XP: bike trailer/seat recs

Re: XP: bike trailer/seat recs

• kelbrian

  July 2011

  Exciting! We are big family cycling advocates and have been cycling with our daughter since she was about 13 months old.

  We started out with a Chariot Cougar. I feel like she is in a safe little cocoon - it offers a lot of protection. It acts like a roll cage if you happen to get into an accident and has gouge-proof material for the side windows. The Cougar also has shocks that protect the little ones from feeling the full force of bumps, pot holes, etc. and a great built-in screen to keep bugs out (as well as a built-in rain cover and sun shade). It can be used for biking, jogging, strolling, skiing and hiking with the right attachments. We use it for the first three. 
  

  However, the price often puts people off, especially if you won't get a lot of use out of it (it is on sale at REI right now, though). We don't own a car, so we wanted something that would last. 

  Burley and Croozer are two other brands that I would recommend if the Chariot is out of your price range. Check your local Craig's List as well to see if any are available there. I would stay away from brands like InStep and Schwinn - the craftsmanship looks shoddy. 

  I wouldn't recommend a bike seat until your LO is older. I wasn't comfortable with it until my daughter was two and a half. I loved having a place for her to sleep, and it was great having a stroller to take into stores, so a trailer worked best. I also felt like she was just too little to be in a seat. The trailer offers so much more support, comfort and protection for the smaller kiddos.
  

  We have a Madsen cargo bike now and adore it, but DH will still put our DD in the trailer and take her for rides on his own.

  I would highly recommend taking your DS into a local bike shop and having him fitted for a helmet. If he has a head that is on the smaller side and nothing seems to fit, I would look into a Lazer BOB infant helmet. That is what my DD wore for the longest time because her head was so small. Also, if you decide to go for a trailer, make sure that you let your local shop know that - you will need a flat back helmet for your DS (which is what the Lazer is) so that his head isn't pushed forward by the back of the trailer seat.
  
  Something else that is important is visibility. If you plan on biking at any time of the day where there is decreased visibility, you will need to invest in a front light (white) for your bike and a back light (red) for the trailer. It wouldn't hurt to have one on the back of your bike, either. A bell is also a necessity. Your bike shop should be able to help you out with both of those things.
  

  One great thing about the Cougar is that it has fabric that glows in the dark, as well as reflectors on the wheels and on the back cargo pack. You definitely need to add lights to the back of it, though.

  Another piece of advice? Learn the rules that are specific to cyclists in your area. Google is your friend Make sure that you know hand signals. Knowing how to use your voice will also be helpful!

  This is a good page to look at to help you learn how to avoid situations where you could be hit by a car.
  
  Let me know if you have any other questions! I would love to answer any that you might have.
  

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• poison489

  July 2011

  We didn't feel comfortable using a bike trailer, because we wouldn't be able to see our son well, and lets face it that vehicles on the road are not alway respectful of bikers. We got this one and are very happy with it,  The little head rest comes in handy when our DS falls asleep.  He is 17 months now and loves riding.   Yelling "beep beep" and screaming in excitement for the entire ride.
  

  

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• lifesadance member

  July 2011

  Thank you both for all the information!!  Kelbrian, I will probably hit you up at some point with more questions... after I've done some of my homework on all those great links. Thanks!
  

  

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• JenniferJaneC member

  July 2011

  I totally am in love with our iBert bicycle seat.  It is front mounted, which means my son gets a wonderful view as we ride.  It is extremely safe, and people comment on it whenever we ride, saying that my son looks so happy.  We go on ten mile rides easily and he enjoys them.

  I have more details on the review I wrote in my blog if you are interested.

   

  https://monkeybuttjunction.com/2011/05/03/biking-with-the-toddler/
  

  Jack Donovan, b. Christmas Eve, 2009.

  

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• kdello member

  July 2011

  I just grabbed whatever bike trailer I found at a yard sale (after first  inspecting it for safety). It's not fancy, it's made by Schwinn and it's served us well. I'm sure a more expensive one would have all the bells and whistles, but we LOVE our cheap trailer! Be sure the trailer is visible, maybe add a flag or something to it. (Our DD HATES the car seat, and so the bike trailer is the best bet for us.)
  

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