Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get one of those seats for my bike and ride with my 3 year old on the back?

47 replies

SkinittingFluffyBunnyBonnets · 19/04/2011 18:44

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.rockshorecycles.co.uk/ekmps/shops/rsbikestore/images/child-cycle-seat-max-22kg-%255B3%255D-194-p.jpg&imgrefurl=www.rockshorecycles.co.uk/child-cycle-seat---max-22kg-194-p.asp&usg=_k1XhSxH--c_uhLUuDYi6t-w4y0=&h=555&w=480&sz=37&hl=en&start=141&sig2=KBvfkbt4V-WRTyyEMeoZRQ&zoom=0&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=aPYO_szx8XxahM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=115&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dchild%2Bbike%2Bseat%26start%3D126%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4ACAW_enGB356GB357%26ndsp%3D18%26tbm%3Disch&ei=NsmtTYigH9Gr8AOq1YXzAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">like this kind of thing

I can't drive and my Mum thinks I''m mad! But I need to get around.

OP posts:
bethelbeth · 19/04/2011 18:48

Go get one that is the correct size for your child and for your bike. Any reputable bike shop can fit it for you. Easy peasy.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 19/04/2011 18:49

My DD loves it

MaisyMooCow · 19/04/2011 18:49

Why does your mum think you're mad? Is she concerned about the safety issue?

heliumballoons · 19/04/2011 18:50

I had one of those until DS was about 4 1/2. Then I got a tailgator which is like a tow bar to attach his bike to mine. Now he's 6yo I can take him anywhere on his bike as he used to it.

YADNBU.

janx · 19/04/2011 18:50

Dp uses one with ds - and did with dd when she was little. As long as you feel confident and ride safely why not. I think drivers are more careful when they see a co-pilot. Get a helmet for you both and use less busy roads

everyspring · 19/04/2011 18:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twilight3 · 19/04/2011 18:51

you're not mad, it's a brilliant way to get around, keeps you fit, kid is happier and so is the environment.
A lot of people choose to do it despite heving a car.
Just make sure you're both equipped with properly fitting helmets. Bike shops will help you with that.

microfight · 19/04/2011 18:51

My DS loves it too. Yeah get it fixed professionally.

bluepapermonkey · 19/04/2011 18:51

i looked at this but the bike shop man said when they're 3 they're a bit heavy and like to do their own thing. you can get those half bikes that sort of strap onto your bike, with saddle and peddle and extra wheel... but at 3 might be a bit young for that....

depends on 3 year old!

sorry not v helpful post! i think they're great though and not unreasonable at all!

COCKadoodledooo · 19/04/2011 18:52

I'm the same as everyspring, except I can drive but mostly choose not to!

squeakytoy · 19/04/2011 18:53

Personally I would say you are mad, if you intend to ride in traffic on main roads. I think they are quite dangerous. I hate driving past them.

nepenthe3 · 19/04/2011 18:53

I've had both trailer and seat. I found balancing with the seat with a three year old hard, but my DH didn't, so it could have just been me being crap. I found the trailer so much easier. Do you know someone who has one you borrow and try out to see if you like it first?

MissBetsyTrotwood · 19/04/2011 18:55

Most parents around here cycle with their children. You must be a confident and strong cyclist first though as when the seat goes on the back it alters your balance and makes control of the bike harder. This gets harder as they get heavier, obviously.

But I don't want to put you off. Some of my friends find it easier with the seat that goes on the crossbar, (between the saddle and the handlebars.) I think this is less safe though as the seat 'shell' is a lot smaller. DH really rates the co pilot and did his research. At the time we bought ours it was the safest.

And, obviously, helmets! Happy cycling.

fluffles · 19/04/2011 18:55

i think that 3 is quite old for a child to learn to sit still in one.. i'd be ok with a 3yr old in one which had been used to it for a year or two but i suppose it depends on the child in question - will he sit still?

if not, then a trailer might work but is not great (imo) in traffic, or you'll need to wait till he can ride a tag-a-long.. which is probably quite soon really.

iskra · 19/04/2011 18:59

I cycle with my 3 year old in a Hamax seat. It's fine.

duckypoo · 19/04/2011 19:00

Go for it, looks very handy, I'd love one except I don't have a bike and have 3 children Grin.

We grew up giving each other "tans" for miles, so I'm sure you can cope with a 3 year old. Although those trailers which turn into a pushchair look pretty damn cool.

Original poster
SkinittingFluffyBunnyBonnets · 19/04/2011 19:57

Oh good! Thank you all....

OP posts:
rosie1979 · 19/04/2011 20:03

My ds loves my bike, I thought I would feel nervous but its fine, just slightly heavier! I love hearing my son chatter about all the things he sees when we are out and about and you can get places so quickly. :)

Jude89 · 20/04/2011 10:22

My old Boss has one on his bike and his 11 year old still goes in it from time to time (he occasionally would bring girls home in it too!)

One thing to remember is to be careful when you get off it, don't try to swing your foot over the back as you will kick your child in the face! Also don't forget there's a child asleep in it, get off it and then chuck it in the garden!

yoshiLunk · 20/04/2011 11:12

I have a Hamax, have used it for both DS, youngest is nearly four and still fits very comfortably. (I did take eldest in it at five - he fitted but i must admit he was bouncing around quite a bit due to the weight) The weight on the back does take a little getting used to.

Do you know anyone who's got one that you can test drive before you buy one? Or I wonder if your bike shop will let you have a go?

We also have the cross bar seat on DH's bike which was great, but the child can't have a snooze with this option.

IvantaOuiOui · 20/04/2011 11:17

I struggle with balance and don't drive - so I bought one of these five years ago and had a child seat put on the back. It was expensive but I've used it most days and I love it.

notthewowy · 20/04/2011 11:18

my tall 5 year old son was last in his co-pilot seat August. it was a bit of a squash but we did a good 40 miles. Our rack is reinforced and my tourer is capable of that load though.

QuintEggSentialPaints · 20/04/2011 11:19

As long as you dont wear a backpack, your child will be fine.

I absolutely hate seeing cyclists using a seat like that, with a back pack on, oblivious to the fact that their child is sitting there with their necks bent at a strange angle, backwards, because the pack is humping around in their face.

cazzybabs · 20/04/2011 11:20

QuintEggSentialPaints - that is dd3... we do that! no other means of carrying stuff - she doesn't mind

thumbbunny · 20/04/2011 11:23

No idea why anyone would think you're mad, tbh - we have one for our DS, who is now 3.4 and he loves going in it!
We did have it fitted by the bike shop though, to be on the very safe side.

Quint - DH wears a backpack when he's got DS on the back but it's nowhere near DS's face - however big are the ones you're seeing? DH's is only a small one.