Child seat/pannier question

mellisr1

I have a rack and normally use either Altura Dryline paniers or an ortlieb office bag.

I use a scott sportster for commutting daily on.

My little girl starts nursery soon (about 5 mins cycle from home and on the way to work).

My plan had been to fit one of the Hamax type seats with the fixing bracket round the seat down tube -which I think would have allowed me to use the panniers (not with mubch in though). However, I've just found out that this won't be possible as the downtube is teardrop shape rather than round (and also due to where the gear cable runs and is mounted).

I really want to be able to use the panniers also and found this possibility from Hamax http://hamax.no/?CatID=1227 but cant tell if I could use anything other than the Hamax panniers with it. It'd be getting expensive then.

Any other suggestions or alternatives greatly appreciated. I'd thought of one of the front seats but she'd be just over 10 months when she'll start nursery and I'm not sure if she'd need more upper body strength and support than she would with a rear seat!

Thanks
Matt

laughingboy

I'm sorry, I have no idea. I would have thought that a front seat would do the trick, but - WARNING - I have no evidence/information to support this hunch. So I have a suggestion:

try posting your query in the Family & Kids forum. Maybe you will get more response there...

chuckcork

I can just get my Carridice panniers onto my rack, with a child seat that mounts on the seat tube, though I had to raise the seat up a bit and adjust the pannier position to make it work, and even then it is still a tight fit.

Re the second question I'd say that a front seat would be inappropriate for a child that age? My own daughter has a tendency to thrash around and try and grab things if not strapped in, I'd want to keep her as locked in as possibleand not where she can pull at my arms or the brakes.

TBH I'd say if the rack and seat works get that, try your own panniers with it and if it deson't work then get the purpose made ones that go with the rack.