Installed on the bike, the baby-carrier seat is a simple, affordable solution for transporting a child while maintaining oral and even visual contact. Mounted on the front or rear of the bike, on the seat tube or on the carrier, there are several types of seat, whose differences and features we describe here to help you make the right choice.
THE DIFFERENT FEATURES OF BICYCLE CARRIER SEATS
- Mounting : front, rear on seat tube, rear on luggage rack ;
- Headrest and footrests: fixed or adjustable ;
- Backrest: fixed or reclining.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BABY CARRIER SEATS
Lightweight and easy to install, baby carrier seats are designed to carry children aged from 10 months to 5 years, with a maximum weight limit of around 22 kilos. The first thing to consider when choosing a baby carrier is whether it is attached to the front or rear of the bicycle.
Baby carrier seats with front attachment are characterized by a mounting bracket (with or without anti-theft system) that screws into the head tube, onto which the seat is clipped, thus positioning it at the front, between the rider and the handlebars.
Baby carrier seats with rear mounting on seat tube are equipped with a mounting bracket (with or without anti-theft system). This is installed on the seat tube, where the rails supporting the seat are inserted and clipped in place. The seat is then positioned behind the saddle, suspended on these rails.
Finally, baby carrier seats with rear mounting on luggage rack attach directly to the luggage rack.
In general, baby carrier seats are compatible with all bicycles equipped with wheels 26" to 29" / 700c wheels, with the exception of telescopic seatpost mountain bikes and full-suspension mountain bikes, for which a rear seat is not recommended, as it could cause an accident by touching the rear wheel and severely damaging your suspension system. In the case of frame-mounted seats - either front-mounted on the head tube or rear-mounted on the seat tube - you'll need to make sure that the mounting bracket, which is supposed to support the seat, can actually grip your bike's tube. If there are any restrictions on the installation of the bracket, these are specified: they may relate to the shape, material or diameter of your frame tubes.
For seats installed directly on a rear rack, you need to check the width of the rack. Some rear racks are too wide or too narrow to accommodate a seat.
WHICH CARRIER SEAT SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY CHILD?
There are several criteria for choosing the right baby carrier seat for your child!
Child's age, height and weight
It's important to take your child's height and weight into account when choosing a seat. Of course, your child shouldn't be curled up inside the seat; he or she should be able to place his or her feet naturally on the supports provided, and his or her head should not protrude from the shell.
Front-fixed 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 eye contact and enjoy the scenery to the full.
Rear-facing seats are designed to accommodate a child aged between 10 months and 5 years, with a maximum weight limit generally set at 22 kg. The advantage of these models is their ability to evolve, with adjustable footrests and/or headrests to keep pace with the child's growth over the years.
Comfort criteria
The question of the child's comfort in the seat is linked to the question of how long it will be used!
For hikes and longer family outings, we recommend seats that offer a more comfortable seat, with a well-padded cover, armrests and a shell with openings for pleasant ventilation.
Some seats can even recline (up to 20° on certain models), to help your child fall asleep in a more favorable position!
It's also worth remembering that a front seat is less comfortable than a rear seat fixed to the frame, as the former is directly subjected to the jolts of the front wheel, whereas the latter, which rests on metal rails, seems softer. Suitable for younger children, a front seat is also more suited to short trips, making it ideal for urban use.
Last but not least, there are a number of accessories that can be useful in certain circumstances, such as bad weather, to protect the child in the seat: ponchos, rain covers, windscreens for front seats...
Safety criteria
Baby carrier seats are directly linked to the child's safety, and must therefore meet the very strict requirements laid down in European standard EN 14344. These include :
- The strength of the safety belt (five-point adjustable harness);
- The locking system, which the child must not be able to release by himself;
- The design of the shell, which must offer good protection on the sides, and have smooth contours;
- Mandatory integration of footrests.
This standard applies to baby carrier seats designed to accommodate children aged between 10 months and 4/5 years, and weighing between 9 and 22 kilos.
Some models advertise higher weight limits, allowing them to accommodate older children weighing up to 35 kilos.
In addition, since March 22, 2017, French regulations have made it compulsory for children under the age of 12 to wear a helmet when cycling (article R. 431-1-3 of the French Highway Code). The law makes no distinction between the child on the bike and the child passenger on the bike. The obligation to wear a helmet also applies to children riding in bicycle seats. In fact, all seats are designed for this purpose, with greater headroom to ensure maximum comfort even when wearing a helmet.
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