Top tube child seat?

[Legacywr]

I'm thinking of getting a top tube child seat for my 4 year old grandson. It would be the pad type, not the full enclosed type.

It would only be for leisurely ride around a park etc.

Has anybody used one?

Would you feel comfortable using one?

[SteveSteveson]

I must admit I have never used one, but I would not feel comfortable using one. They don't seem safe at all for a number of reasons.

For riding round the park at 4 years old I would suggest getting them their own bike. The sooner you get kids cycling the better, and kids bikes can be purchased second hand for next to nothing on ebay, or even free on freecycle (Much better than buying a new one as they grow out of them so fast).

[Watchman]

Whilst I agree with the above opinion that a 4yo is well within the age-range for using their own bike, I assume you want to travel further with your grandchild than the short distances such a youngster could manage on their own?

Both of my kids were proficient on a balance bike by 3yo and on a pedal bike by 4yo but obviously we were limited to short trips around the park with them at this age. We still managed longer rides together after I bought a trailer. There are countless opinions about whether a "seat" or trailer are better/worse on PH, each opinion has validity I believe.

We like to organise rides with other families, and in the company of such I've witnessed trailers, TagAlongs, front AND rear mounted seats - many of each. My observations about the seats are:

Front mounted seats are more fun for the kids, easier for the rider to get off and on (because you can still swing your leg over the back wheel/saddle) and appear to be slightly better balanced when you're stationary (standing with the bike), however they are significantly more uncomfortable to ride with because you have to adopt a knees-out riding position. I also question whether a 4yo would be too big to comfortably squeeze in there. Apart from one notable exception (below), I've only seen these seats used with children up to 2yo.

Rear mounted seats by contrast are far easier to ride but they are more difficult to load the child up single handed AND get onto the bike yourself, the weight is more rearward which upsets the balance a bit while you're stationary/standing astride the bike, and the child has little to look at but your (fat? ) arse, however you can normally accommodate slightly older/larger children.


Of course, all of the above are just generalisations. As indicated above, one very tall chap I know with a very large bike managed a front/top tube seat easily.


Consider the material of your bike's frame and be sympathetic when tightening up the seat mount. You can crush tubes quite easily.

Edited by Watchman on Monday 20th April 14:13

[Stugots]

Excellent review Watchman. That should be a sticky guide,as this topic comes up regularly. :-D

[Legacywr]

Yes, great post Watchman

I did a quick search, but didn't find any threads?

I'm going to get a go, I'm getting one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231289827066

The biggest problem may be the clearence between the backrest frame to my gut!

[Watchman]

If I had young children again, I'd spend a frankly obscene amount on a cargo bike with seats at the front. Either the immensely awesome Bullitt Bike or the Butchers and Bicycles Mk1. Worth a Google to see them for yourself.

Having the children in the front has so many benefits.

[Aerate]

A tagalong (or "my bike with one wheel" as the boy calls it) is a pretty good shout for a four-year-old. You don't have to adjust your riding style too much, you get the increased range of not having to go at the pace of the smaller cyclist (although he doesn't like it when I get up off the saddle).

However...the one I have has taught me three things:

1) Make sure it is foldable and light (a hinge on the main 'spar' means you can get it in the car easily) and the steel beast I purchased is like dragging a five-barred gate around.

2) Don't bother with gears - a four-year-old doesn't know what they're for and you will spend a lot of time putting the chain back on.

3) I don't know what the ideal coupling mechanism is, but the qr skewer with a bunch of random washers that I have on mine is a load of rubbish. There must be some that have the pivot built into the frame or bracket and a simple drop pin...

My four-year-old is too big for any kind of seat and is also too big to share the trailer. He rides his Isla bike where I walk and can stay entertained for about 25 miles on the tagalong if we want to go on an 'outing'.

ETA - because the tagalong is further back, his vision is not restricted to the view of my sweaty arse and he can see what going on...

Edited by Aerate on Monday 20th April 23:55