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Kids on bikes? Seat or Trailer?
I'm about to introduce my Wife & 16 month old daughter to the joys of riding. I tease my wife that our daughter will be a future downhill world champion 
No trails as yet... just riding on local paths like Narabeen lakes.
Has anyone else got their family, including young kids, into riding? If so I'm interesting in bike seat vs. bike trailer.
I can see some pro's an con's for both. What have others found or am I a NobMob pioneer?
Bike seat - pros...
More invovled in the experience
Can be permanently attached to the wifes bike
Cheaper tha trailer
Bike Seat - cons
Balance of the bike
Only takes one... what about the dog or the 2nd kid if we go down that track
Bike Trailer - pros
Fleixble; can carry 2 small kids... or 1 kid and a small dog... can also carry bags / picnic etc
Quick to attach to my MTB....
Can be used as a sports pram... running etc
Bike Tralier cons
Expensive.. up to 1K
Bulky.. need to store it & transport it.
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one word, 'chariot'. We've had a chariot cougar 2 for three years now and they are awesome and well worth the expense. It's suspension allows it to handle fireroad trails easily, also ok on single track, but a bit too wide. Folds up in car.
I've tried bub seat, trailer and tag-a-long (anyrthing to keep me riding and introduce the kids.
Bub seat is great for one, affects balance a little. It was attached to my wife's bike and I rode that because my FS bike wasn't suitable. Started at just over 12months i think. Both sons have loved their go in the seat. Can do a little off road adventuring and I did so from about 18months, or when they can hold head up really well with helmet on.
When son 2 came along I tried a trailer. Hard work, but worth it, i got a big W one for under $200, it folds down flat so storage is not a mjor problem. The clamp wasn't really suited to a disc brake bike, but I made do with one unclipped shoe for cycleway riding. Off road wasn't really tried. By the time the older son was ready to ride solo the two of them were getting too heavy anyway. Worked well with one on bub seat and the other in the trailer a couple of times, but you need two riders then.
Tag-a-long is great for my big for age 4yo. No we can get out and do some mild single track with 6yo on his 20" bike.
I couldn't get the seat, as it wouldn't attach to my full suspension bike. But the trailer has been great. I waited & found a decent one on eBay that didn't cost the earth.
Another plus is that you can fit extra equipment in the back of the trailer. Eg, toys, picnic blanket, water bottle etc.
My wife likes the idea that if the rider falls over, the trailer doesn't tip - unlike the chair on the back.
I've had a few friends have the bike tip while loading/unloading/doing-something else with the kids in the seat on the back, despite being generally careful. Best case was a scare, worst-case was a busted arm. I would not wish the same thing on anyone actually riding - could be quite nasty.
Trailers make a nice roll cage if you are unfortunate enough to come off. I accidently clipped a gutter once and had the trailer up on one wheel, and my wife accidently went down a few steps hidden along a foot path. Both times, the end result from the kids - "do it again daddy/mummy, please......"
- Kevin
WEE-RIDE. End of discussion.
Another vote for the Wee-Hoo. We have the I-go and it's awesome. Wouldn't go back to a seat after that.
My daughter loves it and loves pedalling along, but still has the option sit back and do nothing........or sleep.
Check out the website if you havent seen one http://www.weehoobicycletrailer.com/
I just stuck my 10 Mth in the Wee Ride. Wee Ride is great as it fits to Dual suspension (eg My Reign). The weight distribution is fine and well balanced. I also got First Bike for my 2 year old (balance bike) and he took to that and got it almost immediately. Still cant get my wife on a bike, so maybe a trailer for her.
I have a mate who also uses one for training by throwing a 20kg bag of cement in the back and hitting the hills. The ultimate multi-purpose tool
My daughter is 16 months old and although I like the look of the Wee-Hoo iGo she's about 20cm too short for it. So I think I'll for the the Wee-Ride seat as I want to ride the Spring / Summer.
Will Upgrade to the Wee-Ho next summer!
Thanks for the info... it's been really helpful...
Now... onto a bike for the Mrs
/me *shudders*
All I picture when I see a kid in one of those bike seats mounted on the frame or behind the rider is the arc they would describe if the bike went over. It makes for a big hit. But hey, that's just me. They are popular the world over so I guess the data is out there....
I'll definitely be looking into a trailer for the toddler this spring/summer. Then I can get the whole gang out for a lap of narrabeen lakes while mum goes and does something to regain her sanity, lol.
once took my daughter in bike seat and skidded on gravel. Luckily she was properly strapped in i took on all the gravel rash trying to keep the bike from hitting the ground. Trailer was the best buy we still have it. it went from ferrying kids when they couldn't ride to being used to take them to school when you needed to get there quickly to the trailer that took gear when kids and i did Munda biddi. Safer for your child.
Pft, soft!
Current bid is only $61 suspect it'll go for more
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...
There's also a brand new 'buy it now' for $130
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wee-Ride-Co-Pilot-Kid...
It is on the back of a single-speed after all. It's only fair I guess as they're too easy to climb the big hills on so they need a handicap:)
This guy does redefine the idea of a power cyclist though. He's built like a sprint specialist, and rides like one too, but just does it on a SS for 24hrs at a time. God knows why, I think he needs to get some more off-bike action myself.
For 2 year olds, we got some timber balance bikes. I drilled holes to drop the seat more than intended, waited till they could just/nearly touch the ground with it vertical and off they went. I'd have to check to see what age exactly they were, but at 16 months, you daughter could (nearly?) be ready.
I saw a bloke once that was out riding with 3 kids, the were each attached to a one wheeled seated attachment one after the other. It looked like a push bike road train.
I have a Wee-Ride for sale. My daughter loved it but is too big to fit safely now.
0413 233 244 in Forestville. $80 and it's yours.
Will give you a call today. I'm also in Forestville so could pickup this weekend
vote 1 for the trailer option. I just couldn't live with myself if i stacked with a kid on a bike seat. The kid would be devestated, no ejector option on the bike seat.
I have a chariot trailer. Cost about $800 but try as i might, i can't tip it over. Builds stronger quads as well.
Hi,
I have brought up 3 kids riding with them starting in a backpack.
Just a cheap one that keeps the kids as close to your back as possible. Some of the new expensive ones keep the kid off the back.
I mainly ride Pile Rd, so good single track, so have no problems, where other things you might have issues with.
Worst thing was, the kids wanted to go faster than I was prepared to go!
Gus
Ejector seat definitely needed. There were times when I could have done with that feature on the child car seat on a few long trips when the kids were younger.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pacific-child-bicycle...
Something closer for you Northside guys.
What's the maximum weight you can put in the trailer? Our kids combined weigh about 35kgs. Is this OK. Would the uneven weight distribution cause problems?
the 20kg bag of cement too
Just bought one of these:
http://www.goldcross.com.au/online-store/product...
Great price, superceded model but 2nd hand ones are going for not much less on ebay.
Looking forward to getting the youngest out there rollin'.
you got money to spend , I paid a quarter of that & It does the same job , hope u get some km's out of it ,mine has done at least 70km in 2 yrs picking the young fella up from childcare & will do the same in a few more years .
Don't mind paying for quality. I was going to get cheapy from ebay but the extra width, weight and height of them put me off. Alloy frame and rims mean no rust either so beach here we come, too!
I dislike the bike seats that mount on the back as they affect the balance of the bike. We bought a WeeRide for our first kid, and I absolutely loved it. She is probably just over the rated weight limit now, and it is a bit squishy for her, but I just had to take her out around Glenrock:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=101502661...
When the twins arrived, that wasn't going to be an option, so we got a Chariot Cougar. Absolutely awesome trailer. Haven't done any firetrails yet, but have done laps of the Fernleigh track during their afternoon naps a few times.
I have a tag along that quick releases and folds in on itself for easier transport. Its a great way for a father and 7 year old son to spend time together without distractions.
Son never stops talking on the ride, even when dad is struggling for breath. When the going gets tough I yell 'boost' and the boy pedals enthusiastically, and believe it or not, you really can feel him pushing. We took the whole kit to Dubbo Zoo and with the competition of our friend's father and son combo to beat, I wasn't pedalling at all, even up hills!
I've converted the old MTB to a commuter bike which with its gearing is good for hauling the 30+kg of bike and boy around.
We have even tackled some fire trail and easy single tracks, I know the boy is learning the 'feel' of a bike as we go giving him a real leg up as a little cyclist. Its a great way to get out there and cover some reasonable length rides, spend time with your child and instill a passion for cycling in them.
My 5 year old twins are getting to the right age, I'm not sure about the triple tag along road train idea though.
Convert wife and add tag along for her, you take a child each then the 7 year old will be on his own bike .... problem solved.
Why trailers and seats? Just let the children ride.
My 3 year old twins ride Bobbin Head, and Narrabeen Lakes with me. I just cruise along slowly with them, bunny-hopping sticks and pointing out what tree is what, and what kinds of animals live in the bush in the day time and what comes out at night etc. Never used a tag along, or a trailer or a seat. They just went from balance bikes to pedal bikes without training wheels almost instantly. If the trail is flat they are fine. They just need little rest breaks more often than we do, and they can't ride that far on little 12" bikes but they are actually riding, not sitting back being a passenger. I find most children like to do "what we do" more than "watching what we do".
Oh, and Cam McCall is their hero. 2nd to me of course! and the misses rides with us too if shes not busy.
Will be getting a balance bike and real bike as soon as she's ready... right now though I just want to get her into the feeling of riding.
The Wee Ride seat is great. I get to see how the little one is enjoying the ride, point things out to her etc.
Looking at the trailers I am always worried that a car might not see it and run up the back of me. I know they have flags and all, but still. Plus it is harder to see what the kids are up to.
I have a Wee-Ride and love it. I feel more in control. I can interact with my girls. The harness keeps them tied in. The only problem I can see is them growing out of it. My four year old doesn't fit now but I am still riding with my two year. We chat as we go. Love it.
I have a Strider balance bike too. Both kids ride it. I think they are great but hugely over priced.
Regards,
Shane
I found I rode footpaths as often as I could and when I was on the roads cars were even more courteous as they knew that kids were in the trailer. Most trailers are bright and mine had a big flexi pole with a flag on it and I always used that. Kids in the trailer were fine and always looking where they wanted to go. Mine also had pockets so food was in easy reach and their drink bottles. If it was a nice day the canopy of mine was able to open and roll out of the way. So most of the time all you heard from the back was to go faster Mum or look at this and that. Loved it as I could continue to ride. Rode my two girls to school in it until the older one could ride a bike and then went to the tag along for the other.