There are multiple options for riding with your child attached.  Family riding is great fun and can be started when your child is approximately 1 year old.  However, not all attached solutions work with all bikes…

We are going to take a look at some of the things that a bike can have or be made of that restricts what can be attached to it.  To follow is a quick list, further down you will find full explanations;

• carbon frames/road bikes
• full suspension
• threadless handlebar stem
• 29 inch wheels
• frame size – small or x-small

Here is a quick overview of your options for riding with kids attached and where they commonly attach to your bike.

Carbon frames and carbon seat posts are designed to be lightweight and are not built for strength.  You can not excessively screw or attach a kids bike seat to a carbon frame.  This is also the case for road bikes which are usually designed for speed not strength.  The diameter of road bike frames is also skinnier than standard frames, most kids bike seats need a minimum 28mm width.  Ideally adding the weight of a kid and seat needs the strength of a standard diameter steel frame.

Exception: carbon frames can be used with mid mount seats, both NZ companies DoLittle & Shotgun have designed seats that are not excessively screwed to your frame. See Mid Mount Seats

Full suspension bikes and rear seats are not compatible.  Because the back of a full suspension mountain bike is not rigid but designed to move with impact you can not attach a rear carrier to your bike, so you can not attach rear carrier mounted seats.  The placement of your rear suspension may also interfere with a rear frame mount seat.  You need 12.5cm of clear space on the seat post tube to mount this type of seat.  For more information Will a Rear Frame Mount Seat Fit on Your Bike?

Most adults with mountain bikes will want to continue to use their mountain bike when they have kids.  Attaching mounting systems for seats that are not easily removed is not ideal if you are still riding.   Exception:  Shotgun Kids Mountain Bike Seat and Shotgun Pro that can be fully removed in less than 30 seconds.

See also Carbon Frames, Threadless Handlebar Stems

Sport style bikes – mountain bikes, trail bikes will more than likely have a threadless handlebar stem.  This type of design does not have a lot of space for attaching things like kids bike seats at the front of the bike.  So you will need an A-Head adaptor to be able to mount a front bike seat.  Most front mount seats do not come with this adaptor.  See our solution which includes an A-Head adaptor Front Seat for Mountain Bikes

See also Carbon Frames, Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

Large wheels can make it challenging to mount a rear kids bike seat (find your wheel size written on the side wall of your bike tyre).  This size wheel does not work with frame mounted rear kids seat, there will not be enough clearance between the bottom of the seat and the wheel.  Carrier mount seats will only work if you can find a carrier that takes up to 25kg and is the correct size for 29inch wheels.  See our solution…  29 inch Carrier

See also Carbon Frames, XL Frames

Knowing the frame size of your bike is key to determining whether a kids bike seat will work for you.  Space is a really important factor as well as gravity points for good balance – you want to avoid rear tipping which can be created by a rear seat mounted on a small frame.  Extra small and small frame sizes will struggle with any of the front, mid or rear options.   Most people with small frames will need to tow their child/children in bike trailers, on half bikes or choose to connect the adult bike to the child’s bike – tow frames/bars/ropes.

Exception: small frame bikes that put the rider in an upright body position and have sweep back handlebars create space in front of your body for front & mid mount seats.

Extra large frames are not compatible with the Do Little mid mount seat as it is a rigid design that does not allow for unusual frame shapes.

Some helpful links

• about front space – Front mount seat
• frame size – Rear mount seat
• attaching a Do Little mid mount seat – Mid mount seat

See also 29 inch Wheels