Bike Kiddie seat for giant child

[Smudger]

Tried to see if I'd posted this before but couldn't find anything, so here we go.

My little boy is 2 1/2 years old, 3ft 6in tall and 23kgs. He's too big for all of the bike seats I've looked at, but he's too young to go on his own bike. Anyone know of any rear-mounted bike seats for kids that will take more than 23kgs? To fit Giant Roam and whatever bike the wife buys.

Oh, and my wife went to halfords for some advice, they weren't much help.

[listy]

would a tag along bike not do?

something like this



maybe not old enough

"A "Tag-A-Long" or Trailer Bike attaches generally to the seat pillar of an adult bike such that an older child (4 to 9 years)"

but found some here never used them https://www.athleteshop.co.uk/sports...ats/0/20_35_kg

[GoNz0]

They sell a lot of bike trailers that would be better suited for anything over a 2 year old or you risk stability of the bike.

[Smudger]

See that's the thing, the tag-along would be ideal but a) he lacks concentration so I can't trust that he'll stay attached to the device and b) he won't even pedal his tractor at the moment, so I'd be doing all the flippin' work. Unless I can get the wife to take him...

And I've seen these Junior bike seat things, thought they might work, but concerned he'd miss the lateral support you get with a normal seat. Do the straps keep the child in one place? Last time we were at Center Parcs, he actually fell asleep in the bike seat, first I knew was the thud of his head on my back when I braked...

[scaryjim]

Hmmn, Decathlon's junior bike seat clearly has proper seat belting, so he'd not fall off at least. And perhaps removing the lateral support will make him pay more attention to what's going on? £40 looks like a pretty safe investment, and if he needs to start learning a bit more about maintaining his own balance that's only going to help when he is old enough to have his own bike (or a tag-along).

Child trailer is probably the safest bet, but won't be cheap. A quick bit of research suggests the cheaper ones Halfords sell (which are still ~ £90) don't go much above 23kg max carrying weight anyway (which is odd, since my old bike trailer could safely tow 100kg), so you'd be looking at one of the bigger names and spending a lot of money (e.g. the Burley Cub goes up to 100lbs but costs £680!).

Otherwise I think a tag-along bike is the only other sensible option, and he'll just have to learn to hold on and pay attention! Perhaps having something that's a lot more like a "real" bike will stir his interest?

[Smudger]

How much? £680? He can walk behind us!

Seriously though, I think we might have to go to a proper bike shop and get him in one to see how he is with it.

[jimborae]

What about a pull along that's actually a buggy/seat rather than just half a bike, I've a seen couple of those around town here. Basically we were in the same position, my son was too big for a bike seat but too young/immature to ride a bike on his own.

Also, off topic but, how are your arm's & back holding up with a kid that size, when he wants to held or carried? My boy is a year older and same height & weight, and he's considered to be tall, and my back & elbow joints can't cope (but then I'm considered to be older dad). So hope your's are withstanding the punishment better than mine.

Edit* Just seen jim's reply, yep child trailer is what I'm talking about.

[Smudger]

Also, off topic but, how are your arm's & back holding up with a kid that size, when he wants to held or carried? My boy is a year older and same height & weight, and he's considered to be tall, and my back & elbow joints can't cope (but then I'm considered to be older dad). So hope your's are withstanding the punishment better than mine.

Edit* Just seen jim's reply, yep child trailer is what I'm talking about.

It's pretty tough, I am also what might be considered an 'older' dad, and I can only manage about 200 yds with him. If he's being a git then less far, although him going on my shoulders isn't too bad, just means I'm getting shorter day by day. I put my back out trying to lift him onto some monkey bars a few weeks ago as well...

[jimborae]

It's pretty tough, I am also what might be considered an 'older' dad, and I can only manage about 200 yds with him. If he's being a git then less far, although him going on my shoulders isn't too bad, just means I'm getting shorter day by day. I put my back out trying to lift him onto some monkey bars a few weeks ago as well...

I literally feel your pain mate.

[scaryjim]

How much? £680? He can walk behind us! ...

It'll be character building

You should be ale to get a decent one cheaper than that, really (Burley trailers etc. are well made, but hella expensive!). Shop around a bit and see what you can find. And remember that you should be able to sell it on in a couple of years to fund the purchase of a pedal-based tag-along when he's ready for the next step

[Smudger]

Well, we went for the Bobike Junior Classic, all tested out and he seems quite happy on it. Sadly, we can't swap it about from bike to bike so it's stuck on my wife's now. Shame.