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Regardless of the season, whenever the weather allows passionate bikers to use every opportunity to go on a ride. We all know that biking is super beneficial for health and also for the environment. Therefore it is undoubtedly one of the best hobbies, and at the same time, ways of transportation one can choose. But when you have a kid, it can be a bit difficult to balance between all the parenting responsibilities and your cycling routine.
However, there is a way to bridge the gap between the two and include your kid in biking tours. You might be wondering how if your baby isn't old enough to get a bicycle of their own. Well, the answer is quite simple. A good child bike seat is a solution to all of your troubles. They are very comfortable, and kids love being driven in them. Plus, having one is an excellent way to introduce your child to long-lasting love for cycling and spending time outdoors even before they pedaling on their own.
There are three main kids bike seat mounting types – front-mounted, rear frame-mounted, and rear rack mounted. We will discuss all of them in this text, and hopefully, you will be able to decide what option best suits your needs.
Recently, the idea of attaching a baby bike seat to a bicycle is becoming increasingly popular because it is not only convenient but also cost-effective as it is much cheaper then bicycle for children. But like with many other things, choosing the proper baby chair for a bike isn't always as straightforward as it might seem. Not only that, there are plenty of options on the market, but you need to factor in many things before you make a final decision.
For example, the majority of child bike seat options are suitable for children between 9 months and 4 years old. Babies younger than 9 months can also sit in it if they are already able to sit without support. You can choose a bicycle baby carrier that can recline in case you want to take a younger child for a ride-along. This type of seat can accommodate kids from six months old as long as they can sit unsupported. It is essential to know that the upper limit doesn't depend on the age but more on the weight. On the average bike child carrier is designed for children weighing up to 20 kg. You might think that they look pretty sturdy and see no reason why older or heavier children cant fit. They are indeed designed to be reliable, but it is not advisable to put a kid that weighs more than 20 kg in it, not because the seat can break but because the weight can make the ride more difficult.
These are just some of the essential things you need to consider when you are choosing the adequate bicycle baby seat. We do understand that you already feel overwhelmed and with the impression that it will take too much time to find the right one.
As we said, there are many options on the market, and it makes perfect sense that you feel that way, but this should prevent you from enjoying bike rides with your little by your side. That's why we took upon us to research and analyze different models and present our findings. We hope our child bike seat reviews, along with detailed explanations, will help you get well informed and make the right decision.
TOP 5 Best Baby Bike Seat: Comparison Chart
We are delighted to present to you our list of bike seat models for children. It arrived as a result of a lot of tests and research, so we hope you will like it and find it useful. We invite you now to join us in discovering the possibilities for the best baby bike seat 2023.
WeeRide Child Bike Seat with Steel Support Bar
Schwinn Bicycle Mounted Child Carrier/Bike Seat
Bellelli Rack-Mounted Bicycle Baby Carrier
WeeRide Front-Position Child Bike Seat
Dimensions
27.01 x 14.02 x 9.21 inches
19.69 x 14.96 x 11.81 inches
Dimensions
27.01 x 14.02 x 9.21 inches
WeeRide Child Bike Seat with Steel Support Bar
Schwinn Bicycle Mounted Child Carrier/Bike Seat
Bellelli Rack-Mounted Bicycle Baby Carrier
WeeRide Front-Position Child Bike Seat
Dimensions
19.69 x 14.96 x 11.81 inches
Best Overall: iBert Baby Seat for Bike Review
If you are a mountain biker and a parent, you will love this front-mounted child bike seat. Installation is straightforward and takes just a few minutes of your time. The tools that you need for setting it up come with the place. Your kid will enjoy the ride while being securely positioned behind the stirring wheel as she or he will be able to see everything while maintaining contact with you. This mountain bike child seat is cushioned, which makes it perfectly comfortable. Safety belt and lap bar make it even more stable and safe. It is important to remember that the maximum weight for this type of seats 17 kg or 38 pounds, which means you can use it until the child is about 3 years old.
Both you and your kid will love bike rides with this seat.
Why We Like It
- Safe
- Secure
- Stable
- Comfortable
- Easy to Install
Sale
For One-Year-Olds and Up: Kangaroo Seat for Bicycle Review
For all those who are looking for a cheaper option for this is the best deal. It is a front-facing baby bike seat, and it is super stable so you can be sure that your child is safe as well as comfortable. The mounting is in the center of the place between your seat and front head tube on the bicycle. It doesn't take a lot of time to install this child bike carrier seat. Also, it is quite simple to take it off in case you want to go for a ride without your kid. It is suitable for children between 1 and 3 years old.
Excellent, accessible child bike seat that will make rides with your kid more enjoyable.
Why We Like It
- Stability
- Center-mounted
- Supports balance of the biker
- Affordable
Good for Toddlers: Schwinn Deluxe Child Carrier Review
This is a rear child bike seat that you can quickly assemble and mount on a frame. It is padded to provide extra comfort for the child during the rides. Children from 1 to 3 years old can sit in this carrier, which makes it one of the best toddler bicycle carriers. It is built with durable, yet lightweight materials, so mounting is quite simple as well as taking it off. Lightweight materials also contribute to the better balance, so you won't be under the impression that something is attached to your bike. It comes with quick-release harness, crossbar padding, and leg restraints.
This seat will be a game-changer when you want to take your toddler for a ride-along.
Why We Like It
- Quick-release
- Easy assembling and disassembling
- Padded for extra comfort
- Lightweight
Best for Budget: BellelliBaby Carrier Review
If you are looking to buy a baby seat bike without putting a significant strain on your budget, then you will be thrilled to learn about this one. It is one of the cheap baby bike seats that provide excellent quality. It can hold children up to 50 pounds/ 23 kg, so we can say it is a superb child bike seat for 5 years old. This seat has excellent ventilation, which is something to appreciate when you are living in hot climates. It is lightweight yet durable and comes with different shoulder strap height slots, so it is easy to adjust them as your kid is growing. The only issue is that the 3 point harness is too small, so you will have to take off the child's helmet to put the straps on.
Having fun and enjoying time outdoors doesn’t have to cost you a lot if you opt for this item.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- Great for older kids
- Good ventilation
Cons
For Bike Enthusiasts: LTD WeeRide Bike Seat Review
This is another excellent solution for a bike with a baby carrier in front. This child bike carrier seat is super firm and comes with extra padding, which provides superior comfort for your kid. You can install it in front of the bike seat to be sure that the baby is secure. It is an adequate toddler bike seat because children up to 33 pounds /15 kg can sit in it. Both kids and parents love this handlebar baby bike seat because they can communicate during the ride without worrying about safety. The only issue that we found is the length of the area for legs because it's quite short.
Your kids will be thrilled to be able to see everything around them and chat with you when you take them for a ride.
Pros
- Affordable
- Secure
- Comfortable
- Both kids and parents enjoy the rides
- Great for toddlers
Cons
- Area for legs could be longer
Buyer’s Guide: All You Need to Know About the Best Baby Bike Seat
Even if the majority of best baby bike seat options come at quite an affordable price, nobody wants to throw money on things that won’t be useful. That’s why it is essential to get informed and choose bicycle child carrier you deem as the most appropriate for your particular needs. We know that to do that, you need more than reviews since there are many different factors you need to take into consideration before making the purchase. Therefore, we prepared a detailed guide that will help you with choosing a child bike seat for your dreams.
When Can a Baby Ride in a Bike Seat?
A lot of new parents are wondering when can a baby ride in a bike seat, and is it possible to use it for riding babies. As we already mentioned, the best is to start using the bike seat when a child turns at least 9 months because, from this age, they can support their neck and head without any help. A child that is 6 months old can also sit in bike carrier for kid, but then you should look for one that has a recline option. In fact, a lot of experts recommend that you seek for recline option even if your kid can sit up straight on their own but are younger than 2, especially if you are planning to go on longer rides. The reason for this that it often happens that kids fall asleep in infant bike seat and then slump forward. This will not cause any harm, but sure it is super comfortable.
Does a Child in a Bike Seat Need a Helmet?
There is an ongoing debate on whether children should wear helmets when sitting in kids bicycle seat, trailers, or riding on their own. Some people are saying that instead of imposing helmets, governments need to set rules that will enable cyclists to ride safely under any circumstances. However, helmets are an essential part of bike safety for both kids and adults, so we would say that a child in a bike seat needs a helmet. It protects the kid’s face and head. It is essential to know that a child’s skull is much softer than an adult; therefore, there is a higher risk of injury in case of an accident. The same people are saying that their kids are refusing to put it on, they get too hot and sweat more, or it makes them sit uncomfortably. The first two issues can be quickly resolved. You need to explain to your kid that wearing a helmet is the same as putting a safety belt, and it is not negotiable. If the child gets too sweaty wearing it, you can roll up the plastic cover so your child can enjoy the breeze. As for the third problem goes, it is essential to understand that if this is the case, your kid is still not ready to sit in baby seat bike attachment.
You should keep in mind that children should wear helmets when they start pedaling on their own. If you have a toddler who can already bike, you can look at our suggestions for the best toddler bike.
Can You Put a Child Seat on Any Bike?
Unfortunately, some bikes aren’t made to carry seat for children at all, while some are compatible with only a few places. If you have a city bike, commuter bike, or a hybrid, you will not have a problem, find an adequate chair for your baby. But if you have a mountain bike with full suspension, then it is going to be challenging to find something appropriate. Same counts for road and carbon frame bikes.
How to Choose the Best Baby Bike Seat
Besides choosing the mounting option that will work best, there are several other things you need to think about when selecting the best baby bike seat. Here are some of the aspects you need to take into consideration when looking for a child bike seat.
Weight
The weight of the child bike seat varies a lot from model to model. We advise you to look for the most lightweight option you can find and afford. You kid already adds significant weight to your bike, so there is no need to make things more complicated by putting heavy chair.
Age Range
The average age when a child can sit in a bicycle child carrier is from about nine months to 3.5 years old. It is, however, more about physical development and the weight of a child than about the age itself. As we previously mentioned, a kid should sit in a bicycle or motorcycle baby seat until they can hold their head and neck without anybody’s help. This usually happens around the 9th month, although some can start sitting on their own sooner. Also, since these seats have a weight limit after the age of 3 or 4, children outgrow most of them. However, some models can carry 5 years old kids as well.
Another option is also to use baby car seat for bike that can also carry older kids.
Maximum Child Weight
Depending on how long you think you will need it, you should look into how much weight the safest baby bike seat can carry. Front-mounted seats are designed to support weight up to 15 kilograms or about 30 pounds. By the time kids reach this weight, many of them start riding their bikes or trikes, but some parents like to have a seat as well in case they are planning to go on a longer ride.
When we are talking about rear-mounted seats, most of them are made in a way that they can carry 40 pounds/18 kilograms maximum. Nevertheless, some models can support up to 50 pound/22 kilograms weight, so if you want to have the possibility to go for rides with your kids this way for a long time, you should look for this option.
Safety Harness
These products are designed with either 3 or 5 point safety harness. 3 point safety harness has straps that go over the baby’s shoulders and legs. 5 point harness has two straps over the shoulders, one between the legs and two over the hips.
Suspension
Most sets don’t have suspension option as it is not a priority for city rides. But some more expensive do come with it. If you know that you will sometimes ride on rougher roads that maybe it would be useful to look for a seat with suspension as it makes the ride more comfortable.
Reclinable
A lot of higher-end carriers that are mounted in the back of a bike can recline. If you have a younger child that tends to fall asleep during rides, this is a useful option, but it is not necessary.
Foot Rest is essential because it supports child’s feet and legs on both types of seats. Besides, an excellent adjustable footrest prevents the rear wheel from hurting the kid in some way. The footrest on the front seat stops the kids from messing with the steering wheel or shifters.
Price
The price of best baby bike seat varies a lot depending on the features. You can find cheap basic models in case you have a limited budget. If you want a chair that has a suspension or recline option, you need to invest more.
Best Baby Bike Seat Types
Front –Mounted
When it comes to a front-facing baby bike seat, it is necessary to say that there are three places where you can attach it. It can go on the top tube, bracket on the top tube, or bar that is usually fixed above the pipe. They are a good option because the kid can enjoy watching the surroundings while you bike, or talk with you. The balance is quite right, even better than when you are using a rear fitting seat. The problem with this type is that it can be quite dangerous for a child in case of falls or accidents.
Rear – Mounted
Rear fitting seats are the most common. This type of chair is mounted over the back wheel, and it comes high back, harness, and leg protection.They are quite safe and comfortable, primarily because of the recline and suspension option. Downside is there is no way of knowing what your kid is doing while sitting in the back.
Rear – Rack Mounted
This type of carrier is set up on the rack at the back of a bicycle. They don’t have good suspension but are a good option if you cannot attach the seat to the rear frame.
MTB Seat
The best option if you have a mountain bike is to get a special kind of front-mounted seat. The difference from the standard option is that these carriers are fitted in the middle of the top tube. This allows the biker to ride much faster while the kid is still safe. Also, they are created to carry older children as well. These seats are ideal for mountain bikes but also cruiser, full suspension, and hybrid bicycles.
VERDICT AND OUR RECOMMENDATION 2023
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to best baby bike seat and many features to consider. Therefore, choosing the right one is understandably not easy. We spend several weeks researching and discussing with experts and parents. Finally, we decided to crown iBert Baby Seat for Bike as best baby bike seat 2023 because of all the features we mentioned above. However, you may find another one best accommodating your needs. Before we leave, we want to remind you that there are many other texts on our parenthoodroutine website.