Child Seats - Advice

i guess it will be best to just try some out and see. anyone got anything a can test ride?

Well we will agree to differ then .Still not talking bollocks though

HAMAX are better, this thread can now end.

Andy the bracket mounts on the seat tube with 4x M5 or M6 allen bolts the seat clips into this and releases by the click of a button.

The copilots are a piece of piss to remove/re-mount too,* I did it twice every day for ages so that I didn't have to carry the empty seat around from nursery to work and back.

In the end you might as well try them out like Edric did, harold/andyp.

*not, however, at 'the click of a button'

i guess it will be best to just try some out and see. anyone got anything a can test ride?

Yep I have a copilot doing nothing. You need a basic blackburn rack, you can borrow one of those too.

I looked at all the options including a Christiania, + 1 for the Hamax, they offer a far more comfortable ride as they are not bolted to the frame or rack.
Its kicking off.......

Actually, the problem I had with the copilt was, on my particular bike, the kids feet can easily be too close to your heel in the up-stroke, which presumably you can more easily avoid with the Hamax, by choosing where in the seat tube to put the clampy thingy.

Yep I have a copilot doing nothing. You need a basic blackburn rack, you can borrow one of those too.

awesome, giving you a pm

You mean the initial fitting or each time you put the seat on/take it off afterwards?

The latter.

ha mumsnet, girlf on that all the time, actually i think i may have closed a window with it in just before i posted this thread.

parenting forums can get a lot more heated than anything lfgss can offer, prime popcorning i say.

anyone had any experience of one of these

http://www.conwasa.demon.co.uk/bobike/

never seen anything else like it really. mumsnet seem to approve

What stopped you getting a Christina Growup?

What stopped you getting a Christiania Growup?

We did not have twins! I think the Bakfiets cargo bike was easier as it has single wheel at the front. Brilliant fun and fast.
Is it imminent?

What Skully says ^ is spot on. Bouncy, Hamax style for starters, (much more user friendly for when you don't want it on), then rack mounted when they're bigger, then trailer-bike, then own bike.

I've had 3 almost all the way through that process and it works.

(With more £$£$£, I would have had a Christiana at some point.)

well i've just picked up skullys old rack jobber and i'll keep this thread up to date with how it goes with a youngun. not too sure how the vibration issue will be resolved, especially on my alloy frame, judders o'clock perhaps.

The shock transmited through the rack is why i don't rate the Co-Pilot styles. However you could adapt one of the push gel seat covers, shit on bikes but very squishy so should soften the bumps & bangs.

i was taken around in one of these as a kid. way more fun to sit up front and feel the wind than to be relegated to the back with dad's rucksack right in the face.

HAMAX are better, this thread can now end.

Andy the bracket mounts on the seat tube with 4x M5 or M6 allen bolts the seat clips into this and releases by the click of a button.

I have a Hamax sleepy, and a two seater trailer.

The Hamax is a nice system as it offers natural suspension for the child. Its as safe as they come, My nippa loved it. If you buy an extra clamp you can easily set-up a second bike to take the seat at a moments notice. Handling wise, it does make the front end of the bike feel a bit light.

The trailer is great now that the eldest nippa is getting a bit big for the seat. The weight is removed from the back wheel somewhat, and you get loads of storage space. The downside is the width of the trailer and parking the bike+trailer (not such a problem for me). But if you want to use your bike to take your child out for the day, the trailer wins. Its more comfortable, keeps the child dry, and allows them to store their own snacks and reading material (Mine is a mobile library).

I had one that mounted on the top tube so your nipper is between your arms. I was never happy with the idea of not being able to see my kid while riding and worried about being rammed up the arse etc. It was great - however, you have to make sure your kid keeps their feet in the stirrups - mine decided to stick his foot in the spokes (because he thought it looked like a fan and would cool his feet apparently) and the the bike upended. Upside was I managed to cradle him with one arm during the spill. Downside was I broke my other elbow trying to cushion the fall.

Kids... bless 'em.

Ouch.

I did the classic clippless topple with the nippa in the seat. Had to give up trying to get my brain to stop telling my feet to pull upwards, and stick my arm out. Got some really nasty looks off some mums in the supermarket carpark. Nippa thought it was hilarious.

Ok taking in the advice here is there a seat that would go on the top tube or on the handlebars or over the front wheel as the mother wants the child to be in front of her.

Sorry this will probably annoy a lot of people, I just view child seats as being incredibly unsafe - I realise they are produced to certain safety standards etc. but its bad enough if your t-boned by a car let alone your nearest and dearest. I've got a passion for all bikes thats running on for 25 years now but I do not understand hippies that drag their kids along on the back of their bikes. There i've said it.

Do you have children?

Nope, I wander if having kids will suddenly make me really reckless?

I never found mine reckless.

appologies for the highjack but i have a <1yr old christiania for sale if anyone is interested - it's in mint condition with cover all bought from velorution and still under warantee selling due to us moving out of london. currently in stoke newington. email me if you'd like to know more. ta