cycling with a child bike seat and other 'stuff'....

[bejeezusWC]

For 9 months or so I have been transporting piddler to nursery in a bike seat attached to the bike frame, with all the gubbins we both need for the day jammed into the front basket and precariously balanced along the handle bars

Yesterday I replaced the bike seat with a pannier mounted one, thinking that I could then use panniers also ?No, you cant!!!

I can?t wear a rucksack because it would be right in dd2s face whilst we are cycling. So, now I have cobbled a single pannier onto the back of the child seat

Why why why hasn?t someone invented a child bike seat which is compatible with carrying ?stuff? also??

How do you all do it? Any tips? What bike seat do you use? What are its pros and cons? I don?t want to hear about front mounted ones, only rear mounted?

Any one use front panniers??? They look precarious and small?

[Olympicfish]

The best thing is a trailer, it will free up room on the back of the bike for panniers and there might be some more room in the trailer itself

[AlwaysBizzy]

does anyone have one of these?

www.rideweehoo.com/

[StickEmWithThePointyEnd]

I have a weeride, much prefer it to a rear seat as it would seem I'm not heavy enough to counter act the weight of ds on the back of my bike which made it all very unstable (unintentional stealth boast there I think ).

However, I can't go up hills without much huffing and puffing (or getting off the bike for steep hills) because I can't lean forward or stand up to get the extra power needed to drive myself up the hill.

[DorsetLass]

Get a trailer - get two kids and loads I stuff in ours. It's a burleigh , loads on eBay xx

[maxmillie]

I used to hang the rucksack of the back of the rear bike seat, would that help?

[ClutchingPearls]

I just use a rucksack worn the wrong way round.

I have DD2 on the back holding stuff, then me, rucksack, DS on a weerider and then a basket at the front. We do look like a novelty britains got talent act, trying to fit as much as possible on to one bike.

[FrenchJunebug]

I have a front panier. They carry a surprising amount

[MTBer]

I have a Hamax Siesta for my DS as it reclines and so he can sleep in it. I also found this guide from CTC, the national cycling charity really helpful when I was choosing a seat: www.ctc.org.uk/guide/guide-to-cycle-seats-for-children

[WinstonWolf]

I used to have the Hamax that was mentioned earlier, with two of the panniers, and a large (one of the super huge ones) wicket basket on the front.

It was enough storage to be able to do a supermarket shop, and the hamax seat is on springs and reclineable so it was super comfy for dd.

It also easily fit in all of our detritus for work/nursery on the daily commute.

[LabMonkey]

We have an awesome trailer - pricey but if you PM me I can point you to a Dutch website where it was way cheaper including shipping than you can get in the UK. I was worried about using a trailer but I live in a city full of bikes where all drivers seem to want to kill me but as soon as the trailer's on they give me lots of space and are much more courteous!

[BykerGrove]

You can:

img828.imageshack.us/img828/1097/dscf6092g.jpg

[RubyGates]

I have a back mounted child seat for DS2 and a knackered two-seater trailer on the back for all my crap vital stuff.

[cornflowers]

I've also got the weeride (have panniers/saddle bags at the back). The weeride is brilliant, feels very safe and dd2 loves it. I think with a younger child it is definitely more reassuring for them to be at the front. That said, I never cycle on busy roads or in traffic etc, I imagine I'd feel less comfortable in those environments with dd on the bike.
I've noticed they have all sorts of attachments in Holland, small windscreens, rain covers and the like. I'm just in awe of the way the Dutch manage to transport themselves, their children and their shopping on two wheels and in comfort, frequently all at once!

[domesticdiva]

Are you in the UK OP? If not I would recommend a child bike trailer. I have one which carries the 2 DSs and its fab. Theres enough space in the boot to carry a small collapsable buggy for DS2. I do live in the most cyclist friendly country in the world though and would be cautious using it in the UK where cyclists are not overwelcomed. Otherwise my DH has an extension bar for his panniers and the back child seat goes on top.

[LucyBTA]

If anyone knows of a weather child for a front seat I'd love to hear of it - never managed to find one for the Weeride.

[vess]

Lucy - I think you can get a weather shield for a front seat, not sure if it fits all models.

[LucyBTA]

Vess, you're right about the cold/wind thing with a front seat. DS gets bloody freezing and I had to stop cycling Dec/Jan this year just because of that. Am currently vacillating between buying a rear seat just for the winter, or a trailer just for the winter. Really not keen on trailers though.

[vess]

I've always used a child seat on the back and still carried a rucksack - it is close to them, but not right in their face so no problem. Maybe it depends on the seat.

One of the problems of having a child at the front is that they get exposed to cold and wind a lot more, which may be a problem in the winter.

[LucyBTA]

Hah, my kids love it too bejeezus and so do I...I actually get depressed and miserable if I don't cycle regularly...but yes, there are those who disapprove.

My DS is nearly 3 and still fits comfortably into the Weeride. I am hoping he'll still fit into it until it's time for him to move on to the tagalong, cos I like having him up front so we can have nice chats.

I can completely see how, if you're used to using a high-sided back seat, the Weeride feels exposed. I've only ever used it so don't really have anything to compare it to. I think if the bike fell onto its side most of his head would be protected by his helmet, which is pretty tight-fitting.

The Deluxe has also got lots of padding to the side. www.weerideuk.co.uk/Weeride_Deluxe_ltd.asp

[AdventuresWithVoles]

Bar Bag normally they go in front of handlebars, attached by velcro straps that just wrap around the flat-straight bit of the bars. Bit like having a basket, but with a flap over closing top. My bike seat has some holes? gaps? around the top there were just the right spacing to put my straps thru.

You'd have to see if your seat had similar & go look in a bikeshop for compatible bar bag product, I guess.

nb: barbag on seat raises C of G still further, not great for balance, but better than 2 front panniers.

[InMySpareTime]

I used to put my backpack on the back of the child seat, the shoulder straps looped round the sides of the seat and inside the child straps IYSWIM? That way it couldn't come off until DD was Unstrapped and out of the seat. The bag got very muddy though.

[BestLaidPlans]

I think they give you half the cost back if they don't still fit in at 4?

[bejeezusWC]

weeride certainly is popular though...

I might have to discount it purely on the age/size of dd2 anyhow..from what I am reading. Shes 18 months, so looks like it would only be suitable for 6 more months..

[bejeezusWC]

I am well aware that the majority of people think that I am only one step below Myra Hindley for having my kids on the bike in the first place...

really? they love it!

but, labouring the point going back to the falling off thing; it wouldnt need to be a bad accident for your arms to come away from either side of childs head. I skidded on ice for example..it wasnt dramatic but I was detached from bike and on other side of road. If the bike fell on its side, with child in back seat-they would be pretty much protected/contained. their head seems so exposed on the front seat??