Toddler bike seat - paging Lachute??

blueberrystoli · September 2013

So I now can't log in with nomorebooze for me, but I can get in with my old log in, so I'm back!

I am thinking of buying H a beach cruiser type bike for the New Hope/ Lambertville tow paths for his birthday, and need a toddler bike seat for it. I feel like I have read a thread with Lachute talking about biking with baby, so I thought I would ask here. It needs to be suitable for a big kid - 14 month, but 97th percentile for height and weight. Would you get a seat or one of those drag behind carriage things?

This is for weekend fun bike rides - probably not much more than an hour long.

Any recommendations from Lachute or anyone else who bikes with baby?

Thanks ladies!

mzovoce · September 2013

First, I defer to lachute,lord knows she and I chat about this frequently. We used a seat on the back of our bike until he was about 18-20 months. I really prefer the seats that go on the front, but we were given a rear seat. We now use a trailer and a bolt on bike. It depends on how long we are going as to which device we use. We didn't get the really fancy trailer I wanted. Instead we opted for the top of the line cheapo model, it's by Instep and it is totally meeting our needs. I use it twice a week to haul B and our groceries. He's comfortable and enjoys it. Since I was pregnant all winter I haven't use it a lot in cold weather, but he seems to be fine in this heat.

JenD1018 · September 2013

We bought the iBert front mounted seat for our son and he really seems to like it. And my husband says he feels more secure on his bike with the weight in the front vs. the back.

Keep in mind, the max weight is 38lbs and max height is 42 inches so you won't get as much use out of it as you might from a rear seat.

HeatherWain · September 2013

We have one of those tow behind trailers and we love it. It holds 2 kids and up to 120 pounds. Our daughter loves it and it's great because we'll pack a cooler of food and it fits right in there. We also ride along the towpath on both the PA and NJ sides (the NJ side is much nicer and wider (I don't usually give NJ props for many things, haha)). The trailer has pockets where she puts her cups and snacks and I like the trailer because I can put a blanket in there with her and close it up to protect from the wind if it's chilly. We usually do a ~30 mile loop and our daughter seems comfy the entire time.

I originally wanted a seat that mounted to the bike but DH talked me out of it because he said if you and the bike go down, the kid goes down, too. I think if you are going to do the towpath, a trailer is your best bet. If you want to give a trailer a whirl for cheap, they are all over craig's list. Good luck!

blueberrystoli · September 2013

Thank you guys! I like the idea of the trailer from a safety point of view, but wish she would be able to see more. From that respect I like the idea of the seat on the front, but it does scare me if H falls off the bike, or it tips over for some reason.

The trailer may be the way to go - I'll take a look on craigslist. Thanks!

HeatherWain · September 2013

BBS - Believe it or not, my daughter is able to see a lot from the trailer. She's actually on eye level with all the ducks and swans along the water and towpath trail, and she can see just fine. I know this because I hear her screams of excitement the entire time.

This one is 100 bucks and free shipping if that fits into your budget. Some trailers can push you into the $500-600's but if you are just using it for the towpath here and there, I think this is sufficient. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_556152_-1___202604 We got ours from Nashbar but it doesn't look like they have it anymore on there.

letranger · September 2013

I have dropped milo on a bike in the seat and he was never hurt fwiw. Every parent I know who rides daily has done it once actually.

I like yepp seats they are Dutch you can buy them locally at REI and firth & Wilson. If you are just doing tow paths I highly recommend the front seat great for viewing things.

Trailers are a good way to move kids it's a crapshoot if your kid will love it or not. I recommend wike trailers if you buy online. I never felt comfortable using a trailer in the city or on hills. They don't have brakes so they rely on the bikes stopping power and sway when coming down hills.

Riders who don't commute and who are Rec riders prefer trailers. I assume it is because they clip into their pedals?

blueberrystoli · September 2013

Thanks guys. I'll check out the recommendations and see what H likes the look of. : )

mzovoce · September 2013

Totally thought of you this weekend. My purse, which is a wristlet, fell out of the back of our bike trailer. John had brought his bike bag and I didn't put it in there, and it fell out. We retraced our path, twice and didn't find it. Next day someone found it and took it to the police who called us. The cash was even left!! I was more reward about the other stuff in there, but I am so relived to have it back.

Amerbutt81 · September 2013

Two questions: I've never seen a bike seat that attaches to the front. It doesn't obstruct your view at all?

second-- how do the bike trailers handle bumps?

letranger · September 2013

1. No obstruction of view. Once a child does you should switch to a back seat or another top tube seat.

2. The more expensive the trailer the better the shocks are. The cheaper the worst. So really depends on the model.

letranger · September 2013

jessica0602 · September 2013

I have nothing to add except that M looks like such a seasoned pro lol

JenD1018 · September 2013

Here's a picture of Jack and Mr.D with the front bike seat.

letranger · September 2013

jessica0602 said:
I have nothing to add except that M looks like such a seasoned pro lol

Truth be told m has only ridden on a bike since a year. J had since 5 weeks.

blueberrystoli · September 2013

After all that I went to a consignment sale yesterday and picked up a back seat for $8. My plan is to see how much we use it and then upgrade down the line if we are getting out a lot.

I think we would probably go for the trailer if we do decide to upgrade.

This thread was totally worth it for the pics! : )

Amerbutt81 · September 2013

Well helloooo Mr. D. Very nice

Thank you so much for the pictures. I had this mental image of like when in middle school your best friend would sit on your handle bars and you can see for shit.

Much like BlueberryStoli, I think we are going to use our hand-me-down until at least next spring and then we might upgrade.

JenD1018 · September 2013

Amerbutt81 said:

Well helloooo Mr. D. Very nice

Ha! I'll let him know he's got a fan club!

Toddler bike seat - paging Lachute??

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