Top 5 Best Baby Bike Seats of 2019
I remember a time when as a child, my aunt would take me with her to the market on her bike. She’d seat me in front of her on a makeshift kid seat made of wood. Despite the lack of safety, I really enjoyed the morning rides and always looked forward to them. Today, child bike seats are safer and are more comfortable. If you want a fun and convenient way to get out and about with a baby or a toddler, finding the best baby bike seat is a must.
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Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted... | 846 Reviews | $86.81 | Buy on Amazon |
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Thule RideAlong Mini Bike... | 60 Reviews | from $135.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat,... | 95 Reviews | from $179.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike... | 350 Reviews | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Baby Bike Seats
Choosing baby bike seats for our roster is not easy, especially since there are two categories to choose from. Nevertheless, we picked what we believed are what most parents prefer today.
#5 Schwinn Child Carrier (Rear-Frame Mounted)
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Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted... | 846 Reviews | $86.81 | Buy on Amazon |
We know Schwinn as a manufacturer of some of the greatest bikes we see today, and with their deluxe child carrier, they are making sure you won’t have to leave your child behind when you’re strolling in your favorite Schwinn bicycle. The deluxe child carrier is a rear-frame mounting bike seat made of lightweight polypropylene.
It features a quick-release harness for easy mounting of your child. It also comes with leg restraints, as well as a padded crossbar for safety. What a lot of parents like about seat is that it requires little effort to install and is compatible with most bike types. However, it’s not recommended for bicycles with rear suspension systems
What you will love about it:
- It’s quick and easy to mount and unmount.
- It’s one of the most affordable child bike seats out there.
- It sits securely once mounted.
What you may not like about it:
- The lack of durability may be a concern in the long run.
#4 Thule RideAlong Mini Bike Seat (Front-Mounted)
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Thule RideAlong Mini Bike... | 60 Reviews | from $135.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The RideAlong Mini Bike Seat by Thule is a user-friendly mount that’s loved by a lot of parents and children. It’s easy and fun to use and is one of the most durable bike seats today. What distinguishes it from other models are its backpack-style shoulder straps, which features two-handed buckles to keep your child secure while preventing him from accidentally unbuckling the straps by himself.
It also features single-hand adjustable foot straps, plus foot rests that allow flexibility and convenience as your child grows. Packed with exciting features, the RideAlong is something you won’t regret investing in.
What you will love about it:
- The seat comes with a lock and key set that allows you to close the seat in place to prevent theft.
- It features a ‘grap’ bar that keeps baby from grabbing the handlebar.
- The seat cushion is reversible, letting you give the seat a different look once in a while.
What you may not like about it:
- The foot strap design can be challenging as kids can easily pull their feet out.
#3 Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat (Rear-Frame/Rack Mounted)
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Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat,... | 95 Reviews | from $179.00 | Buy on Amazon |
If you’re a fan of rear-mounted seats, you’ll surely fall in love with the Hamax Caress bike seat. It’s a very versatile model and comes on and off the rack very easily. It features a reclining seat, too, that can be adjusted between 0° and 20°, plus a helmet gap that prevents your child’s head from being pushed forward when his helmet is on.
It also comes with an adapter that you can press and turn to tighten and lock the seat. What makes the Caress a bit unique, though, is the dual-bar steel suspension system that keeps your child safe and comfortable in any riding condition.
What you will love about it:
- It works both as a rear-frame and rear-rack mounting seat.
- The safety buckle easily latches on even with one hand.
- The seat is visually appealing.
What you may not like about it:
- Although the seat itself is secure, the rack adapter does a terrible job in minimizing side-to-side movements.
#2 WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat (Center-Mounted)
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WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike... | 350 Reviews | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The Kangaroo Child Bike Seat by WeeRide will give you the best bang for the buck. It’s a center-mounted seat that’s compatible with almost all types of bike. A combination of steel and high-quality plastic materials, it’s a sturdy seat that can accommodate up to 33 pounds of weight. It offers a safety harness, adjustable foot cups, and a padded front bumper.
The best quality of this seat and perhaps what separates it from other models is that it’s mounted on the center and doesn’t affect balance when you’re riding. If you are looking for a cost-effective child seat that does the job well, you might want to go for this model.
What you will love about it:
- It’s center-mounted, assuring you that your child is secure all the way.
- The padded front bumper serves as a pillow when your child falls asleep.
- None of the parts interfere with your pedaling or with bike parts at all.
What you may not like about it:
- The backrest is low and causes the shoulder straps to fall down.
#1 Peg Perego Orion Front Mount Child Seat (Front-Mounted)
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Some bikes are just hard to fit with child seats, but that’s where the Peg Perego Orion Child Seat comes in. It’s a front-mounted seat, but unlike other models, its adaptable mounting system makes it a great fit for most bikes, especially the hard to fit ones. It features a one-click installation system that lets you attach and detach the seat to your bicycle with ease.
It also comes with adjustable footrests that can be adjusted to three positions so that the seat grows with your child. For safety, it has a 3-point adjustable harness, plus a bumper that you can remove later on when your child gets bigger.
What you will love about it:
- It’s quick and easy to install and fits almost any type of bike.
- It’s well made and doesn’t wobble at all once mounted.
- It’s simple but does its job perfectly.
What you may not like about it:
- It’s smaller compared to other front-mounted seats.
Our Pick Of Baby Bike Seat
From its backpack-style shoulder straps to its color-coded adjustment buttons, the Thule RideAlong Mini Bike Seat surpasses the rest of the child seats on our roster in terms of features.
We personally prefer front-mounted or center-mounted child seats, but the primary reason we picked the RideAlong is that it’s fully packed with great features you won’t find its regular models.
The adjustment buttons, for instance, are color-coded for easy spotting. The shoulder straps, too, are not only padded for comfort but are firmly attached to each other besides being attached to the seat, so that they don’t slip down.
The ring located at the back used for hanging the seat is also proof that the RideAlong was well thought of regarding its design and features. We also loved how the ‘grap’ bar is designed in a way that it seems to be an extension of the bicycle and not a separate part. Finally, we’re impressed by the locking feature. While it’s not designed to add to the stability of the seat, it gives you peace of mind that your investment won’t easily be stolen when your bicycle is parked somewhere.
If you want to see our top pick in action, here’s a quick video of a father and son enjoying some time in the front yard with their Thule RideAlong Mini:
Before You Ride
Not all baby bike seats are the same just as not all bicycles are the same. One of the frustrations many parents have is getting the seat mounted perfectly. The thing is that not all bikes are designed to accommodate baby bike seats. In the same manner, some bikes are only compatible with certain brands or types of seats. In short, bike seats for children are not universal.
Before you invest in a seat, make sure your bike is compatible with the model you’re considering. If you have a standard city or commuter bike, you can expect it to work well with almost every type or brand of child seat. If yours is a full-suspension mountain bike, however, you may have a hard time finding the perfect fit.
Front-Mounting Versus Rear-Mounting Seats
Another thing you need to consider before purchasing is the type of seat you want to mount. There are three types of seats you can choose from: front mounting, rear-rack mounting, and rear-frame mounting. While the latter two are perfect for bigger kids, they don’t allow much interaction between you and your child, not to add the fact that you won’t be able to see your child when he’s seated behind you.
The front-mounting type, on the other hand, allows for easy conversation and proximity to your child. Since your child is close to you, you will have the assurance that he is safe and secure as you ride. The only drawback is that some models take up space and may hinder pedaling.
Child Bike Seat Safety
Regarding safety, bike seats for children are relatively safer now compared to those of thirty years ago. Even if there are indeed safety risks to using them, parents can rest assured that manufacturers of bicycle-mounted seats are working overtime in making sure they come up with models that are both comfortable and safe.
One thing you need to remember, too, is that the safest model for your child is the one that best suits your bicycle, your cycling skills, and your needs and the needs of your child.
I remember riding one of these as a child…
…and one of these, too!
What To Consider When Shopping For A Baby Bike Seat
Baby bike seats don’t come cheap, so if you’re shopping for one, you need to know what factors to consider to make sure you get the most out of your investment. Here are the most common things to look for:
Seat Shape
The shape of the seat will determine the comfort level of your child. Many front-mounted seats have low backrests. This sometimes causes the shoulder straps to slip off.It also prevents the child from being able to rest, in case he falls asleep. Meanwhile, seats with taller backrests help keep the straps in place and also supports your child’s body when he falls asleep.
Shoulder Straps
Shoulder straps are for safety, and should, therefore, remain firmly on your child’s shoulders throughout the ride. All bike seats are designed with shoulder straps, but some strap systems are better than others. The easiest to use by far is a belt system that requires you to pull down the straps to tighten.
Footrests
On rear-mounted seats, footrests help protect your child’s feet from the rear wheel. On front-mounted seats, they keep your child’s feet away from the handlebars. Adjustable footrests, on the other hand, come with locking straps that keep your child’s feet secure and comfortable.
Reclinable Seat
Front-mounted sets do not have this option, but rear-mounted seats do. If you’re opting for the latter, pick a model with a reclinable seat, so that the ride will be safe and comfortable for your child whenever he falls asleep.
Suspension
This is another feature that is only present in rear-mounted seats. It comes in different names depending on the brand and model, but its primary purpose is to help cushion your child from bumps.
Other Factors
Another thing to consider when choosing a bike is the helmet pocket. This is a recessed area on the backrest that serves as a room for the helmet so that your child’s head is not pushed forward. Bumpers are also important as they protect your child’s fingers in case either side of the seat comes in contact with an object.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted... | 846 Reviews | $86.81 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Thule RideAlong Mini Bike... | 60 Reviews | from $135.00 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Hamax Caress Child Bike Seat,... | 95 Reviews | from $179.00 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike... | 350 Reviews | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
We know you have opinions, too, as to what the best baby bike seat is, so don’t hesitate to share them with us in the comments section. And if you found this post helpful, we’re giving you permission to share it within your social circle. Thank you!