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I saw online yesterday the shotgun child's mountain bike seat, a small seat that clips into your frame so you can take your kids out on the bike with you, I like the idea of this, would be fun getting my 2yo out with me for quick rides after work etc. The shotgun system seemed abit pricy, Oxford do one called the little explorer seat which is a fair bit cheaper, any one have any experience with either of these or any other options?
Mac ride.
Excellent kit - developed by Glen in Stirling and now distributed by him from Canada.
I used the prototype with Thump (now aged 13!) and we had the best adventures ever.
we've quite a few shotgun seats in the last few days, they are very well made and seem to have more protection for the frame than the other similar versions. it comes with a proper padded seat too unlike the mac-ride that gets a hard plastic saddle. pricey but worth it
pricey but worth it
Yet a good chunk cheaper than a Mac Ride iirc? We're heading towards getting a Shotgun, being able to change it between bikes far more easily than a Mac Ride appeals too
I’ve got the shotgun, bloody great bit of kit and a whole lot cheaper than the MacRide.
2 might be pushing it a bit, you’re relying on them being able to hold on and balance with the Shotgun seat. For younger kids something like a WeeRide might be better, they’re heavier and more awkward to ride with but kids are strapped into a seat. I still use a WeeRide for our youngest (18 months) but my daughter loves the Shotgun (4).
Related question that I've just remembered - do Shotguns and toptube cable routing work together? One of the bikes it would be used on has this, but I haven't seen a clear enough photo of the Shotgun to tell
If the cables run above the top tube I think it’s be a problem. If they run underneath you’ll be fine
Now I'm not one to whinge - but seeing as you asked....The Oxford one is one of the worst products I've had the misfortune to buy.
Unbelievably fiddly to fit without scratching the paint on the arms, the toe straps twist while tightening and eventually ripped the washers out. To top it off, the final "safety" measure to ensure it doesn't slip is 2 x zip ties! Its cheap - but very nasty.
The Shotgun one it miles better - well thought out, great quality, the knurled foot pegs are a real nice touch and the rubber coated arms and quick release is classy. Pricey but by cheap buy twice etc!
jamesfts
Member
If the cables run above the top tube I think it’s be a problem. If they run underneath you’ll be fine
Thanks. Thought as much. Not a huge problem, just means that the current WeeRide bike will just stay as that for child #2 coming along and i'll use the Shotgun to go full ENDURO with #1
I had to take a Dremmel and carve two channels in the wedge shaped rubber seat mount to get around the top tube cable routing issue on the Oxford seat.
It's a shame the Shotgun is four times the price, because it's the one I really fancied but couldn't justify the cost.. I do agree with the buy cheap/buy twice comment though.
FWIW, my two year old loves the Oxford seat.
I am user and lover of the Mac-Ride setup.
Had a rear mounted Thule seat for a while, but my daughter didn't really enjoy it. Since the Mac-ride she loves coming on the bike.
Thanks for your input, I'm going to get the shotgun system
Is this the Oxford seat that isn't good?
Was tempted to buy, the Shotgun is too expensive for the occasional spin wit hthe little one. This looks pretty straight forward, but please say if it is rubbush
Can't see where the zip ties are required, as mentioned above
Balls, the top tube cable issue counts out the Shotgun and I'm after something new as my daughter's getting a bit big for the WeeRide.
Anyone selling a Mac Ride in the near future? 🙂
Hmmm.
We used a LOCT (similar to the MacRide but possibly a bit tougher built) and did mild downhilling (wheels on ground) in Les Gets in it with both our boys.
I think I might consider that with the MacRide, but not the Oxford. All the weight goes on the top tube not the seat post and headset.
Fine round town, but offroad? Your choice.
This might (?) help.
There was a similar thread a couple fo weeks ago about the Shotgun and MacRides, lots more info there
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/shotgun-bike-seat-for-kids
Can’t see where the zip ties are required, as mentioned above-
Conveniently they aren't shown in the vid and it does make it all appear very straight forward! They essentially wrap around the saddle rails and top tube- I guess someone decided there was a risk that the whole thing could shift?
I was hoping it would be a quick operation to whip it on and off. Granted it's just a couple of zip ties but it's an extra faff I don't need with an impatient miniature humanoid!
Shotgun 100% for ease of fitting! Can even swap between bikes* mid ride should the need arise.
*assuming similar top tube width
I had a Mac-ride which was good in the small spell in between getting it (Kickstarter, ~18 months late) and them recalling the first issue of seats. I bailed out at that point when they gave the option to wait another 12 months or get my money back. They didn’t ask for the seat back so the flawed one is still at the back of the shed somewhere.
By that point my boy had learnt to ride. Great concept though..
My youngest is 4, 17kg, so it's not going to last long until he's out grown it and big enough for a tag along.
That's my reluctance to spend losds on Macride/Shotgun (should've done it sooner!). Oxford would be fine for a bit of fun around parks/flat gravel, so long as it's safe! Not sure about cable ties, sounds a bit of a bodge!
being able to change it between bikes far more easily than a Mac Ride appeals too
I'm confused by this comment as the macride is a 2 minute job to swap, I can't believe it could be far more easy to change, only a bit easier. Although my OCD always makes me get the torque wrench out for the front clamp.
Tool free? No spacer adaptor needed?
Anyway my 2p worth - if 2yo is happy and trustable to hold on/not steer, macride (or similar) is great. Weeride does offer napping on the go though also means you have to pedal with frogs legs to get around it, and fits differently/much more hassle to swap between bikes than the macride. Both were bought for my 2nd kid, I wish I'd bought them for no.1 (although my ex probably wouldn't have allowed it with precious no. 1 - I recall my dad had to take a child seat back to the shops...)
I’m confused by this comment as the macride is a 2 minute job to swap
Only if you have the special headset spacer on each bike, Shotgun doesn't need anything like that