Mac Ride or kids Ride Shotgun?

It’s time!

She’ll be 2 in June so I’m looking at either a Kids Ride Shotgun or a Mac Ride.

Excited doesn’t even come close!

Has anyone got either? Tried both?

I’m leaning towards the Shotgun Pro as it slightly cheaper than the Mac Ride and will fit an ebike out of the box where the Mac Ride needs an extra adaptor. Not certain that I’ll use on the ebike though. It’ll most likely be just be going on an Orange Crush.

There’s also the Shotgun 2.0? It’s significantly cheaper, about half the price at under £100 but apparently, it won’t fit an ebike at all (not a huge problem). It also mounts directly on the frame which I guess isn’t the end of the world but it looks like a bit of faffing is required mounting and dismounting it meaning you have to set the leg position etc every time.

Would anyone recommend one of the other others?

Mac Ride

Shotgun Pro

Shotgun 2.0

Can only talk for mac-ride but has been spot on for both my boys, it came with 2 stem adapters and I bought an extra so could move it between my MTBs and my road bike for when I was doing the commute and nursery drop off. When I got mine the options were mac ride or shotgun 2.0, then I think shotgun realised mac -ride was better so copied it for the pro version

Shotgun pro here. No complaints at all and my daughter loves it! Glad I went for the pro, makes it dead easy to swap between bikes or whip off.

I’ve only tried the regular Shotgun because I got it from someone on here. It feels like a faff to fit but really it’s 5 minutes work to fit and remove it.

The important thing is that junior loves it. He absolutely buzzes on it.

I’ve actually used all three.

Mac ride and shotgun pro are very similar. Both easy to remove when not in use.

Normal shotgun doesn’t fit all frames and is more of a faff to remove. They’re much cheaper mind, and would be great if left on a dedicated ‘dad/mum bike’.

The mini handlebar extenders are a must too.

We used a macride and it worked for both kids. The quick release and very subtle headset spacer mount are great. I did add the kids ride shotgun mini handlebar as they got older, mainly because the grips are soft & warm!

My kids are too big now…let me know if you are thinking about second hand 😉

Used the MacRide (as it was the only option available at the time). One thing I see comparing the MacRide and the Shotgun Pro is the saddle on the MacRide sits much lower (being headbutted in the chin does happen). Also I found the “horse” saddle design of the Shotgun means the child doesn’t slip about at all. It’s surprisingly secure.

^^^

Have you got that wrong way round? I’ve got the shotgun pro and the saddle is just a miniature version of a normal saddle. Not tried the mac ride but from what I’ve seen, that’s the one that has the horse saddle-esque seat?

The shotgun pro is a nice all round package. Very adjustable.

Riding with your kid telling you to go faster daddy is so much fun, you’ll love it.

Have you got that wrong way round?

Yes!

Correction:
Also I found the “horse” saddle design of the Shotgun MacRide means the child doesn’t slip about at all. It’s surprisingly secure.

i’ve got a shotgun. I actually stick it on a separate bike to my main trail bike (a retro orange) so I never need to add/remove it – you’re not riding any gnar with a kid on board so it doesn’t matter what the head angle is like, plus the extra weight on the bike means you might want a different sus setup.

Flat pedals and axle extenders for me, otherwise I can’t get my knees to fit

We have a MacRide – one thing slightly annoying is thar the seat angle can’t be adjusted – so if you’re running a mullet with a short seat tube (like my Levo Pro), the seast is angled a bit too far back.  However, still seems a much better design that a standard seat like the KRS

Our 2 year old wasn’t so sure on her first ride out (Lakes minus2deg) – she managed to hold on ok but seems much happier in the Weeride

Not rushed hewr back on the MacRide, waiting for the weather to warm up a bit

you’re not riding any gnar with a kid on board

My two were on the uplifted trails in Les Gets on a LOCT (wheels on ground) so gnar-lite?

Full sussers work well with central child seats as the extra weight softens the suspension and the child benefits from the smooth ride.

Other than that, no useful comments.

Our 2 year old wasn’t so sure on her first ride out (Lakes minus2deg)

This is a good point, whichever you choose, make sure to wrap them up well, even if it’s relatively warm. If they get cold let them off for a walk. All in one insulated suits like these are great https://spottyotter.co.uk/forest-leader-fleece-lined-pu-splashsuit/?sku=5060495042454

We have changed from the original shotgun to the shotgun pro.

The pro is much easier to take on and off.

Non stealth advert- I’ll have the original shotgun up for sale when I get a chance to clean it. It’s been used lots for a year, £85 new, £45 posted?it’s heavy.

Photos of the shotgun pro

Our MacRide is amazing.

I can echo the comments about it being easy to fit and remove – I used to have it on and off all the time doing the nursery run with it!

The fixed seat angle isn’t ideal for mtb with a long dropper where the fixing point on the seat tube is low, but the stirrups are great.

And yes, the little one need wrapping up extra double plus more than you. You are pedalling and doing all the work for both of you. The little one is a passenger and is getting all your wind chill. They will never be too warm on these seats.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Not sure how much it helped me with my inability to make decisions because it seems that the conclusion is that they’re all going to be awesome!

I opted for the Shotgun Pro because Halfords had it and a 20% discount over £150. Then I changed my mind  cancelled to order and went for the Mac Ride because of the saddle design and lower saddle height.

Only downside the the Mac Ride is that I’ll have to raise my seatpost slightly as it’s almost slammed in the seat tube for the perfect ride height. Still, small price to pay for not getting headbutted constantly! Oh, and I’ll have to buy the adapter to get it to fit my ebike but I can do that at a later date if I need to.

Warmth wise, wee sorted. Missus found a brand new insulated, 3 layer waterproof all in one thingy for a fiver on Vinted. Might get the Kids Ride  pogies to go on the bars so I don’t have to wait for it to warm up.

So excited! Just need a helmet for her now and we’re sorted.

Excellent – best choice.

Top tip: Put a camera on the bars and film your daughter’s grinny face as you ride along.

I got a 40 minute dialogue from Thump about smells, squirrels, stairs, and ice-creams. Do it!

@tall_martin what have you mounted on the front to hold the bag and then bike in the pics?

Too late as usual.

I have 2 of the original KRS shotgun seats I’m about to sell as the kids are too tall now.
They’ve been on my wifeMs bike and on Whyte Ebikes as well (just get a longer bit of threaded bar for the foot pegs. We (and the kids) loved them to bits. Hope yours does as well.

Might get the Kids Ride  pogies to go on the bars so I don’t have to wait for it to warm up.

Have a dig around in the pushchair/pram accessory box. You might have a bar muff – oblong with furry inside and poppers on the corners. Works a treat, can keeps more wind off the body than pogies. And you can get a second one and pop them together for a shoulders-to-knees windbreak.

I bought a pair of these for my daughter to use on the shotgun pro.

https://scooterearz.com/

Didn’t even have a scooter at the time. She does now and we swap them between as required.

nedrapier

Have a dig around in the pushchair/pram accessory box. You might have a bar muff – oblong with furry inside and poppers on the corners. Works a treat, can keeps more wind off the body than pogies. And you can get a second one and pop them together for a shoulders-to-knees windbreak.

That’s genius.

Pretty sure we don’t have one but I might look into getting one as that sounds better than just the gloves.

In other news, the Shotgun Pro that I cancelled (and confirmed as cancelled) was delivered this morning…  Not sure whether it was actually cancelled or not.

On the upside, I’ll be able to compare it side by side with the Mac Ride so long as it turns up soonish.

Just remember that even on nicer days the child needs more clothing that you think.

I made my own pogies.

Old oven gloves, old waterproof fabric glued on top hole cut for bars to go through- done!

Took 30 min.

There were a load of tantrums about gloves and these live on the bike all the time and were accepted.

We did a 5 min ride on our new tandem with me in a jumper. He refused jacket and gloves and had frozen hands. The pogies are going to move bike.

If I was making them again I will put some warm fleece on the back of the hands. The water proof stuff is an effective wind and water block, but even with gloves he still gets cold hands.

I knew STW wouldnt disappoint. Little one is now 2 and i have dusted off the mtb and really enjoying getting back out with my new best friend (made lots of memories with my old spaniel). Currently using a cheap kids trailer but it turns out she loves speed and i miss proper trails so a front seat it is. Was looking for advice on which shotgun but this mac ride looks interesting.

Any of the ones with the top bar clamp around the dropper collar as an i would have to reduce the rise on my one up to get a gap.

@andyl

I’ve just checked the Mac Ride and it’s a nope. The seatpost clamp is hinged and uses a semi quick release bolt system to clamp around the seatpost.

The clamp doesn’t fit around the OneUp collar. You could in theory use a longer bolt and it would probably fit but if you look at the shape of the collar on the OneUp post, there would be nothing to support the Mac Ride and nothing stopping it from slipping down.

The the collar that threads into the outer tube is wider than the outer tube so the clamp would only be clamping onto the locking collar.

Yeah thats not going anywhere near, thanks for checking. I will just raise the dropper a touch and make sure it doesnt top out.

I can’t see it working with the macride either. Although on my other half’s bike it’s clamped around the seat tube rather than the post for the same reason- that’s a bit of a stretch. (Ti frame, immediately under the collar).

Been looking for deals, only UK stockist of the Mac Ride seems to be Velozone? For the KRS, like the OP the 20% off at halfords at the moment is very tempting but they only have the 2.0 with or without the handlebar available. Singletrack bikes currently have them discounted and also some good deals at Winstanleys.

These reviews seem really useful and have photos showing the heights.

https://www.twowheelingtots.com/mac-ride-child-bike-seat-review/

https://www.twowheelingtots.com/kids-ride-shotgun-bike-seat-review/

I think the KRS Pro is out for me on height. The KRS 2.0 is still tempting as it sits low and wont affect my seat post. But the Mac seat is definitely a big plus and a lot more options for feet position, however I did see some comments about the foot stirrups rotating and can the legs change angle if a bolt is not tight enough?

Bar wise, I like the look of the KRS Pro for the extra width as she grows.

The rubber hoops for the stirrups do spin down. It can be a little irritating but not a deal breaker- you could zip tie them to the legs to keep them the right way up but I’ve left them loose. We have the straps fairly snug which means getting feet back in needs help anyway, so the stirrups flipping down means there’s an easy place for feet to land on the meantime.

Never had a problem with the legs rotating down. Guess that may change as she gets bigger!

As per swanny on the stirrups.

Check eBay for macrides. We bought a second one last summer for £135. They don’t really wear out, I expect to be able to sell it for not much less when the time comes.

It wouldn’t be a big deal to nudge the dropper post out of the frame by 2cms for kiddie seat rides, would it? You’ll just have to scootch the saddle down by the same when you extend it, or stop it before it gets all the way up.

You’ll be pedalling funny anyway, and not doing mega miles, so it’s not like it needs to be mm perfect.

I have 2 original Shotgun seats I need to sell.

A little scuffed and used but all the parts are there and they work fine.

Update: got a mac ride, bnib on ebay and the nicer of the KRS bars.

She loves it. 2ys and 4 months now and we have been doing some 1-2hr rides, i have her balance bike bungy corded to my back pack so she can ride too. She loves to stand up, we constantly chat away, pointing out farm animals and other things to each other so great for keeping me in zone 2.

As my dropper is slammed i was worried. The manual says to remove the dome nut for 34.9 seat posts so i did that and it fits on my frame below the seat clamp – perfect!

I do catch my knees on the saddle so i have moved it forward a bit and i can tilt her bars forward as she gets bigger to give her more room. She occasionally catches me out by trying to steer.

Took her to the local pump track last week on her balance bike and we progressed from me having to hold onto her for a few laps to her doing a small loop all by herself – she is so awesome! I never had the confidence she has untill i was much older. Same goes for swimming, she is doing lengths of an adult pool with just a pool noodle and comes out with me on the sup. It is amazing how fast kids develop when you give them the opportunity.