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

[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-Cent...icycle-Carrier

[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.