WANNA SKIP THROUGH MY REVIEW AND GET A PROS AND CONS LIST? IT'S AT THE BOTTOM!
Out of the box, this trailer is a hex key away from taking it for a night on the town. The only thing needed to be attached is the wheel guards and Burley is kind enough to provide the perfect sized hex key to accomplish such a task.
First of all, I want to touch on the specifications. The wheels are made of a strong plastic and come equipped with pneumatic 20" wheels that detach with a simple push of a button. These don't seem to come off easy unless you are fully pressing the button. Of course, what can I say, I just received the bike trailer last night. The inside (which I plan to get a photo of for the customer images) is wide enough to fit two children but as mentioned in other reviews, it seems a little tight for my 2 children and the stuffed giraffe to tag along. The Bee's straps seem cheap when compared to the more expensive models and I guess I don't see 5 thin straps that are likely the same make up of those found in a shopping cart as a FIVE POINT PROTECTION HARNESS (Grr! SO tough). Of course with a little know how and a little DIY spirit, it can be improved significantly. My biggest gripe, (quite petty but still a factor) is that there is only one mesh cup holder on one side. As you can imagine, this can get a kid all fired up and ready to argue. (ex. "BUT DADDDDDDDDDDDDDD, I WANT A PLACE TO PUT MY JUICE TOOOOOOOOO") Of course, maybe I have extraordinarily bratty kids.
As for the storage space, it is small but it is nice. I can fit two good sized reusable bags when I shop with my kids at the co-op. If I only have one with me he can befriend a third bag on the hammock seat.(Of course, that would require him to leave the stuffed giraffe home)
In all, the biggest question you probably have is, "Will my child(ren) like it and how protected are they?" The first time I took Jonah out, he was very wary of the "bike car", but once he got in and saw that it moved his eyes lit up with excitement. We got him dressed (It's winter here still) and pack hot cocoa and a couple blankets (all of which fit comfortably) then headed on our way. It was a little awkward at first but after a few blocks all I heard beckoning from the Bee was "Faster! Faster!". So yes he enjoyed it. The latter question seems to be an easy one. Yes, the roll cage is sturdy. I dropped it from the upper story to be sure. It survived. It may collapse if it is being dragged under a car but let's hope no one is in that situation.
OVERALL, compared to the Schwinns in your local Wal-Mart and the Insteps of your local Target, this trailer is terrific. I would rather pay the extra $100 if I am assured that my kids are safe and I feel they are safe in my Burley Bee. Price-wise, I feel it presently is worth $200 easy but with a few improvements like duel seat belts, shoulder pads, two cup holders, and maybe if it were wider by 3-4 inches, it would live up to the $250 price tag. But of course for a name like burley, you will pay that extra $50 for nothing. If you can't afford a Chariot or high-end Burley, buy the bee. It's a good trailer.
PROS AND CONS FOR THE LAZY:
Pros//
*Great visibility on the road
*Sturdy, the materials seem to be long-lasting and durable.
*Snugly fits two kids and a stuffed giraffe
*Great storage space for grocery runs and picnics in the park.
*Safe, the roll cage is more than strong.
*Reputation for good customer service.
*Collapsible
*Pneumatic tires
Cons//
*Only one drink holder.
*Inability to attach any stroller kit
*Flag seems cheap, almost an after thought.
*Safety harness seems weak.
*When I said fits two kids snugly, snugly is a bad thing.
*Only one belt for two kids. Seems like a higher-profit sorta corporate shortcut.
OVERALL//
Spend more on a higher-end model from Burley or Chariot. If you can't Get the Bee. Ignore the cheaper versions and brands. They aren't worth it. If you want safe kids, get safe products.
(IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MY FACEBOOK IS LISTED ON MY PROFILE. MESSAGE AS NEEDED. IF THERE IS INFO I LEFT OUT, COMMENT BELOW AND I WILL ANSWER.)
***UPDATE 10/09/11***
We have abused this trailer, left it outside locked to a post, exceeded the weight limit, and spilled every possible liquid all over it. It has stood up the test of roughly 5 months. So far, so good.