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I've never really been keen on the Hamax ones that clamp on to the seatpost as they look wobbly and prone to snapping - I'm sure my fears are unfounded and that they are fine and that the wobbliness makes for a more comfortable ride.
I quite like the look of the Co-pilot Taxi / Topeak babysitter that come with a rack but may make for a harsher ride.
Any advice on these 2, or other models and any other tips or useful info about cycling with little children appreciated.
I have a wee ride front facing child carrier (for sale if you fancy it), which is great as the boy can see where he's going and it is easier to communicate with him, however my knees catch the foot rests a bit so i have to ride with mu legs splayed a bit..im probably going to invest in a rack mounted solution soon
trailer every time will - happen to be selling Olivias old one (getting it out to photo today)
£40 if you are interested (its a halfords double one - for 2 kids) but she used it on her own. Really loved it for 2 years or so
I agree with rob jackson. I don't like the idea of the child seats. They make the handling of the bike a bit unwieldy and if you crash the child is tide in and takes the full force of the impact on the head. If you have a trailer it doubles up as a pushchair if you need to go shopping and they fold down smaller than a seat if you want to take it in the car.
Not so sure about the trailer as I'd be using it on roads in traffic - not busy roads but I have this (possibly irrational) fear of them being too close to the road.
Otherwise I am interested as I would make use of it but currently have nowhere to store it. Hopefully have storage in a couple of months if you're not desperate to get rid of it. Will it fit int he boot of a hatchback?
WeeRide and LOCT are where it's at. I got shot of the CoPilot we had for our eldest in favour of the WeeRide for number 2 after the eldest's experiences on the LOCT.
Don't treat the children as luggage - racks are for panniers.
Edit: I don't like trailers on road as they are too low for proper visibility and the inside wheel can clip kerbs on corners if your not careful (potential tripping). Off road they're probably OK on boring fire road.
igm - i found that on the road - users gave me FAR more room. Clipping curbs - ride more carefully!
my trailer wheels pop off (a lever) and it folds flat
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111032801268023395478/albums/posts
Also the advantage of carrying baby stuff in the trailer "boot", kid can go to seep in comfort. Totally covered from the elements
I can also carry a picnic in the trailer (as its a double).
Chariot Cougar here, took the nipper for a loop of the FOD in it on Saturday, great fun with the 29er, even got it airbourne at one point.
In the trailer he's essentially in a 5-point racing harness with lumbar suport, a head support and a full metal roll cage so I'm much happier taking him off road then I would be in a seat on the back.
The suspension makes a huge differnce off road as well.
You can also use it for shopping!!
I got a Wee Ride for my daughter after looking long and hard at the options,we used it for the first time on Sunday and she loved it. 😀
You do have to ride knees out style slightly,but a small sacrifice to make as you can interact with them a lot more than some of the other seats out there.
I use an ibert with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. It attaches to the headset so is front facing and sits higher than the wee ride so doesn't impede pedalling so much. I only really use it for trips round the local country park, don't use it on road for school run etc but for a fun ride round the park it's great. Lots of parents stop me and ask about it. I would also recommend a small mirror on the handlebars so you can see your child's face and vice versa.
My daughter enjoys it so much that she will go and fetch her helmet in the same way a dog will stand in front of you with it's lead in it's mouth when he wants a walk!
My wee one loves hers (Chariot Cougar). Wee video of a play in it at the weekend.
*flame disclaimer* Yes I know she should have her harness and helmet on, she normally does.
Brycey - looks fun and all, but are you not more concerned that she's getting a face full/eye full of trail debris?!
Sorry to hijack, been thinking of getting a wee ride for a while now. Anyone got any experience of fitting one to a cotic soul? Looks like it clamps around the headtube under the headset cup
Cheers
Not so sure about the trailer as I'd be using it on roads in traffic - not busy roads but I have this (possibly irrational) fear of them being too close to the road.
I hear you, but I'd far rather have my daughter in a proper safety harness and inside a roll-over cage, than perched high up on the bike behind me. Plus trailers are really practical - waterproof, you can get all the baby/ toddler paraphernalia in the boot, and convert it to a pram when you get to your destination.
Having said all that, I avoid busy roads as much as possible, but each to their own.