CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Clipless child carrier

(51 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Stepdoh
  • Latest reply from SRD
  • This topic is resolved

12

  1. Stepdoh
    Member

    About to buy a Blackburn taxi kiddy seat (after a very good chat with Laidback this morning) so I can do the nursery run when tot two arrives (and beforehand).

    Just a quick query to the knowledgable folk here. What's the thought on still using my clipless pedals while carrying little uns? The only time we will be on the road is crossing Inverleith Row, it's end to end bike path otherwise (WOL mainly).

    Since I have to go the majority of the way on my own to work I'm not hugely keen to go back to flat pedals.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    Good question. I would like clips on my pedals (used to have them 15+ years ago in Canada), but have resisted getting any because most of my cycling done with kids aboard.

    btw not saying that my decision is right, just that I would feel uneasy about it, especially on my old bike, with big kid, small me and seat high up hence high centre of gravity. have been seriously considering getting some for helios, where c-o-g is lower. but in heavy rain last week, my right foot slipped as I was pushing off at an intersection, the bike started to fall right into path of car...not nice, even though I managed to catch it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Stepdoh
    Member

    I'm using crank bros ones which disengage pretty easily (only 15 deg). No had any FTUC moments yet (touch wood)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Jackson Priest
    Member

    Stepdoh, I use clipless and carry my children in a child seat with no problems (so far!). Feels weird and somehow less stable to me with flat pedals. So if that's what you're used to, just go for it.

    Maybe try giving the seat a go without a child in it first, and maybe a rucksack of equivalent weight, just to make sure you're comfortable with it?!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    I wouldn't even consider clipless or toe clips with a kid on the back! Platform pedals and tennis or basketball shoes with rubber soles for extra grip.

    Flat pedals mean you can put your foot down any time to steady the bike. Essential really at lower speeds, such as city cycling or pootling in the park...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. riffian
    Member

    I've always used clipless with the kids on the back. Dont find it a problem but I've been riding clipless for 6years so it's second nature.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. Smudge
    Member

    I use "half and half" pedals on almost all of my bikes as it allows me to choose moment to moment whether to ride flats or clipped in, maybe worth a try? (Assuming you are using SPD as opposed to Look or similar)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. wingpig
    Member

    I don't think I'd fret about falling over in cliplesses with the childseat and child in place but I'd definitely notice the absence of ultra-grippy balls-of-feet when stopped (or scooting or negotiation an undropped kerb) in cleated shoes. I find a well-filled single pannier much more likely to make the bike want to dive sideways than the child, which is at least mostly central.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Smudge
    Member

    Haven't tried "road" type cleats but I find the recessed spd's are fine for grip personally, ymmv of course :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    "road" type cleats can be a liability in the wet in constant clipin/clipout type commuting - the flat plastic skites perfectly off the pedal if you don't engage just right. One of my most painful cycling experiences was going for a big push off in the big gear without properly clipping in, the leading foot flew off the pedal and I fired my delicate parts straight into the nose of the saddle...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Smudge
    Member

    Not just clips... a female aquaintance some years ago slipped off "normal" pedals one wet day and landed on the crossbar hard enough to merit a visit to the doctors followed by several days of wearing loose floaty skirts, walking like John Wayne and sitting down carefully! :-o

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. wingpig
    Member

    Hmm. Another advantage of bicycle-shoes with a child on the seat on the back is that they protrude far less out backwards from the heel, giving almost enough clearance to not be kicking the toes of the child's shoes with the heel with every turn of the pedals.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. SRD
    Moderator

    not be kicking the toes of the child's shoes with the heel with every turn of the pedals.

    Not a problem I have ever had, although I do have small feet myself!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. crowriver
    Member

    kicking the toes of the child's shoes with the heel with every turn of the pedals.

    Never had this problem either. I suppose this has more to do with the size of your frame and the length of the chainstays. Maybe this is also a problem specific to rear carrier mounted child seats. With designs that clip onto the seat tube, like the Hamax for instance, you can adjust the height of the seat, also you can purchase longer mounts for the Hamax seats to use with smaller frames, they set the seat back further and higher thus resolving any clearance issues.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. SRD
    Moderator

    Dunno - I have a very small frame women's bike and use a carrier mounted seat, and still no probs (despite long-legged wean!).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. Stepdoh
    Member

    Thanks for the advice folks, have gone for the Blackburn Copilot taxi (had a wiggle voucher) So guess I'll give it a go with clipless and if it just feels wrong I can always go back. Looking at folks with the Hamax seats they looked REALLY bouncy, and hopefully this will be a long term option with wee Roro.

    I've got Crank Bros Candy pedals, and the release angle is only 15deg, so clipping out isn't a huge problem.

    Funnily the only ever mis-pedal I've had is with platform pedals and flat shoes. Lost a pair of headphones and my dignity that way.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. crowriver
    Member

    @Stepdoh Good luck with it, the Co-pilot has a solid reputation.

    Looking at folks with the Hamax seats they looked REALLY bouncy

    I think that's the idea: independent suspension to preserve the child's vertebrae from bone-shaking rides...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. wingpig
    Member

    As previously whinged about, my chainstays are so short I can't fit tyres bigger than 28 (25 with the new fat-banded replacement front mech fitting). Child was in a Rhode Gear/copilot, though as it was a Gumtree freebie it didn't come with the ankle-tethers and the make-do pair fashioned from reflective ankle-bands could probably be improved. Although I took the time to make sure the rack was level when I fitted it I doubt anything too bad would happen if it was tilted a few degrees further back to give me a little more space.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. Stepdoh
    Member

    Not to start a debate, but any helmet reccoms. Guessing I should buy it in the real world as it would need to fit her head)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Lazer Tardiz. Comes in yellow. You'll positively zooooooooooom along in it!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    "Lazer Tardiz"

    Is it bigger on the inside?

    Or make you head look smaller??

    Or???

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. wingpig
    Member

    It makes your wallet look smaller from inside the helmet once you've bought it.

    "Comez in yellow. You'll pozitively zooooooooooom along in it!"

    FTFY.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. SRD
    Moderator

    See this thread and ignore the (inevitable) debate. I listed the smallest kiddy helmets around.

    My older daughter had an abus smiley, which seemed pretty good. I think she now has a bell, which has benefit that she can get it on by herself, but it doesn't have the dial adjuster at back.

    We got a met elfo fitted at TBC for the baby and have been very happy so far. the met buddy was cheaper, and cuter, but apparently baby found it less comfortable.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. Stepdoh
    Member

    Arrived last night, but thanks to the highland show won't be hitting the road till next wednesday very exciting!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. kaputnik
    Moderator

    till next wednesday

    Just in time for the next Kirkliston 10 TT!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. Stepdoh
    Member

    awesum, absolutely, and my bike now comes with a coxswain.

    "go, daddy, go!"

    It's actually the arbor green sports day, but do you think people will think I'm too competitive if i turn up in bib shorts :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. Stepdoh
    Member

    Or should that be Coxswean, since we are in scotland.

    Sorry.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. chdot
    Admin

    "The coxswean is the person in charge of a bicycle, particularly its navigation and steering."

    As seen in Wikipedia.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Coxswean brilliant!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  30. SRD
    Moderator

    Can you buy the 'new extra thick pad' separately?!

    Enjoy the company on the bike.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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