[Closed] any experience of rack mounted child seats?

I've been using one the past 5 years - a hamax. Been great - v durable and solid - used on my tricross but is now on my pompino. Use it for the nursery drop off each day, then leave the seat and ride to work. Only negative I can think of is that the rack weighs a ton.

If it was for recreation, rather than routine, I'd look at a top-tube, front mounted seat if the bairn is small. They're great out on the trails. Rear one is fine too - taken it all over, but the front ones are a nice position for the kid.

big_scot_nanny - Member
Or, as an alternative, any way to extend the "prongs" on a normal child seat?

You can buy various height struts for Hamax ones.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/hamax-extra-bar-for-siesta

Yepp stuff is good, as is Rhode Gear.

I used to have a Rhode Gear Limo, very solid, tall back and lap bar. My kids used to fall asleep as soon as they got in it!

I had the Rhode Gear one - although I think it got renamed - that attached to a Blackburn rack. Great bit of kit and far more sturdy than the prong mount ones.

as both above. we have the Rhode Gear limo / taxi - came with a Blackburn rack, or attached to it. It was excellent, both kids loved it, sold it on once we'd finished with it.

also as above, they'd fall asleep in it. It did once come a bit unhinged but that was due to too quick an attachment, never did it again!

I think the Rhode Gear is now called the Co Pilot. I've used one for both kids and it's been very good. The only negative is that the weight is quite far back so if you lift the front of the bike (while you're not on it), the kid's weight goes behind the axle and you can wheelie it so be careful. It's not an issue though if you're used to it IME.

Oh and if you have large feet (me = 12) and your kid does too, your heels can clip their toes unless you do the ankle straps up fairly tight.

I have a Hammax one.
It's ok -Li'l J. bounces about quite alot if you jump off a kerb..(winkage).

I've got one of these
http://www.merlincycles.com/hamax-plus-smiley-inc-2-basic-carriers-59705.html
Dirt cheap, 2 racks that weigh a ton but great.

We have the yepp in orange, which stands out a bit! It is fitted to a Kona Ute so not using the rack, but the attachment is the same and very secure yet quick to take off. The seat itself is great, seems comfortable and easy to adjust.

smashing folks, many thanks. Will take a look at the other options.

Isobel is 2.5yrs, so I think getting a bit big for front facing seats, will have a dig about some local shops and see what they have, but that Merlin hamax one is a ridiculous bargain!

Cheers all!

rudyard - are those racks OK with disc brakes?

I've got a Topeak babysitter on my Inbred that has been excellent, they do a disc specific 29er rack.

I have the Rhode Gear Co-Pilot on my Inbred 29er - using the disc specific rack as well

It was pretty tight on 'big' 2.35 tyres, so I fitted a smaller 2.25" and there's enough clearance for riding with kids

In fact.... I'm not sure I need it any more

Think I had trouble with the Avids on the 456 (had to use spacers) but as they were cack swapped them for shimano and fitted ok.

I can't remember what age we got our daughter on a trailer bike but at 2.5 maybe should could hang on to the bars when you're out for a ride?

I've got the Hamax on the back of a 29er inbred, 160mm Saint caliper/disc and the rack clears the caliper without any need for any adapters.

Make sure any rack mounted seat is sprung, not sure they all are? The Hamax we have (Siesta?) reclines too. It's been brilliant and now on nipper number two with it...

For a split second, just a split second, I read the thread title as Roof Rack Mounted Child Seats.