Bicycle Seats Any Advice?

[WildCat]

Just about to begin looking for a seat to put on the panier on the back of my bicycle. My girl is six months old and I'm thinking she might be ready around nine months. Is this too young? I'm interested in any advice on products or expereinces. Thanks!

There's no minimum age as such, but they have to be able to support the weight of their head plus cycle helmet. Go to a reputable cycle dealer and discuss the options - they are very knowledgeable and helpful and always keen to encourage more cyclists!

Wildcat, we've just this week started transporting our wee one on a bike seat, at 9 months - she has been a good strong sitter for a while and could probably have managed it sooner, but we were waiting for spring (and then in the end we couldn't wait any longer...!) We've just been trekking the babe to nursery etc so far, but hope to go out on day rides soon.

She LOVES it! keeps up merry chortling the whole way. And looks SOOO cute in her tiddly helmet.

We got a Co-Pilot Taxi (used to be called Rhode Gear Taxi), it was recommended by friends who've been using one for c.18 months (including 2 weeks cycling in Sardinia) and just felt very sturdy and solid to us, compared to some of the others. We have a friend who's cycled with both her kids for about 5 years and swears by her Hamax though.

There's a helpful article about all this at www.cyclists.org.uk/articles.php?article=12

It's probably worth going to a couple of bike shops if you can, we found our usual bike shop a bit nonplussed (though they are generally excellent) and actually got the seat from another one which happened to have a guy working there who cycled with his kid and knew it from the inside, so to speak.

Would be interested to know how you get on.

I don't want to be a killjoy but please tell me you guys are country/park/towpath cyclists and aren't cycling on busy city streets with small kids on the back of your bikes! I see this every once in a while- I'm a central Londoner and the traffic is here is really scary- and my heart just leaps to my mouth.