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Original poster

all the bike riders out there.... child seat or trailer???

19 replies

starlover · 16/04/2006 19:22

so, I have lots of good intentions when we move house of reclaiming my bike from my parents garage and using it!
but can't decide if to get a seat for Linus that goes on the back, or one of the little trailer things?

possible pros and cons I have thought of are:

seat may make it harder to ride? balance?
if I fall over then Linus falls as well

trailer gives me more stability presumably and a nicer ride for ds?

trailer will be low down and i'm not sure about riding on main roads with it, especialy as he'll be right at exhaust fume level

Any thoughts/musings on this are very much welcome, as are recommendations!

OP posts:

brimfull · 16/04/2006 19:31

I always used a child's seat,it's quite heavy but you get used to it and it uses up more calories.I personally always cringe when I see those trailer things on main roads.The child looks so vulnerable and easy to crash into imo.

I don't think the child misses out on the back of a bike as opposed to a trailer.

bikeseat for me then !!

SecondhandRose · 16/04/2006 19:33

I had one of those trailers with two kids in the back it's hell to get going. I always thought the kids were vulnerable in it and kept off the road as much as possible. You also need to keep the mesh net down at all times as stones can fly up into their faces. I would get a bike seat if I had the option again.

MrsSpoon · 16/04/2006 19:34

I use a seat but have used a trailer on a hired bike. IMO the seat is easier to use, the child feels lighter sitting up on the bike with you than being towed. However my main worry like you is that I fall off and DS gets hurt however he always wears a helmet and we only cycle for pleasure so tend to be on cycle paths rather than the main road.

Original poster

starlover · 16/04/2006 19:43

thanks for info.. hadn't thought about the stones flying up and stuff like that!

ggirl, I did think that too about them being easy to crash into, and far less visible as they're low down (although I think they have a flag on?)

so... any recommendations for seats?

OP posts:

MrsSpoon · 16/04/2006 19:45

I just have a Halfords seat (went in to buy a brand name but they had none in stock), it has lasted DS1 and now DS2, who is almost 4 and thankfully getting too big for the seat! This will probably be his last summer using it.

misdee · 16/04/2006 19:46

i used a seat with dd1. she hit my bum tho lol.

foxinsocks · 16/04/2006 19:47

I have a great seat but need to look for it on the net for you.

I love it because it reclines and has handles so your child can hold on/pretend to steer!

foxinsocks · 16/04/2006 19:51

\link{http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=239\here it is}

should so, I have never ordered from that website so no idea if they are good or not!

popsycalindisguise · 16/04/2006 19:54

we have a trailer which ds1 who is 3 and a half loves
you can get two children in

dont use it much on roads though - mainly on cycle/bridle paths

Original poster

starlover · 16/04/2006 19:58

have been googling too, and apaprently there are NO safety standards for trailers or seats in the uk!!! how bad is that?

have to say, I do like the look of the trailers, but not sure I can shell out that much money.

did read on one site though that particularly wriggly babies can feel odd in a seat. also that I should look for one with a 5 point harness, but can't see any!

OP posts:

Original poster

starlover · 16/04/2006 19:59

that does look quite good though foxinsocks, thanks

one of the other things I did read was that ones attached to a rear wheel rather than just the seat stem are less bouncy... so it ticks that box!

OP posts:

popsycalindisguise · 16/04/2006 19:59

starlover - we got or trailers in halfords sale - own marginally more expensive then the seat

Original poster

starlover · 16/04/2006 20:06

yeah I might go down to halfords so I can see some in the flesh!

OP posts:

Original poster

starlover · 16/04/2006 20:19

argh, I can't decide now! looking at some very nice seats atm

OP posts:

longwaytogo · 16/04/2006 20:24

now my question is this I really need to get out on the bike but have a 2 and 3 yr old is it possible to put a seat on the front and the back or is my only option a trailer?

jennifersofia · 16/04/2006 21:42

I think that it depends on your situation. In one respect the trailer is quite safe because it is independent of the bike and attached in such a way that if you tip, it does not. Also people have reported that cars give a wider berth to a bike with a trailer (especially if there is a flag attached to the trailer) than a bike with a bike seat. However, I do feel that they are not suitable for an urban situation where there is a huge amount of traffic and very crowded roads. I think the best scenario for the trailer is when you can use them on cycle paths / roads that are not very busy. There are usually quite a few trailers for sale on Ebay for reasonable prices.
We have tried a trailer, but I found that the children (3.5 & 5) found it uncomfortable and also squabbled which was very distracting.
There are bikes where you can put a child seat on the front and on the back, I can think of three which are designed to do this. One is called the Family bike, produced in Italy and sold in Suffolk (?) and costs £500. Another is a German make called a Gemini and is twice the price but I believe offers a more comfortable ride for the 'driver'. Another is also German and called a Filibus. Also around 1K I believe.

What we decided to go for a dutch made bike which has a box on the front of the bike which both children can sit in (on a bench) side by side. We absolutely love it. The children are in front so we can chat / I can sort out problems, I can easily sling shopping in and the kids, it is narrow enough (it is two wheeled) to fit through our small terraced house to go in the back garden, it has a raincover so the kids are totally wind/rain protected, I can use it and my husband can use it, it is very easy to ride, I could go on and on.
I think it all depends on where you live and how much you are planning to bike with your kids. We live in London and have no car (and it is flat!) so for us, the investment has been very worthwhile.
Check out Velorution website on Google - they have the main family bicycles, including the bakfiet that we have. (Which, by the way, is very well built and engineered and feels very safe) Can you tell I am enthusiastic? Hope you find what you need.

chapsmum · 16/04/2006 21:47

hey star lover, you want to give mszebra a shout. she has her own website dedicated to reviewing bike seats and trailors \link{http://swinny.net/Cycling/Child_Trailers\here}
we have gone for a dechable seat. there is only on make as far as I know it is a limo and it comes with a pannier attachment that you can clip on and off. has good side impact protection. and ds (9months) loves it and there is loads of room for growing.

Highlander · 17/04/2006 16:54

we have a Chariot stroller which quickly converts into a bike trailer or a jogging stroller. I won't let DH use it anywhere other than off-road trails when attached to the bike. DS likes it, but gets bored after 30 mins or so and we have to let him out to run around. It's been worth every penny.

cazzybabs · 17/04/2006 17:08

We use a bike seat on the front for dd2 and one on the back for dd2. The front one we used until dd1 was about 3. The front one is very easy to cycle with but can't support as much weight. The back one can carry an older child but does affect balance.

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