Top 7 Best Child Bike Seat: Bicycling With Your Little One
We all know that riding a bike is a lot of fun. However, not many know that you can still enjoy it even if you have turned parenthood while need to take care of your child. For that, you simply need to find the best child bike seat which is suitable for you and your kid.
Buying a child seat for your bike is an easy way to go out and about with your toddler. So, we are here to help you find the best child bike seat out there. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your bike is compatible. Other than that, let's jump straight into what the bike seat needs to be like.
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What to Look For?
So, assuming your bike is compatible, what do you want to check when buying a seat? Well, we will give you a short list of features to consider. Of course, it is not a be-all-end-all list, but it should come in handy while choosing it. Some of these are important, while others simply depend on your taste. So, what are the key features?
1. Where to mount it?
2. Age and size of your child
3. Shoulder straps
4. Other safety features
Of course, there are dozens of other features one could bring up. Some find the design to be incredibly important. Others look for accessories. However, as you know, the more research you do, the more you will find out. Or, if you want your kids to have a more comfort ride, there's always a bike trailer choice.
So, with these in mind, we present our top picks.
WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
Best Child Bike Seat - Great Value
You are definitely going to love this seat. It is very easy to attach and remove, depending on your daily needs and it feels very sturdy. The design is very universal and should go well with any bike.
Also, the fact that you mount it on the center of the bike means that it will not affect the stability while you ride. In fact, it somewhat helps. And, since you mount the seat in front of you, you can always keep a close eye on your kid. This will help you be certain your child is safe.
Well, that and the safety features it offers. The five-point safety harness will keep your child in place and you can adjust the foot cups to protect your toddler's legs and feet. The padding on the dashboard acts as another safety measure.
The manufacturer recommends the product for kids from ages 1 to 4. However, the size of your kid does matter. The maximum weight for this seat is 33 pounds. And, if your tot is a bit taller it might not be the perfect choice.
On the other hand, the Weeride Kangaroo is highly recommended for those who enjoy mountain biking, as it is extremely safe to be rode on rough terrains.
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iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
Best Front-Mounted Child Bike Seat
The iBert Safe-T-seat is one of the most popular child bike seats in the United States. It very well might be the single most popular front-mounted bike seat. Its simplicity is the most attractive feature for many.
The design is simple and you can install it in no time. You only require two simple bolts to mount it. And, almost every single bike is compatible. All that the seat needs is 3/4" on the steering tube. And it can fit on both threaded and threadless headsets.
The seat padding is there to make sure your kid is comfortable and this seat even has a steering wheel. A lot of kids even use the dashboard as a head/arm rest. And that is something you might be thankful for. After all, your kid will rest his/her head during the ride. But the dashboard makes it a lot safer and comfier.
When it comes to safety, this seat offers several features. The shoulder pads are independently and easily adjustable. You can literally do it in seconds. It also comes with a lap bar so that you can lock the child in.
However, there is the fact that it does not offer neck support. This means that you have to make sure your kid is strong enough to remain upright with the bike helmet on. So, it makes sense that the minimum age is 1 year. On the flip side, the maximum weight for this seat is 38 pounds. Meaning that it should be right for your kid up until the age of 4.
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Peg Perego Orion Front Mount Child Seat
For Hard To Fit Bikes
This model offers something that a lot of parents simply love - the suspension system. If you worry that the road around your home is too rough, this is the seat for you. Not to mention how easy it is to mount and remove.
The seat itself is compatible with any bike with a frame between 1.3 to 2.0 inch thickness. This means that it will go perfectly on electric bikes too. You can install this seat in a matter of minutes as it offers a very innovative bracket system. Basically, all you have to do is fix the bracket system onto the head tube.
Once that is done, you can install the seat in seconds with the one-click installation.
And it is a really fun seat to use. One of the important things that front seats offer to the parent is contact with your child during the ride. You can make sure they are safe and keep an eye on them, while also talking to them.
And we have to notice that the child feels very safe in this seat. Not only does the 3-point harness does its job, but the suspension makes for a smoother ride. It is great for kids between 9 months and 4 years (weight limit is 33 pounds).
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This is the first rear mounting seat we will speak of now. The Thule Yepp Maxi is definitely a very good choice for anyone who is browsing for a child seat. Now, of course, with the fact that this seat will be behind you, there are some flaws. Your kid won't be able to see as much and you won't be able to monitor it.
However, it is worth noting that it comes with a valuable advantage - it can carry bigger kids. And the fact that you do not mount it in front of you means you won't bump your knees. But, bear in mind that it was made for Dutch bikes.
They tend to be a bit bigger so, if you ride a small bike, your kid might be uncomfortable behind you.
Another thing we should mention is that this seat comes from Holland. And not only does it meet the strictest European standards, it is one of the best out there. In its essence, this seat consists of a steel frame and EVA polymer. So, this seat can carry a six-year-old easily and safely.
And you can be sure your kid is safe in this seat. It will be strapped in place by a 5-point harness with nylon straps. You will also be able to adjust the footrests and strap your kid's legs to avoid them touching the wheel.
The backrest is higher than most and will provide a lot of support. It is also waterproof and lets air flow through.
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Moving on with our reviews, one of the seats that definitely deserve our attention is this one. We would definitely like to start by mentioning the design behind this seat. One thing almost everyone can agree on is that it looks great.
It is a rear mounting seat. Which means that it has all of the advantages and disadvantages you might expect from that. However, the design definitely allows for a lot of room for your kid behind you. Something that is a relatively common issue with rear seats.
The seat is very durable and it will allow you to easily get your kid in it. The straps are well-positioned and will allow you to keep your child secured and in place, including the feet straps so your kid's legs shouldn't swing around too much and be at risk of hitting the back wheel. You can easily adjust the footrests to make the ride a lot more comfortable for your child.
It is relatively simple to install, however, you will need some handiness and at least an hour. However, that is not too big of an issue as you just need to do it once. And, thankfully, you don't have to have a rear rack to install it. Instead, you attach it to the seat post.
Just remember, you cannot attach it to beach cruisers or bikes with rear suspension.
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When it comes to design, the Bell Cocoon did not really impress us. However, the seat does have many features to redeem the basic-looking design. For starters, you should be able to install it on almost every bike. Not to mention that the installation is relatively simple. However, it does take a bit of skill to do. With a bit of skill, you can install it in 20 minutes. However, there are some who needed over an hour to do the same. It is suitable for kids up to the age of 4 and 40 pounds. And it is a rather safe ride. The position is very good for stability and riding.
A very convenient thing about it is that it comes with a removable seat cushion. This improves the comfort of your child and allows you to wash the cushion in the machine.
Your child will be kept safe by the five-point harness. It also has a bar across for your child to hold onto. However, that bar is a bit too close to the rider.
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P Perego is famous for making great car seats and strollers. However, they did not disappoint on the field of child bike seats either. So much so that we had to include two of their seats in this list. We would like to start by mentioning how much we love the design. It boasts the same "One-Click" system the Peg Perego does.
You can easily fit this seat on any a bicycle with a frame ranging from 1.1 inches to 1.6 inches. It also offers a smooth ride thanks to the suspension system. Thanks to that, your child will have a fun ride even on rough terrain. A smooth ride is almost a guarantee. It also comes with a combination lock to prevent possible theft.
This brand model also did not slack when it came to safety.
The seat includes a safety harness and a footrest with 15 adjustable positions. This seat is suitable for kids between ages 1 and 4 and it can handle up to 40 pounds. And you can hand wash the padding with soap and water.
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Final Verdict
The WeeRide Kangaroo is a good seat that offers great value to anyone who wants to buy it. The iBert is the most popular seat out there. In fact, many believe it is the best front-mounted child bike seat.
The Peg Perego Orion is excellent for hard to fit bikes and the suspension system makes for a smooth ride. The Thule Yepp is incredibly safe and follows the strictest regulations. You also can't go wrong with CyclingDeal seats as it is one of the best-looking seats.
The Bell Classic Cocoon is incredibly convenient and a good money saver. And the Eggy offers a comfortable seat with great ventilation and the one-click system.
Well, these are our top picks. After all, now you have a quick overview of pros and cons. These are, in our opinion, the best child bike seats out there. The rest is up to you.