Burley Nomad Review
A versatile model great for touring or just shorter trips to the grocery store
Photo: Burley
Price: $350 List | $349.95 at Competitive Cyclist
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Flexible rubber hitch mount allows bike to lean without trailer leaning so climbing hills is much easier when you get off your seat, lightweight, durable
Cons: Enclosed structure makes it difficult to lock your trailer up along with your bike, weather resistant but not watertight
Manufacturer: Burley Design
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Flexible rubber hitch mount allows bike to lean without trailer leaning so climbing hills is much easier when you get off your seat, lightweight, durable
Cons: Enclosed structure makes it difficult to lock your trailer up along with your bike, weather resistant but not watertight
Manufacturer: Burley Design
By Katherine Elliott ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Jul 23, 2015
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Our Verdict
The Burley Design Nomad was designed for bike touring, but we liked that it wasn't limited to just that one specific use. We were very pleased with how versatile it was once we started to put it to the test. The two push-button release wheels and collapsable trailer design also made this a space saver to store. We rarely took advantage of the inside compartments consisting of six mesh utility pockets, but they were nice to have when trying to organize and keep things separate inside the trailer. The Burley Design Nomad is a lightweight, durable cargo bike trailer, and it will get you and your cargo to where you need to go. Also, see the lower cost and simple Burley Design Flatbed which tied for the high score in this review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Burley Nomad | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $349.95 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 3 sellers | $450 List | $439 List | $249.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $359 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Flexible rubber hitch mount allows bike to lean without trailer leaning so climbing hills is much easier when you get off your seat, lightweight, durable | Durable, easy hitch, elastic cargo net, smooth ride, stands on its own, one wheel | Three inches of adjustable suspension improves on and off road handling, tracks well behind rear wheel of bicycle, easy attachment | Solid axle makes the trailer stable for large heavy loads, folds down small for easy storage, open design allows for flexibility when hauling non-traditional cargo | great aerodynamics, includes large dry sack |
| Cons | Enclosed structure makes it difficult to lock your trailer up along with your bike, weather resistant but not watertight | Heavy | If packed uneven it can get wobbly on downhills, doesn't stand up on it's own | No straps or dry sac included | trailer is attached directly to back wheel without movable hitch so getting out of the saddle on uphills can get unsteady |
| Bottom Line | This two wheel design is easy to load and easy to attach to your bike | At home both on and off road, this is an incredibly versatile and smooth rolling one-wheeled bike cargo trailer | This trailer has excellent suspension and nabs our Editors' Choice award season after season | A large carrying capacity makes this trailer quite versatile | |
| Rating Categories | Burley Nomad | Burley Coho XC | BOB Ibex Plus | Burley Design Flatbed | BOB Yak |
| Capacity (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (20%) | |||||
| Ease Of Towing (20%) | |||||
| Smoothness Of Ride (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Burley Nomad | Burley Coho XC | BOB Ibex Plus | Burley Design... | BOB Yak |
| Capacity | 100-pound, 105-liter | 70 lbs | 70 lbs | 100 lbs | 70 lbs |
| Weight | 15 lbs | 21.5 lbs | 17 lbs | 14.5 lbs | 13.5 lbs |
| Number of wheels | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Size Open LxWxH (inches) | 32.4" x 26.8" x 22.8" | 32.5” x 22” x 22.5” | 62" x 17" x 16" | 33" x 16.1" x 30.9" | 61" x 17" x 16" |
| Wheel Size | 16" | 16” | 16" x 2.125" | 16" | 16" x 1.75" |
| Access into trailer | top | top | top, sides | top | top, sides |
| Cover Protection | weatherproof cover | None Included | yellow Dry Sak | none | yellow Dry Sak |
| Attachment to Bike | Forged aluminum hitch | quick release | quick release | Forged Hitch | quick release |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Burley name has long been known for their excellence in their child bike trailers. They don't limit themselves to just child trailers though, their bike cargo trailers are durable and handle themselves really well on and off the roads and trails. The Burley Design Nomad was specifically designed for bike touring. It is a lightweight and well-built frame design that has the option to cover and close to keep your cargo safe and secure. We used this not only for short bike trips but as an all-around errand-runner as well.
Performance Comparison
Capacity
The Burley Design Nomad offers a high weight carrying capacity of 100 lbs and has an interior height of 17 inches and interior width of 16.5 inches. The cargo space allows you to hold around 105 liters inside with the cargo cover on and secured. The built-in waterproof cargo cover can easily be removed to allow for large or misshapen objects to fit in the trailer as well.
The Burley Design Nomad offers a spacious covered compartment for various sized cargo.
Photo: Kat Elliott
Ease of Use
The Burley Nomad was very easy to assemble. The trailer body comes fully put together. All you need to do is attach the two push-button release wheels that attach the tow bar and fold and lock the crossbar that holds up the top cover into place.
The easy to use hitch connection of the Burley Design Nomad.
Photo: Kat Elliott
Ease of Towing
This trailer was designed specifically for bike touring. The balance point and full axle design reduces the amount of torque exerted on your bike. We found this trailer very essay to tow, and it tracked behind a bike very well for a two-wheeled, larger bike trailer.
The Burley Nomad in action hauling a fully loaded cooler. The removable top cover allows for extra room when carrying large items.
Photo: Kat Elliott
Smoothness of Ride
Even with large or heavy loads, the handling and smoothness of ride always impressed us. It had great maneuverability and handling on the uphills, especially when we had to get out of the seat to peddle.
A side view of the fully assembled Burley Design Nomad.
Photo: Kat Elliott
Versatility
Being designed specifically for touring, the Burley Design Nomad wasn't as versatile as a few of the other models we tested. With the option to remove the top cover, it did manage the day to day errands well and was able to fit larger items out of the top with the cover open.
The water resistant top cover of the Burley Design Nomad keeps your cargo safe and dry from the elements.
Photo: Kat Elliott
Best Applications
This bike cargo trailer was designed for touring, and that is its best application. It is not limited to just touring though. It also makes a great town commuter and errand-runner.
Value
The Burley Design Nomad has a fairly high price point. In our opinion, the quality of the design (especially for bike touring) is worth the cost. This cargo bike trailer offers the option to carry a lot of cargo, and with the waterproof covering, you don't have to worry too much about the elements affecting your gear.
— Katherine Elliott