Qeridoo Speedkid 2 – Bike Trailer Review

The Qeridoo Speedkid is a bang for your buck mid-range trailer that offers tons of features for a really fair price. It’s the most affordable multi-sport trailer on the market (meaning it can convert to a stroller, jogger, and ski trailer.) It’s also the most affordable multi-sport trailer offered in single or double capacity.

What else? It’s the most affordable bike trailer with suspension (and that suspension is adjustable!). Are you getting the “most affordable” theme here?

While the Qeridoo Speedkid certainly has its pros and cons, it’s a solid option for families on budget who really need suspension and multi-sport capabilities. Read our full review below for a break down of what we loved, and what we didn’t. (Spoiler alert – it’s not ideal for taller kids, past about 41″ tall.)

Qeridoo Speedkid 1 and Qeridoo Speedkid 2

The Qeridoo Speedkid is Qeridoo’s most basic trailer and comes in single or double capacity. But unlike basic trailers by Burley and Thule, the Qeridoo Speedkid is actually much more like a mid-tier trailer in features and price.

The Speedkid 1 and Speedkid 2 come standard with a highly versatile front pneumatic wheel that can swivel, or lock straight for higher speeds. It’s compatible with all of Qeridoo’s conversion kits (jogging, skiing, hiking), and also has adjustable suspension.

Honestly, all of Qeridoo’s trailers are pretty similar and pretty exceptional, which does make it a bit tricky to decide how much you need to spend.

In this review, we’ll point out the key differences between the Qeridoo Speedkid and the Sportrex (next price level up), to help you determine if it makes sense to save money and get the Speedkid, or if you need to upgrade to the Sportrex.

Qeridoo Speedkid Performance

We tested the Qeridoo Speedkid 2 while walking, running, hiking, and biking. The Speedkid offers a smooth and comfy ride with all activities, but its biggest strength is in walking and running mode.

As a trailer, the Speedkid offered a quiet and cushioned ride, but did tend to tug against the adult bike frequently. (More on that below.) As a result, we found the Speedkid 2 to be best suited for families who will be strolling and jogging more often than they will be biking.

Let’s get started with the Speedkid 2 in stroller and jogger mode, since this is where Qeridoo really sets itself apart from all the other trailer brands.

Performance as a Stroller and Jogger

All Qeridoo trailer strollers come standard with the same front stroller wheel. Its unique design is our favorite of any trailer stroller on the market because it’s incredibly versatile for a wide range of uses. There are three specific characteristics that make it unique:

1. An 8″ air tire
2. It’s a single wheel tucked under the trailer
3. It can swivel, or be locked to track straight

Why do these three things mattter?

1. A larger air tire provides more cushioning and better traction. It rolls smoothly on pavement or dirt trails.
2. Because that single wheel tucks under the trailer, it maneuvers much more smoothly in tight spaces or with tight turns. (Most single-wheel trailer strollers have the stroller wheel sticking out at the end of the trailer arm.)
3. Some people prefer to walk or run with a swivel wheel, while others prefer the wheel to track straight. (Tracking straight is also safer at running speeds.) With Qeridoo you can easily switch back and forth between the two modes. Unless you’re running very fast, you probably won’t need the optional jogging kit with a larger stationary-only wheel.

In the image below, you can see the four different styles of stroller and jogger wheels. While they each have their benefits, the Qeridoo’s standard single swivel/locking wheel (on the left), is the best of all worlds.

Walking and Jogging with the Speedkid Stroller

I’ve been walking and running with my 3.5 year old since she was 4 weeks old. We go out six times a week, so a trailer’s stroller abilities have a huge impact on our outdoor life.

Over these (almost) four years, we’ve put in a lot of miles with the best (and the worst!) trailer strollers on the market. Qeridoo’s stroller design is the smoothest, most maneuverable, and versatile system of any of the options currently on the market.

Having extensively used the more expensive Qeridoo Sportrex and Kidgoo, I will say that the Qeridoo Speedkid isn’t quite as smooth or effortless as the more expensive models. However, the difference is very slight and not a reason to not get the Speedkid.

How the Front Wheel Works

The Speedkid’s single front wheel inserts into the chassis of the trailer from underneath. You’ll know it’s locked because it clicks into place. If you want to remove it, simply press the smaller blue button at the top and the wheel easily slides out.

To convert the swivel wheel to a stationary wheel that tracks straight, the large blue button just above the tire moves up and down to lock the wheel in place. This prevents it from swiveling from side to side.

Viewing Window is a Huge Bonus

The Qeridoo Speedkid is the only Qeridoo trailer to offer a viewing window for stroller mode. While not necessary, I’ve personally found viewing windows to be a huge benefit, especially if you’ll be using your Speedkid in walking or jogging mode frequently.

The window makes it so much easier to communicate with your child, or just to quickly check if your little one is sleeping soundly.

That said, this trailer stroller doesn’t have any rear child access, so if your child needs something, you’ll still have to go around to the front of the trailer to give it to them. (The Sportrex doesn’t have rear access either.) Burley trailers and the Thule Chariot Cross all have openings in the rear that allow you to hand things to your kids.

Parking Brake activated by hand

Any trailer with a stroller function should have a parking brake. Most parking brakes are activated by the foot, but the brake on the Qeridoo Speedkid is activated by the hand.

To engage the brake, push down on the blue lever until it clicks twice. To release, push the red button. If the wheel is making a ticking noise when you move forward, the brake is still partially engaged. Push the red button again, and the ticking should go away. (Trust us, we thought we had broken something. We didn’t. :-))

Handlebar is adjustable

The Speedkid’s handlebar can be rotated to adjust for the adult’s height. It has five different height settings, which should be more than enough for you to find a comfortable spot. The images below show the high and low settings.

Performance as a Trailer

The Qeridoo Speedkid is Qeridoo’s most lightweight trailer, which may be a big selling point for many families. It’s also several pounds lighter than the Hamax Outback, but still heavier than Burley and Thule trailers.

The weight isn’t really noticeable on flat trails, and actually helps to make the trailer feel more grounded. However, if you will be pulling your trailer up inclines frequently, the weight is noticeable and you will get tired more quickly.

The Speedkid tugs against the adult bike while in motion. While the Sportrex and Qeridoo also tugged a little bit, it occurred noticeably more often in the Speedkid. Both on neighborhood sidewalk, streets, and paved trails, we felt the tug consistently throughout our rides.

We’re not exactly sure what is causing the tugging, but having tested over 40 trailers, it’s not something we commonly have an issue with. Some trailers pull so smoothly that you can almost forget you’re towing anything. That’s not the case here, but the Qeridoo Speedkid is still vastly better than a budget trailer by Schwinn or Instep.

No helmet recess, flat-back helmet your best bet

Many trailers have loose mesh on the upper portion of the seat to allow for space for the back of a child’s helmet. The Qeridoo Speedkid does not have a helmet recess – the mesh in the back is thicker and pulled pretty taut. As a result, you’ll want to make sure your child is wearing a helmet with a flat back. (The Giro Scamp is your best bet.)

If the back of your child’s helmet is bulky or pointy, it can push their head forward, and even move the helmet out of place. In the image below, the Giro Tremor child helmet is a little more bulky in the rear than optimal for comfort.

Suspension is Adjustable – rare at this price!

Every Qeridoo trailer features adjustable suspension. This is pretty incredible considering the other major brands only offer adjustable suspension on their most high-end trailers.

If adjustable suspension is important to you but out of your price range with other brands, the Qeridoo Speedkid may just be the answer you’ve been looking for!

Why would you need adjustable suspension? Just like on a mountain bike, suspension works best when it is optimized for the weight of the rider. As your child grows (or you switch from one to two passengers), you should adjust the suspension to accommodate your heavier load.

You could also adjust the suspension if you’ll be riding on particularly bumpy terrain.

The Speedkid’s adjustable suspension system is slightly different than Qeridoo’s more expensive models, and doesn’t offer quite as much cushion.

It has the same double leaf adjustable system, but doesn’t have the additional red rubber damping system, which provides an additional level of smoothness on the Sportrex and Kidgoo.

Wheels and Tires

Like all high-end trailers, the Qeridoo Speedkid has 20 inch air tires with metal rims. Cheap trailers, like the very popular InStep Take 2, have 16 air tires on plastic rims. Plastic rims are prone to warping, and the smaller tires provide less cushioning on bumpy terrain or even sidewalk cracks.

The Speedkid’s tire tread excels on pavement, but is also plenty sufficient for mild dirt trails.

The wheels can quickly be removed for transportation or storage. Simply push the blue button at the center of the wheel, and pull the wheel off. Super easy!

Trailer Arm and Hitch

The Qeridoo Speedkid trailer connects to your bike with a hitch and a tow arm. The hitch attaches to the rear axle of your bike, and is small enough that you’ll just leave in there between rides.

The silver end of the trailer tow arm inserts into the tow arm receiver on the side of the trailer.

The black end of the tow arm is then securely attached to the hitch on the axle of your bike.

There’s also a safety back-up strap that you wrap around your bike’s frame and cinch down. While we’ve never had a tow arm come loose from the hitch, most trailers have a back-up strap system.

If you’ve never connected a trailer to a bike before, the process sounds intimidating, but it’s really easy once you get the hang of it. We highly recommend watching Qeridoo’s official video to watch these steps in action.

Qeridoo Speedkid – Interior Highlights

Qeridoo trailers are unique because every model is available in single or double capacity. As far as the high-quality trailer brands go (Thule, Burley, Hamax), Qeridoo is the only one to offer mid-range trailers in single capacity.

So do you need a single trailer (Speedkid 1) or a double trailer (Speedkid 2)? If you’re not sure, you should probably go with the double. A double trailer offers more flexiblity for future babies or bringing friends along.

A single trailer is more narrow, lighter, and easier to maneuver. So if you’re sure you’re not having another kid, a single trailer offers a better experience for the adult rider.

Weight and Height Capacity – Speedkid 1 or Speedkid 2

The Speedkid 1 and Speedkid 2 are the same size, except that the double trailer is wider to accommodate two children.

The maximum weight per child is 48.5 pounds, giving the Speedkid 1 a weight capacity of 48.5 pounds and the Speedkid 2 a total passenger weight capacity of 97 pounds.

With a seat bottom that is 23.5″ wide, the Speedkid offers a bit more bum space for two riders compared to any other trailer on the market. (Most other seat bottoms in high-end trailers are 22.5 – 23″ wide.)

Parents often want to carry older and taller kids in a trailer and ask us if some trailers are taller than others. The Speedkid has much more interior height than most trailers. Measuring about 28.5″ from the seat bottom to the seat top of the Speedkid, this exceeds most other trailers by 2 to 5 inches!

That said, Qeridoo states that the maximum height of a child should be no more than 46″. The design of the harness system (more on that below), doesn’t allow you to raise the shoulder straps high enough to comfortably and safely accommodate kids that exceed that recommendation.

For reference, our toddler passenger here is 43 pounds and 42″ tall.

Bench-style Seats for Comfort and Easy Loading

The Speedkid’s seats are bench-style, which means that they are fully supportive and won’t sag under the weight of the child. This style of seat is significantly more comfortable than basic trailers with hammock seats.

Bench seats also make loading and unloading kids easier, because they don’t sag. Sagging seats make it harder to access and attach buckles.

Bench Style Seat in Speedkid

The Speedkid’s seat bottom is lightly padded, but doesn’t offer as much cushioning as the Kidgoo or Sportrex. That said, our very vocal 3-year-old rider never complained about it not being soft enough.

The Speedkid also doesn’t come standard with padded headrests like the more expensive Qeridoo models. You can purchase them as an upgrade. Personally, I usually take headrests out of my trailers anyways, so this didn’t bother me at all.

Room for improvement

The seat of the Speedkid only sits about 2″ above the trailer bottom, so there’s not great legroom. As a result, a child’s knees are forced up, rather than being able to hang down.

Like all Qeridoo seats, the Speedkid’s seat bottom is not removable for washing. This isn’t ideal as we’ve had plenty of food and drink accidents in our trailers. As a word of advice, don’t bring any liquids other than water, and you should be fine.

5-Point Harness System for the Win!

The 5-point harness system on the Speedkid is identical to the Sportrex and is definitely one of the best harness in any trailer on the market. The buckle functions just like a car seat, while the straps tighten and loosen through the plastic strap guards on the chest (like a backpack).

What We Love Most – Chest Strap for Extra Safety

Qeridoo is the only trailer brand to offer a chest strap. While it’s a tiny feature, it’s a HUGE win in our book.

Our toddler has spent many hours in many different brands of trailers. In every other brand, she can wiggle her way out of the shoulder harness, so that she’s only secured by the waist belt. The chest strap in Qeridoo trailers prevents her from doing this.

Why does this even matter? If the trailer crashes or flips on its side in biking mode (definitely possible, we’ve done it several times!), you want your child’s body centered in the trailer. If their upper body can fall to the side because they are only secured at the waist and not the shoulders, greater injury could occur if they come into contact with the ground.

Middle Position Seat

In addition to the chest strap, the Speedkid also sets itself apart from other brands because the Speedkid 2 double capacity trailer can hold a single passenger in the middle seat.

In all Burley and Thule trailers a single passenger in a double trailer must sit on the side opposite the tow arm. In the Speedkid (and all Qeridoo double trailers), the harnesses can be adjusted so that a single child can sit in the middle. This gives a child a lot more room to spread out in luxury!

Room for improvement

The shoulder straps on the Speedkid don’t adjust as high as other brands, making it a less great fit as a child grows to the high end of the height max (46″). Our 3-year-old below is 42″ tall with the shoulder straps set about 2 inches below maxed out.

While it’s an excellent fit for her now, pretty soon she won’t be able to use the chest strap. Because that strap is sewn into the shoulder pads, it can’t be adjusted up or down. As she grows taller, the Speedkid’s chest strap will be too close to her neck to safely use. (This harness design and potential issue is identical on the more expensive Sportrex.)

Ventilation

The Qeridoo Speedkid has better ventilation than any other Qeridoo trailer. If ventilation is important to you, it’s a solid reason to buy the Speedkid over Qeridoo’s more expensive trailers.

The Speedkid’s rear ventilation panel easily rolls up and is secured in place by a Velcro loop.

Qeridoo Speedkid – Exterior Highlights

External Covers

The Qeridoo Speedkid has a 2-in-1 cover that features a mesh front door and a plastic rain cover. It does not have a sunshade like Qeridoo’s more expensive trailers. While I really did love the Speedkid, its external covers are its weak spot and were a bit frustrating for me. It’s a strong reason you should consider upgrading to the Sportrex.

Mesh Door 

The front door of the Speedkid is unlike any other trailer we’ve tested (and we’ve tested over 40!). All the trailers from Thule, Burley, Hamax, and even Qeridoo have front covers that either zip or buckle in place. But the Qeridoo Speedkid’s front mesh door secures with weighted magnets on the sides and bottom.

Initially I thought the set-up was pretty cool, but I quickly discovered its weakness. Because it’s only secured by magnets, my 3-year-old easily can kick it out of place (and does so every time we ride.) It then just drapes inside the trailer a bit awkwardly.

Keep in mind that our 3-year-old is tall. This won’t be an issue with younger toddlers and their shorter legs, but it’s definitely an issue as kids grow taller.

Even more importantly, this is a potential safety issue in trailer mode. Because the mesh cover can’t be forced closed, a taller child can actually extend their feet out of the trailer and touch the rear tire of the adult bike. We would caution against using the Speedkid as a trailer with children tall enough to reach that rear tire. (Our rider here is 42″ tall.)

Rain Cover

When not in use, the front rain cover rolls up and is secured by Velcro loops at the top of the trailer. To use, simply roll it down and secure the bottom strip of Velcro.

No Sun Shade

Whether or not you need a shade is a matter of personal preference. But being used to a sun shade in her other trailers, our 3-year-old would scream at me to block the bright morning sun on our daily walks.

Because the Speedkid doesn’t have a sun shade, I brought a hooded workout top to cover the front of the Speedkid. I tucked the hood into the pocket meant for the top cover when the viewing window is open.

It worked out okay, but it wasn’t a safe solution for biking. You would need to find a way to more securely fasten the make-shift shade. We really did miss the exceptional sunshade on the Qeridoo Sportrex and Kidgoo.

For reference, Burley’s basic trailers don’t have sunshades either and Thule’s basic trailers have only small sunshades that aren’t very helpful. However, they are also less expensive.

Tinted Windows

The Qeridoo Speedkid’s tinted windows have UV 50+ protection. However, the tint is a lighter shade than Burley and Thule trailers and my toddler does complain about the hot sun coming in from the side.

From my testing, I believe it’s a combination of the lighter tint as well as the position of her face in the window. Some trailers (like the Thule Chariot Cross) are more reclined so the child’s face is blocked by the fabric on the trailer’s side. A child certainly can’t see as well out the side window, but their face is more blocked from the sun.

(She has complained about this in the Qeridoo Kidgoo as well.)

Storage

Interior Storage

The snack pockets in the Speedkid are top notch! There is elastic along the top to easily stretch to fit larger items such as a Camelbak water bottle. There is one pocket on each side of the trailer.

Our tall 3-year-old could easily access water and snacks during the ride. Of all of the Qeridoo trailers, the Speedkid’s pockets boast the best design.

Rear Storage and Cargo

The ample rear storage in the Qeridoo Speedkid offers plenty of versatility for all types of outings. We were able to stuff a basketball, large blanket, and plenty of books and snacks in the cargo area. There’s also a small pocket inside that is perfectly placed for a water bottle or your phone.

Conversion Kit Storage

As a multi-sport trailer, the Qeridoo Speedkid makes it easy to switch between activities by allowing you to store the tow bar and stroller wheel on the trailer. When in trailer mode, you can just stick the single stroller wheel in the rear storage compartment.

When in stroller mode, the tow bar stores under the trailer by inserting it into the tow bar receiver in the opposite direction! In full disclosure, we couldn’t get the tow bar to lock in correctly in the backwards position. However, we had no issues with this with our Sportrex or Kidgoo, so we assume the Speedkid we received just has a manufacturer’s defect.

Assembly – Easy for Speedkid 1 and Speedkid 2

The Speedkid comes almost entirely assembled right out of the box! It took me just about 15 minutes to unbox everything and attach the handlebar and the wheels. The double capacity Kidgoo and Sportrex require a significant amount of assembly, but the Speedkid is quick and easy.

Qeridoo Trailer Baby Hammock and Shell

The Qeridoo Speedkid can be used in stroller mode (NOT TRAILER MODE!) with an infant as young as 4 weeks old. To do this, you’ll need to purchase an optional baby insert.

The Baby Shell is for use from 4 weeks old to 12 months or 26 pounds. The Baby Hammock is for 4 weeks to “sitting up independently”, or 22 pounds.

Having used both, we found the Baby Shell to be the most comfortable. Since it also allows you to use with larger babies, we think it’s a better investment than the Baby Hammock.

Comparisons

Qeridoo Speedkid vs Qeridoo Sportrex

The Speedkid is more affordable than the the Sportrex and is also a few pounds lighter, which are two big selling points. But what are you giving up by saving a few hundred dollars and a few pounds? The two trailers are very similar, but here are a few reasons you may want to consider upgrading to the more expensive Sportrex:

So why pay more for the Sportrex?

• Sunshade: If a sunshade is important to you, you should go with the Sportrex, which offers one of the best sunshades on the market. The Speedkid does not have a sunshade.
• Legroom: The floor of the Speedkid is only about 2 inches below the seat. As a result, a child’s knees end up higher when they are sitting. The Sportrex has more legroom.
• Front cover: The Speedkid’s magnetic front cover easily comes out of place if a child kicks it, which is annoying, but also a safety issue for taller kids. The Sportrex’s cover buckles in place.
• Smoother trailer performance: While in motion, the Speedkid tugs pretty significantly on the adult bike. This is a bit jarring for the adult and the child. The Sportrex does tug a little, but not annoyingly so.

Qeridoo Speedkid Bottom Line

A luxurious trailer stroller, the Qeridoo Speedkid packs a ton of punch into its mid-range price tag. With adjustable suspension, an 8″ pneumatic stroller wheel, and a zip-up viewing window, the Speedkid comes standard with a lot of convenient features for a stroller.

While we can’t rave enough about its smooth-rolling stroller performance, we did find the front cover a bit inconvenient, since kids with long legs will kick it out of place. This is also a safety issue for taller children who can reach the bike’s tire with their feet.

Additionally, the tug of the Speedkid on the adult bike is a bit annoying, making it a better bet for families who will use it most often as a stroller or jogger.

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