11 Best Baby Bike Seats To Buy In 2021
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.
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Do you love biking? Want to take your baby along on bike rides but don’t know how? Biking helps you bond with the baby while letting them enjoy the outdoors. All you need is to get a baby bike seat. However, it is essential to get the right kind of bike seat to ensure the baby’s safety and comfort.
Top Picks
11 Best Baby Bike Seats
1. Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat
If an optimum back and head support are what you expect from your baby’s bike seat, then you should consider this product from Hamax.
Pros:
- The backrest can be reclined by 20°. Rotate a knob, and the backrest gradually moves back so that your baby can have a relaxed ride.
- There is a helmet recess area on the backrest to prevent the baby’s helmet from hitting the backrest when they recline.
- There is a three-point harness made from anti-slip straps.
- It also has an anti-theft lock on the bike seat to prevent it from being stolen.
- You can mount the bike either on the frame or the rack. The rack mounting feature can be achieved after installing an adapter, which is sold separately.
Cons:
- There is no safety bar for the baby to grab. The feet constantly stay strapped close to the seat, which may be uncomfortable for the baby during long rides.
- The cushioning on the seat is thin and may cause discomfort during long rides.
2. Thule Yepp Maxi Baby Bike Seat
Thule’s baby bike seat takes minimal space on the frame but does not compromise on the child’s safety.
Pros:
- The seat is made from soft, foam-like material with a sturdy metal frame within. The seat’s material is water-repellent and easy-to-clean.
- Numerous holes punched into the backrest of the seat allow for adequate ventilation.
- There is a five-point harness to keep the baby secure. Other safety features include a reflector at the back of the seat and a point to attach a safety light for bicycle visibility to other vehicles.
- An anti-theft seat lock prevents unauthorized removal of the seat.
Cons:
- The seat is a rack-mounted one, and you will have to buy the rack adapter separately.
- There is no handlebar on the seat.
3. Tyke-Toter Child Bike Seat
If you are looking for a simple, single bike seat, then you must take a look at this one from Tyke-Toter.
Pros:
- It has large safety bar handles with rubber grips to provide plenty of confidence to the baby during bike rides.
- The attachment points are universal and can fit most bike rods of various shapes.
- The entire frame of the bike seat is made from high-grade aluminum, which ensures durability.
Cons:
- The footrest and seat are two different units. If one part does not fit, then you cannot use the product at all.
- You will have to raise the rider’s seat to prevent friction between the crossbar and the baby’s bike seat. It fits well on bikes without a crossbar.
- Older toddlers may find their feet too close to the front wheel.
4. Schwinn Bike Seat
This bike seat provides both comfort and security to the baby even during long rides.
Pros:
- The bike attaches to the frame. It also ships with a bracket that attaches the seat to the seat stays – the metal pipe that transversely goes from seat tube to the rear axle of the wheel.
- The dual attachment points prevent the seat from swaying and also offer stability when going over bumps.
- The seat is easy to remove for use with multiple bicycles that have the Schwinn bike bracket attached to it. There is no need to remove and re-attach the bracket.
- The seat is padded for comfort. The padded safety crossbar offers a place for the baby to rest their hands.
Cons:
- The attachment of the seat bracket can be cumbersome due to its multiple parts.
- You will have to raise the seat to attach the seat to the frame. Increased seat height can be a concern for parents with short height.
- The shoulder straps of the harness do not have a buckle to keep them in place. Hence, they may come off the baby’s shoulder easily.
5. iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
The baby can enjoy a great front view while seated with their legs stretched in this bike seat.
Pros:
- There is provision on either side of the seat to let the baby rest their legs comfortably.
- The baby can hold the large disc in the front for support. It comes with a three-point harness, which keeps the baby secure and safe.
- The attachment bracket is made from aluminum and stainless steel to prevent rusting and corrosion.
Cons:
- The backrest is low, and there is no place for the baby to rest their head. The low backrest may make the seat unsuitable for taller toddlers.
- Some parents did not like the quality of the plastic and felt that it could have been better.
6. WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
A convenient and secure bike seat that enables easy communication between the child and the parent.
Pros:
- There is a large steel support bar at the front with padding on top of it. The baby can hold on to it tight to feel safe and confident during bike rides.
- There is a five-point harness to keep the baby secure in their place. Hollow footrests let the baby rest the feet comfortably.
- The seat is installed in the center, keeping the weight of the baby centered and the bike stable.
Cons:
- The backrest is low, and there is no headrest.
- The straps may come across as too big for some babies.
7. Peg Perego Orion Front Mount Child Seat
It is a secure and comfortable front seat for bikes that require the parent to sit in an upright position.
Pros:
- The clamp is designed to provide a firm attachment while not impacting the center of gravity of the bicycle.
- A three-point safety harness provides security while the wide safety bar provides the baby with a place to rest their hands.
- Safety straps in the footrest help secure the feet and prevent it from dangling.
Cons:
- The footrest may hit parts of the front brake if the cycle has a small frame.
- A few buyers found the installation process a bit tricky.
8. Topeak Babyseat Bike Seat
The seat is designed to provide the baby a comfortable ride even on the bumpiest roads.
Pros:
- The baby bike seat comes with a dual spring suspension, which absorbs bumps and road undulations, thus giving the little one a comfortable ride on the bike.
- The baby bike seat is rack-mounted and comes with a rack.
- The backrest is entirely padded, and the padding extends to the safety bar as well.
- There is a three-point safety harness and also a footrest for the baby to place their feet.
Cons:
- You have to pay extra for installation tools.
- The shoulder straps may be difficult to move over a baby’s head if they are wearing a helmet. It means you have to place the baby in the seat first and then put the helmet. It can be difficult to do so while the bike is standing on its stand.
9. Bellelli Pepe Bicycle Baby Carrier
The frame-mounted baby bike seat from Bellelli Pepe is available in five colors.
Pros:
- A lock-like clamp sets in place on the seatpost. You can then snap the seat into the clamp, and you are all set to go.
- The seat also supports front-mounting for some bikes. The clamp can attach to the rod below the handlebar, and the baby seat then stays right in front of the rider.
- A three-point safety harness keeps the baby safe and comfortable. The back of the seat is high enough to create a headrest for head and neck support.
Cons:
- There is no safety bar for the baby to hold during the ride.
- The footrest may come across as too low if the bike is small. It may cause the rider’s feet to hit the footrest while pedaling.
10. CyclingDeal Bicycle Carrier Baby Seat
The frame-mounted seat from CyclingDeal offers great value for money and is ideal if you’re looking for a budget option.
Pros:
- There is a three-point harness with a safety buckle at the bottom that opens at the press of a button. It prevents babies from accidentally opening the buckle themselves.
- The footrest is adjustable to the baby’s height. Safety straps keep the feet secure.
- The bike seat comes with a handlebar that securely fixes into the frame of the bike seat.
Cons:
- The seat fits a limited number of bicycles only, and won’t work with suspension bikes.
- Several buyers found the manufacturer’s instructions to be inadequate, which made the installation a bit difficult.
11. Bell Shell Rear Child Carrier
This baby bike seat provides maximum security to the baby during long rides on the bicycle.
Pros:
- The seat is molded to provide a snug fit to the baby. The contours of the seat allow for easy placement of the baby’s legs.
- The sturdy plastic safety bar stays in its place and provides a place for the baby to keep their hands.
- The backrest of the seat has several holes punched into it, thus allowing adequate ventilation.
- The seatpad is removable and padded. The footrests allow for easy placement of the baby’s feet.
Cons:
- The seat is compatible with a few bikes only.
- Some parents did not like the quality of the bike’s materials and the quality of the bolts used in keeping this front-mounted seat in its place.
What Is A Baby Bike Seat?
A baby bike seat is a rigid-frame seat that can be attached to an adult bicycle. The seat allows you to take the baby on bike rides safely. Features include a backrest, harness, safety rod, and a footrest. They are designed to provide the right mix of safety and comfort for the little one.
When Can Babies Sit On A Baby Bike Seat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents go biking only with infants who are at least 12 months old, can sit unsupported, and also have stronger neck muscles than before (1). So, you will have to wait until your baby turns a year old before you place them in a baby bike seat. It is also essential to check the features of the bike seat before making a selection.
Types Of Bike Seats
The following are the three types of bike seats:
- Front mounted: It attaches to the head tube, which is the vertical rod right below the handlebar. Front mounted seats are ideal for bikes where the rider sits upright. It is also suitable when your baby is young and lightweight. Since your baby sits at the front, you get a lot of time to bond with your little one.
- Rear frame-mounted: It attaches to the seatpost, which is the rod that lies right beneath the seat. Since the rod is part of the frame, these baby seats are called frame-mounted. The seat attaches to the seatpost, and the child sits to your rear. Frame-mounted seats work great for toddlers who are older and can take up a lot of space at the front.
- Rear rack-mounted: This seat is similar to the rear frame-mounted type, except that it attaches to the rear rack, which lies over the mudguard of the back tire. The rack takes the weight and transfers it to the wheels, thus allowing for a more balanced weight transfer depending on the bicycle.
The following table gives an overview of the pros and cons of each type of baby bike seat:
| Bike Seat | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Front-mounted | Lighter and easy to install Baby stays within the parent’s line of sight Gives baby an excellent view | Not ideal for bikes where the rider leans forward May not work with bikes with a short and fixed headtube Front seat leaves the child exposed and vulnerable |
| Rear frame-mounted | Does not require a rear rack for attachment Ideal for older toddlers | You cannot see the baby It can require a double-sided kickstand for parking the bike with a baby aboard |
| Rear rack-mounted | Great for older and heavier toddlers All weight transfers to the wheel and not the frame | You will need to install a rack The weight limit of the rack may play a vital role |
Some seats can have multiple points of attachment. For instance, they will have one attachment point each for the frame and the rack. Manufacturers provide this feature for added stability. The next section tells about the safety measures to take before placing the baby on a bike seat.
What To Check In A Baby Bike Seat?
Keep the following list of features handy when shopping for baby bike seats:
- Compatibility with your bike: Not all bikes have the same design, and the shape of a bike’s frame can greatly vary. Therefore, check if the baby bike seat can attach to the frame of your bike. Most bikes seats have a universal attachment design, but it is still good to check if it fits before you buy it.
- Weight limit: Check for the weight limit of the baby bike seat. The weight limit can greatly differ depending on whether you pick the front-mounted or the rear-mounted seat.
- Safety and comfort: Only pick those baby bike seats that come with a safety harness. It is good to have other additional features like a footrest and a safety crossbar at the front for rear-mounted seats. A padded seat will be a good choice when you plan to ride long distances with your baby.
If you have a rack, then you must also check the weight limit of the rack in case you pick the rear rack-mounted bike seat.
Remember to strap a helmet to the baby even if you plan to go for a short ride. Regular inspection of the seat and the bolts is needed to be doubly sure about the safety of the baby. Going for bike rides with the child is less worrisome when you know that the bike seat is reliable and is affixed securely to the bicycle.
Did you get a bike seat for your baby? Do share your experiences in the comment section below.
References
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