If you’re looking to embark on a cycling adventure with a child between 9 months – 3 years old, a child bike seat is a fantastic option. A bike seat will allow your little one to enjoy bike rides safely and comfortably until they are older or confident enough to pedal on their very own bike.
However, choosing the right bike seat is dependent on various factors from bike compatibility to weight capacity. Keep reading as we cover how to choose the best child bike seat.
When can a child start using a bike seat?
Some reclining bike seats are suitable for children as young as 9 months and allow them to sit propped up, while the recline feature lets them drift off to sleep. For older children, the seats are determined by weight rather than age.
The upper limit is usually around 22kg – it’s important that you don’t exceed the weight limit to avoid damaging the seat or impacting the handling of the bike.
What if I want to seat two children?
It is possible to mount a front and rear child seat to your bike and this can be a great option for two children. However, it’s important to consider how this will effect the handling of your bike with the added weight. A child bike trailer is also a great option and can sometimes be a better solution if you’re looking to carry two children on your cycling adventures.
If you think a trailer could be the best option, the Halfords Advanced Double Bike Trailer is the perfect choice. It can even be converted into a stroller for an even easier travel solution, perfect for days out.
What are the different types of child bike seats?
There are a variety of child bike seats available that come in different designs and styles:
Rear mounted
Rear mounted seats are fixed to the back of the bike, however, the way in which they are fitted can vary.
Cantilevered seats can be bolted to the seat tubes.
Seats fitted to a rear carrier rack, lock onto the top of the rack, and are secured by a safety strap.
Seats fitted to the seat stays and seat tube can be bolted to the seat stay and includes a bracket that attaches to the seat tube.
All bike seats best fit medium to large bikes and are, therefore, less likely to impact handling.
Front mounted
Front bike seats usually attach to the head tube. The advantage of front mounted bike seats is that they allow your child to see more of what’s ahead and is for better interaction. However, front seats are designed for smaller children and usually have a lower maximum weight capacity.
What to look for when choosing a child bike seat
There are a number of aspects to look out for when choosing a child bike seat:
Safety
It’s important to ensure that the bike seat you choose has secure foot straps and foot wells. If your child’s legs are not secure, this can lead to their feet or items of clothing becoming caught in the bike spokes.
You’ll also want to ensure that the bike seat features a safety harness that will keep them secure. Many seats include a three-point harness with straps going over the shoulders and between the legs for ultimate protection.
Comfort
Look for a bike seat that features multiple recline positions so that your child can travel in comfort. The ability to recline can allow your little one to sleep on their travels for a peaceful bike ride.
It’s also a good idea to look out for a bike seat with substantial seat padding to allow for more comfortable journeys, especially if you’re embarking on longer rides.
Cycling with a child bike seat can also take some getting used to. You may find yourself wobbling as you pedal due to the additional weight on the bike. A rear mounted seat can help you pedal more easily. If you feel unsure, you can always practice by placing heavy items in the seat before cycling with your little one.
Compatibility
Be mindful that it’s more difficult to fit bike seats to smaller bikes and you’re also more likely to experience poorer handing. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your bike is big enough to handle the fitting of the seat.
Weight capacity
Make sure the weight of your child is compliant with the seat you’re choosing. If the seat is too big, your child could slip out. If the seat is too small, you could end up causing damage and breaking the seat.
What are the best child bike seats?
There are a wide variety of child bike seats to choose from in various sizes to suit different age ranges.
Bobike ONE Maxi Child Seat
The Bobike ONE Maxi Child Seat is suitable for children between 9-22kg and features an adjustable footrest with 12 positions for your child to remain secure yet comfortable. The one system fits all set up makes it easy to attach to the bike frame or pannier rack.
Polisport Bubbly Mini Child Seat
The Polisport Bubbly Mini Child Seat is perfect for smaller children weighing between 9-15kg. This front facing bike seat features a childproof safety buckle, 3-point safety harness and footrest that adjusts to 5 positions.
Polisport Bubbly Maxi Plus Child Seat
The Polisport Bubble is also available in a maxi version, suitable for children between 9-22kg. It features 3 forwards and backwards positions, 2 height options for the safety harness and footrest that adjusts to 4 positions.
Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini Child Seat
The Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini Child Seat is designed for children between approx. 9 months – 3 years old, up to 15kg. The seat is lightweight yet sturdy, featuring soft padding for greater comfort. The adjustable footrests and footstraps ensure your child can travel in comfort as they grow.
Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi Child Seat
The Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 is also available in a maxi version in both blue and white, perfect for children between approx. 9 months – 6 years (up to 22kg). It features a magnetic 5 point childproof safety harness for added safety and a shock absorbing seat for smooth journeys.
Browse our full range of child bike seats and trailers over on halfords.com so you and your little one can thoroughly enjoy family bikes together.
