My bike, and how to make it mine and carry toddler/groceries?

[hebe]

Thank you for the lovely welcome.

I was looking at my bike today and thinking that I really want to make it mine. I would like to add panniers and mudguards (fenders?) I have to admit to being a bit sad that my bike didn't come with matching mudguards (I may have seen too many Paisleys). The lbs will be doing a service on my bike in a couple of weeks so I'll ask him about getting in some silvery/chrome fenders to go on it. For panniers, I was thinking about a couple of Basil ones, or the red dotty one on Bobbin (http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Categories/Accessories). Can anyone tell me if these would be ok for lightweight grocery shopping? I already have a rack on the back of the bike, it is there for a childseat but I think I shall be carrying the groceries long before the child, as they are a rather less precious load and I am still learning to ride competently. Also, where do you carry the essentials, such as spare tube and puncture repair set? At the moment I'm not cycling far enough that I couldn't wheel the bike back but hopefully that will change as I get better.

I am also thinking about carrying my daughter in a seat in front of me, rather than behind. She adores my bike and I would like to have her within sight and reach. I'd be grateful for any experience that people have of carrying toddlers on either type of seat. I don't think I'll be using a trailer, she would want to be up with me on the bike. She has a helmet, as do I.

Here is my bike. It is a Marin Stinson, "comfort" hybrid. I would love a thinner prettier bike, but this one is perfect whilst I am new to cycling and should be fine for carrying child and shopping on both the local roads and towpaths. I'd appreciate any insight that people have on making a bike your own, I don't want to end up with a hotch potch of frame, fenders, panniers as I have grown strangely fond of this bike. I'm already wondering if I should have gone for a silver pump rather than red :o

Thank you for reading, and for any help.

[Pedal Wench]

I've seen both types of child seats, and some shop mechanics are very, very against the ones that mount up front. They significantly effect the handling of your bike. You mentioned being able to reach your child easier - well, if you let go of the bars to do something for your child, the handling of the bike is so awkward it's just dangerous. Plus, it's much harder to securely mount them to the stem or headtube, especially on bike without a solid steerer tube.

[Irulan]

I've seen both types of child seats, and some shop mechanics are very, very against the ones that mount up front. They significantly effect the handling of your bike. You mentioned being able to reach your child easier - well, if you let go of the bars to do something for your child, the handling of the bike is so awkward it's just dangerous. Plus, it's much harder to securely mount them to the stem or headtube, especially on bike without a solid steerer tube.

I rode with a front style one and it was awesome. I have never heard of handling problems; in fact it's been the exact opposite. It's more stable and centered than a rear seat. You could do a search at MTBR.com the mountain biking site, and find the wee-ride style of child carrier is overwhelmingly preferred over a rear carry if you must mount something ON the bike.

They are fairly new to the US but they have been used in Europe and the Americas for years.

http://www.weeride.com/Kangaroo-Center-Mounted-Child-Bicycle-Carrier

http://www.weeride.com/images/galleries/kanga2/kanga_1.jpg

[Crankin]

Have you thought about getting a trailer for your daughter? They are much safer than a seat. It makes me nervous to think of this. Many people here have used trailers for their kids and could explain it better than I!
DH had a seat on his bike, for our older son, back in the 80's. He hardly ever used it, as he said it didn't feel safe. And he is a very skilled rider with good balance.

[moonfroggy]

i was going to also suggest a trailer. we have a chariot and i love that thing. i can even put my sons balance bike in the back part of it so that when we get where we are going he can ride his bike around! it is also easy to take on and off the bike and can be a jogging stroller, regular stroller used cross country skiing and has an attachment for backpacking! i have only used it as a bike trailer though.

[Zen]

I don't think I'll be using a trailer, she would want to be up with me on the bike. She has a helmet, as do I.


just sayin'

[jenniferh]

My Kids LOVE their trailer. Room to stretch out, they can eeverything we pass, there is a little drink holder and they put a snack next to their legs. It works perfectly and is the safest option. I'd highly recommend a trailer over a seat. Plus, since you only have 1 kid,you could use the 2nd seat to hold your food.

[jdubble]

I'm going to chime in and say that I have both a trailer and a seat and both are great in different situations. The trailer is definitely great for protection from the weather, for hauling additional gear or groceries, or an additional kid. But I first got the rear mount Bobike seat when we lived in San Francisco because I did not feel comfortable biking in traffic with a trailer to my son's daycare. It was too low, too far behind me, and we couldn't communicate with each other over the sound of the wind and traffic. I felt much more comfortable with him right behind me, at my level, and we could easily talk to each other on the ride. It's never ever felt unsafe to me, or made me feel like the handling of my bike was compromised.

[Grog]

Just curious: Is there any evidence about the safety of various bike seats? I agree with jdubble that in urban traffic a trailer would feel much less secure to me than a top-tube mounted seat like the one Irulan showed.

[hebe]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

That mtbr link is really useful, I shall spend some time there reading.

The weeride is one of the front mount seats I was thinking about, also the Ibert which seems to be a bit lighter and fits on the stem rather than the top tube. I think the bottom line will be to try rear and front mounted and see which feels safer as clearly they'll change bike handling in different ways. I did think about trailers but would really want B close to me. I appreciate all your comments, there is a lot to think about.

[Pedal Wench]

I rode with a front style one and it was awesome. I have never heard of handling problems; in fact it's been the exact opposite. It's more stable and centered than a rear seat.

The one I was referring to (What? You couldn't read my mind???) was the ibert, which attaches up on the handlebar stem. Much less secure and further forward than a toptube system. The one you showed looks great.

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/722/206893722.jpg

[Irulan]

Just curious: Is there any evidence about the safety of various bike seats? I agree with jdubble that in urban traffic a trailer would feel much less secure to me than a top-tube mounted seat like the one Irulan showed.

In 15+ years of various assorted bike/web discussion ( starting with usenet that's how old I am) I would say that rear mounted seats really get the thumbs down for instability and backweighting of the bike, and front mounts like the wee ride get the thumbs up. Plus, I have done IRL both ways.

[hebe]

Thanks again for the replies. I'm going to read all the reviews I can find. I'll be offline for a few days now, but will update this thread later.

[jdubble]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

That mtbr link is really useful, I shall spend some time there reading.

The weeride is one of the front mount seats I was thinking about, also the Ibert which seems to be a bit lighter and fits on the stem rather than the top tube. I think the bottom line will be to try rear and front mounted and see which feels safer as clearly they'll change bike handling in different ways. I did think about trailers but would really want B close to me. I appreciate all your comments, there is a lot to think about.

here's a great page that has reviews with pros/cons of several different front-mount seats. it's a great family biking website in general :)

http://totcycle.com/blog/all-about-front-child-bike-seats.html

[tpb]

+100 on the trailer suggestion

We had a trailer for both our kids and they loved it. They could still chat with me as well as stretch out, play, look around, sleep, etc. Also, it was very secure. Even if I wiped out, they didn't.

[trista]

FWIW, we have two trailers for 3 kids, and there are a lot of times I wish I had a Wee-ride carrier for our toddler. Trailers are great in certain instances, but not the best choice for every situation.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My advice would be to first get some riding skills under your belt before you consider riding with your toddler. Read traffic biking safety websites. Ride in traffic, get the skills to do hand signaling and to stop suddenly, veer, learn about when to 'take the lane', and defensive riding.
Between your somewhat heavy bike, groceries and panniers, and a small child, you are talking about a lot of weight...which can be tricky for even an experienced rider to keep balanced, especially in traffic or unexpected situations.
Do some riding first, learn safety skills. Then start adding groceries to the mix and see how it changes the whole feel. Take one step at a time...great that you are riding! :)

[buffybike]

Today I purchased an iBert (the green front-mounted seat) for my toddler and a Weehoo iGo pedal trailer for my 6 year old. That way I can take them both to school/the store/whatever. The iBert has lots of reviews--nearly all positive. The Weehoo was expensive, but I figure I'm going to get at least 5 years of use out of it AND I can take it out on singletrack. When my kids outgrow it, I'll sell it.

http://www.weehooinc.com

[hebe]

My advice would be to first get some riding skills under your belt before you consider riding with your toddler. Read traffic biking safety websites. Ride in traffic, get the skills to do hand signaling and to stop suddenly, veer, learn about when to 'take the lane', and defensive riding.
Between your somewhat heavy bike, groceries and panniers, and a small child, you are talking about a lot of weight...which can be tricky for even an experienced rider to keep balanced, especially in traffic or unexpected situations.
Do some riding first, learn safety skills. Then start adding groceries to the mix and see how it changes the whole feel. Take one step at a time...great that you are riding! :)

Thank you for such a detailed response. I'm taking instruction from a very experienced instructor and I'm confident that she will get me safe with all the areas that you mention. I am starting to manage my expectations with regard to exactly what I can safely carry. I'm hoping to actually take a lesson or two with my daughter in whatever carrier I end up with, though that might be a little way off yet.


Today I purchased an iBert (the green front-mounted seat) for my toddler and a Weehoo iGo pedal trailer for my 6 year old. That way I can take them both to school/the store/whatever. The iBert has lots of reviews--nearly all positive. The Weehoo was expensive, but I figure I'm going to get at least 5 years of use out of it AND I can take it out on singletrack. When my kids outgrow it, I'll sell it.

http://www.weehooinc.com

I'd love to hear how you get on with both of these, as I remain very interested in the ibert carrier.

Thank you again for all the replies, they are much appreciated.

[hebe]

Well, I had a go at riding with dd in a Burley trailer on holiday this week, and she loved it. I liked it too, and we're looking into getting one now. It felt very stable and secure.

[Melalvai]

You & your daughter will be just like Thistle & Fizz:
http://www.yehudamoon.com/images/strips/2008-07-19.gif

[shootingstar]

I'm sure you will be riding more often with your child in tow, hebe. Precious, fun times with her.

[hebe]

Thank you! I love that cartoon. I used to carry small girl in a fabric carrier and would put in miles walking along the tow path with her asleep on my front or back. Her nursery is at the top of a hill, and I know that I'm going to end up riding it for at least one of the drop-off/pick up trips every day. It's about a 3mile round trip so really should be do-able.