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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ride my bike with toddler in baby carrier

53 replies

Sunflower1985 · 03/07/2015 20:30

I'm umming and aahing about this.

I tried to get a proper child seat for my bike as I want to ride with my near 2yo to the shops or get the train and go on adventures. But as my bike has suspension it turns out I can't get one that fits.

WIBU to put him in his baby carrier (with helmet) and ride like that? Apparently it's common in the Netherlands but I've never seen anyone in the uk do it.

Fwiw I'm a competent cycler and would stick to cycle paths, quiet roads.

Thank you.

OP posts:
IndecisionCentral · 03/07/2015 20:53

I have a Yepp seat on my hybrid bike which suits my 15kg tall 2yo very well.

Get yourself to a proper bike shop, or even just phone them. Halfords really know very little about bikes IME.

museumum · 03/07/2015 20:53

I ride with a friend who has her child on a full suspension mountain bike so I think halfords are talking crap.
I've had two different types of seat and friend has a third. If you can post a pic of your bike ID be happy to advise.

Artandco · 03/07/2015 20:53

If your bike is a hybrid you def should be able to fit a bike seat on panniers. In fact a cant see why not on full suspension if a pannier mounted seat. You just can't fit a seat post mounted one as suspension in the way

Halfods are not great in their knowledge tbh. If they don't sell one that fits they will just say none fit hoping you will buy another. I would take your bike to an independent bike shop and ask their opinion and advise

babybat · 03/07/2015 20:54

Just a thought OP - could you post a link to the model of your bike? Might be easier to suggest a seat that will work that way. And YY to going to a proper bike shop!

museumum · 03/07/2015 20:54

Oh and we also have a trailer but only ever use it off-road.

NinkyNonkers · 03/07/2015 20:57

Errr, yeah,nope. Illegal from memory and just a bit silly.

HighOverTheFenceLeapsSunnyJim · 03/07/2015 20:57

Halford are crap. I don't get why a Hamax bike seat wouldn't work? I had one on my mountain bike that had front suspension.

Original poster
Sunflower1985 · 03/07/2015 21:00

Thank you.

It seems I was taking too much stock in halfords advise.

here it is on this sellers website

I bought it from a proper dealer but have since moved to the other end of the country.

OP posts:
Artandco · 03/07/2015 21:01

That's not even a suspension bike! Virtually any seat should fit in that

museumum · 03/07/2015 21:01

That's not a full suspension bike.

Starbrite00 · 03/07/2015 21:02

I despair at some questions on this page.. Wtf
YUABU!!!;

backwardpossom · 03/07/2015 21:02

Go to a specialist cycle shop and ask advice. I don't think Halfords are the best to ask!

backwardpossom · 03/07/2015 21:03

WTF? There is no suspension on that bike. There's no reason any child's seat wouldn't fit on that...

museumum · 03/07/2015 21:05

According to evans (answers.evanscycles.com/answers/0924/product/ec060131/dawes-discovery-501-disc-2014-hybrid-bike-questions-answers/questions.htm) that bike can take a pannier rack so you can get a copilot seat.
To be honest I think the seat post mounted Hamax seats would work too.

dynevoran · 03/07/2015 21:05

I have a copilot limo seat that slides into a specific pannier rack on the back. Halfords don't sell it. You can buy from Evans or cycle surgery or online.

I guess halfords meant that they don't have one that works rather than there isn't one that works! Good luck and happy cycling.

littlejohnnydory · 03/07/2015 21:08

Trailer much safer than a 'proper seat', Methe. They don't change your centre of gravity. Your child is much better protected. And if you fall off your bike the trailer stays upright. The child is still exposed to exhaust fumes in a seat.

dynevoran · 03/07/2015 21:09

Cross posted. Also puzzled at lack of suspension on that bike!

babybat · 03/07/2015 21:10

You should definitely be able to get a pannier rack mounted seat on that. Go to an independent bike shop or a branch of Evans, they'll be able to help you!

zoemaguire · 03/07/2015 21:12

I don't see why a bog standard hamax wouldn't fit on that!

Original poster
Sunflower1985 · 03/07/2015 21:51

I'll go and ask about the pannier rack.

Thank you mn

OP posts:
RoboticSealpup · 03/07/2015 22:33

I wouldn't even ride a bike with a child in a proper child seat! It looks dangerous to me.

chewymeringue · 03/07/2015 22:59

Yabvu. Agree with Methe, those trailers (there's many of them in the busy roads round here) look bloody lethal! I was saying that just today as we were driving along behind one in our car. It's like dragging your child behind your bike in their pram! They are metal frames covered by fabric and they are low to the ground. What possible protection would that give to a child? I can't believe they're legal.

ditherydora · 03/07/2015 23:08

I have one of these

www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/babyseat-ii-seat-only-ec109183?country=GB&currency=GBP&esvt=1128-GOUKE249456&esvadt=999999-0-37396-1&esvcrea=61236011936&esvd=c&esvo=EV232387-NA-NA&esvaid=50080&gclid=CjwKEAjw5disBRCA5r7OjsK_-UgSJAC27JPgxpthrasWI_S0pHOk8OspEQg9yks66K6ilN3itTN80BoCZqzw_wcB#features

It's on a hybrid. I don't have suspension but I don't see why you couldn't fit it with suspension as it fits on a rack at the back, which is secure to the wheel. You'd need to get it properly fitted. My DD is nearly 4 and she still fits in in fine. I chose this one as it's more sturdy than one which is suspended off the the bike stem

wheresthelight · 03/07/2015 23:20

Find your local bike specialist like Evans cycles and ask their opinion. Imo halfords know sweet fa about most things!

I baby wear and cycle although I can't cope with dds weight and the bike so her humax seat is on dps bike

DoughDoe · 03/07/2015 23:57

Seek advice on a proper cycle forum. Maybe forum.ctc.org.uk