Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if it’s possible (and safe) to mount a child seat on this bike. The planned use would be very short daily trips — about 1 km each way to kindergarten and back.
Has anyone done something similar with this type of bike?
• Is it generally safe/stable?
• Are there specific mounts or seat types I should look for?
• Anything important I should check on the frame or rack first?
I’d really appreciate advice or experiences before I buy a seat. Thanks!
by No-Economics-7381
16 Comments
You can, not the safest though
But What Type Should i buy ?
Possibly a shotgun seat but you’d have to change the stem to something with an ultra low stack height like a DMR defy to be able to fit the required spacer.
Shotgun or Mac-Ride. Kindergarten would be pushin it for childs height though so you may take some helmet bonks to the chin. Only other option is a trailer which is simple enough as well and there a bunch of good options, likely just need a custom axle from RobertAxleProject to make it work (custom for your trailer model/connection and bike model).
I use macride on my MTB, very easy setup and should work on any MTB as long as you have a long enough steerer tube. You install a special steerer tube spacer under the stem which the seat clamps on to.
No. Shotgun is not safe and no mounting point for back. Separate simple bike will be cheaper and safer.
I use a “Kids Ride Shotgun” with my kiddo all the time including green and easy blue MTB trails. I go around town a lot. A crash would be very very bad, there is no safety mechanisms, so I only ride on trails and at a pace I am confident I wont take a spill. A mile or two on road would be very comfortable for me, but not for everyone. The kid also needs to have the wherewithal to hold on. Thy have foot straps on stirups but nothing holding them to the seat. They are between your arms so it’s not like they can just jump off but if they aren’t participating in keeping themselves on the bike then it’s a no-go.
On my aluminum hardtail I have the cheaper style that attaches directly to the top and down tubes. For my carbon bike I have the more expensive Shotgun Pro which is what you’d need on this bike. You need enough stack space between your stem and headset to swap one of your steer tube spacers with an attachment piece and a little bit of seat tube exposed below the dropper post’s collar so that the kid’s seat can clamp on in both places. The shotgun pro once you install the included headset spacer takes about 15 seconds to put on or take off.
Edit: I just saw you mention kindergarten, the kid might be a bit too big for this solution. Depends on if they’re a bigger kid and it depends on how tall you are and how long your arms are. They might not fit in the space between your top tube and your face.
A trailer would be safer and more convenient. Or a dedicated kid commuter bike.
I don’t remember the exact age/size, but by kindergarten I definitely had them out of the shotgun, for comfort (for both of us).
I’ve had trailers, trail-a-bikes, and them riding along since then. Trailers have been mentioned, but looking at your bike and considering this sub, I’ll put a plug in for a Weehoo trailer. Good for commute and fun for singletrack as well. If you live in a good spot you can easily buy and sell used. Have fun!
I mounted a kids ride shotgun 2 pro on a neuron on but i needed additional spacers (told them in the order) and then needed to make little wholes in the existing spacers because the have small knobs to stay in place but it dies work
If it’s aluminium, then a dolittle biggie is ace (if you can get them in your area). A bit of a faff to get on and off, but rock solid. My youngest is now a tall 6 year old and I still ride around with him from time to time, and he’s been on it since he was about 2.
I was told not on full suspension bikes
I rocked a shotgun seat with my son for years on my carbon levo. So many smiles per mile. Be responsible. Pay attn to the details and go have fun
Mac ride , puts a seat on the front of the bike between your arms , but a kindergartner can be too large for it. So try it out first if they are overly large.
If it’s 1km the kid should be able to ride that no issues.
Get a tow rope to pull them uphill if needed.
It’s a full blown downhill bike. Odd choice
I used a Mac Ride on my Orbea Rise to take my kid to preschool when he was 3, but he out grew it when he was four. Now that he is in kindergarten he is way too big.