Biking is a great exercise. Being able to zip around town or simply go biking at the park with your little one on tow is an even more wonderful experience and you can do that precisely by having a child Bike seat attached to your adult bicycle!
1. Types of Child Bike Seat
There are actually three types of child bike seat available in the market, each with their own pros and cons. A read of the child bike seat reviews below will probably help you determine which is the best child bike seat that suits your requirement and needs best.
A. Front Mounted
Where to attach: Mounts to the front of the bike near the handlebars
Pros: Smaller, lighter and easier to attach/remove; Easier to communicate with your child (better bonding time); Better view for your little one
Keep In Mind
- Your child may get in the way of your steering
- Shorter life span use because of weight and height limitation
- Smaller seat and not reclinable
- No suspension
B. Rear Frame
Where to attach: Mounts to the bike frame in the rear (right on the seatpost)
Pros: Don't need to buy separate rack; Bigger seats and usually reclinable; Better suspension to weather the bumps
Keep In Mind
- Cannot see nor talk to your little one
- Depends on your bike, some models may not fit
C. Rear Rack
Where to attach: Mounts to a rack at the rear of the bike
Pros: Easy to remove from rack ; If you already have a rack installed before, this is the best option to go for; Usually the last resort if none of the other two options suit
Keep In Mind
- Check the weight capacity of your rack and make sure it can support at least 50-60 pounds before you install your bike seat
- Usually no suspension and reclinability
2. Baby Bike Seat Age
There is no mandatory rule on this, but like a bike trailer, we do not recommend using a child bike seat for babies smaller than 1 year old. Even more so than bike trailers, you should wait until your little one has absolute strong neck and head control before you pop him/her into a bike seat, and it goes without saying that baby needs to be able to sit up on his/her own. This is because being seated higher than in a bike trailer, your little one is exposed to stronger bumps on the roads so it's important that s/he can support themselves in order to avoid being jiggled around too much.
That being said, front mounted child bike seat is able to accommodate children as young as 9 months old up to around 2 to 3 years old, while most rear mounted child bike seat will have to wait until baby is at least a year old. Nevertheless, make sure to check the specifications of your child bike seat to confirm its capacity before your little one sits in it and keep in mind to always, always make him wear his helmet, and all will be fine as you cruise along together!
3. Top 4 Best Child Bike Seats (Front-Mounted)
1. Thule Yepp Mini Child Bike Seat
EDITOR RATING:
You would probably see the Thule Yepp Mini Child Bike Seat in many front mounted child bike seat reviews, not a surprise, considering it is one of the best front mounted child bike seat in the market!
Suitable for kids from 9 months old (who are able to sit up by themselves) up to 3 years old (or up to 33 pounds), the Yepp Mini is very light and easy to use and is compatible with most bike models. Simply attach it to a 1.5 inch exposed quill-type steel stem (a thread-less adapter is included) and you're ready to go.
Made of flexible shock absorbing rubber foam, the seat is very comfortable and easy to clean thanks to its water-repellant materials. The integrated handlebar (pictured left) allows your child's hands to be comfortable and the fully adjustable footrest and straps grow with your little one for the perfect fit.
A multiple award-winning baby bike seat front, the Dutch-design Thule Yepp Mini Child Bike Seat gives your kid a full view of the road while at the same time ensuring maximum safety and comfort with its high insulation factor (summer and winter) and 5-point safety harness that has a user-friendly buckle. And with the additional integrated lock, it guarantees extra safety and guards against theft. When your child has outgrown the mini, s/he can move to the Yepp Maxi, another favourite rear child bike seat!
2. iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
EDITOR RATING:
Made in the USA, the iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat is another front mounted baby bike seat that is popular amongst parents who love to bike with their little one.
Some would say it is a center mounted child bike seat, given its unique center-positioning which is nestled between the adult's arms and behind the protection of the bicycle handlebars that helps with balancing and increase the mobility for the adult rider. Not only can your child look around freely, s/he can be involved with the ride by turning his very own padded steering wheel too!
Unlike trailers, there won't be dirt, rock or water thrown in your child's face with this child bike seat front and it is easier and safer to load and unload. Keep in mind though, the iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat does not have a tall back, nor a headrest so your little one may not be comfortable dozing off in it. Nevertheless, it is one front facing child bike seat that is sturdy and reliable (it is made of rust resistant aluminium and stainless steel) that you can trust and enjoy with your little one.
