Any one use and recommend one? My mate got a weeride Kangaroo at the weekend and found the bandy leg riding position too uncomfortable to use.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Front mounted child carrier
(27 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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I was wondering about one of these if I saw one somewhere on the grounds that a child may be more easily speaked-at if it's not two feet directly to the rear. Bandy-legged riding doesn't sound fun, though. I'm sure someone somewhere on here offered a Hamax for sale but I can't look around too much at the moment as there are two managers two feet to my left.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Mr SRD bought one of two Bobike seats that Recombodna was selling. He found it pretty handy, but thinks toddler is outgrowing it @18m. But, he definitely wouldn't use it for long rides. Baby definitely liked being upfront and being able to see everything.
I've never been keen on this design (and can't ride a bike with a cross bar anyway), but he definitely liked it.
We saw some a style of front seat in the states made out of what seemed to be soft plastic/stiff foam, not sure what the model was, but they looked very cool. [edit, probably a yapp mini]. there's also the ibert, which says that it is for 1yr olds - 4 year olds, but designed so you don't hit your knees.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I used a really dodgy cheap one from eBay for a few years with both kids and they loved it for the reasons SRD cites. I liked being able to chat and feel that should any falling over occur I had at least a chance of holding the bairn and taking the brunt of it myself. I've always felt that rear seats give the wean a fine view of your backside and not much else.
True, the riding position is a bit weird. You need the saddle lower so you can stand over it, since there's not much room behind the seat.
If I had a child young enough for it, I'd do it again although I'd probably shell out for a better seat.
Posted 12 years ago # -
My cousin's son bought a front mounted child seat for his youngest. He is a big lad but didn't seem to find the riding position a problem even on a sponsored ride in aid of CP. The wee one(who has CP)was so comfy in it that they fell asleep with their head on the wee 'pulpit' which is better, to my mind, than them sleeping with their head lolling about.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've been looking at those but there just isn't sensibly space on the crossbar for someone of my height :-/
Anyone seen a seat which mounts in front of the handlebars? (or is this a ludicrously stupid concept!?)Posted 12 years ago # -
Closest I know of is that mutant device that Anth was testing at PY, but I don't think you were any happier with the resulting height of child than the rest of us.
I can't recall seeing any front baskets with more than 10kg capacity, so I'd be inclined to say they can't make handlebar mounts which would be sturdy enough for peace of mind when putting a seat on. A butcher bike would be grand, mind.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I wouldn't fancy a handlebar mounted child but a front touring rack mounted seat should surely be possible? I expect the child would need to be quite small as steering would be affected. They might not like being swung about from side to side while riding?
Posted 12 years ago # -
The pino is a kind of front mounted seat is it not? So somewhere between this tandem and a bar mounted seat might be possible?
Posted 12 years ago # -
A cargo bike?
Posted 12 years ago # -
A bakfiets is the ultimate front mounted child carrier. Or maybe a Christiana trike.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Wonder if a front porteur rack would accept any attachments for knee-saving front-child-mounting? The issue is probably too much weight too far in front of the steerer...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Loads of options here:
Posted 12 years ago # -
Smudge, if our front mounted seat doesn't sell at the NNS today, you're welcome to borrow and give it a try. Might fit better than you think?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Saw one At Balerno farmers market, had little shelf for toddler to rest arms on. Mounted on crossbar, dad did have to cycle bandy legged
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Smudge Sorry - ours sold! Might be worth trying one though if you get a chance.
@gembo Ours ( via recombodna) had a fairing!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Mate has one so I may have a try, given the hills I have to climb though I may just settle for a rack mounted one and the option to stand up!
Thanks for the offer though Sara :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
OK I've decided that front mounted is out.
Anyone got strong opinions on the best rear mounted option? (I already have a tortec expedition rear rack on the LHT which is rated to 35kg so an included rack is not relevant to the choice)
:-)Posted 12 years ago # -
There's a website here and lots of reviews on-line.
If you're going to be using it a lot, or for long commutes, I would say the copilot's pretty good. We did wear one out, but that was with a LOT of use. We got a replacement secondhand for £20. However, it sounds like you don't want/need a new rack, and the co-pilot only works with a blackburn rack. (we have a spare, tho, if you want it).
We've been using a Hamax occasionally for the past year, and been pretty happy with it. It is easier to put on/off than the copilot. We didn't get one originally because they didn't work with small frames. There is now a way around this, but I haven't tried it.
The Bike Chain sells the Yepp maxi seat, which looks really cool :) If I were buying new, I would definitely check out the Yepp reviews and consider getting one. They have two models: a seatpost fitting OR a rack fitting, that sounds like your rack would suit perfectly.
Posted 12 years ago # -
We have a Hamax seat, and also a Halfords branded seat which is a rebadged Hamax. The nice thing is you can have a spare braket for another bike, and swap a seat between bikes if need be. The Hamax Siesta is good because it reclines to let the wee one have snooze.
Also worth checking out Polisport seats if you can find them, and I hear very good thinks about the Yepp seats.
Worth checking Gumtree for barely used second hand seats. Lots of folk seem to buy them then leave them in the garage for most of the time...
Posted 12 years ago # -
+1 for Hamax, which we bought for £10 at a school sale. We've also got a Copilot Taxi.
I prefer the Hamax because (1) it has a measure of suspension: the seat boings around on the thing that clamps it to the frame and (2) it's really easy to get on and off. I always skin my knuckles with the Copilot.
I've got the Hamax mounting on my bike, and the seat actually lives in the cupboard unless needed. Mrs GreenRoofer has the Copilot, and we leave it on the bike because it's too much effort to get it off...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Having decided that front mounted is out... I have just seen a guy with a front mounted child seat. Bit difficult to tell exactly where it was mounted but the coxwean had his legs on either side of the handlebar stem (in special leg holders) sticking out in front so it looked as if it were either bar mounted or a combination of bar/ top tube. So it is possible. I don't know where you would find one though.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Min - that sounds like a yepp mini possibly?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ooh no it wasn't, it was much less chunky but having googled it I then googled front mounted child seat on the off chance and it was the first picture!
http://www.bike-trike.info/images/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-toddler-bike-seats-7.jpg
Posted 12 years ago # -
ah. yes, of course. I think I was thinking of that too. There was a blog post I found about the ibert recently. I can find the link if anyone's interested.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Speaking of child seats, saw these two at Meadowbank a couple of weeks ago. (Click on thumbnail below for bigger image).
We have a red version of the blue Halfords/Hamax on the right: note the suspension. Also you can get Dutch style panniers on a rear rack underneath the seat: very handy for changing gear, food, waterproofs, etc.
What really caught my eye is the wicker front seat on the left. Interesting!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I have used a Leco Cross bar mounted child seat for the pass three years on a regular basis. It does not have a bulky seat so your legs only have to clear your child;'s backside and not your child and the seat. Does not really effect balance of bike and you can talk easily with your child as they help with steering and ring the bell. Have used it when my oldest was 3 and he still uses it occasionally now he is nearly 6.
Also available from other retailers.
Posted 12 years ago #
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