Here's what I'm looking into:
1) what child seats do you find safe, reliable and VFM?
2) what other accessories are advisable, e.g. raincover, fixings etc?
3) how far do you push your technical limits knowing there's a little one on the back? I reckon roads (mainly pavements only?), fireroads/BWS and most flowy bits of singletrack are okay, but drops/rollins are mainly out.
4) have you or would you buy second hand? Just curious even though I think we'll stick with new.
5) what winter clothing is best for little people? He has a couple of fleecy/showerproof layers already, but really want to make sure he's properly protected.
If all goes well then we'll likely progress to a trailer some time next year. But don't want to fork out several hundred squids just yet.
Ta all
Got a hamax or something which does fine. Bought secondhand and is fine after several years and now on second child. She is out in it most weekdays including in about 20mins. In winter she has a padded snowsuit with boots of some sort which fasten securely.Dont bother in the rain as i dont want her to get cold as remember they don't generate much heat sitting there so can gwt cold easily if wet. I wouldn't bother rr with much outside cyclepaths, parks etc as they get bounced all over the place and 2 hours is also about as long as she is content, any more is pushing it.
She's just coming up to 2 btw
I think that's really a tough call.
We have a rack mounted baby seat and it's fine, he falls asleep in it on the lanes and cycletracks we have used it on but to take it proper off roading I think is a little unfair. The kit will take a real hammering it's unlikely to be designed for and that helmet you get them will be relatively heavy compared to under developed neck muscles that need to support it.
The bikes handling goes completely AWOL with all that weight over the back wheel, even assuming the sproglet stays still and it'll get bounced all over the place.
You'll just wish you were unencumbered if it's an interesting trail too.
Ours is now three and very good on his balance bike, still likes getting a lift in the baby seat too but it won't be that long before he joins us on easier riding - you just need a bit of patience and a temporary shift of priorities.
Buy second hand kit - loads about (NCT sales are great for bargains) and an all in one fleecy or padded ski type jump suit is a great bet. Hardest things to keep warm are extremities so I suggest wellies big enough to go over ski socks and/or the feet of that all in one.
Gloves get ripped off and you can't reason with babies so you might need to gaffertape them on and carry spares as losing one mid ride could be a real problem (from experience).
A cut down buff makes a good scarf.
They love camelbac bladders they see adults using and the novelty hasn't worn off yet.
Didn't get on with a trailer we tried because of the lanes we have to ride to get anywhere combined with the vulnerable low/wide load just freaked out both of us.
Need to start small with short trips and make it fun.
Probably sounds a bit namby pamby but I think most other parents we know think the opposite with what we do with our lad.
No I wouldn't ride anything at all techy with kids on the back.
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The picture backs that up
😀
Is it wise to take a 2 year old out on a bike in winter? You keep nice and warm by exercising but they are just sat there getting the wind chill.
Stopping them from either getting way too cold or too hot would be difficult.
Interesting comments guys.
I think you're right about him being bounced about, hence smoother trails are the ones to look for. That includes 'softer' singletrack too.
Yep, I can see him getting cold due to just being sat there. So rain and really bad conditions are probably out. Snow/ski suits - definitely going to look into them. Snow boots and (spare) mitts too.
With him being only 14 months old, I think we'll have to start slow/short and test the water. He loves the outdoors but I can see him wanting to get out of the seat and walk because that's his favourite thing right now.
Cheers
If they are dressed appropriately it's not such an issue if dry weather prevails FuncyDunc. You just need a mirror or to stop frequently to see that they are happy.
If they like being out in the fresh air then they like seeing, hearing and smelling the world pass by from a bike seat.
The seat we have came with a three point harness and ankle straps. Once in position he'd struggle to wriggle out and the wellies ensure the ankle straps don't hurt him.
Hamax seats (as the back one is using in that pic) have "suspension" so they don't get bounced around that much. On the rooty bit after that picture you can see the seat moving around compared to the bike as it does its job. Like all pictures it looks a lot flatter than it is - at least until you think about the perspective it's taken from to see the kids heads above mine.
We have a trailer as well though (had that first - the bike seat came later so I could take 2 as the trailer's a single seater), and now it's getting colder I'm tending to use that rather than the seat.
As for clothing, we had a snow suit (just sold on ebay for far more than we expected 🙂 ) which had fold down bits on the ends of the sleeves, so you could cover up little one's hands without gloves to lose (though does nobody do what our mums used to and sew the gloves to the end of a bit of string running through the jacket?)
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hamax/?s=child+seat ]Hamax[/url] could be the favoured option, especially with suspension. Some of the negative reviews do make you wonder if people know what they're doing with these things or if the kit really does have its flaws.
Any issues with fitting kits for FS with discs? Quite like the look of this [url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hamax-plus-child-seat-with-suspension-and-bike-carrier/ ]Hamax[/url] even though some reviews mention different kits being needed.
Well I'm talking about the original Hamax which attaches to a bracket on your seat tube and provides suspension due to the attachment bars flexing. That looks like it attaches to a rack, so you have the normal issues with fitting a rack.
Shouldn't be any problem putting the standard seat tube mount on a FS with discs - I haven't on mine but that's because it's carbon, it would fit fine if I wanted to. The only issue I have found with mounting is that it can interfere with the front mech cable if that's top tube routed - two of the bikes I've used one on have that issue, and whilst one is just about fine, the other I had to cut a longer bit of outer for the TT/ST junction. (I suppose admittedly that's not the only issue I've had, but then I don't suppose many people are trying to fit one next to kiddycranks on the back of a tandem 😉 )
Ah, you have not realized you [i]need[/i] a new bike for baby lugging duties yet then? 😉
A fatbike would offer a bit of cush and being rigid framed would mean no wheel to seat interface issues. If the seat has to be up high to clear a moving wheel it'll further degrade handling of course even if you can fit it.
One thing to beware of is heel clearance. The CoPilot seat and rack we have was not so good on my Small Cotic roadrat as it is on the 16" Trek hardtail the thing is now fitted to.
The co pilot is easy to detach from the rack but I don't really like racks at the best of times so another bike was purchased so I could leave it all set up and ready to ride with nipper.
Yeah, must admit I'm not so keen on the rack idea either. Don't want to be faffing about with fitting/removal blah blah.
Think I'll have a chat with Fisher Outdoor (or Hamax direct) so I can at least figure out what will/won't fit.
Cheers
like aracer I stick to very smooth tame stuff and avoid technical stuff completely when off-roading with the little tyke on the back (2 years old in a co-pilot limo).. the neck muscles just aren't well enough developed and he has a tendency to bite his tongue as well..
The blue trail at the local trail center is spot on..
I like the quick release on the rack mount system and as for clothing..?
As much as possible.. wind chill and sitting still is a recipe for coldness.. and when you're doing all the work on the front you can't guage it against your own temp either..
yunki Jr regularly has a kip when he's on the back.. only waking occasionally to politely ask for 'more..?'
Hi Tasso <waves from Jockland>
For me, a bike seat morphed into a Salsa Fargo (awesome bike! And yes, wee ones are the perfect excuse for a new bike!) and supplemented by a Chariot Trailer.
I use a Copilot which rack mounts on the 29er. Very solid set up and the wee one loves it. I managed to take it apart to take it to Mallorca in the summer which proved a great move. My wee one loves being on the bike and regularly puts on her helmet to tell me she wants to go out on it.
As for wrapping up warm, plenty of layers is the key. Spotty Otter do a great onesie which works well on cold days. The trick is to remember that they aren't pedalling so will naturally be colder than you.
Hope this helps?
Sanny
Xtracycle is the best way, with that seat they do but they cost a fortune. 🙂
As regards clothing, we used all-in-one waterproofs over an all-in-one fleece suit. In fact I'm sure we've just sorted some old ones out from the kids clothes mountian range. I say old in that they are way too small, but they grow through these things so quickly so in perfect condition. I'll have a dig but I'm sure theres a waterproof suit & possibly a fleece suit also for a 2yr old.
Call me a killjoy, but how scared would you find it lashed to the back of someones bike doing silly drops etc... 😉
Did plenty of singletrack-ish stuff though.
If I was doing it all again I'd go the xtracycle route, without a doubt.
I've used a copilot for both my boys, lots of off-road, they managed to sleep in it. I've pretty much finished with mine if you're interested in a secondhand one, it's well used, approx 6 years old, mine's got a black seat though. As above re: waterproofs, there\s a great company called muddy puddles for kids waterproofs.
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I have a trailer, and it is brilliant in winter, we've been up on the hills when there was still snow on the ground, and she was still toasty warm. Much more shelter than a seat. Used it since a bit after 6 months.
Here's a pic of my child seat/bike combo. She is out in it most weekdays, you really don't need to spend a fortune.
Ive also got a trailer but she much prefers the seat as she can see so much more. Also got a copilot but never used it due to the phaffing with the rack.
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Loddrik, is that attached only via the seat tube? No invisible rack-type mountings?
Rewski, are you including the rack? Can you mail me pics and price etc? Had any issues with height or lack of it? I think I read somewhere that someone moaned about that particular CoPilot now working well with his FS.
Xtracycle - looks weird but I'll check it out.
Just the seat tube.
Loddrik, is that attached only via the seat tube? No invisible rack-type mountings?
That's how the original Hamax ones attach (I would have said all before I saw your link with a rack).
ie one of these which is what I think we have:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hamax-kiss-rear-mounted-child-seat/
spacemonkey - yes, I'll include the rack, I think the blackburn rack can only go on a HT. I won't be able to get pics until next week, my bikes down at my caravan, are you in a hurry?
Nope, not in a hurry. My bike is a FS though (Stumpy), so will your CoPilot be unsuitable because of the HT-only rack?
Tis a carbon frame too, so not sure if that could cause a risk with seat-tube only fittings ...
Yes, the rear needs to be rigid, I personally wouldn't put a child on a FS carbon bike, might effect your warranty.
Hamax Kiss (Halfords badged version here) good for off road as easy to click on/off and only needs a round seat tube to fit. Mild steel rods give plenty of cushioning/ flex.
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EDIT; That seat post is quite thick and extends below the mounting bracket.
Do you lock out the rear suss? My lads were chunky little fellas, they'd be bouncy around too much with your set up, then probably throwing up over my back.
Nothing locked out. Air can pumped up to account for extra weight, damping tweaked too. Only got bouncy if frequency of swingarm and mounting rods got in sync, usually accompanied by giggling and shrieking from the back of the bike and stern words from mummy.
Hmm, food for thought if seat-tube is the only option, but not necessarily best on carbon. Will have a chat with Fisher.
To be honest I bought a cheapo gary fisher hardtail specifically just for the copilot.
I have a Hamax Kiss - I haven't gone off road with the little fellow in it. He's a heavy 3 year old and he's enough trouble on the road.
Clothing wise - I just layer things - if it's really cold I use some ski sallopettes I got in TKMaxx and whatever warm jacket suits the day.
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Waterproofing is the problem - he hates his waterproof trousers and they are a total pain to get on. Won't wear his hood up either, no problem with gloves though. I found pulling a pair of my Gore gtx shorts on him was much quicker & easier and a waterproof helmet cover. The waterproof jacket is still a bit of a sticking point but he does reluctantly wear it. He won't have anything to do with the Hamax poncho I searched high and low for.
Hello Sanny <waves from the southern cider belt>
Had no idea you had reproduced too!
Cool init 🙂 but how grown up and responsible sounding does that make you feel compared to days in the Alps as carefree couples?
Oh top tip - Specialized do proper track mitts in sizes small enough for an 18 month old.
Maybe not ideal to wear at this time of year on a baby seat but once they have a balance bike or scooter they are a great find.
I have a co pilot whixh is anyone's for a tenner if they sort out collection, dont have rack though.
Maybe of interest?
Hamax Sleepy with 2 bike mounts.
My youngest has finally grown out of her sleepy (recliner) seat and we would like to see it go to a good home and be used again. - £30
PS - Frame bracket is from Halfords and all works as it should.
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Collect in Milton Keynes or NW London (Golders Green area).
Haven't got room for another bike right now otherwise grabbing a bargain HT would be an option.
Just been looking into attaching to a carbon frame and the answers appear to be "don't". Arse.
Just won a "used only twice ... perfect condition" Hamax Siesta on ebay for £16 🙂 Just up the road too.
Now I need to find a HT to use it 🙂 (even though we haven't the room). Anyone in the southeast selling anything L or XL?
In my experience the weans were fine on 'back' racks like the co-pilot til they were out of nappies, then they felt every bump and also spent more and more time leaning out to the side to see round the rider (a problem when they get a bit bigger).
We got a centric safe haven which sits across the frame from the headset to the seatpost, putting the child safely in between your arms.. and in full view of the ride ahead..
We went from begrudged rides to 'demands' to go out riding, and instead of being told to 'slow down daddy' every time she saw another biker on the road i had to speed up and catch them. We spent ages doing the left/right game were daughter no 1 decided the next turn direction until we got home again.. Great for both of us learning the locality!!
Also the mid position helps keep the weight distribution central and makes easy XC trail much more enjoyable. Had both mine round most of Ae and Mabie (big one on tagalong wee one on front seat :-O looks from the storm troopers who didn't know that we'd missed the few techy bits on the trails).
rear seats are awful
weerides are ace
caan ride steep techy sstuff no probs with mine, wheelies and drops feel completely natural too.
Sanny - you a Daddy now then? congratulations!! (prob way late I know 😳 )
Hey GW
Yup. A baby girl, Julia. She's two this weekend and is getting an Islabike Rothan for it!
Hey Tasso
Yeah, I'm a dad too and it rocks! Still rocking the Alps - had a week trip to Verbier last month (your infamous Cove cliff edge ghostie moment was mentioned ) followed by the Tour de Mont Blanc. It was awesome!
Meanwhile, back on topic, I stick to gentle stuff on back roads and smooth trails. The 29er wheels seem made for kiddy carrying - more stable I guess! The wee one is content on rides up to about 30 miles. We always break it up with a cafe stop to keep it varied for her.
Slightly ot but has anyone been on mumsnet? Scary place that!
Cheers
Sanny
Slightly ot but has anyone been on mumsnet? Scary place that!
I think that's the consensus of most blokes. Women may think differently.
Anyway, picking up the seat tomorrow. And have permission from the good lady for a cheap HT. Not much going though.
Slightly ot but has anyone been on mumsnet? Scary place that!
I find it quite amusing! Do a search for "pom bear" (the thread you're after is one about a dinner party with a weird couple)
Happy birthday to Julia. 😀
Balance bikes are ace!! she'll love it!! 😀 my youngest has been riding hers since 18months (26mths now) so I've got her a 12" hotrock for chrimbo. dunno if she'll take after me or actually enjoy pedalling 😉
never been on mumsnet, it's bad enough here 😉 😆