Carrying kids.

[grhm]

I've had a go at carrying my toddler in a child-seat and I found it very difficult. I couldn't keep the bike in a straight line at low speed and was only OK-ish once up to speed. But every time I needed to slow down, corners or junctions, I felt I was going to drop the bike.

I also found it difficult getting him out of the seat whilst propping the bike up. I assume that they is a technique to do this take comes with practice?

It's all probably something that you could get used to (probably easier if you start when the child is smaller and don't start with a 3yr old like I did) - but I'm got going to try - I've put the child seat on the back of my wife's Picador trike instead. It's taken me a little while to get used to a trike, but I now don't have to worry about junior taking a tumble (plus the trike is such an unusal sight - people slow down and gave a very wide berth )

 

[badkitty]

I'm just back from the school run which I do twice a day everyday of the school year, 4 miles there, 4 miles back, mostly off road because it's more fun.

I was a bit confused when I saw this thread - I too thought it about all the more unusual ways people carry their kids on bikes, not just plain old run of the mill kid in bike seat cycling.

I don't see the problem with it - both of mine have been on bikes since before they could walk, (eldest is 14 soon) and have both lived to tell the tale.
Maybe it depends on the type of seat too..I never used those huge plastic moulded monstrocities, simply because I hated the way they felt on the bike, and made everything clumsy and chunky.
I've been using this one,http://www.bobike.nl/productspictures/en_bobike_junior_italic_black.pngBobike Junior for about a year now, and I love it. Packs flat as soon as the kid gets off, and can carry a crate of Bulmers if needed..

The balance/weight thing is like everything else new in cycling, you just go very very carefully until you're used to it.

I wouldn't miss riding with my kid for the world. She's seen the woods change from the summer all through the winter, seen more wildlife than I can list, has learnt that you don't stop cycling just because it's cold or raining and loads of other useful stuff.
I wouldn't want her in a trailer away from me because we'd miss out on all the conversation.We talk a lot while we ride. If I couldn't hear her, or had to shout everytime I see a deer, it would be pretty dull.

Bike child seats - second best invention in the world. After the bicycle.

 

[Fnaar]

Well said, badkitty... my youngest was the only one of three to have a child seat (I wasn't cycling myself when the others were younger, though they learned in the usual sort of manner)... we had a big plastic monstrosity for a bit, and she absolutely loved it.... balancing not an issue once you get used to it (and lay a few ground rules, like no sudden turning around to look at summat interesting). Then we had a trailer, and she developed a taste for speed and danger, urging me to go "superfast" as often as poss
Those days are well and truly gone, but now aged 10 she's good on a bike, and recently did 14 miles with me one afternoon

 

[PrettyboyTim]

I have a twin-leg kickstand fitted to my bike, whch was very helpful for getting my son in and out of the seat. As it has two legs it holds the bike completely upright and made the whole process very easy. You'd not want to leave a child in one unattended as rocking from side to side would probably be enough to unbalance it, but when you are stood next to it it's fine.

Here's the one I got:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-...Up-To-290-mm--Up-to-and-inc.-26-Inch-1511.htm

 

[Crackle]

I think my youngest was the one who climbed back into his child seat to go to sleep while we were picnicking. The bike was leaning against the bench. There was a bit of a mad dash to the bike as he climbed in but we were too late to stop the slow "timberrrrr....!" of the topple: No damage done, the big plastic moulding saved him.

Used my trail-gator a lot on the roads, mostly quiet ones but a few busy ones too for short stretches. I generally found people to be more considerate as it's an unusual sight but I admit to feeling a bit apprehensive at first and being more cautious than I normally would.

From a good few years ago now and posted before but...

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-6841283028178049095

 

[StirlingCrispin]

I've just bought one of these:
http://www.loct.co.uk/index.html

Can't wait for it to arrive.
Thump and I have had many adventures on the bike and I can't wait for many more with this new toy.

 

[badkitty]

Oh, thats like the one I used to have..different company, same principle though.
We loved it - little one can see everything and it's nice having them where you can grab them if you need to. (not that I ever did need to ..)

I thought they'd stopped making them, because they'd been declared dangerous etc etc. I'm sure there's a report somewhere which says that kids are safer in a trailer, but I'd have one again if I was ever insane enough to have more kids. Which I'm not.

Have fun...
Stirling - nice place, went to Uni there..stayed for a couple of years after too..aahh The Settle Inn..great Place...

 

[StirlingCrispin]

Chatting to my LBS they differ to the old-style ones - being more expensive and more robust - and can take kids up to the age of 6. Two friends have them and love them - the plan is to to take Thump off-road in the woods behind the Uni.

And I'll have a beer for you next time I'm in the Settle Inn!

 

[badkitty]

Chatting to my LBS they differ to the old-style ones - being more expensive and more robust - and can take kids up to the age of 6. Two friends have them and love them - the plan is to to take Thump off-road in the woods behind the Uni.

And I'll have a beer for you next time I'm in the Settle Inn!

I'm glad they've sorted them because they are fab little seats.

Omg - the Hermitage Woods! The things I got up to in there...

 

[grhm]

I've just bought one of these:
http://www.loct.co.uk/index.html.

Chatting to my LBS they differ to the old-style ones - being more expensive...

I like the look of those - athough I'd imagine riding with a 6yr old between you and the hanlebars is going to be interesting. But good god they're expensive - over £160quid! I paid less than £50 for our seatpost mounted/over the rack one.

 

[badkitty]

Chatting to my LBS they differ to the old-style ones - being more expensive and more robust - and can take kids up to the age of 6.

Apologies Crispin! That seat is nothing like the one I used to use. I've just had a proper in depth look at the site and wow - what a brilliant bit of kit!
The only similarity between that and the old ones is the in front position - much better designed, really well made etc...Well worth £ 166 I reckon.

Don't think I can justify buying it for the remaining 6 months till my kid is 6 though.

 

[Crackle]

I've just bought one of these:
http://www.loct.co.uk/index.html

Can't wait for it to arrive.
Thump and I have had many adventures on the bike and I can't wait for many more with this new toy.

Last time this product was posted on here it took a bit of a panning. I see they've now put a very careful disclaimer on video2 and a much more careful video up as a usage demonstration. I still think it's way too expensive and am not too convinced about junior having their hands on the bars. That's probably OK but the cost, holy cow, the cost. Did I mention the cost? It's also a slight faff to put on and off. It's very expensive. Did I say it was expensive?

 

[StirlingCrispin]

A rear seat has a 20kg limit which is why we've been looking at an alternative solution. We also need the seat for Thud (11mo) to use.

The WeeRide looks very similar to the system that my friends have graduated from - and Thump already looks to big for it. Would be nice if they put a bit more technical info on their website though :-/

 

[Downward]

Hi I have just been reading through this with interest.

From September I will be having to take our eldest to Pre School Once or Twice a week and then carry on to work.

As he starts at 9am and the Work Car Park is full by 8.50am I am thinking it might be best to take him on the bike. It's about 1.5 miles away and there is a big hill there.

By then he will be nearly 4 and is quite tall already.

Anyone got any ideas of the best solution ?
I looked at that £166 thing and the price put me off but reading through I have discounted Rear seats I have a Hybrid on Skinny Tyres and just wondering if this will be ok to carry on using ?

 

[TWBNK]

I am sure that I will be in for a panning here, but my youngest goes to school 1 mile away. I have had child seats when she was younger and I now have a trailer for the longer rides. When It comes to going to school we walk a little bit of the way and when her legs tire out she either sits on my saddle and I push or she sits on a cushion in the pannier bag and I push. I drop another child at a bus stop before carrying on to school and I always have time to get to school whilst pushing the bike.


The pros - Parking simply isn't an issue and I am back at home before half of the cars have left the car park. No attachments / trailers to detach or secure.

The cons - there is always the temptation to ride with the kid on the pannier rack if you are running late.