Mounted on the bike, the child bike seat is a simple and affordable solution for transporting a child whilst maintaining verbal — or even visual — contact with them. Fitted at the front or rear, on the seat tube or on the rack, there are several types of seats, and we set out here to detail the differences and characteristics to help you make the right choice.
THE DIFFERENT FEATURES OF CHILD BIKE SEATS FOR BICYCLES
- The fixing: front, rear on seat tube, rear on rack;
- The headrest and footrests: fixed or adjustable;
- The backrest: fixed or reclining.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD BIKE SEATS
Light and easy to install, child bike seats are designed to carry children aged 10 months to 5 years, with a maximum weight limit of around 22 kg. The first characteristic to consider when choosing a child bike seat is the fixing system, either at the front or the rear of the bike.
Child bike seats with a front fixing feature a mounting bracket (with or without an anti-theft system) that is screwed onto the head tube, onto which the seat clips, positioning it at the front between the rider and the handlebars.
Child bike seats with a rear seatpost-mounted fixing are fitted with a mounting bracket (with or without an anti-theft system). This is installed on the seat tube, onto which the rails supporting the seat are inserted and clipped, positioning the seat behind the saddle, suspended on these rails.
Finally, child bike seats with a rear rack-mounted fixing attach directly to the rack.
In general, child bike seats are compatible with all bikes fitted with wheels from 26 to 29 inches / 700c, with the exception of MTBs fitted with a dropper seatpost and full-suspension MTBs, for which a rear seat should be avoided as it could cause an accident by coming into contact with the rear wheel and severely damaging your suspension system. In the specific case of seats designed for frame mounting — at the front on the head tube or at the rear on the seat tube — you will need to ensure that the fixing bracket, which must support the seat, can effectively clamp around your bike's tube. Where restrictions exist for installing the bracket, they are specified: they may relate to the shape, material or diameter of your frame's tubes.
Regarding seats installed directly on a rear rack, the width of the rack should be checked. Indeed, some racks do not allow a seat to be fitted because they are too wide or too narrow.
WHICH CHILD BIKE SEAT SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY CHILD?
Several criteria will help you choose the child bike seat that is right for your child!
The child's age, height and weight
It is important to consider your child's height and weight when choosing a seat accordingly. The child must obviously not be cramped inside; they must be able to rest their feet naturally on the footrests provided, and their head must not protrude above the shell.
Front-mounted models are reserved for younger children (up to 2 years/15 kg). They have the advantage of being very reassuring for the parent, who can directly monitor the child's movements, as well as for the child, who can easily make visual contact and also enjoys a full view of the surroundings.
Rear-mounted seats are designed for children aged 10 months to 5 years, with a maximum weight limit generally set at 22 kg. These models have the advantage of offering great room for growth, with adjustable footrests and/or a headrest, which allow the seat to adapt to the child's development over the years.
Comfort criteria
The question of the child's comfort in their seat is linked to the duration of use!
For longer family rides and outings, it is advisable to opt for seats that offer a more comfortable seat, with well-padded upholstery, armrests, and a shell with ventilation openings for pleasant airflow.
Some seats can even recline (up to 20° on certain models), to allow the child to fall asleep in a more favourable position!
It is also worth noting that a front seat is less comfortable than a rear seat fixed to the frame, as the former is directly subjected to the vibrations of the front wheel, whereas the latter, which rests on metal rails, feels more supple. Suitable for younger children, a front seat is also designed more for short journeys, making it ideal in an urban environment.
Finally, be aware that there are useful accessories for various circumstances, such as in bad weather, to protect the child in their seat: ponchos, rain covers, windscreens for front seats…
Safety criteria
As child bike seats directly affect the safety of the child, they must meet very strict requirements as set out by the European standard EN 14344. These cover in particular:
- The strength of the safety harness (adjustable five-point harness);
- The closure system, which the child must not be able to undo on their own;
- The shell design, which must offer good side protection and have smooth contours;
- The mandatory inclusion of footrests.
This standard applies to child bike seats designed to accommodate children aged between 10 months and 4/5 years, weighing between 9 and 22 kg.
Some models have higher weight limits, accommodating older children weighing up to 35 kg.
Furthermore, French regulations have made it compulsory since 22 March 2017 for children under 12 to wear a helmet when cycling (Article R. 431-1-3 of the Highway Code). The law makes no distinction between a child riding a bike and a child passenger on a bike. The obligation to wear a helmet therefore also applies to a child seated in a child bike seat. Seats are all designed with this in mind, with more space at the head area to ensure maximum comfort even when wearing a helmet.
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