child bike seat

tom_tarbucket

Hi

Looking to buy a childs bike seat for my bike........which is a roughly 5 year old hybrid trek 7.1 in decent condition.

Before I install a child seat, do i need to purchase a carrier etc.
Do I need special tyres to support the extra weight ?
Any particular brands / type of child seat that is better than the other ?
Is it "one size fits all" children ?
Are these generally ok to buy second hand?



The child I would be carrying is a boy aged 18 months old and the carrying would only be done on a recreational level in a park, not on the public road.


Apologies in advance for the silly questions.

HandsomeRover

Have the exact same bike as you and went thru this a few weeks ago!
There are lots of options.

I went with a seat that is forward facing. So I'm on the saddle and between my legs and arms is the seat, with the young lad able to hold onto the handle bars and see everything I see.
I preferred this option vs the rear seat where he'd only see my back/arse!

first seat I bought didn't fit the bike frame. The trek 7.1 is fat in and around where the cross bar and diagonally bar mate with the handle bar so exchanged it after much online research for a similar but newer version of seat.

Essentially you have the seat, a bracket that fixes to your frame and a metal bar that goes between the two.

My one gives me the option of fixing from below the seat post or below the handle bar, and has a quick release.

5 point harness (i think) and a safety bar across his waist.

Belleti I think is the brand. Italian crowd. Rabbit was the first one, but I had to return it. After research, I asked my local bike shop if he could exchange it for the one I have now, he phoned his agent, had it next day!

40 Euro. Best money I ever spent.

Will try Google the one I have now...

HandsomeRover

http://bellelli.com/index.cfm?method=mys.dettprod&id=21

Bellelli, sorry. I don't have this one, but very siimilar. The Bike Shop in Limerick is where I got it.

tom_tarbucket

Rover.

Thanks a million for replies. Coincidence we have the same bike.

To be honest I didn't even know there was a forward facing one,I just had the standard rear one in my mind.

Suppose the forward facing one would be safer and your closer to child.......but does the structure get in the way of your pedalling leg motion ?

Did your one cost 40 euro in total ?

HandsomeRover

Another advantage of forward is you can talk away and point out stuff. Really great to get him out on it. Yes 40 all in for seat and bracket assembly. They are on eBay for similar, but postage... Talk to your local bike shop, they have suppliers. I printed of photos of what I wanted, make and model, he had one similar, tried it, he replaced it after I told him why it didn't fit.

20 for child helmet, very important!

Ya it adds a little awkwardness 're pedaling. Nothing major. if you are recreational in park, no hassle. Supposedly the rear seats can shift the weight and take a bit of getting used to. Don't have one, it's what I read though.

Pitch up to your local bike shop with the bike and do a fitting. Also I'll only get this summer out of it, weight wise, but he'll be pedalling for himself by next year, he won't have a choice!

tom_tarbucket

HandsomeRover wrote: »

Another advantage of forward is you can talk away and point out stuff. Really great to get him out on it. Yes 40 all in for seat and bracket assembly. They are on eBay for similar, but postage... Talk to your local bike shop, they have suppliers. I printed of photos of what I wanted, make and model, he had one similar, tried it, he replaced it after I told him why it didn't fit.

20 for child helmet, very important!

Ya it adds a little awkwardness 're pedaling. Nothing major. if you are recreational in park, no hassle. Supposedly the rear seats can shift the weight and take a bit of getting used to. Don't have one, it's what I read though.

Pitch up to your local bike shop with the bike and do a fitting. Also I'll only get this summer out of it, weight wise, but he'll be pedalling for himself by next year, he won't have a choice!

Thanks.
I had a look at the bellelli website but can only find rear ones.

tom_tarbucket

Just on this whole topic......which is "better", a rear child seat or one that's between your legs ?

Define "better" says you: supoose I mean the one that is safest that offers longevity ( dont want to buy one now and find it has to be replaced in 6 months due to weight restriction etc ) and that offers child and rider most comfort........without breaking the bank.

kenmc

Bike seats are all forward facing.
I'd personally never go with one that mounts on the handlebars, too likely to affect the handling of the bike. Also when they're in front of you they're subjected to full wind, spray, bugs etc. At least on a carrier one you act as a gigantic windbreak and block out any flying debris that might otherwise get in their eye.
Rear carriers tend to be longer lasting in terms of weight limits - my bobike tour is rated for 22kg, the ones that mount in front of you tend to be circa 15kg I think. My 2 3/4 year old is 15 kg already.

tigerboon

I have a Leco Crossbar seat which I got in Cycleways for about €25-€30. The saddle and the foot rests are seperate so position on the bike can be changed to suit the size of the child. The child is not as restrained as other seats and can reach out to the handlebars like they are steering. Young lad loves being on it. For park use, flat trails, country lanes etc it's fine as you're only moving about at about 10km/hr anyway so wind etc is not an issue. The crossbar mount does not cause the bike to be unstable as I'd imagine the extra weight over the back wheel would. Saying all that I don't know if I'd use it if I was on streets or busy roads.

crosstownk

I've one in the shed that you can have for free.

PM sent.

peneau

Can highly recommend this one. I prefer the "in front of me" style, this one mounts on the crossbar and doesn't adversely effect the balance of the bike with the child in situ when moving, unlike the rear mounted type (imo) particularly if the child falls asleep and slumps to one side. The seat is quick realease
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/accessories/child-bike-seats-trailers/weeride-safe-front-child-bike-seat

Hope that helps.

CramCycle

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Before I install a child seat, do i need to purchase a carrier etc.

Nope, most will fit directly to the frame, only need a carrier if you buy a carrier specific one. Frame mounted rear ones are supposedly better than the carrier mounted ones as they take vibration, whereas the rack ones can send the vibrations through the child but I don't think its a huge issue either way.

Do I need special tyres to support the extra weight ?

I run on the same tyres I always had, 700 x 25. It is more comfy for you and them to have wider ones though.

Any particular brands / type of child seat that is better than the other ?

I have a Hamax which I find great but I could not comment on it over another as its the only one I have.

Is it "one size fits all" children ?

They usually give a weight and age range. The one I have should do him from 1 to 4 yo although he is only one now and already wearing clothes for 3yo so we shall see.

Are these generally ok to buy second hand?

Buyers choice, I didn't but I know people in work who did without issues, thorough inspection and make up your own mind.

The child I would be carrying is a boy aged 18 months old and the carrying would only be done on a recreational level in a park, not on the public road.

My lad is 20 months now but has been on it from shortly after his first birthday, absolutely loves it, pointing out different things in the park and saying hello to people as we roll slowly by.

Apologies in advance for the silly questions.

There are only silly answers.

I went for the back one because I felt he was far to young and non sensical for the front one. For the front seats, my bike would have made handling awkward, and I would have had to get a windshield as well. I felt the rear was safer as I had better control but i understand why others think the front is safer as you have your arms around them and it would feel safer.

Personal choice, no idea if one is safer than the other.

bluesteel

peneau wrote: »

Can highly recommend this one. I prefer the "in front of me" style, this one mounts on the crossbar and doesn't adversely effect the balance of the bike with the child in situ when moving, unlike the rear mounted type (imo) particularly if the child falls asleep and slumps to one side. The seat is quick realease
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/accessories/child-bike-seats-trailers/weeride-safe-front-child-bike-seat

Hope that helps.

I have this too - it makes cycling a little awkward (legs splayed) but is worth the trade off if you're just going for joyrides in the park. For 3/4 year olds the Hamax etc might be better but when they're small I think this works best

- balance
- you can have better contact with them

Yakuza

I have the http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/oxford-leco-top-tube-seat-universal/rp-prod83025 on my Trek 7.2, my daughter is almost 5 so it won't do her much longer (but she'll be starting to cycle her own bike soon) but it worked fine for me for almost two years.

It was straightforward to install myself. It did take a bit of getting used to (dismounting and mounting are a tad more awkward with the back of the seat almost in your chest) but within 5-10 minutes I was used to it.

I much prefer to have her between my arms from both a safety and stability perspective. Child seats mounted over the rear wheel just look inherently unstable to me (with bigger children).

youcancallmeal

I have a 5 year old Trek 7.7FX which would be similar to your bike. I use a Hamax Smiley and find it great. I use it a lot, bringing daughter to creche every week day, weather permitting. I just whip it off the bike when I get to creche and leave there for my cycle into work. For a more casual solution then yeah perhaps the top tube mounted seat might be more suitable?

tom_tarbucket

Thanks for all the replies.

Jaysus, yee have me confused now, I don't know which bike seat to go for

Thing is the Young lad is a year and a half now and is 13 kg already and I think these horizontal top tube ones only seem to cater for 15kg's.......but then I I like the fact of having him close to me, but it sounds awkward. and would get more use out of the rear mounted one....and I dont want to break the bank either


Oh I dunno

CramCycle

bluesteel wrote: »

- balance
- you can have better contact with them

While I find the rear seat fine for balance and the front one so awkward as to make me feel unbalanced, I can see why people prefer it, and you are right about the contact.

I have lowered my seat dramatically so its easier if I want to walk it and look around, we also have "party party" when I can see his shadow where if I shout "party party" he starts roaring laughing and I can see him lifting his hands like he is in the middle of a rave. He chats away all the time pointing out things so it is rarely an issue that I am concerned.

Some kids fall asleep on them though, I would be more concerned if he done that with a rear seat, Two people I work with their kids konk out as soon as they sit into them. i wouldn't be ready for the quiet, too stressful.

bluesteel

CramCycle wrote: »

While I find the rear seat fine for balance and the front one so awkward as to make me feel unbalanced, I can see why people prefer it, and you are right about the contact.

TBH it was my perception about balance as much as actual experience - not something you want to leave to chance!

My fella was very small and also I like having him up front so I can see what he's looking at - it's only for short spins in the park so pointing out the deer/horses and saying names is important

Once criticism I'd have of the WeeRide is perhaps the straps don't stay tight enough around the shoulders but that's easily fixed (with a tie etc)

Yakuza

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

Jaysus, yee have me confused now, I don't know which bike seat to go for

Thing is the Young lad is a year and a half now and is 13 kg already and I think these horizontal top tube ones only seem to cater for 15kg's.......but then I I like the fact of having him close to me, but it sounds awkward. and would get more use out of the rear mounted one....and I dont want to break the bank either


Oh I dunno

Wow, he's a big lad! My young'un is almost 5, weighing in at 19 kg. Most journeys with her in the seat are the 1.5kms to her creche on my way to work (the missus collects her), but I like the fact we can have a chat about stuff on the way, I can see what she sees and she's between my arms, more or less aligned with the centre of gravity of the bike.

A large child leaning to one side on a rear-mounted seat can put a fairly big strain the bike's balance. The force would be proportional to their weight times the distance from the centre of gravity. With a tube-mounted seat, the child is practically at the centre of gravity, so their contribution to any imbalance would be almost zero.

tom_tarbucket

Yakuza wrote: »

Wow, he's a big lad! My young'un is almost 5, weighing in at 19 kg. Most journeys with her in the seat are the 1.5kms to her creche on my way to work (the missus collects her), but I like the fact we can have a chat about stuff on the way, I can see what she sees and she's between my arms, more or less aligned with the centre of gravity of the bike.

A large child leaning to one side on a rear-mounted seat can put a fairly big strain the bike's balance. The force would be proportional to their weight times the distance from the centre of gravity. With a tube-mounted seat, the child is practically at the centre of gravity, so their contribution to any imbalance would be almost zero.

Yeah, he is like a little bullock alright.

I suppose I have it in my head, if the bike was to fall sideways, what would be safer and it sounds like the one between your legs is more safe....but then again my lad is almost too big for it.

CramCycle

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thing is the Young lad is a year and a half now and is 13 kg already and I think these horizontal top tube ones only seem to cater for 15kg's

MY one is about the same, his clothers are already for three years old and he is as tall as some of the big room kids in the creche

bluesteel wrote: »

TBH it was my perception about balance as much as actual experience - not something you want to leave to chance!

My fella was very small and also I like having him up front so I can see what he's looking at - it's only for short spins in the park so pointing out the deer/horses and saying names is important

Once criticism I'd have of the WeeRide is perhaps the straps don't stay tight enough around the shoulders but that's easily fixed (with a tie etc)

I agree with you, perception and your confidence is very important for your piece of mind. The straps on the Hamax seats are fantastic, I struggled to get them undone the first few times. I see nothing wrong with the middle seats, just didn't suit me and I imagine the chats and comfort of encasing them must be great.

Yakuza wrote: »

A large child leaning to one side on a rear-mounted seat can put a fairly big strain the bike's balance. The force would be proportional to their weight times the distance from the centre of gravity. With a tube-mounted seat, the child is practically at the centre of gravity, so their contribution to any imbalance would be almost zero.

You can feel it, he has only once had a hissy fit and you can feel it but it wasn't enough to knock you, its more like a very slight crosswind, but the straps are decent enough that he can't really move his centre that much if they are on properly so it, IMO, is not a big deal.

In terms of safety, if that's the ultimate goal, I done alot of research, then trailers would appear to be the best option, above bike seats and cargo bikes. You should google the safety tests some people do on them, they hold up better than anything but my wife would not allow it as its counter intuitive, it doesn't matter what the figures say, she didn't care it was the bike seat or he was going by pram or car.

martyc5674

I've a front and back seat on one of my bikes and I carry the two kids on it.
I carry them on it a lot every summer.
They are now 6 and 4 and I've carried them since they were a year old or so.
The rear seat is a Hamax sleepy/siesta. These are great seats as you can recline if they fall asleep and their heads don't slump forward. If they are tied in properly they won't fall out of a rear seat.
The front seat is a simple saddle on the crossbar with foot pegs on the down tube..they hold the handlebars.

I did loads of research before I bought the first seat(Hamax) and the overwhelming evidence is that the rear seats are safer in the event of an accident.
Plenty of story's of simple spills causing a broken leg!

To use the front seat on the crossbar the child would want to be well disciplined as they could fall off/ get their feet caught in front spokes easily..they would need to be minimum 2 1/2 years.
You've to be real careful they don't nod off up front if they are still used to napping by day...

I find the front seat offers more space and suits the bigger child...they outgrow the rear seat first.
My experience aswell is that when taking just 1 kid on the bike the front seat is way more balanced than the rear seat...the rear seats tend to act like a lever and if the child decides to twist themselves to look at something you can really feel the effect whereas this is not the case on the crossbar.
I don't find it cramped either with one up front.

So there's pros and cons to both.
If I'd only the one kid I'd go with the rear as it's safer for sure...however they have both tasted riding up front so i won't get away with that!( that's where they want to be)
The days are numbered now where they will be on the bike with me as they are physically outgrowing it and both well able to cycle themselves...whatever you do ride safe...they love it.
Marty.

Tigerandahalf

Would you consider a bike trailer instead.
http://www.halfords.ie/kids-zone/kids-bike-accessories-helmets/child-bike-seats-trailers/halfords-double-buggy-child-bike-trailer
It would take 2 kids and they would be covered from the elements plus they could nap in it. I might invest myself at some stage. It is also meant to fold up easily so could be put in the boot with the bike on the rack.

tom_tarbucket

martyc5674 wrote: »

I've a front and back seat on one of my bikes and I carry the two kids on it.
I carry them on it a lot every summer.
They are now 6 and 4 and I've carried them since they were a year old or so.
The rear seat is a Hamax sleepy/siesta. These are great seats as you can recline if they fall asleep and their heads don't slump forward. If they are tied in properly they won't fall out of a rear seat.
The front seat is a simple saddle on the crossbar with foot pegs on the down tube..they hold the handlebars.

I did loads of research before I bought the first seat(Hamax) and the overwhelming evidence is that the rear seats are safer in the event of an accident.
Plenty of story's of simple spills causing a broken leg!

To use the front seat on the crossbar the child would want to be well disciplined as they could fall off/ get their feet caught in front spokes easily..they would need to be minimum 2 1/2 years.
You've to be real careful they don't nod off up front if they are still used to napping by day...

I find the front seat offers more space and suits the bigger child...they outgrow the rear seat first.
My experience aswell is that when taking just 1 kid on the bike the front seat is way more balanced than the rear seat...the rear seats tend to act like a lever and if the child decides to twist themselves to look at something you can really feel the effect whereas this is not the case on the crossbar.
I don't find it cramped either with one up front.

So there's pros and cons to both.
If I'd only the one kid I'd go with the rear as it's safer for sure...however they have both tasted riding up front so i won't get away with that!( that's where they want to be)
The days are numbered now where they will be on the bike with me as they are physically outgrowing it and both well able to cycle themselves...whatever you do ride safe...they love it.
Marty.

Marty

Thanks for reply. Just in regard to the front seat.....the one you had seems to be a fairly basic one, i.e. just a saddle. The one I'm thinking of is more than just a saddle and they can be strapped in to it etc.

Also, I thought the rear ones can hold more weight (22kg) versus the front one (15kg)

martyc5674

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Marty

Thanks for reply. Just in regard to the front seat.....the one you had seems to be a fairly basic one, i.e. just a saddle. The one I'm thinking of is more than just a saddle and they can be strapped in to it etc.

Also, I thought the rear ones can hold more weight (22kg) versus the front one (15kg)

Yes it is basic like you say..no enclosure.. Them ones I suppose would be more cramped for driver/ and would be outgrown quicker altho less chance of the kid falling out for sure!!! ..if u pm me an email address I can send you a pic of my steed!

martyc5674

I had a trailer too for a while...got it when we were in France so that the then 3 month old could go in the bike..used out her strapped into her then car seat into it!
Fine in France where you have cycle lanes but I wouldn't use a trailer here unless you have very good cycle lanes...the kids don't enjoy it near as much as being up on on the bike...they feel oppressed in them!..great for groceries though ��

tom_tarbucket

Question on the brackets that attach to the bikes and where you insert the 2 prongs of the child seat in to.

Are these kinda standard across the board and can accept other brands, like can a pollisport bracket accept for example a Hamax bike seat or are they all different sizes between different brackets ?

crosstownk

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Question on the brackets that attach to the bikes and where you insert the 2 prongs of the child seat in to.

Are these kinda standard across the board and can accept other brands, like can a pollisport bracket accept for example a Hamax bike seat or are they all different sizes between different brackets ?

I googled the link below based on EN14344. It doesn't seem to insist on a standard mount such as ISOFIX for car seats but does require other standards. It's worth a read.


http://www.bike-eu.com/laws-regulations/artikel/2010/8/en-14344-european-standard-for-childs-seats-for-bicycles-1018845

a148pro

I have the wee ride, forward facing with seat in front of my saddle, mounted on a bar you attach to the bike. I and the kid love it. Good till he's four or five I think. Your knees are slightly akimbo but kids won't tolerate huge distances on the bike so it shouldn't really matter. If you were cycling very long distances I doubt that would be a good idea but I think you'd rarely go over 40 mins one way on a bike with a kid.

I no longer strap my fella in, anyone any views on that? I cycle along the canal and figured if I went in the straps might end up killing him which freaked me out a bit.

monument

CramCycle wrote: »

Some kids fall asleep on them though, I would be more concerned if he done that with a rear seat, Two people I work with their kids konk out as soon as they sit into them. i wouldn't be ready for the quiet, too stressful.

Why?

Before getting a cargo bike and a few times after, our first son was on a rear seat and went to sleep quite a bit, no issues expect for his head falling forward sometimes.

tom_tarbucket

a148pro wrote: »

I have the wee ride, forward facing with seat in front of my saddle, mounted on a bar you attach to the bike. I and the kid love it. Good till he's four or five I think. Your knees are slightly akimbo but kids won't tolerate huge distances on the bike so it shouldn't really matter. If you were cycling very long distances I doubt that would be a good idea but I think you'd rarely go over 40 mins one way on a bike with a kid.

I no longer strap my fella in, anyone any views on that? I cycle along the canal and figured if I went in the straps might end up killing him which freaked me out a bit.

I don't get your last paragraph at all. . How does having him in straps and secure make him more likely to get "killed" ?

kenmc

think he means if he cycles into the canal, he's better not strapped in

tom_tarbucket

kenmc wrote: »

think he means if he cycles into the canal, he's better not strapped in

Oh ok. Sorry for being thick.