Child seats

[tenohfive]

I'm looking to get off my arse, dust off my mountain bike and get out and about with my 1 year old since the weathers good - and since it's probably the easiest way I can get some exercise. So I'm looking at some sort of child seat and presumably a helmet. It'll off road/country track cycling so far as possible - I'm quite keen to stay off the road wherever possible. And the bike is a Schwinn Mesa.

Which brands/models should I be looking at?
Are bike child seats like car seats/helmets i.e. any impact could compromise them, or am I safe buying one second hand?
And how much am I likely to have to spend?

Any other pointers would be appreciated.

[aberdeeneuan]

I'd buy a new helmet tbh, we just bought one for my youngest and it was 25 quid. Fits perfectly.

I've got a Co-Pilot Limo which I think is now discountinued and replaced by the Taxi. I have used it with my eldest and my youngest on a hybrid. While they look pricey, they came with a pannier rack (30 quids worth of Blackburn EX1 with the limo) included in it.

Good seats, the kids will happily sit for well over an hour in it. Both have fallen asleep in it so I'd assume it's comfy!. Easy to fit and use though make sure you use the foot straps otherwise they'll kick you the whole way round.

I'd be happy enough to buy second hand so long as you've checked it out properly to make sure it's not damaged, but as ebay have them at 25 quid without the rack there isn't a massive saving to be had.

[tenohfive]

Cheers. Done some more digging and there seems to be a dearth of information on the kid seat front, will see what Copilots are on eBay.

[Mr Will]

Worth taking a look at trailers too. Safer, don't compromise the handling of the bike and have space for carting about all the stuff that bringing a small child entails. The only downsides are a bit more hassle to store or transport and bit of extra weight.

[NISMOgtr]

If you are going to get a seat, then get one that reclines as it is likely that your kid will fall asleep during rides. I have one that does not recline and my little toddler fell asleep in it with his head was hanging to the side. I had to hold his head with my hand whilst riding the bike!

[Viperzs]

I would always reccommend buying a new seat. You never know what has happened with a second hand set! At the end of the day it is your child's safety and comfort in question so surely you would want peace of mind with a new seat?

I have never seen a bad word about a Hamax seat and they are the only ones I see on bikes around York, so that must be a good thing! Plus, their new seat looks like it's been sponsored by Apple!

[tenohfive]

Some things are manufactured in such a way that major weaknesses from previous impacts aren't visible - child car seats, motorcycle helmets etc. Other things are built a different way so it's less of an issue. I'm not a design engineer so I don't know which category child bike seats fall into. In any case, whilst some impact is possible it's much less likely and also likely to be at a lower speed (I won't be going on the roads with it.)

So I'm open to be persuaded either way, but will look up Hamax in any case.

A trailer would be the better option - extra weight is if anything a bonus (for getting fit) but they are A LOT pricier. I haven't looked up second hand though, will get on the bay and see if they fall into budget.

[Mr Will]

Are you anywhere near SE London? I've got an old and slight tatty (but fully functional) one I'd be happy to let go for beer money...

[Aerate]

Another vote for Hamax seats here. They were recommended to me and I'm perfectly happy with it. Having grab handles is useful for the passenger. He falls asleep in it quite regularly and the brim of his helmet (Bell / Paul Frank, also good, comes with three sets of pads so it can grow with him) digs into the base of my spine as he nods off - Comfy!

He can get a bit bored and whiney after a whileif he stays awake because his view us basically my Lycra-clad arse. I also have a trailer (Trek Go-Bug) which is ace for forest trails but I would feel unmanouvreable and exposed on the roads round here with it. However the boy enjoys it because it is low and feels fast and he can see more. Thankfully we have a van to cart the thing around in (although it does fold quite well).

[Viperzs]

If you have a kid who always falls asleep in the bike you should make sure you get a seat that reclines. Some are a bit st though and only recline the seat back instead of the whole seat.