Some advice please - child seats
Discussion
I'm currently looking at getting a new hardtail mountain bike and have seen a couple that I like.
The problem I am having is that the bike will sometimes be used to carry my 2year old and currently I use a Hamax bike seat that mounts to the frame, just under the seat.
All the new bikes I have seen appear to have the cabling for the rear mech running down the frame where the seat would attach and I don't know if this means seats are not an option.
According to the guy in Evans Cycles the options are to avoid bikes with disc brakes or to shell out £115 on the Topeak Babysitter seat with the frame built for disc brakes.
Does anyone else have any suggestions? I don't want to go down the trailer seat route as I have used them before and they tend to limit where you can ride due to the width of them.
Cheers
The problem I am having is that the bike will sometimes be used to carry my 2year old and currently I use a Hamax bike seat that mounts to the frame, just under the seat.
All the new bikes I have seen appear to have the cabling for the rear mech running down the frame where the seat would attach and I don't know if this means seats are not an option.
According to the guy in Evans Cycles the options are to avoid bikes with disc brakes or to shell out £115 on the Topeak Babysitter seat with the frame built for disc brakes.
Does anyone else have any suggestions? I don't want to go down the trailer seat route as I have used them before and they tend to limit where you can ride due to the width of them.
Cheers
I see the problem.
My old Specialized Hardrock had the cables running under the down tube and not down the seat tube.
I checked the current model and a similarly priced Cube on CRC and you are right - they both have cables in the way of that handy Hamax connector box thingy.
Is there a way to jury rig it?
For cables that run under the down tube like mine when they turn 90 degrees there is a little plastic part that is stuck on the aluminium to protect it from friction from the cable.
Wouldn't something similar work if attached to the Hamax fixing bracket?
Then just loosen off the cable to give you the extra length needed to fit round the bracket.
My old Specialized Hardrock had the cables running under the down tube and not down the seat tube.
I checked the current model and a similarly priced Cube on CRC and you are right - they both have cables in the way of that handy Hamax connector box thingy.
Is there a way to jury rig it?
For cables that run under the down tube like mine when they turn 90 degrees there is a little plastic part that is stuck on the aluminium to protect it from friction from the cable.
Wouldn't something similar work if attached to the Hamax fixing bracket?
Then just loosen off the cable to give you the extra length needed to fit round the bracket.
walm said:
I see the problem.
My old Specialized Hardrock had the cables running under the down tube and not down the seat tube.
I checked the current model and a similarly priced Cube on CRC and you are right - they both have cables in the way of that handy Hamax connector box thingy.
Is there a way to jury rig it?
For cables that run under the down tube like mine when they turn 90 degrees there is a little plastic part that is stuck on the aluminium to protect it from friction from the cable.
Wouldn't something similar work if attached to the Hamax fixing bracket?
Then just loosen off the cable to give you the extra length needed to fit round the bracket.
I had thought about that, unfortunately I don't think Evans would like me trying it in store!! I may go back on another reccy mission tomorrow to see if anything can be done. My other thought was to see if the current bike seat can be fitted to a pannier rack.My old Specialized Hardrock had the cables running under the down tube and not down the seat tube.
I checked the current model and a similarly priced Cube on CRC and you are right - they both have cables in the way of that handy Hamax connector box thingy.
Is there a way to jury rig it?
For cables that run under the down tube like mine when they turn 90 degrees there is a little plastic part that is stuck on the aluminium to protect it from friction from the cable.
Wouldn't something similar work if attached to the Hamax fixing bracket?
Then just loosen off the cable to give you the extra length needed to fit round the bracket.
What about a weeride kangaroo seat? that goes in front of you, Im selling mine as my eldest is riding herself now, but been a good seat and very easy to ride with the little 'un in front of you http://www.weerideuk.co.uk/Weeride_Kangaroo.asp
Tokoloshe said:
What about a weeride kangaroo seat? that goes in front of you, Im selling mine as my eldest is riding herself now, but been a good seat and very easy to ride with the little 'un in front of you http://www.weerideuk.co.uk/Weeride_Kangaroo.asp
Not a bad idea but I have a feeling he is nearing the upper weight limit as he is big for his age. Did you have any problems with it in regards to the child grabbing brake/gear levers etc?Muncle Trogg said:
Did you have any problems with it in regards to the child grabbing brake/gear levers etc?
I did have that issue when I had a front seat. Some children sit in them as good as gold, others sit there trying to steer or manage to change gear. Mine used to change gear for me, a right pain as she never changed into the gear I wanted!My little girl was very good, just sat looking forward and didnt pay too much attention to the handle bars or gears, she's pretty good generally though, if she had tried to steer or anything Id have told her not too and she usually listens (she's saving up the disobedience for her teenage years no doubt).
I've got an OK baby Orion which has been very successful...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ok-Baby-Orion-Child-Seat/d...
Mounts nicely on the steerer tube of my old Kona full susser - the rear suspension precluded going for one of the usual rear mounted Hamax types. It has allowed me to take my daughter on some reasonably decent off-road rides. I like the idea of her being in front of me - doesn't noticeably change the balance of the bike as I suspect her being on the back would, I can see and chat to her and it feels 'safer' having her tucked in front of me with my arms around her, though this may be just a feeling rather than reality.
Downsides - it does force you to ride very slightly knees out with the seat in place, also I doubt the steerer tube mounting would work with most of the lastest MTB frame designs what with tapered steerers, steerer/top tube/down tube all converging in a big solid chunk with most designs. It can alternatively mount to the down tube which may be a better bet.
Not had too much trouble with her fiddling with the handlebars/gears etc though I can see it could be a possible issue as she gets bigger. Would probably only require one big crash to teach her not to do it!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ok-Baby-Orion-Child-Seat/d...
Mounts nicely on the steerer tube of my old Kona full susser - the rear suspension precluded going for one of the usual rear mounted Hamax types. It has allowed me to take my daughter on some reasonably decent off-road rides. I like the idea of her being in front of me - doesn't noticeably change the balance of the bike as I suspect her being on the back would, I can see and chat to her and it feels 'safer' having her tucked in front of me with my arms around her, though this may be just a feeling rather than reality.
Downsides - it does force you to ride very slightly knees out with the seat in place, also I doubt the steerer tube mounting would work with most of the lastest MTB frame designs what with tapered steerers, steerer/top tube/down tube all converging in a big solid chunk with most designs. It can alternatively mount to the down tube which may be a better bet.
Not had too much trouble with her fiddling with the handlebars/gears etc though I can see it could be a possible issue as she gets bigger. Would probably only require one big crash to teach her not to do it!
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