Families who lead a healthy lifestyle or like to make long trips on a “healthy” transport - a bicycle - should consider options for children's bicycle chairs and choose the right model. Thus, the baby can make exciting trips with parents.
At what age can a child be carried on a bicycle?
With the advent of the baby, parents have many questions. If before you couldn’t refuse anything to yourself, now you should think about the comfort of the baby in the first place. Those mothers and fathers who like to make long trips on a bicycle should think in advance about arranging a special seat on four-wheeled vehicles for the baby.
At what age can a child be seated on a child’s bicycle seat? The manufacturers of this product, all as one, say that as soon as the child begins to sit freely himself, he can be carried on a bicycle. Pediatricians still recommend doing this after the baby is one year old. A child under 12 months old still cannot fully control his body, therefore, in security measures, it is better to postpone it.
Varieties of bicycle seats
Special seats for children on a bicycle can be divided into several groups depending on their modifications:
- Baby bike seat on the front frame.
The name itself speaks for itself, it is attached to the front frame. The advantage of this model is that the child is always in the field of view of the parent. In addition, the baby himself can contemplate all the beauty that opens in front of him.
- Bicycle seat on the rear frame.
The most common type of bicycle seats, but parents often experience significant inconvenience from riding with such a modification of the seat. Most of these models interfere with pedaling, the position of the backrest does not change, there are no leg mounts, so the baby can easily and unknowingly put his foot in the wheel while moving. Such options are more suitable for a short trip and only on a flat road surface.
- Bicycle seats with mount on the rear trunk.
In such models, the position of the backrest can vary, they are reliable, safe and can withstand weight up to 22 kg. But they do not have depreciation, which will bring inconvenience to the baby when traveling on rough and bumpy roads.
- Children's bicycle seat on the seatpost.
It combines comfort and safety. The backrest can be fixed in different positions, the mobility of the product (can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another), has good cushioning ability and there is no need for a boot. But such models are not suitable for all types of bicycles, in addition, one must carefully approach the choice of fastening.
Materials for the manufacture of bicycle seats
Most bicycle seats for children are made of plastic. This material is quite safe for the baby, it does not bend, does not crack and does not have sharp corners. On the seat, you can always purchase a removable fabric cover so that the child sits softer. Plastic bicycle chairs are unpretentious in leaving, they can be easily cleaned or washed, besides the color scale is various.
Additionally, all seats are equipped with straps. They can be from 3 to five pieces, depending on the child and his mobility and on the needs of the parents. It is important here that the material on the belt and the fastenings be made qualitatively and not press on the baby’s delicate body. In addition, the fasteners must be reliable so that during the ride the child could not unfasten the belt.
Mandatory features of a bicycle seat for a child
Regardless of the type of child bicycle seat, it should be safe in the first place. This applies not only to the fabrication material of the special seat, but also to the locking elements. Many parents note that there should also be a footrest that provides comfort to the baby while moving.
A helmet is a must for every bike ride with your baby. A bicycle seat should be attached easily, while securely.
Front and rear mount: which is better?
All bicycle seats for children can be divided into two main groups: those that are attached to the front and rear. Both groups have their own characteristics, but which one is better?
- The child’s bicycle seat in the front significantly expands the viewing angle of the baby, while the child in the back can only look on the sides.
- A strong wind will blow in the child’s face in the front seat, depending on weather conditions, and in the back it will be protected by a strong parental back.
- The front seat limits maneuvers during the ride and somewhat restricts the movement of the cyclist, while the rear seat moves the center of gravity and the vehicle can be pulled to the side.
- The maximum allowable weight for the front structures is up to 15 kg, for the rear - up to 22 kg.
- The front seats are lighter in weight, so it is easier to lift them, for example, by stairs. The rear bicycle seat is heavier and when riding a bicycle without a baby, it rattles and knocks heavily.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which option is better. It all depends on the nature of travel, the age of the baby, as well as the preferences of the parents themselves while driving a four-wheeled vehicle.
Should I buy a budget option?
There are various modifications of children's bicycle seats, depending not only on the mounting option (front or rear), but also on the price category. The choice of a budget option is quite suitable, but here you need to pay attention to the manufacturer, it should not be some dubious company. It will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the reviews about this model, its technical characteristics and quality certificates for products.
If the budget option meets all quality standards, it is quite possible to consider such a model. But additionally pay attention to the mounts, it must be reliable.
Bicycle Chair Bellelli TIGER Relax
Italian-made bicycle seat. The company has been manufacturing bicycle transport for both adults and children, as well as various accessories for more than half a century, which further indicates the reliability of the company and its products.
The children's bicycle seat on the TIGER Relax frame meets all European quality standards, the fabric cover is made of soft materials, the leg supports are adjustable, the backrest is fixed in different positions, so the baby can ride both sitting and standing. The safety of the baby while driving is provided by 5 belts.
You can carry a baby in this design from one to seven years. Various color schemes of such a bicycle seat will satisfy the needs of even the most sophisticated buyer.
Bicycle Chair Polisport BILBYR Sblue
This bike seat for babies can support up to 22 kg of weight. This modification is equipped with five seat belts, the height of the footrest is adjustable in 12 positions, you can change the angle and position of the child bicycle seat on the seatpost. The weight of the plastic structure itself is slightly more than 4 kg.
In addition to the seat there is a special mattress for the comfort of the baby’s sitting in such a chair. The structure is attached to the bike simply, but at the same time it is reliable and has shock-absorbing properties. The plastic from which the product is made does not fade under the influence of sunlight, there are 2 reflective stickers on the sides and back of the seat, which ensure safety when driving in the dark. Such a bicycle seat is compatible with any bicycle model. In order to remove the fixation of the belts that hold the child in the chair, you need to press three buttons, which practically reduces the child’s ability to unfasten independently while driving to a minimum.
HAMAX Bicycle Seats (KISS, SIESTA, SLEEPY, CARESS)
Hamax, which has specialized in the manufacture of child bicycle seats (front and rear) for many years, is considered one of the leading in this market. Products of this brand are reliable, durable, safe and comfortable for the baby. In the manufacture of products only high-quality plastic is used. But such seats are not suitable for all models of bicycles.
The company is considered an innovator, since every year it produces more and more modified and improved products that pass all quality certificates and testing tests. All bicycle seats are designed for weight from 15 to 22 kg, the baby can be seated as early as 9 months of age.
The company presents several basic modifications of bicycle seats for babies:
- Hamax Kiss Safety Package (high construction safety, ease of installation, adjustable leg supports and belts, the ability to install the structure on the rear frame or trunk, shock absorption properties, 4 different colors, weight - 4 kg 350 g).
- Hamax Siesta (an adjustable backrest that allows the baby to sleep while moving and at the same time switching is smooth and silent, the maximum weight of the baby is up to 22 kg, the weight of the structure itself is up to 4 kg, special holes and a reflective film on the seat, a soft removable cover, included a helmet is already going to the seat).
- Hamax Sleepy (a steel bracket on which the entire structure is mounted, which is reliable, high shock absorption, 3-point soft straps responsible for the safety of the baby, which are unfastened under great effort, a soft removable fabric cover).
- Hamax Caress Observer (front model of a bicycle seat, designed for a maximum weight of a child up to 15 kg, adjustable seat and straps, small dimensions of the structure itself - up to 4.3 kg).