[Closed] Cycling with a baby

https://www.evanscycles.com/weeride-safefront-childseat-EV155323

I was thinking something like this

I'm trying the remember mine at 9 months (she's 2 next week) but off-hand I wouldn't have done it at 9 months, I don't think their necks are strong enough at that age.

Worth noting I've been described as 'over protective' more than once and only now I'm looking at trailers and veto'd a balance bike for a few more months yet.

Personally i would use a trailer. The last thing you want is for the baby to fall asleep without any head support.
Our son is nearly 11 months and i am close to taking him out in a seat. He is very strong and big for his age but i have still waited. We have a trailer with a child seat in it and that works a treat to

Thanks guys, appreciate the first hand experience

I appreciate every child is different but not a chance mine would have enjoyed 3hour rides that age. I have a Burley trailer and he would only last 1hr tops before he got cranky. I wouldn't under estimate all the vibrations and jolts even on a smooth surface.

Echoing the above, based on my experience I would only use a seat after 2 years and a trailer before then. I would stick to short rides too.

I think that some trailers now can take a child carrier type thing and that might be even better

Edit:this sort of thing https://www.bikeshophub.com/trailers/thule-chariot-baby-supporter-p-1320.html

I've waited until mine is 12 months. Just bought a big comfy 29er second hand and will be fitting a seat like this (from my LBS):

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/child-bike-seats/bellelli-child-bike-seat?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Bike+Accessories-_-Child+Bike+Seats-_-940791&_$ja=tsid:60494%7Ccgn:GoogleShopping%7Ckw:940791&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=lipxxm&istBid=tztx&_$ja=tsid:35522%7Ccid:344520484%7Cagid:24344824324%7Ctid:pla-231154325524%7Ccrid:83794506724%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:7283622859822105255%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o1&gclid=CPrjo9PGgs0CFQo6GwodQrMH9A

Based on a previous chat with the shop, I decided the combination of 29er and the 'suspension' offered by the mounting bracket would give the comfiest ride for the little man.

I tried him in a trailer at Centre Parcs, he didn't complain but he was definitely getting jolted around despite the relatively smooth surfaces we rode on.

Thanks, going to save this idea for next summer, when he's older 🙂

We used a trailer from 1. He loved it, warm and cosy, toys to play with in there. We did a loop under 2 hours mostly off road but used to stop and get him out, unless he was asleep which he did a bit on the road. Was ideal, have me time to ride either with him or with my Mrs.

One great thing with the trailer is we could easily swap mid ride. Ours has 2 hitches so we could do this. I towed the climbs, then swapped and took off dh, then swapped.

Hardtail ideal for something like a Croozer trailer. I had him on my 150mm bike and had to use lockout or else he got jolted while I comfy!

With both of ours we started talking taking them out in the trailer from about 6 months for VERY gentle rides and built up from there, by 9 months I was taking the wee man out for 10 mile and over road rides, we have a chariot cx which has suspension and a very supportive seat which definitely helps when they're very small. By 14 months he was happily bouncing about off road.

At around 8 months he actually went through a phase where riding him round the block was the only sure fire way to get him to sleep, fortunately the weather was decent at the time.

I started cycling with my boy at about 9 months. He's 19 months now and absolutely loves cycling, we're now looking at his first balance bike!

We've got a cheap trailer (wish we had a better one as it's a bit rickety, but was the best we could afford) which I've padded out for the boy with cut up roll mats and fleece a bit like you would a kayak to make it comfy for him. We've also got a Weeride seat (one of the top tube mounted ones where the baby sits in front of you) which the boy and I both prefer now, it's a lot less hassle than the trailer and he can see way more, also has a cushion on the front which he can fall asleep on fairly comfortably (see pic below!). We started using the Weeride seat successfully from about 15 months for shorter rides when it wasn't too cold and he was wrapped up warm, but my boy was walking at 10 months so your results may differ.

We ride together at least 2-3 times a week now around our local reservoir for around an hour at a time, I wouldn't go much longer than that even at 19 months now without planning in regular stops for getting out and exploring/eating/stretching etc, even then would probably only go much further with the trailer to facilitate proper naps and carry the kind of stuff I might need a bit further afield.

The best tips I can give from my experience would be about clothing for the baby, they get cold super quickly on the bike even in fairly mild weather. Good mittens are a must, a fleecy hat that fits under their helmet is great and some kind of buff can be great for mopping up snot etc...
Also I would say that in my experience cheap trailers are pretty rubbish on any surface bumpier than a country lane and will mean you have to go very very slowly.

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We were using our trailer on all sorts of stuff from about 6 months (might be less - can't actually remember).
I managed to fit this [url= http://www.wondermom.co.uk/acatalog/Weber_Baby_Seat.html ]weber baby seat[/url] into our trailer with the infant insert he was quite happy, still is actually. Falls asleep on fireroads, I just haven't managed to find any trails wide enough for it yet

Weeride is a great bit of kit, I thought about a trailer but didn't fancy it on roads.

Here is my sons first ride with some pictures of him loving it, at 11 months, he would have been fine earlier but nice weather / free time didn't coincide. He had a couple of rides round the garden back in December (at 6 months)

https://www.strava.com/activities/562049989

We went out today for about an hour he loves seeing dogs, going fast and most of all accelerating fast. Cheeky little guy is already grabbing the bars. Not looking forward to him working out what the brake levers do!

Just bought a rack so I can carry more baby stuff, it'll be picnics in the forest next

It helps if you can try out the front mount. I had one on the cx, but there was no way i could ride with it mounted.
Ymmv

I started out with ours in the trailer about 10 weeks old with a car seat strapped in. Just easy gentle rides or going to get the weekly shopping but she actually preferred it to the car. After about 6 months we started doing proper off road stuff in the trailer and have been all over with her. I just keep a close eye on her and make sure we stop and enjoy things along the way.

I tried the wee ride seat when she was 9 months old. She loves it and it's ideal for short rides, but I find having to ride splay legged really uncomfortable which limits it a bit. Also for the wee ride the baby needs to be quite strong and stable to enjoy it, so it can be anything from 8 - 15months. It's great riding along and chatting to the baby though.

So age wise you're in ideal territory. I reckon if you're hoping to do any longer rides or trips then look at a trailer. The other big advantage is it offers good sun / rain / wind protection which can often hamper getting getting out and about. If you're looking more at short rides the weeride or similar is great fun.

Love the pictures 🙂

Going to do this next year, going to stick to dog walks and pic-nics this summer. Something to look forward too and money won't be as tight when wife's back at work so can invest in better kit.

All 3 of mine have been in the trailer (Cougar 2 Chariot - now Thule) from the age of about 4 months with appropriate accessories - baby sling, then an additional seat attachment.

Not cheap but I've had plenty of use from it and consider it good value - we've also used it as a running buggy and for generally transporting kit and children to the beach.

Edit to add we've also got a Little One Comes Too which is a great bit of kit once they're a bit older.

I find I have to ride a bit john wayne - I've just ordered a layback post to get a little more room, potentially I'll try a set of pedal extenders after that.

If you are local to southampton your welcome to have a go on the bike / weeride - they really do love it, as long as your little one is strong and can hold their head up with the helmet with no issues theyll be fine.

Cycling with a baby = I'm a responsible parent and no.

Cycling with a baby = I'm a responsible parent and no.

Eh?

Trailer definitely. Safer, warmer, drier, more comfy, can sleep easy

(I have a double trailer, a rack mount child seat and a child seat for my Brompton)

I found my Stooge moto bars put me in a much better position with the weeride compared to the fairly standard risers I started out with. The knee thing definitely takes some getting used to, I barely notice it now though.

Also Hora why do you think cycling with baby in no traffic is irresponsible? Because of crashes or something like that?

Well I'm an expert in cycling with children in tow, 3 kids under 4 so I've done it all! 🙂 wee-ride is excellent when they are one plus, they love riding up front. My eldest and youngest (11months and four years old) ride together in the trailer. My 2 and half year old sits in the wee-ride and we all do good miles. Not 3 hours, but good miles, up to 2 hours on a good day.
Kids love riding but you need to set realistic goals, in my opinion 3 hours is way too long, an hour and a half is great fun. You will work it out very quickly as to what suits your child. Have fun, they really enjoy the fresh air. Xxx

Back in my day it was sitting them on the top tube and strapping two bungee cords around you and the kids waist with a petrol can in one hand and holding onto the handlebars with the other

http://www.mac-ride.com/

Designed by a stirling based mtber. Much less to get in the way than other seats here and can do some serious trails. Needs to be a bit older though...

Good real-world advice this chaps 🙂

What was the petrol can for mrsfry?

What was the petrol can for mrsfry?

She was probably out siphoning it from cars, to drink when the kids were asleep.
😉

I used rear mounted bike seat from 12 months. The wee ride isn't so good for small frames. - we also used pipe lagging on the top tube a few times but cycling with legs splayed out wasn't good for my knees.

Mat Hoffman used to put his kids in one of those baby bjorn chest mounted carriers and air his half pipe to get them to go to sleep.
Just saying like.

I love a bit of adrenaline rush etc, but, to be honest, cycling with your kids is one of life's greatest cycling adventures.

Whether it's longer adventures or shorter errands, they're all great. I have a video of my being pulled along by my dog with both my kids in the trailer behind me, it's like a dog sled - hilarious!

I look forward to cycling with the kids and try to take the bike and 1 child for all local things because it's fun. The trailer is nice with both but it's more hassle than a child seat on the back of the bike

The seat I have for my clown bike (brompton) has opened up another world of options, as I can now jump onto public transport to get somewhere fun, which in my case means I can jump on the tube and cycle round bits of London. It's also small enough to throw in the boot just in case

As many have said above, it depends on neck strength or appropriate support not really how old they are.

We have a trailer and were using it from about 12 months, the little chap loved it but is now getting a bit bored at 24 months so will be moving to a TT mounted seat and interspersing it with his own balance bike.

There are lots of places that will hire you a trailer, give it a go first and see how much they bounce around as some trailers / trail combinations can be real bone shakers.

Thule/Cougar Chariot ones are great, set up ebay/Gumtree searches and see what comes along secondhand, we got a Chariot with the buggy & running wheels, infant sling, etc for £250ish. Well made so last, ours has had 3 kids worth of use and is still in really good shape. Has mesh, sunvisor and rain covers which roll away and are handy for controlling the temperature as well as keeping the elements out.

3 hours is a long time, build it up. Keeping them warm is a big factor (however they're attached to the bike), they're not putting any effort in but have a constant wind blasting past.

OK so I've been cycling with my Son since he was 6 months old and he generally loves it (or sleeps).

I have a relatively value end of the spectrum Weeride Deluxe trailer.

It says that is only suitable for children over 12 months old so we lash in the car seat with some slings, its secure and works a treat. Trailer has a boot too (useful for nappies, milk, toys etc!)

We have done all sorts in the trailer. Relatively long trails like the High Peak Trail and more local rides over bumpy stuff (landrover tracks). I wouldn't necessarily recommend singletrack or really bumpy stuff as you don't have the ground clearance or suspension! Also watch for deep puddles (I flooded ours with baby inside!)

We did the Tissington Trail on Sunday and all in all a great day out and 4 hours in the saddle!

A few of us rode in France last year to follow the Tour for a couple of days. We had a 3 month old with us and she was strapped in a car seat which was in a trailer. We didn't go for more than an hour or so without stopping for a good break, but she was having a great time. We kept a rider behind the trailer to help with visibility on the roads.

Trailer - Any day.

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/4FF80501-AA3E-4AE0-BBA4-AEA88CF66207_zps2e61gq1v.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/4FF80501-AA3E-4AE0-BBA4-AEA88CF66207_zps2e61gq1v.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

This was deeper than it looks...but the trailer actually floats...who knew?

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/9671AF8D-496E-45F5-A2F8-FF45E5D8192C_zpsxmn1yrvp.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/9671AF8D-496E-45F5-A2F8-FF45E5D8192C_zpsxmn1yrvp.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Chauffeur:

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/F6DE6DEA-5904-4F88-B489-EDFB8D0D2381_zpsdm0g0d26.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/F6DE6DEA-5904-4F88-B489-EDFB8D0D2381_zpsdm0g0d26.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

The usual result:

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/4CB472EB-F3AB-43F2-8935-CBF2BDA5D514_zpsu1ouuq6l.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/4CB472EB-F3AB-43F2-8935-CBF2BDA5D514_zpsu1ouuq6l.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Towpaths:

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/92410CC5-58B1-4C13-9C1E-FA9D6E1457FF_zpsqmoarx2g.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/92410CC5-58B1-4C13-9C1E-FA9D6E1457FF_zpsqmoarx2g.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Family Kleins:

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/469E95B9-A2EB-4290-B89F-49734D732B23_zpsrfm2ib7d.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/469E95B9-A2EB-4290-B89F-49734D732B23_zpsrfm2ib7d.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Properly muddy ride:

[URL= http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/6F8FD084-E21F-41F5-B8EB-39441D789989_zpsc2jo1v0c.jp g" target="_blank">http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/Razors_kiss/Rides/6F8FD084-E21F-41F5-B8EB-39441D789989_zpsc2jo1v0c.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

most trailers don't recommend for a child younger than 9 months. I looked and eventually found a dutch company that did a seat that could be strapped into the trailer. In hindsight a baby car seat might have done better. At that age its to do with neck/back support and the standard seats in trailers are usually for older kids that have developed that.

I'd also stick to smooth trails in parks and old railway lines until they are older and would also expect a trip to max out at an hour or so and don't expect to be using it as a training ride, altho it will keep 'your hand in'. Maybe take little one to see ducks or to a café for lunch or maybe a park but not up and down mountains.

It says that is only suitable for children over 12 months old so we lash in the car seat with some slings, its secure and works a treat. Trailer has a boot too (useful for nappies, milk, toys etc!)

Did that too around the New Forest a few times, worked fine. Just don't jump anything.

Thule Infant Sling is designed for kids from 1-10 months. That's what Daffy Jnr is sitting in on photo 1 above:

[url= https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/active-with-kids/bike-trailers-and-seats/bike-trailer-and-seat-accessories/thule-infant-sling-_-20101000 ]Thule Infant Sling[/url]

Many reasons but why not show a pic of bike/baby trailer to a none cyclist in your office and ask them if they would or think it's safe on British roads to do that?

I'll ride on British roads. I didn't want to put my son in a trailer etc though.

I stated I didn't intend to ride with him on roads

[quote="hora"]I'll ride on British roads. I didn't want to put my son in a trailer etc though.I'm guessing this is closely related to your theory regarding not riding steel bikes in the rain?

Many reasons but why not show a pic of bike/baby trailer to a none cyclist in your office and ask them if they would or think it's safe on British roads to do that?

Yes I find it's always better to take the opinion of someone with no experience of something over those who actually do the activity...

We were using our trailer on all sorts of stuff from about 6 months (might be less - can't actually remember).
I managed to fit this weber baby seat into our trailer with the infant insert he was quite happy, still is actually. Falls asleep on fireroads, I just haven't managed to find any trails wide enough for it yet

Same here. We had Mini Ransos in a Croozer trailer from about 4 months, using the Weber seat you linked to. She's always been very comfortable and usually goes to sleep. Now we have Micro Ransos as well I upgraded to a Burley double trailer. We've done loads of stuff - weekends away, touring in France, and a camping trip. Trailers are weatherproof and have a big boot, which makes them much better than a seat IMO.

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[img] http://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/20150822_104914-jpg.101391/ [/img]

Many reasons but why not show a pic of bike/baby trailer to a none cyclist in your office and ask them if they would or think it's safe on British roads to do that?

I'll ride on British roads. I didn't want to put my son in a trailer etc though.

Most probably think it's unsafe to cycle on the roads at all.

Parenting means making your own decisions about what is safe or appropriate for your kids. Those may be different to other people's decisions.

Many reasons but why not show a pic of bike/baby trailer to a none cyclist in your office and ask them if they would or think it's safe on British roads to do that?

I'll ride on British roads. I didn't want to put my son in a trailer etc though.

I'll humour your trolling. The speeds you do with a trailer, pretty much always <15mph, means that if you crash into anything or off the road / trail it is extremely unlikely to do any harm to the child with the low energy and protection afforded by the trailer. It's a right of passage to flip a trailer over on a trail and it almost always ends up with the baby laughing. Several thousand young children are injured, hundreds seriously and dozens fatally, as passengers in cars every year.

So, really the only serious risk is someone driving over the top of you. This is actually very unlikely, especially if you choose the route carefully and use offroad routes when possible and most trailers are extremely visible. Drivers also always seem to behave very considerately when they see the trailer.

It's pretty moronic to say "trailers are dangerous". Yes, they could be if you took one down the A66 at dusk but with some good sense the risk is very, very low. There are tremendous benefits to using one.

at 9 months Baby Scaled had already done the monsal trail!

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Hamax siesta reclines quite a long way, he's about 15 months now, cries every time he sees my bike and isn't allowed on it. It's grand, he's happy as anything pinging about down the side of the mersey on the back of the escapade. When i shout *BUMP* he giggles like anything.

I've started to make him wear a helmet when it's cold though, they're they only bloody hats that'll stay on him

Been using a trailer since the little one was about 4 months she is now 2, she'll happily go for long rides (4 or 5 hours with a suitable number of breaks). I bought a rear mounted seat a while ago and have used it twice as she prefers the trailer, it feels safer, it's more stable, and it's easier to climb out of the saddle as the weight is low down.

When we ride on (quiet) roads we tend to get a lot more space and respect than on just a bike, or with a child seat (which looks like a bike to a myopic driver). Admittedly I wouldn't ride on a busy a or b road, but in quiet lanes I see it as less risky than driving a car on a motorway/a road.

Thanks for the replies.

As the cycling will be just me and baby I'm looking more toward a seat than trailer so I can see him I think. The replies and lovely photos have convinced me and wifey it's not that unsafe at all, I was however optimistic in my original 3 hour ride prediction. As stated before my route is greenway and 100% flat Tarmac with no traffic or road, just old train and canal lines. I've got a £100 evans voucher do will be getting a seat this weekend 🙂

Let's keep this as parents sharing tips/reviews rather than is cycling with a trailer on roads/anywere safe, if anyone wants to debate that start a new thread.

Used a iBert since little one was about a year old(ish) - she loved it.

Trailer for sure.

Used a Croozer with our eldest from 8 weeks old using their baby sling adaptor. Continued using it for past few years and now carry both of them in it (3.5yrs and 14 mths). They seem comfy enough. Eldest has just moved on to a Mac Ride @ 3.5yrs but it's great having the trailer as back up if she gets tired - not exactly easy towing the trailer while pedalling with a toddler on your crossbar though. See it as training.

Croozer @ 8wks old:
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Mac Ride:
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Been cycling for the past month with our 10-now-11 month old. Hamax seat on the back, she loves it - big smiles. Stick to off road cy le paths as much as poss with only wee road se tions - partly because i dont go far. I wouldn't subject her to more than an hour with a break.

interested in this. Ive got a seat but i cant fix it to my bike (clamps around the head tube and the downtube adaptor in not sure about on a liteville frame)

how do the bike trailers mount?

It depends upon the trailer, but the good ones provide a longer QR/TA axle to which a bracket with a ball-socket is attached to the rear axle. This allows the bike to lean and corner properly when in use.

I've had the trailer at a good 30-35deg angle to the verticle (bloody rutts) and still been able to ride fine.

do they have screw though axles (142 syntace)

do they have screw though axles (142 syntace)

https://robertaxleproject.com

You'll humour my trolling? Ask a none cyclist. On scaleds 2nd pic?

Are the babies strapped in into a car seat like structure in the least?

Sorry. No.

The Croozer bracket is held on by the QR axle. On my big bike I drilled it out to a 12mm hole and used the bolt through axle.

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Needs flat dropouts to work.

It's great to ride with, you can feel the weight but it doesn't really affect handling, just great resistance work. In fact I made it up Sheffield's 'bastard' climb at the end of the Parks, 1x10, Nukeproof Mega, Croozer and 2 year old!!

The sooner Hora gets diagnosed properly,the better. 🙄

At 9 months we hired a bike with a trailer at Centre parcs our daughter loved it but since then we have brought a weeride we started using it about 12 months but she was still a bit floppy for it and the helmet a touch too big but now at 15months everything is perfect helmet fits great (her head is still on the small side) and she loves the weeride especially over bumpy ground.

Are the babies strapped in into a car seat like structure in the least?

Of course they bloody are. 3 point harness, same setup as a car seat, plus their feet are strapped in to the foot rests.

You just can't see all that cos he was covered in the rain poncho to keep a bit of the chill off as we were riding through the tunnels.

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Trailer FTW when young, then into a seat (but keep the trailer..)
We've had both ours in the croozer and would say if you can, stretch for a pricier model as the seat/sling/strap arrangement IS better in the higher end models.

Both kids (now 6 who rides his own, abx 18mths) had the Weber insert sling until about a year old.
That's up for sale if you want? £30 posted...

Now have a wee ride in the garage, to fit for big bike bash...

DrP