[...]
Back in Spring we got him a WeeRide LTD seat. This fits between the handlebars and my seat. (There is also a non-LTD version with less padding. Both versions are sold with the mounting bar included; the separately sold bar is only for a family that wants a second one, to be able to quickly move the seat from one bicycle to another.)
It works great. But there are a large number of caveats.
First, it does not fit every bicycle. The Amazon reviews make clear that some people had to return it for this reason.
Second, I am 5'4" and it just barely fits comfortably. Anyone smaller than me would probably have problems. I did not have to change how I pedaled, or where my knees where.
Third, the 5mm hex key it comes with is so poorly machined it does not work. Anyone ordering the seat should also buy a hex key set if they do not already own one.
Fourth, my leg length allows me to normally stop the bicycle without hopping off the seat, simply pointing one foot tiptoe to rest while stopped. Anyone used to hopping off the seat when stopped would obviously have to change habits.
Fifth, my fitness level and bicycles number of gears allow me to bicycle up even the steeper hills I would ride on without standing. I never had the habit of standing while pedaling up a hill. I have not tried standing while Smiley is in his seat, but from the Amazon reviews apparently this does not work.
Sixth, the harness system is odd. Smiley can twist out of a shoulder strap, as he did in the above picture when smelling roses at the Owen Rose Garden. I assume this is intentional. If, heaven forbid, I was to crash then having the toddler firmly stuck in the seat is probably not the best option. But a wiggly child who does not follow instruction would need a different bicycle seat.
Seventh, the child can grab the handlebars. Smiley does not try this while I hold them, but if I let go of one to adjust my MP3 player or blow my nose he sometimes does. Be alert for this potential source of swerving!
Eighth, the routes I might bicycle are all on streets and paths kept clean of gravel and debris. By using a bicycle seat instead of a trailer, I am betting that my likelihood of crashing my bicycle is less than a motorist's likelihood of hitting my trailer. If I lived near gravel roads or where autumn leaves sat damp and made slipping a danger, a trailer would be the better choice.
Ninth, there is no hole in the seat large enough to pass a cable lock through. Where I live I am not worried about the seat disappearing while the bicycle is locked in front of the library or a store. In other locations this might be an issue; the seat comes off quickly and easily but is very bulky to carry around while doing errands.
Tenth, pediatricians currently recommend that babies under a year of age not use any bicycle seat or trailer. Their brains still slosh around too much for that kind of vibration to be safe. WeeRide LTD Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
Obviosuly the concept is great. But for us it did not work out that well. First probelm is that our 1 1/2 year old was to big/tall. When we first unpacked the seat we were astonished how small the seat is, at least to us the seat is tiny, in reality that is all that is needed and the design maybe on purpose inorder for the person to bicylce comfortable without it being too much in the way. But even still we found it uncomfortable to go for any longer trips than say a quick ride.
We have instead purchased the COPILOT LIMO rear child seat. And it has worked out very well, and out child has room to grow so the product will have a longer life span as well as able to go for longer rides more comfortably. We had the same reservations that anyone would have about the rear child seat, but this particular model COPILOT seems very stable and since we bicylce together our child can see the other parent as we ride together.
At first we werent sure if any child would be comfortable sitting in this, but when everything was attached and my 13 month old was sitting in it, he looked just fine. He was sitting up high enough that he could see everything without having to turn side to side (as in a rear seating bike seat) and we could definitely keep our eyes on him. He's still not sure about the headrest part and he keeps his hands down to the sides, but overall, he's extremely content when we go on bike rides. We have gotten tons of positive comments from other parents that see him in it. In our area most people use the bike trailers and a few rear seats. So this is definitely something people dont normally see around here. We've only seen one other Wee Ride on the bike trail.
I bought an extra bar so that we could attach the seat to either my husband's or my mountain bikes. The one and only downfall is that for me (i'm 5'2"), I found out that i'm just too short in the torso area to allow for a comfortable ride for myself. Our handlebars do not adjust so i am in this crouched over position which doesnt leave a whole lot of room between me and my son. I kept knocking his helmet forward and it was just too awkward of a ride for me, so we can only have the Wee Ride attach to my husbands bike as he is much taller than me. Even though i dont personally get to ride with him, its a joy to see him have a good time. I think a taller mom should have no problem. - Bike Seat - Bike Front-mounted Baby Seat - Toddler Bike Seat - Child Bike Seat'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
