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Cycling with babies threads / links

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Started 10 years ago by SRD
Latest reply from acsimpson
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SRD
Moderator

Colleague just asked about cycling with her baby.

Thought I might start thread here with links to past threads. People could add their own thoughts/updates.

Cycling with children thread: http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=143

Small helmets thread http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4259

Trailer thread:
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10753

Childseats/cliplesspedals: http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3204

Front-mounted seats http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7171

Lights/trailers: http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8619

Posted 10 years ago #
algo
Member

A slightly more recent one:

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11653

and another trailer one:

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10941

Posted 10 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Thanks S & a for trawling.

When my daughter was very young I used a front sling.

Not sure I'd have the nerve to do the same again.

Most important thing to remember with kids in seats or trailers is that they are not doing any cycling - so need to be better wrapped up than you are.

Posted 10 years ago #
Lezzles
Member

That is perfect. We're installing my daughter into her bike seat next month but its all the accoutrements I'm struggling with i.e. helmet and basket (since I can't fit my pannier rack on anymore).

Posted 10 years ago #
Morningsider
Member

I've only ever used a rear mounted child seat. If you haven't used one before then it is worth practicing somewhere quiet, as they really alter the handling of the bike. The bike becomes quite top heavy and this takes a bit of getting used to. Should be fine after a few goes though.

Also, your bike needs to be firmly propped up before you load/unload junior as you need both hands to fasten them in - not great if the bike starts to move while you are doing this.

In my experience, kids are lulled to sleep by the movement of the bike - make sure they are very well fastened in, as sleeping children have an incredible ability to loll about in the seat.

Ensure the seat is positioned so your heels don't bump into the child's feet - it gets quite annoying.

Engage nerves of steel/adopt zen like state - its amazing how adding such a precious cargo to your bike alters your perception of risk.

Avoid cycling up Myreside if possible.

Posted 10 years ago #
algo
Member

Most important thing to remember with kids in seats or trailers is that they are not doing any cycling - so need to be better wrapped up than you are.

yes indeed - very important that. Wrap up warm for the core, but also for the extremities -so even though it's a pain I insist on mittens. I use a weeride kangaroo for short rides, which despite the bandy legged awkwardness is great for being able to interact with your child, and for them to have a view. It does mean though than if you are cycling into the wind, rain or if you're really unlucky, hail, it will be very unpleasant for them and you will end up trying to protect their face with one hand (or maybe that's just me). I imagine this is less of a problem with them on the back.

Posted 10 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

agree with all above. but mittens must be on strings!

Proper lined winter boots are definitely useful. As are snowpants and rain trousers, as I have advocated in some of those threads above. Fleecy over-trousers of the sort sold by Nippers (now closing!) also work well.

@algo our frontmounted seat had a fairing, but don't think we ever used it.

Posted 10 years ago #
Greenroofer
Member

@Morningsider. Agree: Myreside/Craighouse Road hill is best avoided on a bicycle with a passenger on the back (or without, actually). I did used to toil up there quite regularly with a passenger, and she used to 'help'from the back seat by pushing hard on the small of my back while we were on the steep bit.

Posted 10 years ago #
Greenroofer
Member

On a more serious note, eye protection is also useful: everyone can get a fly in their eye. My backseat passengers wear shades when I remember to put them on. Sometimes they are still on at the end of the ride.

Posted 10 years ago #
gembo
Member

Sorry to hear that nippers closing, purchased several fleece garments with tartan trim for babies and toddlers there sixteen years ago. Given the chunk invests of the fleece fabric these garments are still in circulation

Posted 10 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

@gembo mentioned nippers specifically with you in mind. Like you our fleeces have now been through many kids and returned to us, still in good shape.

Posted 10 years ago #
chrisfl
Member

We have one of the front mounted weeride seats, as far as I can tell you can start using it as soon as they can sit up on there own.

I've been doing a dropoff and pickup, through Winter, with plenty of warm clothing, we have an all in one fleece layer and a all in one waterproof from spotty otter (expensive but good quality) along with waterproof boots and gloves from stonz and a balaclava to cover some of there face and fit nicely under a helmet.

The front mounted seat is great for being able to talk to your passenger and they get a great view, the downside is they are very exposed to the weather and the seat might get a little bit in the way of your knees.

Posted 10 years ago #
HankChief
Member

Here's a question for fellow baby/toddler transporters...

If you get caught in a rain shower and they aren't enjoying it, do you

a) Speed up to get home as quickly as you can - but increase the discomfort of rain hitting them

b) Carry on a more steady pace so the rain isn't so forceful but increase travel time

c) find the nearest shelter and comfort them until it passes but run the risk of getting cold while you wait.

Posted 10 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

(d) tell them 'you're scottish; get used to it' and carry on...

Posted 10 years ago #
HankChief
Member

We've had this on here before, but it gives a fairly balanced view of the different options for transporting children

Linkeee

+1 for balaclavas and wrapping them up warm. We've been using 1-piece skiing 'rompersuits', although it can take a bit of a wrestle to get them into them.

Posted 10 years ago #
Lezzles
Member

I've been looking at these kiddy ponchos for when out and about on the bike. Are they any good or do they just flap lots (from the wind not my speedy cycling I fear)?

Hamax poncho

Great advice on the mittens thing. I may have to resort to duck tape with my little one given her ninja like abilities to get them off.

Posted 10 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

ponchos aren't bad, but pricey for what they are, given that you probably already have rain coats etc. we lost one in the wind somehow and never replaced.

My boy's growing out of his mittens - will definitely have some well-worn ones to pass on before summer.

I found that after a few rides, even very small kids were happy to put mittens on when told to. they're not stupid. it is cold on a bike without mittens.

Posted 10 years ago #
HankChief
Member

Our solution to mittens not staying on was to pull the sleeve down a bit and then use the velcro on the cuff to bind up the end of the sleeve. This works better when they are still growing into their jacket.

Posted 10 years ago #
BenN
Member

@HankChief - um, I still do this with my big boy gloves on cold mornings...

Posted 10 years ago #
HankChief
Member

BenM - I should have been clearer.

It's the velcro cuff on the jacket that I close off. No glove required.

Posted 10 years ago #
algo
Member

we got a balaclava from here:

http://www.vikingkids.co.uk/outdoor-clothes.htm#winter-hats

quite good stuff for the winter I think - thought I'd post up the link in this thread.

Posted 10 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Those balaclavas look excellent.

Posted 10 years ago #
algo
Member

here is one in action along with thumbless mittens (my tip for an easy life)...

recognise the helmet SRD? :-)

Posted 10 years ago #
Darkerside
Member

Note to self: handy thread.

Posted 9 years ago #
LivM
Member

And to this self too. Thanks.

Posted 9 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Thirded.

Any recommendations for some sort of water/wind proof/resistant suit to put the bundle in to keep him warm? It's a front-mounted seat. We have a winter snowsuit for him, but it isn't really rain proof.

Mittens on string noted.

Posted 9 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

@kaputnik I have some rain trousers I can pass along to you. I prefer two pieces once they are walking, but there's a good range of all-in-ones around. trick is to balance off bagginess for ease of putting on and thickness for waterproofness v. something they can actually still walk in when you get to the park.

we didn't have good luck with ponchos/seat covers (and preferred to have them in proper waterproofs for once they got off the bike), but some folk like them.

we particularly rated the 'nippers' mittens with strings. fleece was warm/wind resistant enough, but also flexible enough so they don't fight them like heavier/quilted sorts. ours were passed on to another CCE-er after heavy use.

other crucial is thin fleece balaclava (or kiddie buff).

Posted 9 years ago #
Greenroofer
Member

We use these all in one suits on and off the bike. Great for our weather, tough and adjustable. Good for keeping clothes clean when playing in mud or on the beach.

http://www.togz.co.uk/all-in-one-suits-11-c.asp

Used to be available in Tiso, probably still are.

Posted 9 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

Any recommendations for some sort of water/wind proof/resistant suit to put the bundle in to keep him warm?

Muddy Puddles suits are what we used, but probably obtained second hand...

Robert

Posted 9 years ago #
Baldcyclist
Member

Hmm, topical for me.

What age is suitable for carrying a baby in a trailer (I think I will go down tis route)?

And what is the best way to persuade my non cycling wife that death for our firstborn doesn't lie at the first junction?

Posted 9 years ago #

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