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Original poster

bike seats for a 3-year-old

49 replies

kleist · 26/12/2005 13:17

I've got dd's new pre-school place for January and it's a good 30 minute walk. Seeing as she's only there for 2.5 hours I'm going to end up with no time at home if I walk it. We don't have a car. So I've been thinking of getting a bike with child seat. Does anyone know anything about them? Dd's about 2.5 stone I think - would that make her too heavy?

TIA

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Original poster

kleist · 28/12/2005 21:51

Oh good, thanks Anchovy. Do you think I should push for a ladies road bike then? The bloke in the shop said I was too tall for the frames ...

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Anchovy · 28/12/2005 22:06

You are better off being guided by the man in the shop than me! (I'm only 5'3" so not really in a position to judge).

But I don't like cross bars - had one on an old mountain bike and always felt unstable - like I couldn't hop off in case of trouble. I had DS when he was about 2 on the back of this mountain bike with the cross bar and it felt really uncomfortable and unwieldy. The mountain bike though was really, really heavy. I then bought a new ladies road bike (called something like a ridgeback rocket or similar - about £250) from Evans and it has been absolutely brilliant - can carry either of the children (both of whom are fairly hefty!) with no problem at all - think it all comes down to the fact that I feel comfortable. However part of this might be a mountain bike vs road bike thing as well as a cross bar vs no cross bar thing. My suggestion would be make sure YOU feel comfortable riding the bike, because in my experience having a child on the back is then comfortable.

I take mine out every weekend and they adore it - they would like nothing more than going into school/nursery that way! DD (2) trots off and gets her helmet and sits at the bottom of the stairs with it on at the first hint of the word!

Original poster

kleist · 28/12/2005 22:13

Anchovy, I'm used to mountain bike types of cycle so I don't expect that to be a problem. But, like you, I've generally preferred not to have a cross bar. I might have another chat with them tomorrow and see if it's possible to get the largest frame female bike instead. I'm 5,8" so a good bit bigger than you. Gosh, I really hope dd takes to it like you say yours have.

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Anchovy · 28/12/2005 22:15

The only other thing I can think of is whether you need to get a pannier or a front basket fitted. I usually have a messenger-style bag, or rucksack, but the latter can really squash the children itf it is full!

Original poster

kleist · 29/12/2005 13:47

Anchovy, I did get a front basket fitted because I knew there would always be stuff to carry like dd's book bag etc.

Well, I went and picked it all up today. Immediate problems are getting dd's helmet to fit (she's not keen on it being adjusted at all, it catches on her hair! Plus I'm v ery unconfident about getting her in and out while the bike leans.

Apart from that, when she was in she seemed quite comfy and pushing her along wasn't a problem. I did manage a very small cycle on the straight bit of path through the park and it wasn't too bad. Going round corners I was a total wuss and put my foot down and kind of 'walked' us round . I can't imagine feeling confident to ride anywhere near a road! Getting my leg over the crossbar wasn't too easy. And I did find that my feet on the pedals slightly brished dd's feet each time they went round.

But all in all, not too bad! Even if I only ever manage to cycle her part of the way into school I'll definitely save time by bneing able to cycle myself back afterwards.

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Anchovy · 29/12/2005 22:38

Go for it! Good luck!

Original poster

kleist · 09/01/2006 16:52

A small update ... dp took dd out for a spin on the bike today ... He's 6,5" and weighs 15.5 stone so of course had no problems with wobbles whatsoever. They seemed to both love it. Now, I've got to get over my jitteryness and get on with it ... I haven't got on once since I brought the bike home

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NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2006 16:59

Sorry, kleist, didn't see your earlier post. I find it easiest to have the bike firmly leaned against something, or even locked up, while I put a kid in, or take one out.

Have you had a chance to ride on your own at all? You need to get some solo practice, to get comfortable on the bike, so you can ride with your DD easier. Once she's in school, you can get that practice, and then get better at riding with her on board.

Re: your feet nudging your DD's feet, I used to find I had to ride with my feet a bit too far forward on the pedals, so I wouldn't nudge DS1's feet. Also, you can try to make sure her feet are far back in her footrests.

bensmum3 · 09/01/2006 20:39

What kind of bike and seat did you buy ? Its great fun once you get used to it. Do you have good waterproofs for both of you ?

Original poster

kleist · 09/01/2006 22:37

NQC I'm going to get some practise with dd this week. She starts school on Friday but I have to stay with her that morning so we're going to go on the bus. I did do a little ride with her the day I bought the bike and I'm confident I can ride in a straight line in a safe place . I'm imagining that I'll initially cycle and push to school, then cycle home alone and get practise that way. I adjusted dd's foot rest to higher and dp said his feet didn't brush her at all today.

bensmum, I got a Decathlon bike, a 'mountain bike' basically. And I got just a basic seat as they could fit it for me and it went up to 4stone in weight (dd's 2.5 stone).

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NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2006 22:42

If you have some other spare time while she's in school, go for a spin around a park. You'll get better quick, it just takes a while for you to get your balance etc back.

Original poster

kleist · 09/01/2006 22:45

Yes, you're right. I was so shocked at how rusty I was!

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NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2006 22:46

A few hours here and there, and you'll be back to normal confidence.

This reminds me, I might use the bike with DS2 this week. I couldn't face biking with DS1 on his tagalong and DS2 on his front seat, all at once, over the holidays, in the cold and traffic.

Other than the stress and the hard work of getting everyone on and off, I really really hate being stared at all the time!

Original poster

kleist · 09/01/2006 23:03

Do you find it a pain getting them on and off then? What length of journey do you normally go on?

And, are you not quite a cockney?

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NotQuiteCockney · 10/01/2006 07:48

Most of our journeys are often 30 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of biking. Which is worthwhile with one kid to put on, I guess, but not with two? Also, with two, DS1 can fall off the tagalong. He never has, but that doesn't stop me from worrying.

And no, I'm not quite cockney - I'm Canadian. But I live in East London. Hence the name.

Original poster

kleist · 10/01/2006 09:57

I'm in SE London.

Yes, dd's trip to school would be at least a 30 min. walk if I put her in the buggy, an hour if she attempted to walk it. But hopefully 15 mins with her on bike, and 10 for me doing it when I've dropped her Gonna do another test ride tomorrow.

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Original poster

kleist · 11/01/2006 12:58

I cycled dd over to the shopping centre today (the half way point on school trip) and back and it was fine. I was a bit wobbly on the way but by the way back was much more confident. The most awkward point to be honest is getting in and out of our block of flats. I have to wheel the bike backwards down a long corridor (too narrow to turn it), then go down the lift 21 floors and out some very unweildy iron doors and down a tight ramp. ONce out it's not so bad. Dd's first school run on Friday ... wish me luck!

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Original poster

kleist · 13/01/2006 21:14

We did our first school run. Perfect day for it, bright and dry, and it was a dream. The most difficult things for me are without doubt getting the bike out of our block but once we're both on it the journey's cut down by over half the time.

So, thanks again you guys for all your help and advice

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NotQuiteCockney · 13/01/2006 21:16

Presumably you're not putting her on it until you're outside?

Can you leave it safely locked outside between the two trips? (Please get a serious D-lock and a second wire to secure your wheels.)

Is there any hope of a secure storage facility on the ground floor or in the basement?

NotQuiteCockney · 13/01/2006 21:16

Oh, but I'm glad to hear it went well.

Original poster

kleist · 13/01/2006 21:36

NQC I wish there was somewhere at ground level to store it but it's a huge block and really not safe. Even in our corridor I use the D-lock and heavy chain for the wheels.

But yes, I do wait to put dd on the bike, getting in and out of the lifts is a nightmare otherwise and the huge heavy front doors.

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Original poster

kleist · 17/01/2006 18:33

Just a quick update ... I've been zipping around on the bike and really enjoying it, dd too! Also wanted to mention for anyone else thinking of doing this, I saw a woman at dd's school today with a bike called a 'Family Bike' with no crossbar and a childseat fitted onto the front as part of the structure of the bike. It looked very safe and comfortable with a huge basket space also on the back. I've no idea where she got it from, I'll ask her when I get a chance.

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jetlagdZebra · 17/01/2006 18:52

If you join the Cyclist's Touring Club they have regular reviews on this kind of equipment; I can't remember all of what they said about the family bike but must admit it put me off. Depends partly what kind of cycling you like to do, though.

Original poster

kleist · 17/01/2006 22:30

thanks jetlag. Well, I won't be getting one anyway, I'm really quite satisfied with my fairly bog standard bike and child seat .

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