Wanted: Child seat

wanted for a friend - a child seat for a bike. Needs to be not crashed / in good condition, a decent one, and ideally in London so you can help him fit it.

alternatively, if you've used one, post your advice / recommendations here.

I know BMMF and MA3K have good child seats for example, what would you recommend / avoid?

I would recommend a trailer (however, I don't know how it would be in a city like London).

I have a bike seat and a trailer.... the trailer is a bit tatty now... and may still be used to cart beer to picnics in the summer... etc

But i have a pilot bike seat, only used about 3 times... it was over a £100 new.... it clips onto a panier. Not sure whether i want to keep it or not...... anyway its like this;

CoPilot Limo Child Seat

£149.99

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^thats the one MA3K has.

are you interested in selling it?

from £88 at wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/m/cycle/7/Co-Pilot/

I have the more basic CoPilot. It's good. The bar thing that goes in front if the child is useless though, and the clip hinge that holds it on one side breaks. It's actually unecessary but reassuring, not a functional restraint.

What I like about the copilot is it's really easy to remove and put back on, uses a Blackburn basic pannier rack, with two attatchments plus a safety strap that wraps around the seatpost. I used to leave the seat at the playgroup with all the pushchairs so I didn't have to have it rattling about empty for the rest of my journey.

You need to be careful that the kid's knees don't interfere with the saddle and feet clash with one's heels when the pedal is at ten o'clock. Hard to explain what I mean but basically get it fitted in a shop, to make sure it works on the bike. The rack needs to be horizontal so you're restricted by the geometry and fit of the frame.

I paid a little more than the wiggle price at London Fields, but not much more.

The only thing about the copilot is is doesn't have any give / suspension effect, unlike the ones that have two thick metal rails that clamp onto the seatpost. I always think these look a bit wobbly though.

you guys are the real legends, every time you take a kid out on a bike the message is "It can be done" welcome to the future

Fixed + two brakes with kid for the win.

The one I have came with foot restraints but the kid doesn't like them.
The rack/seat combo is rated to 18kgs(I think) so my chubbernaut will be outgrowing it soon.

Not soon enough for you though I suspect Fred.

Sheet - really Mak? 18kgs? I swear mine's heavier than that. Thing is I don't really know what a kilo is, nor do we have scales in our lardy house.

Time to get my chubbernaut onto his own expensive bike i bought him which he's a bit scared of.

EDIT mine hated the footstraps too. Handy for when they nod off though.

The only thing about the copilot is is doesn't have any give / suspension effect, unlike the ones that have two thick metal rails that clamp onto the seatpost. I always think these look a bit wobbly though.

My 2p.
We used the Hamax Smiley, basic version of the copilot.
The seat post clamping system looks a bit sketchy but does provide more comfort than a fixed (ahem) system.

I've got the CoPilot Limo too (I already had the Blackburn rack, and someone was selling the seat only for £40). Not keen on the bouncy-bouncy Hamax variety, like Skully said, and the seats themselves are very heavy. The CoPilot ones are much lighter, can stand on their own when off the bike, and you can improvise suspension with judicious psi experimentation in the rear and/or extra bits of foamy stuffy under the cushion.

Haven't got one to sell, I'm afraid, but have used both a pannier one like those ^^ and a seatpost one - Hamax Kiss, I think.

I preferred the 'bouncy' one - very quick and easy to take off and very comfy. Meant I didn't have a rack on my bike too.

Not much in it TBH - horses for courses.

True. I've always been a rack man... when it comes to bikes ;)

you guys are the real legends, every time you take a kid out on a bike the message is "It can be done" welcome to the future

Im glad someones noticed... last year I used to cycle my 4 year old in the trailer, about 3-4 miles each way to and from school.... on the way home, I had to pull him and the trailer up a very steep long hill.... real anaerobic one.... he'd be slumped in the seat of the trailer asleep, every time ! How much bliss is that heh !? I wish someone would cycle me home like that......

Now, he just sits on his book bag on the panier on the back of my fixed.... bit wobbly thou.....

anyway, erm, I was comtemplating selling it.... i'll see if I can find all the bits for it tonight..... not sure how much you wanna pay thou....

Hi Scarlett- its Edward

Two of my three were brought up on a Hamax. As I could take it off and leave it at the nursery it made life easier than riding to work and then around East London on visits with a child seat on the back .

I d also advise using at least 26 X 1.5 tyres . I assume you are using 26" wheels. I found 1.75s the best for control and comfort.

Hi EdWard - I think if Tynan's nursery was further than walking distance, I'd use the childseat, and also leave it at the nursery (unless I wanted some kind of weird wind-catching training aid setup). Both systems seem to work okay in that respect.

I do indeed use 26x1.5s, usually at about 40psi rather than my usual 50-55psi. No snakebites, as long as I 'ride light' when necessary.

I reckon I'd use a trailer if I lived in the sticks/suburbs, and didn't live on the 3rd floor in a block with no lifts.

Hope you and yours are doing fine :)

I have a bike seat and a trailer.... the trailer is a bit tatty now... and may still be used to cart beer to picnics in the summer... etc

But i have a pilot bike seat, only used about 3 times... it was over a £100 new.... it clips onto a panier. Not sure whether i want to keep it or not......

I don't think we should keep it... like any bike it should be being used and if we need something similar again I'm sure we can find one...

I have one in garage somewhere! Will have a look later im sure that some of the fixings need to be replaced.
Its yours if you want it ?
free of charge

anyone used or have opinions on these?

http://www.co-rider.com/

hmm. not used one but at a guess:

pro's: you can keep an eye on 'em. handy if they are prone to climbing out or undoing their straps for example

cons: not much protection if you hit a pothole and go over the bars.

Hi,
I have this

Fittings arn't shown,I am fairly sure I have 2 sets,but I will have to check.
A block bolts to the seatube and it fits into that.
Been fantastic for my three,Never crashed,just a couple of tiny holes drilled in the arm to fit a bell,they loved being in charge of that!
£20 based in UB6, or NW7 during working hours,or I'll post(It is very easy to fit)