Child bike seat

GT60

Hi we are thinking of getting either a child seat
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/hamaxpluschildseat.aspx?&id=1022
or a bike trailer http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bicycle-Bike-Cycle-Trailer-Seat-Buggy-Child-Children-RB_W0QQitemZ110441898038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL?hash=item19b6d9a036&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Has anyone got any experience of either please as we can get either one at the £70 mark
Thanks Niall

Chakani

We bought a trailer which I used once and has been sat in the garage ever since - I found it unwieldy and frightening on the road, with the child so low down and close to the traffic. I also found it hard to accelerate away from junctions, which made it feel vulnerable.

We then bought a WeeRide, http://www.weerideuk.co.uk/ which I love, and so does my DS (11 months). He can see where we are going, and he feels safe and loves going fast. The only downside is that he has learned how to move the gear levers!

I've not tried the rear mounted ones - thought the view of my backside might be offputting for DS, so can't comment.

GT60

Thanks for that
Does your Knees/legs not stick out whilst peddling with the seat in the way?
the childs legs look very bent also other than that i like it a bit.
niall

ailuro2

We had a bike seat that went behind us, slid into a mounting on the frame of our bike. We bought an extra mounting kit so it was easy to move the seat between our bikes. It was great once she was in, but could be tricky getting her into the seat and strapped in and keeping the bike upright, so it would help to have a bike stand too - those little bars that come down that you get on kids bikes, not a special frame or anything!

DD loved it, we used it till she was about 3 or 4, paid about £70 to 80 incl brakcets, but that was way back when only specialist cycle shops stocked them, now Halfords, Argos and everyone else sell them too they're much cheaper.

fernliebee

I have a rear mounted bike seat and it is great. DD loves it and asks for 'bibe' 'bibe' all the time

I also had concerns about the trailers, they are too close to the traffic IMO, and I don't think I would use it as much as it would be a faff to get out and put away etc, which would put me off going out I think.

I would only say that £70 seems very expensive for a seat IMO. Ours was £15 from an independant bike shop, as it was an older style one which they happened to have in stock, however they had ones for about £30, £40 and £50. Mine is the cheapest type and it is very comfy, has a padded plastic coated cushion, a bar on the front for her to hold onto and foot straps to keep feet out of the pedals etc, so you could prob find one for much less. A friend has the £30 one and this is more similiar in style to your link, and is absolutely fine.

Agree with Ailuro about the bike stand too, it can be a bit of a pain if they are wriggly to hold bike, and put them in.

Chakani

niall24 wrote: »

Thanks for that
Does your Knees/legs not stick out whilst peddling with the seat in the way?
the childs legs look very bent also other than that i like it a bit.
niall

Yes, they do a bit, but not so much that you notice after a minute or so. The foot rests go up and down by about 8" so you can adjust them, but as the child tends to sit up/lean forward, they tend to put a bit of weight on their feet, so they do sit with their knees a bit more bent than on a back seat.

We've done a couple of 20 mile routes with our DS, and he's been completely comfortable, and just naps on the front piece when he feels like it. He likes to see where he's going, and chatters constantly. I have seen a couple of people with a WeeRide on the front and a rear-mount seat on the back, and two children on board! Now that is determination.

Chakani

Also agree with Ailuro2 about the bike stand - makes life much easier

GT60

Just to let you all know we have bought the Weeride.
This was done after tons of research and watching videos.
The seat is very very good and would highly recomend it, everything that is said in the video http://www.seatsforkids.com/quokka.asp is true.
all i can say i like the seat and so does our little girl.
It also fits full suspension mountain bikes and hardtails
Thanks to all Niall

fernliebee

My mum used to have a very old and basic version of the wee-ride (just a seat and foot pegs on the cross bar) for me, and had my brother in a rear mounted seat too. She would ride everywhere like this as she had no car, and no spare money for buses!