So I feel a bit dumb for not knowing but I'm at an interesting junction right now. My youngest (3.5yo) is obviously getting too heavy/big for the Hamax seat she's been using since she became able to, and I'm a bit stumped as to what the next stage should be. This is exactly the age where my oldest got out of the seat, but for complicated reasons at that stage I stopped cycling for a year, and by the time I recommenced she was quite a bit older and also at school, so we went for the tagalong, which was fine because she only needed to be in it to and from school, a short trip along the canal essentially. With this one we have a daily commute to nursery on a busier road with often hostile drivers, so even if she was old enough for the tagalong I would not be comfortable at all. What do people do at this stage? Trailers? Tandems and fancy Dutch bikes are probably out for both financial and storage reasons. Any thoughts appreciated!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Stepping up from child seat
(6 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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Second hand Circe Helios tandem? Anyone want rid of theirs?
People seem to keep them longer to get their money's worth.Posted 7 years ago # -
In an ideal world yes but I have no storage space either in the flat or in the stair, and having one bike (that I'm still paying for) exposed to the elements / bits-of-gear-swipers is bad enough, partly hence my bewilderment.
Posted 7 years ago # -
One thing I used for my son until he was about 7 is a special (Dutch obvs.) folding bike seat, the Bobike Junior, which attaches to the seat tube and rear stays. Manufacturer claims it's good for up to a 10 year old child (32kg), though I haven't tried that. I reckon it's good for an average height kid up to around 7/8 years old.
The child just sits on it, though there is a lap belt: also there are foot rests. What is handy is that it folds flat when not in use, and is very sturdy so it's possible to bungee luggage on top of it.... There's also a fold-out rear carrier which you can bung light stuff on at the back when seat's in use. I managed to get soft Dutch (Basil) panniers under it on the existing luggage rack too, so could carry child snacks, drinks, waterproofs, etc. and son could just reach for them if required.
Here's what it looks like as a seat:
This is what it looks like folded:
I just left it on the bike, but you can remove it quite easily. Even has a wee padlock to prevent opportunistic theft...
Was very handy for the nursery run, trips to museums, the beach, etc. We did a two week cycle camping tour of Norfolk a few years ago with a six year old on the back on this seat, so I can personally vouch that it works well and is safe.
My kids are both too big for this now (IMO), and I was thinking of selling it... ;-)
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hamax seats are OK up to 22kg according to their website but mine already fells quite unstable with my 14kg 3yo.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Yepp Junior Budget Child Seat does the trick.
I can order you one if you wish:
Posted 7 years ago #
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