Bikes and Humax Baby Seats

[The Nappy Lady]

Does anyone happen to know whether you can fit a Humax Baby Seat onto a traditional ladies bike frame? By this I mean a bike with a basket on the front, and the style where you are sitting 'upright' rather than leaning forward like you do on racers and mountain bikes? Some websites seem to call them City Bikes....but my dream would be to own a Pashley (sp?)...this Penelope Keith in To The Manor Born!!!....don't think funds are going to stretch that far...but that type of thing....

I have a Dutch Classic which I love, but have been advised the frame isn't strong enough to take a Humax, and I really don't find mountain bikes etc. comfortable....

Any bike experts out there? Wasn't sure where to post, but thought I'd start in the family room, as I'm sure some of you out there will be cycling with little ones.

Molly

[hpsaucey]

Hi there - I have a 'Weeride' which fits in front of your seat and perches in its own bar that is attached to the seat post and handlebar post. Think that would get around the frame problem? I\ll send you a link if you need one? Usde to only be available fomr the Us but they've started selling in the UK now.

[snowboarder]

Hello - from what I can work out Pashley bikes come ready set to take a particular type of seat - here:

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/childseat-pletscher.html

But expect they could take others. Reckon you could ask at the bike shop next to Locale as think they have Pashleys. We are researching this too - if santa is generous (and receives a bonus) we will be the cycling family rather than snowboarding family next year.....

I also LOVE this shop for those kind of bikes and it's fun to go and look round but it's a little...umm...expensive

http://www.velorution.biz/

[taper]

I can't see why that would be a problem for a Humax or a similar seat (see link below for options). The frames on those bikes are sturdier I would have thought than a bog standard aluminium hybrid or MTB frame. The problem with Humax seats in my experience isn't necessarily whether the frame is strong enough to hold them, it's the instability it causes on the bike. Perhaps that's the issue with a woman's frame, but I doubt it.

I was in Balfe's bikes the other day and they sell a rear mounted seat for older children (so 4-8) which looks interesting (a Bobike - see here for it and other seats http://www.spoke.co.uk/childseats.htm). Might be worth popping in there for some advice. Or Edwardes in Camberwell

[lorraineliyanage]

Molly - I've got a weeride that fits onto my ladies' bike with a basket, so I think the Humax is probably possible, but do check out the Weeride, it's brilliant!

[The Nappy Lady]

Thanks so much guys, I had seen the Weeride ages ago and completely forgotten about it. Am nervous about the whole balance thing, but this will solve that problem too. Will be so good to be able to cycle to work, dropping C off on the way (would walk it, but then school pick up can get a bit fraught, so cycling is the perfect compromise).

Snowboarder, it comes as no surprise to me that you and I both want Pashley's....if there is a product out there that is similar to others, but about 2 to 3 times the price you can bet we will be lusting after it! Saldy I don't think Santa is going to be THAT generous for me this year. Maybe in a few years when I have proven my commitment to cycling year round!

Molly

[snowboarder]

He he I know!

My husband is obsessed with bikes at the moment as am I as I sold mine when pregnant as it was a lovely fast road bike that I thought would not take a child seat. Saw the bobike seats at the cycle show (don't ask!!) this year and they did look good.

I like this one best...!

[The Nappy Lady]

Now stop it - you are just encouraging me....I am off to look at sensibly priced girly bikes (does this mean I have to start wearing tweed as well???!!!).

Molly

[lorraineliyanage]

Once you've got your perfect bike, this web site does the best accessories!

[The Nappy Lady]

OMG have you seen the red bike on their home page...I'm in love......

No, no, no, no, no!!!!

Molly

[lorraineliyanage]

I just noticed they have bikes for sale, I thought they only did accessories. Luckily too expensive for me to even consider :P

[jacks]

Does anyone know how best to travel with a baby AND a toddler and a bike - am not convinced by those trailers but think maybe a huma on back and weeride on front is too much? any advise please - I have to drop both at nursery and cycle to work to make things work! thanks

[Mellors]

I use a Bumper Duo trailer for my baby and toddler. They love it (they have a blanket inside and toys) and I don't find it too much heavier to ride with. Its bright yellow, and I have a safety flag and flashing light on it, and have never had a problem (although I do try and avoid very busy roads if possible).

[The Nappy Lady]

jacks, I have seen a Mum with Weeride and Humax taking her boys to nursery but have to say I'd be terrified - seems like a lot of weight to balance. You can get a 'trailer' type thing that is like half a bike, that attaches to the back of your bike for the toddler to ride (i.e. no front wheel), but maybe he/she is too young for that? I imagine only really suitable for 3+ at the youngest.

Can't think of anything else, unless you go down the rickshaw route??!!!

Molly

[Polly D]

What do people think works best: front or back baby bike seats? I like the idea of a front seat, like a weeride, but have been reading the reviews and many say it makes it hard to ride your bike with one at the front, particularly if you don't have very long legs...I am quite short, and so, therefore, is my bike. I feel the front one looks safer and it would free up space at the back for paniers.

I want to get one so I can drop my son off at the childminder - a 5 min bike journey - and then continue to work. He'll be one by the time I need it and probably weighs about 10kg ish.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Polly, I have been lent a Weeride to try and really like it. I do have to cycle with my knees out slightly but don't find it an issue and really like having baby in front of me. Never ridden with child at back though so can't compare to that. I think balace is much easier with baby in front, I don't notice her at all (she's 15 months, average build).

I was thinking Balfes bikes should do a child seat hire/try service so you can try both options before you buy - maybe with a deposit that gets knocked off price of new seat when you buy from them. How useful would that be?

Hope this helps, Molly

[lorraineliyanage]

Polly, I've got a wee-ride, you are welcome to try out my bike with it if you like. I'm 5'9' and do have to ride it a bit like Charlie Chaplin but you get used to it after a while. The baby doesn't get in the way at all, but the wee-ride seat does look pretty tiny, not sure if it would accomodate a 3 or 4 year old, unless they were quite slim. Having said that, I love having my baby at the front and being able to see her at all time, plus she always falls asleep on the board at the front that is made for snoozing. I've also still got my much-needed basket on the front of my bike despite having the wee ride on it as well.

[The Nappy Lady]

Yes, I've got a basket on mine as well. They say that you can use it up to 3 years for sure, that they have known children up to 6 ride in them - guess it depends on the size of the child. Can't imagine my 5 year old fitting in it I have to say (she can sit in the Hamax on the back of my hubby's bike, but the harness is no longer long enough to strap her in!).

Must say I've only ridden the bike with baby etc. twice so far. The 2nd time she did get a bit grisly towards the end, but I think this was a combo of it being very cold (New Years Day) - the cold wind in her face (one down side of them being in front of you on the bike), plus being ready for a nap and not having yet figured out that she can lean on the rest thing bless her, she crashed out in 2 minutes when we got home. I found the seat somehow felt less in the way when riding the bike with her in the seat, plus it is not so rattly etc. I got used to having my knees out slightly to accommodate it really quickly.

Molly

[lorraineliyanage]

Now you mention it, Bombi always has a little tear streaming down her face when we come back from a bike ride from the cold!

[Polly D]

Thanks ladies, v useful. And thanks for offer of trying yours out L - I'm 5'3'' though and might not reach the floor! I don't have a basket on the front but would definitely want to use my panniers at the back so that's one of my reasons for thinking front seat would work best, apart from feeling that he is more protected there, although not from the wind: good point!

He's only going to be on the bike for 5 mins in am and 10 (uphill!) on way home in evening so I have one more question for front seat users: when the baby isn't on the bike, do you find the seat gets in the way?

[lorraineliyanage]

No, the seats don't bother me at all.

I do hate that uphill journey back up Barry Road!

[The Nappy Lady]

Doesn't bother me massively, but is more rattly when the baby isn't sitting in it. The Humax is easy to take off and on the bracket though, so worst case scenario you could take the seat off and leave at childminders?

I think you can use the Hamax on the back with panniers - just for info - my hubby has both on his bike.

Molly