How to Find a Suitable Child Seat for Your Bike
Child seats are apt for children between nine months to four years. Some child seats recline and can also be used for children as small as six months. A reclining set also allows your child to drift off to sleep without falling forward or sideways. Good child bike seats have features like an adjustable push handle, sun cover, and storage capacity. Such a seat model allows you to carry one to two kids easily. When choosing a child seat for your bike, there are many things to consider. Read on to know how you should go about choosing a seat that provides adequate safety and comfort to your little one.
Know About Your Kid’s Weight and Age
Knowing about the age and weight of your children is imperative before selecting a child bike seat. Primarily, there are two kinds of seats, the rear-mounted and the front-mounted ones. The former is built for children who are up to 7 years old. They can bear a weight of up to 48 lbs. The latter kind of bike seat is for smaller kids. They are apt for kids till the age of 5 years. These can bear up to 33 pounds of weight. When you know about the weight and age of the kid, you can appropriately select from between the rear-mounted and the front-mounted bike seats.
Look at the Safety Features.
It’s important for a child seat to have secure foot straps, preferably in wraparound footwells. Bumpers, the unique projections on both sides of it, are a great feature that prevents the fingers of the child from getting caught. If your seat has springs, it’s best to replace it with one that does not have this feature. For keeping the child secure, many saddles come with a three-point harness. It has straps that go over the shoulders and secure between the legs. If you want a seat for a toddler, it’s best to buy one with a waist bar or belt. It’s because toddlers can slip out of the shoulder straps when they are asleep.
Look for Ease of Use and Comfort
The best bike seat for the child should be simple to install. It shouldn’t give you any difficulties when disembarking and steering while cycling. Additionally, it should be simple to store and portable. It’s best to look for foldable models with a built-in carrying handle. You and your kid should feel comfortable with the seat. Ensure that the one you choose comes with a stirrup, thick seating, and closed armrests. A suspension system feature in a seat will ensure that your child doesn’t feel every bump that appears on the road. Reliable child bike seats have adjustable suspension, which provides a steady ride. They also have features like a reclinable seatback, and you can fold and unfold them quickly.
Look for Adjustable Footrests.
Many front and rear-mounted seats have footrests. But they are not all adjustable. Footrests are an essential feature that supports the legs of your child. They also safeguard their feet from the wheels of the bike. They allow the seat to grow as the kid grows. You can easily modify its height. Look for seats having adjustable footrests with foot straps for more safety. It will keep your kid firmly in one place.
These were some of the essential features to look for when purchasing a child bike seat. Comfortable and safe seats allow kids to enjoy the outdoors, which is very beneficial for them. But they should have the appropriate features to keep you and your child secure and supported.
