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A child bike seat is a very important piece of equipment that will ensure comfort, safety and fun with your little one. You can equip your bike with a front-mounted seat, a rear-frame-mounted seat or a rear rack-mounted seat. Each type of seat has its own characteristics of use.
Each type of child bicycle seat has its advantages and disadvantages, but there are several things to look out for: Firstly, safety straps with at least a three-point fixation. The straps should be tight enough to prevent the child from moving freely and being able to release them, for example by removing them from the shoulder area. Second, footrests with straps to protect the child's feet from accidentally touching the bicycle wheels and to reduce the risk of injury in accidents. Thirdly, adjustable height footrests¸ to adapt the seat to the child's height. Fourthly, a helmet to fit the shape of the backrest of the seat and the height of the child. For passive safety, reflective elements integrated in the seat trim or LED headlights will certainly help.
Seats with an anchorage at the front of the bicycle to the frame are usually designed for very young children, usually between 7 and 24 months of age. Such anchorages allow the child to actively follow what is happening on the road, but may interfere slightly with cycling. For added comfort, a protective windscreen is usually also available to protect the child from wind, precipitation and flying insects.
Child seats with a rear anchorage on the rack of the bike are the strongest and safest type of anchorage, but will not be comfortable on dirt roads as the seat is tightly connected to the frame and will 'absorb' any bumps and bumps in the road. This type of seat usually has a maximum weight capacity of up to 30-35 kg.
Child seats with an anchorage at the back of the bike to the bike frame are the most popular type of anchorage and are very comfortable - the anchorage is flexible and provides good cushioning. The maximum load of the seats is slightly less than that of a rack-mounted seat, but in some cases the geometry of the bicycle frame may not be suitable for attaching this type of child seat to the frame, so be sure to consult experts before buying.
Pros of front-mounted child seats: good visibility for the child, least impact on the weight distribution of the bicycle on the axles and on handling, cheapest of all types of seat.
Cons: limited weight and height of the child, child may interfere with the control of the bicycle , short lifetime.
Pros of a rear rack-mounted seat: the strongest and safest anchorage, maximum weight for the child.
Cons: less comfort and uneven roads, unbalanced weight distribution between the axles which can affect handling.
Pros of a rear frame-mounted child seat: comfortable with good cushioning effect, usually easy to remove, bike does not need a rack.
Cons: not suitable for some bicycle frames, unbalanced weight distribution between axles which can affect handling.
Your child's safety is even more important than yours, so don't skimp! Child seats last for generations and can be used by siblings, relatives and friends. Make sure you get a helmet for your baby with the seat!