Baby Seats/carriers

Poncherello

The little fella is almost 1 and I want to get him out on the bike with me.
I have a road bike but dont think it would be suitable.
Id like to get a mountain bike/hybrid anyway for commuting instead of my road bike.
Saw this seems decent
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-rockhopper-disk/810397

Whats the story with the child seats, will they fit on any bike ?
Can anyone recommend a good one

Thanks v much

Lumen

I have several child seats, including a Hamax Sleepy which clamps to the seat tube. It's the best design I've seen as the prongs create a sort of suspension effect.

My kids are too big for it now, I should really sell it.

There might be an issue with positioning the seat tube clamp on the compact frame of a MTB. Or not. I don't have a MTB.

Khannie

I have something similar to that one, but I'm not mad about the suspension effect. Can get a bit bouncy when you're standing up trying to climb a steep hill. Now I have a full suspension mtb (don't ask!), so the seat is attached to my seat post which is not ideal. I think I paid around 30 quid for mine in the local bike shop.

I saw a really good one before in a thread on the parenting forum. I'll see if I can dig it out. It attached to the handlebars. Sounds unsafe, but actually I'd say it's much better for all concerned. It was pricey though.

Khannie

Here it is. Still would like one if I didn't have the one I have. Could be a good way to get 2 kids on a bike (one behind, one up front).

Lumen

Khannie wrote: »

Here it is. Still would like one if I didn't have the one I have. Could be a good way to get 2 kids on a bike (one behind, one up front).

Most front mounted seats require you to cycle with knees apart. This is very unnatural except for those funny GAA types who seem to cycle like that normally.

For two kids I used a trailer.

Khannie

Not quite sure why, but those trailers freak me out. I'd feel like my child was really exposed in them. Hadn't considered the cowboy cycling with the front mount though. That could be a problem alright.

Undercover Elephant

Lumen wrote: »

There might be an issue with positioning the seat tube clamp on the compact frame of a MTB. Or not. I don't have a MTB.

I have the entry Argos child seat (from the days when I thought it might be used half a dozen times a year instead of half a dozen times a week). That also has the prong things, and the clamp goes onto the seat tube of my MTB just fine.

It's worth playing with the height a bit, because it affects the handling, and at some heights you might find your thighs rubbing against the clamp.

rflynnr

Lumen wrote: »

Most front mounted seats require you to cycle with knees apart. This is very unnatural except for those funny GAA types who seem to cycle like that normally.

For two kids I used a trailer.

I used this front-mounted seat together with a rear seat for about 2 and a half years before getting a cargobike. It didn't particularly interfere with my cycling gait, especially when compared with the crossbar mounted ones.

check_six

Khannie wrote: »

Here it is. Still would like one if I didn't have the one I have. Could be a good way to get 2 kids on a bike (one behind, one up front).

That seat looks okay when it is attached, but have you seen the terrifying metal prong that sticks out of your headset when the seat is removed? I like to keep the odds of getting a horrible perforation injury to myself to an absolute minimum at the best of times, and I feel that this metal prong would increase those odds unacceptably!

quenching

Khannie wrote: »

Here it is. Still would like one if I didn't have the one I have. Could be a good way to get 2 kids on a bike (one behind, one up front).

I had 2 of these iBert seats when my kids were smaller, they do require you to keep your knees a bit wider apart than normal but nothing that's too uncomfortable. It's a useful reminder that you need to take it a lot slower than usual with a child on the bike, but these were still the best option I could find. The rear mounted ones make the bike feel unstable, the iBert one also positions the child's head near enough to yours so that you can talk to them easily. If I was in the market for a child seat again I'd buy another iBert. I also sold mine when finished with them for almost what I paid for them. The downside was having to have them shipped from the US (or maybe Canada) as I couldn't find a local supplier.

ThisRegard

I've been looking out for a child seat myself, the front mounted ones look good but I can see ourselves almost going over the handle bars when my little one pulls the brake first time she sees me doing it.

Dutchie

Lumen wrote: »

I have several child seats, including a Hamax Sleepy which clamps to the seat tube. It's the best design I've seen as the prongs create a sort of suspension effect.

My kids are too big for it now, I should really sell it.

There might be an issue with positioning the seat tube clamp on the compact frame of a MTB. Or not. I don't have a MTB.[/QUOT

I have a Trek MTB and the hamax fits perfectly. i completely agree with you reagrding the built in suspension.
My 2 year old regulalry falls asleep in the seat on our spins, pure comfort!

karltimber

just looking at this thread.

looking for a child seat for my 4 year old.

a top tube mounted would be best - but my old trek has the cable running along the top of the top tube.

something like this would be perfect, but the cable are a problem.

any ideas.

update - found this -"Will Even Fit Bicycles With Top Tube Mounted Brake And Gear Cables"
any one use one of these ??

K

Holyboy

karltimber wrote: »

just looking at this thread.

looking for a child seat for my 4 year old.

a top tube mounted would be best - but my old trek has the cable running along the top of the top tube.

something like this would be perfect, but the cable are a problem.

any ideas.

update - found this -"Will Even Fit Bicycles With Top Tube Mounted Brake And Gear Cables"
any one use one of these ??

K

I'm not the biggest fan of the Leco seat, if it's fitted to a steel frame with round tubes then super but if it's an Alu' frame and not round then I would stay away from them, how about something like a Trail Gator, it would get the kid more used to actually cycling on the road!

johnam

I have a WeeRide carrier. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUhwoW0qnic&feature=related my daughter is now 3 and quite tall for her age, and still fits it. You do cycle with you knees a little bit further apart than normal, but with a child on board you are not going to be flying along like you would on your road bike anyway.... The front mounted seats have less affect on the balance of the bike than rear mounted ones, and the child does sit a lot quieter as they can see exactly what you see, and can hear you as you talk to them...my daughter fell asleep, and the front piece meant that she wasnt falling over, I cycled from Muckross House in Killarney back into town without her waking up....in fact we pulled up outside an icecream shop, and she slept for another 20 minutes while the bike was propped up between two tables....every single passer by laughing at her.

Dexif

Holyboy wrote: »

karltimber wrote: »

something like a Trail Gator, it would get the kid more used to actually cycling on the road!

Has anyone any experience of these? About 90 quid so not cheap either!!!

AltAccount

I bought a Bobike seat a few weeks ago. Attached to the stem, so it turns with you, easy totalk to herself, feels VERY safe being able to see her and have my arms around her.
http://www.bobike.nl/products/en/bobike_mini+.htm?fluxmenu=m9____m3

I bought it from this woman/shop. Great service too.
http://dutchbikeshop.ie/bobike/

johnam

Dexif wrote: »

Holyboy wrote: »

Has anyone any experience of these? About 90 quid so not cheap either!!!

I tried one of these from a rental shop, and the fact that the bike is attached quite high up, ( as in to the seat post) really affects the centre of balance, and small movements by the child translate into big kicks from side to side on your bike.... it can be a big off putting until you get used to it...

on the other hand, a follow me tandemhttp://www.followme-tandem.com/english/ is attached much lower on the bike so doesnt have the same affect.... but price wise it is more expensive.

SachaJ

This is what I bought. Not tried it yet as I'm waiting to collect my new bike

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CO-RIDER-FRONT-MOUNTED-CHILD-SEAT/dp/B003LP94BW
http://www.co-rider.com/co-rider.com/index.html