Radical Cyclone II trailer review
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Radical Cyclone II trailer review

Transformer: a holdall in disguise

Our rating

4

612.19
412.00

Paul Smith

Published: May 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm

Our review
Pricey, but great for bike- plus-train/bus/plane trips

Many trailers can be packed down for storage or transportation, but the Radical Cyclone II goes further: in a minute it transforms from cycle trailer to holdall (admittedly, quite a large holdall).

If you need your trailer to pass muster as luggage to get into a hotel room or onto a train, bus or plane, this is what you want. You can try your luck doing that with other trailers, but with the Cyclone II it’s quicker, easier, and guaranteed.

There’s a rectangular frame made from tubular aluminium inside the base of the bag. The tough Cordura fabric is stretched over this to form the base of the trailer, while the unsupported top of the bag holds 100 litres of luggage.

A full-length zip and compression straps keep sub-maximal loads in place, and tow bar and wheels are quick release and can be stowed in the top of the bag.

Don’t want dirty wheels in your luggage? Separate wheel bags are available for €47 a pair. The trailer’s fabric is waterproof, but because the seams aren’t there’s also a separate raincover included.

The aluminium-rimmed wheels have stub axles, sealed bearings and 47-305 tyres. They can also be fitted into extra holes at the back of the trailer frame, to turn it into a gargantuan granny-style shopping trolley.

The trailer hitch is a neat ball-and-socket joint that bolts to the axle of the towing bike. This hitch must be aligned at right angles to the towing arm or the ball and socket can ‘dislocate’ – not a disaster, as there’s a safety cable.

Hitches are available separately, so you can have more than one bike ready and waiting for pulling duties, as is a lower tow-bar for small-wheeled bikes.

At 6kg, the Cyclone II is slightly lighter than a Burley Nomad, though the 40kg load limit is a bit lower. Lacking a hard base, it’s not great for heavy or sharp utility loads, but for touring loads it’s very practical. Handling is like any two-wheel trailer: stable, unless you clip a kerb with it empty.

Radical cyclone ii trailer: radical cyclone ii trailer Paul Smith
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