer Dog Peppa works great and is also one of the most beautiful models on the market at the moment – at least in my opinion. Basically, the whole system is so well thought-out and of such high quality that the price is worth it in any case: with this dog trailer, you get top quality and safety for your dog. Blue can always come with me now, and my car stays at home more often than before. The Croozer trailer is ideal for everyday journeys or bike trips with a dog.
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