Child Seat for My Bike

Here is some information that might be helpful...

http://www.ibike.org/education/infant.htm

http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opinions/childcarriers.html

I have a bike trailer for my 2 year old and really like it. I think it is more stable than a bike seat b/c it has a lower center of gravity. My son really enjoys riding in it. It is nice that you get some extra storage this way too if you need to carry along anything or pick a few items up at the store (my trailer has storage behind the seat).

Happy biking!

I have a bike trailer that is yellow, but the only part I do not like about it is that the child faces away from you. If you live in the Grove City area, YOU CAN HAVE IT. It doesnt fit on my bike, so it is just taking up space!

Hi! I have used both the trailer and the attached seat. They both work great, but I would think if you are biking frequently, and long distance, you would want the trailer so your daughter and have her toys, sippy cup, etc, in there with her. If you are interested, I happen to be ready to sell my burley trailer, it is the d'lite model, new is $150, I am selling for $75. You can contact me directly... ____@____.com Thanks! M.

Hi M.! I bought a "Cocoon" for my daughter, and we love it. We got it at Wal-Mart for $40. I had a bit of a hard time finding the one that comes around the sides. I found their "Classic" style in several stores, but the cocoon was a little harder to locate. I had the same one for my boys. I like it because it comes up and around a bit more than the traditional seat. God forbid you fall, she would have protection on her sides if she hit the ground. Good luck!

Hey M.,

Our family has a bike trailer and we love ours. Ours seats two, so I can pull both of my kids if I am riding alone. Highly recommend them. Best wishes!

We have a bike trailer and all (kids too) love it. We looked into the seat that goes on the back and several people reminded us that if you fall over the child will fall too, but in a bike trailer they stay in place and upright.
If you want to get more for your money go for a bike trailer that is a stroller as well. You can spend anywhere from $150-$800 and you can find them several places. Most bike stores will let you try them out. And most models these days fold up so you can take them with you when oyu travel.

The pull behinds are probably best,because there is less danger to your child if you should happen to fall during a ride,plus the fact that you can buy them with weather(sun)protectors

we have a bike trailer and LOVE it!!! I have two kids so the seat wouldn't work... they both fit in the trailer, along with toys, their bikes, groceries, diapers, whatever we pick up along the way... it makes it easier to go farther since we can bring everything with us!

only one drawback-- i had a bike accident a while back because the trailer has no brakes. i had to brake hard and the trailer kept going, whipped my bike around, i went flying off... luckily i was ok but it was really unnerving. anyway, since then i have just been careful to take plenty of time to brake, and we've been ok.

I have always heard the pull behind kind are safer because if you have a bike accident and fall over, your child goes with you. The thing I don't like about the pull-behind kind is they are so low to the ground, and seperate from you. I always felt like they weren't as safe from other cars. just my fears. I would say either way you want your child to wear a bike helmet so they get the idea you go biking, you wear a helmet. At your daughter's size, I would seriously consider one of those bikes that attach to your bike to make it look like a tandem bike. The child has a seat of their own, and can peddle if they want. I haven't personally used one, but it looks like a great thing. Good luck on whatever you decide.
R.

We have been happy with the seat on our bikes. Our daughter seems safer to us since she is right there with us and we can easily see and reach her if she needs anything. The pull behinds make the child a little less accessible unless you can stop.

Good luck and have fun!!

My daughter is 4 1/2 and I bought a pull behind "buggy" type last year. She can take books, toys, whatever. There is also the screen that we can put down in case it's buggy out. I highly recommend that type so your daughter can have things with her in case she doesn't feel like just sitting and looking around all of the time.

I have the sit behind kind and love it. However, I think the weight limit is 40 lbs., maybe 45. so you might want to check that out if she's growing really quickly. I have no experience with the pull behind kind, so I'm no help there. Being able to put them on with you is really great (and saves a lot of gas!), I hope you enjoy it!

J.

I also have both for my 7 month old son. I agree that if you are going to be going for longer distances the pull behind is better. My son only weighs about 20 lbs and it makes a slight difference in the balance of my biking and also effort to pedal (maybe I am just not in good shape:))

We always used the seat that sits behind you for our daughter. She loved to be part of the ride. We talk when we ride and sing songs sometimes. It is such fun family time! We put a water bottle (with pull up lid) next to her so she had a drink with her. We also bungy corded a small cooler to the back of her seat for picnics. One more thing, we purchased a small "pouch" (about the size of a large fanny pack) for the front of the bike. I kept a couple of diapers and wipes....plus emergency bike supplies inside of the bike pouch. We tried the pull along when we rented bikes on vacation and I had trouble pulling it. My husband was able to pull it though. He said he liked the bike seat better. Maybe if we practiced with the pull along....... :-)

Good luck!
T.

My husband just got a piccolo bike for the back of his bike. It's basically one wheel and a seat of a smaller sized bike that she can sit on and pedal if she wants to, or not. It looks like a tandem bike. She loved to ride her own little bike with training wheels, but now, this is extra special for her. She just turned 4.

When our children were little, we used both kinds. We ended up getting the pull behind because we had 2 kids. The nice thing about the pull along is that she could be more comfortable if she fell asleep. My kids were notorious for falling asleep on the single seat with their heads bobbing around. And you can also tote stuff with you - water and snacks. It also has a cover to shield her from the rain or chill.

I always felt safer having my son right behind me ON my bike, instead of the pull behinds.

personally i wouldn't use the pull behind, there have been too many cases of them flipping over or the latches that connect to the bike breaking & parents riding on without their kid. too scary for me! i would use one that mounts to the bike itself. good luck.

get the trailer! and if you do a lot of biking, make the investment and get a Burley brand trailer. It is the most amazing thing, I wish I would have gotten one sooner! They also have models that seat two, if you are thinking in that direction. They are nice and roomy for the kids, have 5 pt safety, rollover protection, super light to carry, and convert into stroller on the fly! check it out- you will love it! At 33 lbs, she will drain you quick in a bike mounted seat- I tried that!
HTH,
K.

I have use the one on my bike as well as currently using one to pull behind my bike....Honestly I like pulling him behind me much better because it gives him more room to streach his legs out...He is tall for being a one year old and loves going bike ridding i'm actully thinking of heading on one soon as well...because he is antsy....With the one you pull behind your bike as well you have some storage space behind the child for a diaperbag, cooler, or whatever you would like to take with you.

We have used both kinds and like the pull behind one better. With the seat, we put a helmet on the kids, which they hated and my husband complained that they would get bored and kick their feet, which landed right in his kidneys. Our little one now loves the pull behind. She's 19 mos. and when she sees it, she runs right over and climbs in. She usually falls asleep and appears very comfortable. We got ours used and it was very reasonably priced. Have fun.