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DaddiLife

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Family Fun

The 10 Best Child Bike Seats (2023 Buying Guide)

written by DaddiLife 4th September 2020
best child bike seat, best child bike seats, child seat bike, bike seat for child,

Updated 5th January 2022.

Whether you’re hoping to introduce your child to a favourite hobby, or looking for a new staycation activity, cycling is a great way to have fun with your child, get some exercise, and explore the outdoors. The best way to get out on the bike with a baby or a toddler is to fit a child bike seat. 

Child bike seats attach to your bike, allowing your little one to come along for the ride safely and comfortably. But with so many different types of bikes and frames available today, finding the right child bike seat for you, your child, and your bike can be a bit of a minefield. We’ve put this guide together to give you everything you need to know before making your purchase, as well as our reviews of the best child seats to get.

Table of contents
What you need to know about child bike seats
Key considerations when buying a child bike seat
Types of child bike seats
Rear-mounted
Front-mounted
The 10 best child bike seats
   1.    Topeak Babyseat II & Rack
   2.    OK Baby Orion Front Child Seat  
   3.    Thule RideAlong Mini Front
   4.    Shotgun Kids MTB Seat
   5.    Urban iki Rear Seat
   6.    Bobike Classic Junior
   7.     UrRider Child Bike Seat
   8.     Prophete Safety Child Seat
   9.     Britax Römer
  10.    WeeRide Classic
Child bike seat stories
  • Every product on DaddiLife is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our product choices.

What you need to know about child bike seats


There are two questions we hear a lot when it comes to these seats:

  •  1: What ages are child bike seats aimed at? Experts recommend that a bike seat is not used for children younger than 6 months, although their ability to sit up unaided is more important than age. Upper limits focus on weight rather than age, with most child bike seats accommodating up to either 15kg, 20kg or 22kg.
  •  2: Can you fit more than one child seat to a bike? You can fit more than one child seat to a bike, but riding with the added weight of two seats and two children is a sure-fire way of encouraging cries of ‘Faster, Daddy!’ as you struggle to pedal yourself into a bath of sweat. If you want to take more than one child on your ride, you can either fit a seat to another bike, or look at a child bike trailer.


Key considerations when buying a child bike seat


Firstly, a child bike seat won't just fit onto any type of bike, and that’s big part of why getting the right child seat can be so difficult.

If you’re not too experienced with bikes it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the basic structure of a bike frame.

best child bike seats, structure of the bike, guide to child bike seats

Most bikes have either a round or oval shaped frame, and while many child bike seats can fit to both, some can only fit to one shape. Here's the key considerations:

  • Typically, road bikes (or bikes with drop handlebars) are not suitable because they usually have a different shape frame altogether. 
  • Carbon fibre frames are also not suitable because they are so lightweight and run the risk of accidents. 
  • Seats usually aren’t compatible with small-wheeled folding bikes, and even if you can find out to suit, the handling is severely compromised.
  • Full suspension mountain bikes also pose problems when fitting a child bike seat. It’s not impossible, and some brands do cater to these types of bikes, but you’re likely to face a smaller pool to choose from and a higher price.
  • Frame size is also a consideration for certain types, even on a standard leisure bike. A smaller frame, perhaps a 16” frame used by a shorter person, may result in the seat interfering with the rear wheel. 


Types of child bike seats


types of child bike seat, what bike fits what child seat, child bike seat guide

The type of bike you have will guide what kind of child bike seat you should get. Child bike seats fall under two overarching categories, with variations sitting within those two categories.


Rear-mounted

Rear-mounted bike seats are certainly the most common because they can carry a child from the age of 6 months right up to the maximum weight limit.

There are three types of rear-mounted:

  • Cantilevered - Cantilevered child bike seats use a two-pronged rack that slots into a bracket attached to the seat tube. There is no other attachment, meaning there is a degree of suspension in the seat. Most come with a strap that attaches to the seat post to prevent too much flex in the prongs.
  • Rack mounted – This type slides and locks into a bike rack already fitted over the rear wheel, which makes it a great option if you already have a rack on your bike. It also straps to the seat post for added safety.
  • Seat stays and seat tube – The least common of rear-mounted child bike seats, this one attaches directly to the seat tube with long legs on the seat stays that remain fixed in place. That means less movement in the seat itself, but smaller frames or open frames (frames without a top tube) aren’t compatible.

Rear-mounted seats generally offer the most protection with a three or five-point safety harness, a high back, leg guards and sometimes specific head guards. They also provide excellent wind chill protection from, well, you!

There are downsides to rear-mounted child bike seats, though. It can be difficult to truly interact and enjoy the experience with your child, and they can disrupt the balance of the bike.


Front-mounted

Although less common than rear-mounted seats, front-mounted seats are growing in popularity, especially among more experienced bikers. Typically, a front-mounted child seat is fixed either directly to the head tube, to the top tube or a bar that is attached between the head tube and seat post (both of which are sometimes referred to as ‘centre mounted’).

 There are two types of front-mount seat:
  • Smaller version of the rear-mounted - offering the same sort of protection while taking up less room to allow the rider to pedal freely.
  • For older children – This type of child bike seat is to carry children who can balance themselves well. It is a simple saddle and footrest attached to the top tube and no safety harness – some offer a separate handlebar for the child too.

The positives of a front-mounted seat include better balance and handling, and the ability to interact with your child a lot better and enjoy the experience that much more. On the downside, they generally offer less protection and there is a risk of falling towards the child in the event of sudden braking or a crash. You may also end up pedalling with your knees slightly out to avoid bumping into the seat, and your little one might be a little chilly unless you buy a wind shield.


The 10 best child bike seats


Now you know what to look out for and have an idea of what is best for you and your child, here are our reviews of the best 10 child bike seats.


   1.    Topeak Babyseat II & Rack

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Innovative duel suspension ensure a comfy, but safe, ride."


The Topeak Babyseat II slides neatly on onto the accompanying heavy-duty rack, with duel suspension springs underneath the seat offering maximum comfort for your child. The integrated rollercoaster-style safety bar and roll bar both offer extra protection, with the latter doubling as a useful carry handle.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Rack
  • Safety harness: Three-point and safety bar
  •  Weight: Up to 22kg 

PROS

  • Features an innovative duel suspension that maximises comfort, as well as safety.
  • Considering how big the seat is, it doesn't feel altogether bulky as you're riding (though you'll need to take into account your child's weight).

CONS

  • At 6.3kg, it's one of the heaviest out there.


   2.    OK Baby Orion Front Child Seat  

amazons choice badge
View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“An Amazon Choice product, and great if you’re on a budget."


The OK Baby Orion is a front-mounted child seat that fixes to the head tube. The mounting bracket is suitable for 32-52mm frames and features four different mounting options. The seat has a ventilation hole to prevent overheating, and the padding is water repellent. The removable shackle means it is suitable for children from 7-8 months old. However, the 15kg weight limit means you’re not likely to get many years’ use out of it.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Head tube
  • Safety harness: Three-point and removable shackle
  •  Weight: Up to 15kg 

PROS

  • Easy to fit, and very sturdy.
  • It comes with the mount attachment so you don't need to get that separately.
  • Voted as an Amazon's Choice product. 

CONS

  • Wide leg rests may interfere with rider.
  • The 'quick release' button needs to be purchased separately.


   3.    Thule RideAlong Mini Front

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Arguably the sleekest bike seat available without compromising safety.”

 

Despite being one of the sleekest designs on the market, the Thule RideAlong Mini Front doesn’t skimp on safety. The padded 5-point harness blends maximum comfort and security, while the quick release bracket features a safety indicator to show when the seat is mounted correctly. With an optional purchase, the handlebar can double as a headrest in case your little one nods off.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Head tube
  • Safety harness: Five-point
  •  Weight: Up to 15kg 

PROS

  • Very stylish design that will fit the contours of most bikes.
  • Features a bracket to attach the seat directly to the top of the front of the bike, below the handlebars.

CONS

  • Headrest may impact visibility immediately in front of the bike.


   4.    Shotgun Kids MTB Seat

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Answers the prayers of mountain bikers who’ve been dying to take their kids out on the trails.”


Shotgun has become a class leader for mountain bikes, offering a child seat that can fit to any style of mountain bike. The saddle and bracket are adjustable, allowing it to fit onto any flat or sloping top tube with ease. The bracket is fitted with moulded rubber to protect the frame and the quick release mechanism means no tools are required to fit or remove the seat. There is no safety harness, so this is only recommended for children over two. You can purchase a mini handlebar if they’re not big enough to reach the main handlebars or if you want to give them the thrill of thinking they’re steering.

  • Type: Front-mounted
  • Fits to: Top tube and down tube
  • Safety harness: None
  •  Weight: Up to 22kg 

PROS

  • Carries a universal fitting for most mountain bikes.
  • Sturdy as well as accessible, even for smaller frame commuter bikes too.

CONS

  • May interfere with gear and brake cables.
  • It won't fit e-bikes.


   5.    Urban iki Rear Seat

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Strapping them in one-handed? Sold!”


Quite a new brand to the market, the Urban iki combines a minimalistic Dutch concept with high Japanese safety standards. The ergonomic design offers comfort for the child, while its innovative five-point harness allows you to strap them in with one hand, meaning you’ve got the other hand free to keep the bike steady. This option is a cantilever, attaching a bracket to the seat tube, but if you love how it looks and are looking for a rack-mounted seat, it also comes in that variation.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat tube
  • Safety harness: Five-point
  •  Weight: Up to 22kg 

PROS

  • Very easy to fit on. You'll be ready to get going in minutes.
  • Minimalistic design that's safe and sturdy.

CONS

  • Lack of side wall supports may put off some buyers.


   6.    Bobike Classic Junior

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Meets the needs of those with older children perfectly.”

The Classic Junior from Bobike is designed specifically for older children who are more than capable of sitting independently on the back of the bike, but can’t quite cover longer distances by themselves. It can carry a maximum weight of 35kg, and with a minimum weight of 20kg, the seat can serve your child’s needs from the ages of 5-10. When not riding with your child, the seat folds down to double as an object carrier.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat tube
  • Safety harness: One-point lap belt
  •  Weight: 20-35kg

PROS

  • A great child bike seat for older children, and after installation it fits on well.
  • Despite looking hard to sit on, it has a layer of padding for extra comfort on the seat itself.

CONS

  • Some riders report it slipping down the bike despite their child being comfortably under the weight limit.


   7.     UrRider Child Bike Seat

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

"Has the flexibility to find the best seating position for your child."


The UrRider is another front-mounted seat with no safety harness, designed for older children. It fixes to the seat tube and top tube with the saddle sitting on a rail. The bright, funky handrail and the front fork are foldable and fully adjustable, meaning you can find the perfect seating position for your little one. It doesn’t fit sloped top tube frames, however. Made from aircraft grade aluminium alloy, weight isn’t an issue, so UnRider recommends a maximum height of 125cm.

  • Type: Front-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat tube and top tube
  • Safety harness: None
  •  Weight: Maximum height recommended of 125cm

PROS

  • Despite its appearance, it fits across a range of Mountain/Hybrid/Fitness bikes.
  • Handlebars and footrests come as standard so no need to add anything extra.

CONS

  • It is made of metal brackets, which may scratch bike frame.
  • You may have to stick your knees out a little when riding without a child so some riders recommend to remove the seat when not in use.


   8.     Prophete Safety Child Seat

amazons choice badge
View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

"It's the perfect combination of pocket-friendly, safety friendly, and user friendly."


The Prophete Safety is a no-nonsense, ‘does what it says on the tin’ child bike seat. It attaches to the seat tube via a bracket and two-pronged rack with a quick release system that’s ideal for when you want to ride solo. Its high back and walled sides make it safe yet comfortable for younger riders, while the three-point harness does the job efficiently.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat tube
  • Safety harness: Three-point
  •  Weight: Up to 22kg

PROS

  • A very sturdy frame that can absorb a lot of suspension and vibration from gravel roads and hills as well as flat roads.
  • An Amazon's Choice rated product.

CONS

  • It can interfere with gear cables if not fitted correctly.

   9.     Britax Römer

amazons choice badge
View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

"A seat that has unrivalled levels of adjustment and ease of use."

The Britax Römer is a rear-mounted cantilever seat that offers a class-leading level of adjustment and customisation. The headrest and harness can be adjusted to one of nine different positions to maximum comfort. And for those younger children on longer rides, it features a reclining backrest for a safe and comfortable sleeping position. The extra-large spoke cover ensures complete protection for your child’s legs and stops anything interfering with the spokes.

  • Type: Rear-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat tube
  • Safety harness: Three-point
  •  Weight: Up to 22kg

PROS

  • Tough and sturdy, that will also fit on most mountain bikes.
  • Well thought out harness and foot restraints. 
  • An Amazon Choice voted product.

CONS

  • It's very sturdy, but can look big and clunky on the bike.


  10.    WeeRide Classic

amazons choice badge
View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

"The big ‘nap pad’ is ideal if you know your child is likely to fall asleep."


One of the first brands to introduce front-mounted child bike seats, the WeeRide Classic sits on a cross bar attached to the seat post and head tube. The patented cross bar positions the weight on the centre of the bike, reducing impact on balance and handling. The seat is fully adjustable and features a ‘nap pad’, offering a large and comfortable space for little ones to rest their head and sleep.

  • Type: Front-mounted
  • Fits to: Seat post and head tube
  • Safety harness: Three-point
  •  Weight: Recommended for ages 1-4

PROS

  • The podium is easy to remove and has no impact on safety if you do remove.
  • Has an easy thumb screw for ease of fitting on and taking off.
  • An Amazon's Choice rated product.

CONS

  • Some riders have criticised the age range, with children older than two and a half struggling to fit.


Child bike seat stories


There's nothing we love more than seeing dads with their children riding together on their bike seats. Here are some of the stories we've loved and been inspired by. We hope it inspires you too!

View this post on Instagram

2 kids riding in the back seat after dad gets off work. Probably some fresh bread 🥖 in the basket. #bikecommute #parisbiking #bikecommuter #kidsonbikes #childbikeseat #bikeparis #bicycles #veloparis #vélo #biketoeverything #🚲

A post shared by Bike To Everything (@biketoeverything) on Sep 4, 2019 at 12:29pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

The fantastic @perryty7 and @christiperry in Utah have shared some amazing Mac Ride pics and video on insta. These words mean the world to us: “We took Beckham out on his first mountain bike ride last night and he loved it!! Tyler and I agreed it was literally one of the best days of our lives 😂😁 haha But that look on his face and his laugh in the video say it all! #raisinghimright #19monthsold #macridemore” #macride #childbikeseat #mtb #connect #family #mountainbiking

A post shared by Mac-Ride (@macridemore) on Sep 4, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Enjoy your time riding with your kids! #bellelli #seggiolinobici #childbikeseat #sillasportabebés #cadeirinha #cyclinglife #cyclingwithkids #sicurezzainbici #familycycling #cyclinglovers #madeinitaly #bycicleshop #negozibici #bikerides #bikeride #cyclingwithdad #inbiciconpapà #fatherandson #babybikeseat #babyseat #bimbinbici #gitainbici #babybikeseat #babybike #bikewithbaby #rower #babyseat#cyclingculture #instacycling #Repost @sokur.cycle • • • • • •

A post shared by Bellelli Made In Italy (@bellelli_madeinitaly) on Aug 26, 2020 at 9:49pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

This feels like a GREAT time to let you know that the @TowWhee ropes are back in stock, shipping NOW in North America. They will be shipping to European customers in the next week or two. Camon mom and dad, time to "tow" the line, like @grease_monkey_stu! 🙂 . . . #macride #towwhee #family #childbikeseat #raddad #mtb #familyride

A post shared by Mac-Ride (@macridemore) on Aug 29, 2020 at 5:32am PDT

The 10 Best Child Bike Seats (2023 Buying Guide) was last modified: January 4th, 2023 by DaddiLife

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