How to Find the Best Baby Bike Seat – Australia
Whether your child is 3 years or 7 months old, or anywhere in between, carrying them on child bicycle seats is one of the simplest ways to bring them with you. Generally, this is the best option before they get their first balance bike, or push trike.
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One of the best options is to use a centre-mounted front bike chair, but that may not be the case, depending on how you intend to ride with your child.
It may be challenging to choose the best one for your child, especially since so many seats are available. You need to consider the safety features like a childproof safety buckle, what bike you have, the types of seats, and much more.
This article has five tips for selecting the best kids' bike seat and seat tube for your little angel.
Take a Look at the Different Types of Child Bikes Seats
It's important to know that there are three types of kids' bike seats; centre-mounted bike seats, front-mounted seats, and rear-mounted bike chairs.
Front Mounted Bike Seat
This seat style involves the bike seat mounted on the front handlebars and is mainly preferred by parents with younger kids between 6 months to 1 year.
Centre Mounted Bike Seat
With the seat style, you will be able to position it in front of you but mounted over the crossbar. It provides extra stability for your child's seat and keeps them safe while on your adventures.
Rear Mounted Bike Seat
The rear-mounted child bike chair is exactly as the name suggests. Your child's bike chair will be situated behind you; this is the perfect style for children between 2 to 4 years old.
We will look at the disadvantages and advantages of this style. If you want answers to the most frequently asked questions, you may check the end of this article for that information.
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Choose a Child Bike Seat Based on Your Bike
You need to look at the type of bike you have before purchasing your child's bike chair. Why is this, you ask? Your choice is often based on where you would prefer your child to be positioned on the bike, as most bikes can accommodate all types of seats.
Road Bike
The rider has to lean forward over the crossbar to get to lower positions because of the dropped handlebars on a road bike. Unless you want to sacrifice being able to reach the lower handles, rear bike seats are generally better options for this kind of bicycle. When you use a rear-mounted seat with a road bike, you will still be able to reach the central handlebar while your child is safely at the rear.
Mountain Bike
If you are a fan of riding your mountain bikes on various types of terrain or enjoy mountain biking with your child from time to time, a front or centre-mounted seat is what you would certainly be looking for.
It would be too much of a concern travelling over rough countryside without seeing what your kid is up to. Make share that you are looking for a bike seat with a complete suspension support system for added comfort and enjoyment.
Hybrid Bike or E-Bikes
With an ebike, we suggest using a centre or front-mounted child bike chair like the above for this bike style. Primarily for the advantage of the security and comfort of your child.
Cruiser Bike
Cruiser bikes and front child bike seats work together perfectly. It gives you more space between you and the handlebars; an excellent example of a superb front-mounted bike seat is the Ibert child seat.
Select a Bike Seat That Can Be Used with Various Bikes
There are multiple mountain bikes on the market, meaning you may want to use your bike seat on various models. It would be best to consider this to make things easy when you want to switch from your mountain bike to your road bike or vice versa.
One of the most significant benefits of the WeeRide baby bike seat tube is that it fits most bike models. In order to attach to the front handlebars, this child bike seat only needs 5mm of space on the frame under the headset.
There are two adaptors included in cases there is not 5mm of space available, which ensures that this frame-mounted seat fits over 95% of all bikes. You can also purchase an extra mounting bar to swap bicycle child seats quickly because you will have one on each model.
Ensure Your Bicycle Child Seat Is Safe
The best thing we can recommend is to confirm that the baby bike seat you want to buy meets Australian safety standards and regulations. You need to check for the EN14344 approval, ensuring your child's safety by indicating that the product has been thoroughly tested.
If you cannot establish that the seat has approval, we suggest you steer clear. There is another red flag if the manufacturer says they have tested the seat themselves. We often see a product that has been self-test coming from China even though many high-quality child bike seats exist.
You need to have the safest baby bike seat tube for your child, and rightfully so.
If a prominent brand sells it, this should allow you to rest easy, knowing that your child's safety is the goal. Brands like Hamax, Belelli, Polisport, and WeeRide are all significant companies that are dedicated to improving the safety of your child's mountain bike journeys. The other option you can consider is a bike trailer,
What Safety Features Do You Need in a Kids Bike Seat?
Adjustable Footrests
Keeping your child's feet away from the bike's moving parts is essential. Using a bike seat with adjustable footrests is a great way to keep your kid's feet secure and protected. You need to consider a few things, such as the feet secured in place to ensure no chance to go near the bike's wheels and any chance of entrapment.
Body Strapping
If you want to prevent your child from falling out of the bike seat, using restraints is vital to their safety. Ask yourself, “Will my child be held securely when sitting in the seat?” Using a five-pointed harness to hold your kid from all angles would be best.
Well Made Seat Design
Is your child supported and protected? What are the protections like on the side and at the rear? Did a reputable company make the seat? When purchasing a well-made child bike seat for your little one, you need to ask yourself the above questions.
Comfort Factors
Your child will not enjoy the adventure if they don't have a comfortable ride and may not want to sit in the seat in the future. Are they supported at the back and on the side? Does the chair have soft cushioning for them? Can they take a nap on the headrest if there is one?
It sometimes amazes parents how quickly a kid can fall asleep on frame-mounted seats due to the movement, similar to a car seat.
Retailer Support
Even though this is not a primary cause for concern, it can still indicate quality issues. It is crucial to look for whether a major retailer is supporting a baby bike seat or not before buying it.
However, it is understood that not every shop can support every seat as there is a tonne of pressure. Looking at an excellent model like the Hamax is a great way to get the best bang for your buck and know that you are getting some support from the Australian market.
It is good to note that Amazon is not responsible for making any safety checks on the child bikes seats or rear bike racks it sells.
What Is the Maximum Height and Weight For a Front Child Bike Seat?
The weight limits are set international and are US (18kgs) and EU (15kgs). However, these figures are based on front seats that are connected to the handlebars, where it is hazardous to have too much weight on the steering.
You will be happy with the Bellelli seats because even though they are front-mounted, they do not put all the pressure on the handlebars. This model improves the bike's balance as all baby's weight is placed in the centre due to the patented design.
Weight is not a factor for the above seats, but height sometimes can be an issue. What will happen is that your child will start to run out of room for their legs. However, no official height is given because children have different leg makeup and body types, and bikes have different shapes and styles. In most cases, manufacturers generalise and say height becomes a problem around 4 years old.
Select a Bike Seat That has Great Customer Service
When it is passed down from child to child and has lasted you many years, you know you have found the best kids' bike seat or rear rack mounted seat. Finding a model that is well supported with both spares and customers service can be extremely valuable. Replacing the occasional parts or giving the chair a freshen-up with some new straps save the cost of buying an entirely new seat if anything does wear out or break.
Benefits of Buying a Child Bike Seat
One of your most significant decisions is purchasing child seats for you and your kid. It is a great way to look after your health and spend quality time with your child outdoors at the same time. You may be thinking about what else you should consider and what more you need to know to convince you to buy rack-mounted seats.
Here are some of the additional benefits you will receive when you purchase a child bike seat from a reliable company:
Spend quality time with your child while exercising – It is better than spending your time with them in front of the TV or leaving them at creche.
Go on adventures – Go to dirt tracks or off-roading if you can. We always find a centre or front-mounted seat that provides significantly more protection.
Get your child to school – Once you have reached your destination, can you easily remove the seat. The WeeRide kids' bike seat can be removed within seconds.
Have fun – How much fun will your kid have if you can't hear them and their only view is your back?
Check if it suits how you plan to use your bike with your child while looking for your version of the best kid's bike seat.
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The Best Child Bike Seat for Your Infant or Toddler
In this section, we are reviewing the best child bike seats for your toddler or infant. These child bikes seats are some of the best that money can buy, and rightfully so. These products come from prominent manufacturers, and all take your child's safety into full consideration.
WeeRide Kangaroo LTD
This is probably one of the most padded and comfortable fronts seats online. The WeeRide Kangaroo LTD is a firm favourite amongst parents with children up to the age of 3 years old.
Parents love the padded five-point harness and the adjustable foot holder that grow with their toddler. It is important to remember if your child is on the taller side, you may want to choose another seat for them.
While it may not be the most aesthetic option on this list, it is an affordable seat that gets the job done comfortably and safely.
iBert Safe T Seat
This is the perfect seat for kids between 6 months and 4 years old. What's great about these child bike seats is that they can be shared between your kids, especially those born at relative age.
The best thing about the iBert T Seat is that it has superior neck support, so if your baby is younger than 9 months, their head and helmet weight will be supported. Another awesome thing about this seat is that it is super easy to install. There is a basic cotter pin that holds the fitting in place, and all you need to do is pop it in or out when you want to remove or fit the seat.
On the downside, it only has a three-point harness, so you should know if you are looking for additional safety.
Thule Yepp Mini
The Thule Yepp Maxi and Mini are great child bike seats with excellent value for money. You can leave it to the bike-loving Dutch to create something as beautiful and efficient as this child bike seat.
It is lightweight, and a good-looking front-mounted bike chair is the creme da la creme of all the models. This seat is easy to clean and features a shock-absorbing flexible comfy rubber foam seating that is water-resistant.
Unlike other bike seats, the Thule ridealong bike seat has an adjustable footrest that can be shifted as your child grows. What's fantastic about this model is that you can lock one to your bicycle to prevent theft.
With a selection of six lovely colours and a five-point harness, you can't go wrong with the Yepp Mini.
It is important to note that you will need to purchase a special handlebar adapter if your bike has a head system. Only with this piece will you be able to install the Yepp Mini like a traditional bike seat.
Rear Mounted Bike Seats
People whose kids have outgrown their front-mounted seats may prefer to migrate over to a rear seat. You may want a longer-lived bike seat with which you and your child can go on adventures.
Below are a couple of rear positions seats that we think are worth mentioning:
Urban iKi – Rear Seat
This seat is ideal for 9 months and up and is designed for bikes without a rear rack. It is a beloved seat with a friendly suspension system, rear reflectors, and a wrap-around body to keep your kid stable when riding over bumps. There is also a convenient roll bar for better cranium protection, which can also double as a carrying handle.
One thing about these child bike seats is that the installation can take some time if you don't know what you are doing. It is not simple to switch this seat from bicycle to bicycle because of its complicated connection mechanism.
However, the mounting rack allows for removal and mounting via a slide lock once it has been fitted. That means it is straightforward for you to remove the seat from the bike and throw it onto the bike rack or in the boot of your car.
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Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat
Hamax has been popular in Europe for several years and has recently started disturbing its products to markets worldwide, including Australia. These child bike seats are manufactured by a Norwegian company and are highly recommended by consumers worldwide.
Children from the age of 9 months can use the Hamax Caress seat. It comes with either a rack-mount or a bike's frame mount, so you are spoilt for choice for options; both styles have an anti-theft lock for your peace of mind.
What's the incredible amount this seat is that the chair can recline back up to 20 degrees with the primary twist of a knob. Your child's head will fit comfortably in the seat's upper back part because it has a slight recess. In addition, it also includes a foot pedal and armrest with 10 different height options.
The seat is relatively easy to install and feels durable when fitted; you will be happy to know that it doesn't require any tools for the installation. There are also secure shoulder straps that alter the handle on the back of this seat, meaning if you want to change the height, you don't need to rethread the straps.
This is most likely the best child bike seat on the list with its significant features and solid seat tube. Choose the Hamax seat if you want a rear child bike seat that ensures your kid's safety and comfortability when out on long bicycle seats.
Yepp Maxi – Frame Mounted
We mentioned Yepp Mini earlier, but the Yep Maxi is on another level. This frame-mounted model has you covered if you don't have a rear rack. The Yepp Maxi comes with a seat post adapter, meaning you can mount it on the seat tube between 28 and 45 mm.
Please ensure that your bike has a compatible seat tube before buying this frame-mounted child bike seat.
It's good to note that serious bikers worldwide recommend this child's bicycle seat.
Conclusion
Utilising a baby or kid's bike seat allows you to interact with your child while improving your fitness levels and enjoying nature's best. It is a piece of equipment that ends up ticking all the correct boxes.
The most imperative thing is that your kid is safe no matter what child bike seat you select. One of the easiest ways to ensure this is to purchase from prominent brands in the industry, such as Hamax, Belelli, Polisport, and WeeRide. This will allow you to have a stress-free ride with your child because the seat will have passed approved safety and quality requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What Age Can My Baby or Child Use a Bicycle Seat?
Most professionals suggest that children between the ages of 1 to 4 years can use a bicycle seat. However, it's important to remember that kids develop at different rates and vary in age differences.
One of the best seats for children as young as 6 months is the WeeRideCentre seat. The child bike seat allows you to deal with your child's needs because they are positioned in front of you. Even if you have a child up to the age of 5, you will be able to use some rear child bike seats.
The above are all determined by the development of your child. Parents should consider one of the primary things if their child's neck is more substantial. Are they able to wear a helmet comfortably? Do you think they could confidently handle any bumps or potholes on the tarmac? Only a parent will understand when it is the correct time to place their child in a bike seat; if you feel a sense of doubt, rather wait it out.
Front Mounted Baby Bike Seats – 9 Months to 4 Years
Over 15 years ago, the launch of the WeeRide made front-mounted bike seats extremely popular. With front-mounted seats, you can communicate with your kid, which is much more convenient for the parents and the child.
If your child needs your assistance or drops something, you can quickly notice it and deal with the problem. However, it's crucial to note that the extra weight on the steering wheel could be hazardous during heavy braking; please keep this disadvantage in mind when looking for front-mounted child bike seats.
Centre Mounted Baby Bike Seats – 6 Months to 4 Years
A centre-mounted child bicycle seat does not have the disadvantages of having the child's weights on the front of the bike with all the benefits of a front-mounted model. One of the most extraordinary things is that WeeRide manufactures the only genuine centre-mounted baby bike seats.
The WeeRide Classic bike seat is excellently designed and is a great way to carry your child without stressing about them tumbling off. It has a patented bar that connects to the seat position and the bike frame under the headset; this helps centralise the minor's weight.
When you use the above child bike seat, you can point things out and talk to your child with their weight centralised and your arms around them. With the WeeRide, the balance of the bike is improved significantly.
Rear Mounted Child Bike Seat – 1 to 5 Years
The rear-mounted bike seat was the first type of bike seat to hit the market. One of the main benefits of using a rear seat is that a child up to 5 years old would be able to use it. The child and size of the chair, plus the weight distributions, can lead to instability of the bicycle.
What this also means is that communication with your child may be challenging. You can unbalance the bike, which is dangerous if you cannot see what they are doing and turn around to check.
With such clear disadvantages, you may be wondering why we still see so many being utilised? The answer to that question is that the rear-mounted bike chair has lasted for the longest.
On the other hand, the public has a lot of misunderstandings about the safety and usage of centre and front-mounted seats. Although not many companies make rear-mounted seats, there are some other excellent rear child bike seats that you can look at from companies like Bellelli and Polisport.
Are Child Bike Seats Easy to Clean?
You will be happy to know that child bike seats are easy to clean. Some products like the CyclingDeal bicycle baby seat comes with water repellent materials to aid in keeping the fabric dry in wet conditions.
If your seat does manage to get dirty, we would recommend wiping it down with lukewarm soapy water to remove any grease or grime. It may be a good idea to plan routine maintenance for your child's bike seat every few months, especially if you go out often with your bicycle.
What Is the Safest Way to Ride a Bike with a Child?
Safety is always the primary concern of parents around the world. Luckily, those mentioned above in this article are at the forefront of product development. Each child's bike seat has surpassed and met the most strict international standard, all without compensation of functionality and comfort.
Choosing a child bike seat with a five-point adjustable harness is one of the best ways to know your child is safe. Harness and padded shoulder straps and seats are a great way to ensure your child has a comfortable ride.
In order to ensure the safety of your kid while travelling on the road or in the outback, you should follow the below rules:
- Always makes sure the child's bikes seat is installed correctly before you begin each ride
- Understand the laws of the road
- Practice proper bike hand signals
- Have your child wear a fitted helmet
- You also need to wear a fitted helmet
- Stay away from high traffic areas and stick to a route that you are comfortable with riding
- Avoid uneven surfaces and steep grades
- Do not exceed 25 km/15mph in speed
- Ensure that your child is not left unattended in the child bike seat
With the above point in mind, you can have a safer journey when outdoors, enjoying time on your bicycle with your little one.
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