Child seat advice please

[Goldfish1238]

So reposting this as I got no replies on another thread, maybe wrong section so if admin want to delete last post that would be great

I stopped in at Halfords on my way home today from a break away to buy a seat for my bike for my little girl (as the wee man is using her old one on my wife's bike) the assistant asked me what kind of frame etc I had as a lot of road bikes are not designed for rear carriers so I showed him all the tech on my bike online so he knew everything to properly inform me as I don't have a scooby really. My bike is a Scott speedster 50, 2015 edition and on having a look the assistant said yes it will be fine and safe. Can anybody tell me that it is definitely safe as it's playing on my mind now a bit. My wife also has a road bike but it's quite a bit heavier and copes no problem with the other seat.


Sorry for the long winded post lol

 

[Drago]

Have you considered a trailer? Greater capacity, nicer to ride with, comfier for sprog, and when not in use can be unhitched so you're not lugging useless mass.

I can highly recommend this for the money...

http://www.wilko.com/moore-large-spokey-joe-trailer-blue/invt/ml00178

The wheels detach and it folds for storage if required. Bought mine in a sale for £50.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I had a Hamax seat for a while. Best of the worst situation available for the kids out there. The trailer bike was much better once big enough. I wish I had gone down the trailer route when they were very small.

Cargo bike?

 

[Goldfish1238]

Hi thanks for the reply, I had a look at the trailers but the just seem so bulky really, I didn't really feel the weight that bad on my wife's bike with the seat so just got another one of them.

So you reckon trailers are worth a look?

 

[ianrauk]

Hi thanks for the reply, I had a look at the trailers but the just seem so bulky really, I didn't really feel the weight that bad on my wife's bike with the seat so just got another one of them.

So you reckon trailers are worth a look?

Trailers are well worth a look. My little one loved his, and so did I. Not only can you carry the child in safety as they are more stable then a bike seat imo. Trailers can also carry luggage like, food, drink, teddies, toys, blankets etc. They are also great if the child falls asleep. In a bike seat they can flop all over the place, in a trailer, they are nice and comfy.

I did also noticed that motorists gave us a lot more room and held back far more then they would with a normal cyclist.

My boy is too big for the trailer now which is a shame as I loved taking him out in it.

 

[Sandra6]

The only safety issues with a child seat on a bike are 1, that it doesn't fit - if the angle of the arm holding the seat in place is "wrong" when the child sits in it will dip and bend, bringing it too close to the real wheel for a start but also you run the risk of the arm snapping completely.
Second issue is the weight of the child - if they are too small it's not safe and if they're too heavy you risk the seat breaking.
As long as you've got a good fit with the seat on your bike it will be fine.

 

[Sixmile]

I own and use both depending on the journey particulars. We've a cheapy Halfords seat which is only used for a second seat for the youngest child, a Hamax Kiss seat and a Croozer for Two trailer. We'd a bargain basement Halfords trailer first which I found very poor quality and offered little comfort for the kids. As the kids get older (and heavier!) the trailer comes into its own. Also for journeys consisting of say 5+ hours the trailer is great for storing all the necessary stuff. If I'm only taking out one child and we're just heading to the shop or for a spin to the park, the seat is handy for clipping on and going. The trailer takes a little more time to get ready and sometimes requires more route planning since you'll have to consider barriers, gates, kerbs etc.

 

[Goldfish1238]

Cheers everybody might try and get a shot if one and see how I get on before I buy one. Thanks very much for all your replies, and the point about the kids falling asleep in them and bouncing all over the place is a really good point as mine fall asleep wherever, whenever, lol

 

[Drago]

Some of my fondest cycling memories include Mini Drago in the bike trailer. Even in the foulest weather she was snug and dry with her toys.

 

[Arjimlad]

I had a rack-mounted Hamax seat which did my daughter very well. Because of the cable routing on my old hybrid I couldn't clamp anything to the seat-tube. The rack was a heavy old thing which was good because it was sturdy enough to take the weight. She had an inflatable neck cushion thing for when she fell asleep.

I used to take her to the childminders on it, and we had may adventures in the Forest of Dean, France, and the Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride.

Not sure I would want it on anything less sturdy than a hybrid though.

 

[hobo]

Are you anywhere close to the Midlands Goldfish, because I've got 2 childseats ooking to give a way.

 

[Goldfish1238]

No I'm up in the north west coast of Scotland mate, cheers anyway

 

[hobo]

That must be why your reply took so long.

 

[Goldfish1238]

That must be why your reply took so long.

Haha aye aye, was gonna just send out smoke signals but we have internet on the island now

 

[User32269]

I've used one of these Avenir seats with my kids. Never had any problems, had it mainly mounted to a steel road bike.

That's not mine in photo, it's gone now, but served 3 kids well over a good few years.
One note of caution, everyone of my kids used to fall asleep in it, and because their mum insisted they had helmets, many a mile was covered with the base of my spine being repeatedly butted - not pleasant!