Many of us got our first look at the truly open road from some molded-fiberglass apparatus mounted to a parent’s bike in a decidedly less-than-secure fashion. Happily, the technology of cycling child seats has moved on quite a bit in recent years. While the tagalong child trailer is increasingly popular among serious roadies and off-road enthusiasts, there’s still quite a bit to be said for the bike-mounted child seat, particularly in urban conditions, in dense traffic, or on narrow trails. Just don’t expect to save any money by doing so—a good entry-level child seat is no cheaper than the good entry-level trailers. Instead, the payoff comes from closer and more immediate access to your child, as well as the lack of worry about “what’s happening back at the trailer?”
How We Selected
While there are a few genuinely old-school child seat offerings to be found in department stores, we didn’t find any that looked sturdy or well-designed enough to merit serious consideration. Our choices are roughly split between front- and rear-mounted options, taking into some consideration for rack-mount and non-rack-mount products on the back of the bike, with prices starting in the mid-hundred-dollar range. This product segment is unique in the sense that it’s heavily contested both by traditional cycling nameplates and baby-seat vendors; we looked at representative offerings from both.
Thule Chariot Yepp Mini Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Stirrup-style footrests
- Up-front option for one-year-olds
Cons
- Won’t fit most mountain or road bikes with aggressive geometry
- Commands a sedate ride on smooth terrain
This relatively unusual option for children in the one-year-old range puts a seat right up front against the handlebar, with stirrup-style footrests on both sides. Best paired with a sedate riding style and a smooth trail, the Yepp Mini offers parents the ability to keep their eyes on their child, and on the road, at the same time. Weather-resistant and relatively easy to install, the Yepp Mini won’t fit a lot of larger mountain bikes or road bikes with aggressive geometry. Think of it as a great way to take a small child on a brief ride.
Burley Dash Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Available in rack-mount and frame-mount options
- Adjustable footrests
Cons
Burley has built up tremendous goodwill with the touring-bike crowd over a few decades now. The Dash is the firm’s take on a rear child seat, available in two variants: rack-mount (you’ll need a traditional rack that connects to frame eyelets or clamps) and frame-mount (the seat itself is designed to attach to the frame). A five-point harness securely holds a child up to 40 pounds, the seat itself can be adjusted into three different angles, and the adjustable footrests keep your child’s legs behind a flared plastic guard. There’s some storage in back, along with an integrated reflector. There are plenty of other child seats out there, but this one always deserves attention.
iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
Pros
- Three-point harness
- Extremely stable mounting design
Cons
- No shock-absorbing capability
The obscurity of the brand aside—doesn’t it sound like a smartphone accessory that enables you to watch more Sesame Street?—the iBert seat has become wildly popular with parents who want to be absolutely aware of what their younger children are up to. It has a three-point harness, supports kids up to 38 pounds, and attaches to the front frame triangle of the bicycle via an adjustable bar, placing the child directly beneath your chin. The design makes it extremely unlikely to fall off the bike. The extreme forward mount of the seat puts your hands very close to your child. This no-frills device can be hosed off in moments and used for years. Some parents report success using it off-road, but keep in mind there’s no shock-absorbing capability in what amounts to a molded plastic shell. There is, however, a padded steering wheel that lets your kid feel like he or she is in control.
Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Popular choice in bike-friendly Netherlands
- All adjustments can be done one-handed
Cons
- Pricey
Hamax is based in the Netherlands, a country known for its enthusiastic use of bike seats for everyday commuting and shopping. The Caress, therefore, is easily identifiable as a serious choice for more than just a quick trail ride. All adjustments can be performed with one hand to keep the bike upright. The footrests have straps for additional security. Children up to 48 pounds can fit with no difficulty. The only tough part to swallow? The price, which is at the high end here.
Do Little Front-Mounted Kids Bike Seat
Pros
- Up-front position keeps your kid in view
- Fits most bikes, but designed around hybrid and commuter models
Cons
- Best for kids who already have a knack for balance
Parents with smaller children and short trips in mind should consider the Do Little. It fits most bikes, although it’s designed around hybrid and commuter models, and it puts your child up front in your field of vision. A pair of adapters is available to raise the seat or fit larger frames. Advertised as being suitable for children 18 months to 7 years, it’s probably best used with smaller children who already have the skills and knowledge to ride their own bikes; this is a small seat and will require some balance on the move.
Peg Perego Orion Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Comes in four colors
- Easy to install
Cons
Peg Perego is an established choice of upscale parents (and nannies) from London to Singapore; this is its take on a front-mounted child seat. It uses a rather ingenious latching system for near-instant installation, and offers a three-point harness, adjustable footrests with straps, an upright seating position, and an allowable passenger weight up to 33 pounds. Four colors are available, all the better to match your three-bar beach cruiser or filet-brazed vintage “burrito slayer.”
Mac Ride Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Supports kids up to 60 pounds
- Compatible with most modern mountain bikes
Cons
- Won’t work on bikes with a threaded headset
- Not suitable for smaller children
Toddlers up to 60 pounds may find the Mac Ride to be the most comfortable and versatile options for a front-mounted seat. Parents, too, will like the wide variety of bikes that can accept the simple Mac Ride mount. It clamps to the steerer tube, so it’s compatible with many modern enduro and all-mountain designs that don’t have a conventional top tube. (Got an older bike with a threaded headset? The Mac Ride won’t work with that.) Your toddler sits on a relatively modest seat, with their feet strapped in to both sides of the mount and their hands on your handlebar. If you’re going off-roading, this is a great choice—but it’s not suitable for smaller children.
Hamax Observer Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Upright and high position offers great views
Cons
- Mounting system options are more complex than most
Hamax’s front-mount offering differs significantly from the rest of the competition in its seating position. It places the child significantly higher and more upright, allowing a better view of the road and requiring less room front to back on the top tube. There are two choices of mounting system, both of which are more complex, but likely a bit more secure, than what’s found elsewhere, while the harness has a distinct Formula One flavor with its massive buckle and wide, padded straps. Its weight limit is 33 pounds
Bellelli Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Minimalist design without cutting corners
- High armrests and secure footrests
Cons
- Not as many features as Hamax and Burley seats
This rack-mounted rear child seat is made in Italy and demonstrates a bit of the “cheap and cheerful” aesthetic found in some low-cost cars and bikes from the country. Available in three colors, the Bellelli’s 10-pound weight is easy to reconcile with the airy, insubstantial look of the thing. The restraint system, too, is relatively modest—but there are no corners cut here, just a thoughtful approach to a minimalist child seat. High armrests, secure footrests, and a 48.5-pound weight limit accommodate a reasonably wide size range. If you want more features, look at the Hamax or Burley, but this is a no-excuses way to save a buck or two.
Thule RideAlong Child Bike Seat
Pros
- Almost everything is adjustable
- Mild suspension for bumpy trips
Cons
- Expensive
As with the child trailer of the same name, Thule’s RideAlong is intended to be the uncompromising choice for committed cyclists. Everything adjusts—harness, backrest, footrest, tilt angle. There’s a reflector and an attachment for a safety light. It’s secured by Thule’s OneKey system. And there’s even a mild suspension system to prevent the sharpest shocks from reaching your child. The padding is removable and machine washable. What else could you want? The RideAlong is not cheap, but it’s also easy to see where your money goes.
Shotgun Child Bike Seat and Handlebar Combo
Pros
- Comes with bolt-on handlebar
- Offers kids a real riding experience
Cons
- Your arms and chest are your kid’s protection
- Position could interfere with your steering
The Shotgun, designed for children up to 48 pounds, is a very different kind of child seat. This one is intended to let your copilot get an up-close look at the action on a mountain bike. Molded rubber protects your frame, while a bolt-on handlebar attaches to your existing cockpit. There are a few drawbacks to this kind of setup: Your child is reliant on your arms and chest to provide protection from impacts, there’s a considerable amount of strength and awareness needed to feel comfortable on the move, and there’s always a chance of the child interfering with your own steering. For parents who want their child to have an early look at the singletrack, however, this is a great and nearly unique offering.
Topeak BabySeat II and Disc Rack
Pros
- Easy installation on compatible rack
- Includes rear rack, which can be used long after your toddler is grown
Cons
- Brand logo on roll-bar pad might not appeal to some
The Topeak’s molded polymer seat surrounds your little one with a removable cushioned pad and integrated padded roll bar, and has a suspension system underneath to absorb bumpy rides. A three-point harness and footrests with straps are height-adjustable to get just the right fit. The included disc rack mount uses a unique QuickTrack system that locks the seat securely and lets you slide it on and off with ease. It works with all Topeak MTX TrunkBags and MTX Rear Baskets, so when junior is too big to haul around, you’ll get more years out of the rack. This one is compatible with 26- and 27.5-inch and 700c disc wheels, but it’s also available with a rack for 29-inch disc wheels as well as a non-disc version.
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.
