Kiddy seats?

jonny_trousers

Hi all,

I know plenty of you are dads on this forum and I could do with your advice on kiddy seats.

I read that you can buy ones that clamp on to any frame and ones that are specific to those that can take a rack and I was wondering if there is an advantage to either? Obviously a non-rack one gives more options for what bike to use it on, but perhaps they put undue stress on the frame?

I'll also need to pick up a bike to use with the little man, as I only have a carbon best bike right now. I'm thinking second-hand steel if I need a rack, but maybe a used Caad 10 for the fun of it if I don't.

Any thoughts on best make/style/model appreciated.

veronese68

I think the rack mounted ones look more secure when observed from outside. I often see the ones that mount to the seat tube of a frame bouncing wildly. But, that might be a good thing in that it gives a bit of a suspension effect so not jarring the kid. The problem is it's an almost completely undamped bounce so it carries on for quite a while. I wouldn't clamp one to a lightweight frame though.

asprilla

We use a Hamax Kiss which slots into a QR bracket on the seat tube.

A bit of suspension is useful and I'm fairly sure it's laughter I can hear rather than screams. It only gets used on my old alu SS hybrid and the Mrs iron step-through.

HamishD

Have you considered a trailer? We have a Burley D'Lite which attaches through the rear axle. it is dead good. Can fit a 3 year old and the weekly Tesco shop in it simultaneously, no bother.

I use it with the hybrid - tried it with the road bike too and it was fine , if slightly weird looking...

surrey_commuter

Asprilla wrote:

We use a Hamax Kiss which slots into a QR bracket on the seat tube.

A bit of suspension is useful and I'm fairly sure it's laughter I can hear rather than screams. It only gets used on my old alu SS hybrid and the Mrs iron step-through.

+1

hopkinb

Hamax Kiss here too. Useable up to 22kg kiddy weight I think. I take my 18 kg 4yo daughter to childminder daily with no problems. I have an alu specialised tricross.

alan_sherman

The family forum has lots of good advice. Personally I have a copilot limo that clips to a blackburn expedition rack and a front seat that fits to the steerer. There are pros and cons though.

The fornt seat has been amazing, the boy loves it. Weight limit is 15kg and we have been beyond that for a while. Feels very stable and can chat and point things out. Downside is some knee contact with the seat, and teh child is not strapped in securely - if they wanted to they could get out (but my arms are around them so they aren't going far - and I can see). Also long legs started runnig out of room under the handlebars, luckily my shed of a bike has a massive extended quill stem so I raised the bars to resolve the issue. Leaves the rack free for panniers (shopping, nappy stuff etc).


Back rack mounted seat (copilot limo) is a fair old piece of engineering. Kiddie could sleep in there. Probably best as the view is of your arse. Can't talk or point stuff out, or see if they have got out of the (very secure) harness. Removes the ability to carry panniers at the same time so shopping or nappy stuff is tricky. I find the handling a bit off with the weight so far back, but depends on the bike. Longer chain stays are better for weight distribution. Weight limit is I think 25kg. I've given my wife a backie on the rack so trust the Blackburn rack for child weights!

Not tried the 'suspended' ones.

if you need to buy a bike too then maybe get a cargo bike with the bucket at the front for the kids?

veronese68

Asprilla wrote:

We use a Hamax Kiss which slots into a QR bracket on the seat tube.

A bit of suspension is useful and I'm fairly sure it's laughter I can hear rather than screams. It only gets used on my old alu SS hybrid and the Mrs iron step-through.

My kids are too old to have had one of those. I had the previous style of Hamax that also clamped to the seat stays. The brackets marked the seat stays on my old Marin.

menthel

My wife really liked the co-rider which puts the child in front of you on the top tube. Very secure and more social I guess!

zx6man

I use one which attaches to the frame seat tube, The "bounce" doesn't seem to effect the bike really. Only hassle I have with it that I sometimes can catch my heels on it, so can't use the cycle shoes at the same time.

daddy0

I was given a seat that fixes onto a rear rack, but my toddler hated it. Recently I was the lucky winner of a Weeride delux which is a front mounted seat.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001DF68MA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1/275-1212446-0334434?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=0RA8H3XW6CZSG985QXG7&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=B002MCYWHG

I was initially skeptical, but the little one loved it straight away. Although it gets in the way of my knees a bit it is so much more enjoyable to ride with the little man up front. It is more stable so feels safer, plus you can see that your precious is safe the whole time. Its so much better to have the kid up front as you can talk to them, point to things and generally engage with them rather than have them as a passive pessanger staring at your back. The Weeride isn't suitable for a carbon frame/seattube/headset as it clamps on and would damage these parts of a nice bike. I wouldn't think it'd be good on drop bars either, I use it on a hybrid.

daniel_b

A nice dilemma to have :-)

I plumped for a half price Kona Minute a couple of summers ago I think it was, or it might have been last year:


And due to the style of the frame, I paired it with a yepp maxi and easyfit rear carrier:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Yepp-Maxi-Easyfit-Rear-Mounted-Childseat-Easyfit-Carrier-Rack-Not-Included_65024.htm?sku=192123188713&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=Cj0KEQjw6tepBRDLqLnxouaY_pkBEiQAPIOiBvwVoBZWAUOo0uvE3zsdz5_Brrq-9U-BWH1xNFgFI6IaAsBL8P8HAQ#
That's a pretty good price from Tredz actually.

On my bike I replaced the rear board with an mdf one I made, bolted the carrier to that, and then bolted that to the bike.
Bonus is with a long wheelbase that my gf has room to put the two panniers on and take her stuff to work, and all the bits and bobs my little girl needs at the childminders.

We also bought a trailer, but have yet to take it out, this summer it will get its first outing I expect, and probably tethered to the Tri-Cross.

jonny_trousers

Thanks guys!

Given that I live in SE London, a trailer's out for me. I will also want to use drop bars, so an in-front seat won't be ideal. It's good to read positive reviews for the clamp on seats, though. The question now is what bike to go for. It makes sense for me to try and keep costs down so maybe something along the lines of a second-hand Genesis Flyer?

menthel

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Thanks guys!

Given that I live in SE London, a trailer's out for me. I will also want to use drop bars, so an in-front seat won't be ideal. It's good to read positive reviews for the clamp on seats, though. The question now is what bike to go for. It makes sense for me to try and keep costs down so maybe something along the lines of a second-hand Genesis Flyer?

I am selling my equilibrium 00 at the moment, it has even been used for towing my son! Has steel forks and all seatpost...