Bicycling with children - front seats?

mrnedburns
mrnedburns Posts: 34 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,
My daughter and I like to go for bike rides. For the last two years she has ridden in a co-pilot seat that slides on to the rack on the rear of my bike. This worked great until she grew a little bit too tall. She's 4 yrs old and about 40 lbs. I'm curious as to whether or not one of the front seat options would work. Has anyone with a 40lb child on here tried one with success? If so, what style works or doesn't? I see a few different kinds...

Tyke Toter (mounts to seat post)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055PJUL0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p468_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NFKP5D93VSNMFJ851DA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

Mounts to steering post
http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-Bicycle/dp/B000H4E7EO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1403015621&sr=8-5&keywords=front+mount+child+bike+seat

Mounts to seat and frame
http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-Kangaroo-Child-Bike-Seat/dp/B001DF68MA/ref=pd_sim_ba_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KN06VD826KQ4J159MD1

I'm tall myself and have a large framed hybrid style bike. Any input?

Thanks!

Replies

  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    i'm an auntie - my bro's kids loved this one: http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer-White/dp/B00BD45NJ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403016719&sr=8-2&keywords=kids+bike+trailer

    b/c they were biking WITH their parents and not just a passive observer. i would be inclined to get that.
  • emsmom8
    emsmom8 Posts: 76 Member
    I have the Wee Ride. My daughter is a very tall 3 year old so probably close to 40 pounds.

    Pros: I feel much safer having her in front of me
    She can talk to me the whole time
    It feels more stable
    It comes on and off pretty easy
    There is a place for them to lay their head down

    Cons: I have never tried a rear seat but it is harder to ride your bike (more calorie burn!)
    I am 5'11" and I do have to move my legs to the side to accomodate the seat. If you can find one to try then I would try it first because I am getting used to it but I guarantee my husband wouldn't tolerate it.
    A little hard to get them on and off if they are not being 100% cooperative
    I'm not really sure that a front mounted seat would accomodate a larger child than a rear mounted seat.
  • mrnedburns
    mrnedburns Posts: 34 Member
    (to emsmom)
    By Wee Ride do you mean the one in the Amazon link I pasted? If so, how tall is your daughter?
  • mrnedburns
    mrnedburns Posts: 34 Member
    i'm an auntie - my bro's kids loved this one: http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer-White/dp/B00BD45NJ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403016719&sr=8-2&keywords=kids+bike+trailer

    b/c they were biking WITH their parents and not just a passive observer. i would be inclined to get that.

    I think if I strike out on a seat I'll end up looking for one of those. They make the bike quite long though, and I'm not sure she's physical up for holding on, balancing, and pedaling that long yet.

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