FRONT MOUNTED CHILD SEATS
We love front mounted seats. So much so, we don't even bother with rear mounted seats unless fit is an issue (which is very rare). Having the child in front of you is a totally different experience, it's interactive and fun! Handling and steering is superior in our opinion as well. Both of us started our kids in front seats at 12 months of age...So what's holding you back?
iBert
We love this seat. We have both used the seat extensively with all our kids. 12 months of age is a good place to start. It mounts to the spacers under your headset and with a little patience can fit most mountain bikes. We use it both on our mountain bikes and our townies with little mounting issues. The child is secure within the shell of the seat and it has some harness straps to keep them from climbing out in addition to a safety bar.
MSRP: $99.95 US | Where to buy: Amazon
iBert Install Video
Hamax Observer
Another well designed and functional front bike seat that is a blast with the little ones. The observer is easily adjusted between kids or as a child grows. The safety harness is really easy to use, the foot straps are brainless and there are brackets to fit a cruiser/urban bike or mountain bikes. The front windscreen is a bonus add-on and definitely keeps the bugs out of the kiddos' teeth. It’s easy to install but we would recommend mounting it to a bike that will be used most often.
MSRP: $139.95 US | Where to buy: Amazon
Hamax Observer Video
Thule/Yepp RideAlong Mini
Super refined and loaded with features, the RideAlong includes comfy padded straps, adjustable foot stirrups, grab handle, and a lock. Like other front seats, the Thule mounts to the stem via bolted bracket which has a quick release. It is a great seat aimed at the 9 month to 3 years crowd (weight restriction of 33 lbs).
MSRP: $159 US | Where to buy: Amazon | Backcountry
Yepp Mini Video
Hi Colin,
Thanks for the response.
Sorry I am still confused, does the thule mounting bracket goes on the spacer or do I remove the spacer and put the bracket on the stem.
I have a Giant Talon 2, not sure how to handle this.
The mounting bracket goes under the stem around the spacers. You need to make sure there is enough room.
Hi, Do we put the mounting bracket (in Thule) on the stem or on the spacer (that is on the stem)?
spacers under stem if its a threadless headset…make sure you have enough room for bracket. https://cdn1.static-tgdp.com/assetloader.axd?pimid=12080115&id=686521&brand=Thule&market=CA&att=1
As I already mentioned, there is a crash concern with a front-mounted seat. In the event of an endo (basically where you do a somersault over your bars), there’s a good chance your child is going to get hurt. Of course, there is always a crash concern any time you are cycling with (or without) a child, but the front-mounted seat does expose the child more than a trailer, for example.
They all have risks…It’s are jobs as parents to manage that risk. Discerning parents comfortable with cycling could easily eliminate the risk of OTB (ride slow or even back off front brake power…volia).
We only have one vehicle in our family, and my husband works an hour away, so he has to take it to work every day. Our oldest son is starting kindergarten in September, and his school is a 25 minute walk away. Our older son is a proficient bike rider already and rides his bike everywhere we go when his dad is at work, so I thought riding with the 2 year old in a child seat would help save us some time since we have to make a trip either to or from his school 4 times a day. We have a bike trailer, that we just got recently, that seats two children for when I occasionally have to pick up my friend’s child as well. So the rear mounted child seat would likely be used daily for sh minutes at time, 4 times a day. With that in mind, do you think I would regret getting the Belelli over the Thule?
The rear minded seats are all very similar…mostly just pads and fasteners on restraint system that differ. Sounds like you need an electric cargo bike! Check out the Rad Wagon. https://bit.ly/3nb7ZK0
Nvm. It loaded at the bottom of the page!
Thanks
I saw a different model in a video on your FB page.
How do we purchase that one?
Looked more like a traditional seat mounted to the top tube with handles mounted to the bars.
Awesome site!
Thanks!
Joe
Hi.
What is the lock on the steering like on these? My wife has a bobike mini on her commencal meta but the feet/ leg supports foul on the top tube when she’s only got the bars turned 45deg. I like the look of the hamax, it appears the leg suppprts are angked forward more and the seat itself is mounted closer to the bars.
Rob
Hey Rob,
Yes the Hamax Observer is mounted closer to the bars than the BoBike Mini, but if you are having issues with the Bobike I wouldn’t order an Observer as the angle of the legs strips is not different enough to improve the fit on your wives’ bike.
Most of the Front Mount seats (not offroad kid seats) are difficult to mount to mountain bikes with short reach stems and bikes with short top tubes. They work the best on City/Urban/ Beach Cruiser bikes.
In your case, I would have a look at iBert as the legs holders are not as angled down as the Bobike or Hamax.
If you send us an email with some pictures we can offer some more specific device.
-Jack
What is the maximum age / weight recommended for the feon mount seats? My daughter just broke the 38 lb mark and it looks like thats about the max limit; from what I’ve seen… Aside feom the bike seats, have you ever reviewed those bikes actually designed for careying kids in front? The kind the Dutch like to use?
check out our off road seat page, the mac ride fits on almost anything and is good up to 60 lbs. https://www.thebikedads.com/off-road-child-seats/
Would either of these fit a giant 1 ¼” steer tube?
The ibert should fit…It clamps around your stem spacers. You’ll need a good 20 mm under of spacers of your stem.
Look at the Mac Ride if your kiddo is 2 plus, it has a 1 1/4 inch mounting spacer.