Knowing where you want to ride with your child/children can help you understand what is the best kids bike seat option for your family.
Get the right solution for riding with a 1 year old off-road or mountain biking so you can SMILE when you ride.
Where you want to ride with your child now and as they grow can influence what is the right kids bike seat or towed solution for your family. To be confident when you ride and have safe and enjoyable experiences together it is best to have a kids bike seat or towed solution that works best for the environments you want to ride in.
In this story we are considering your Kids Seats and Towed Options for riding with a baby/1 year old on off road trails. For other riding environments see
Biking off-road with a 1 year old in a Kids Bike Seat or Trailer.
Key Considerations:
Please be aware that young children need to be protected from vibration and jostling as much as possible for brain development. Therefore it is important that we are cautious about the degree of vibration and jostling that can occur when biking off road with your 1 year old and if using your bike/multi-use trailer for walking/running in this environment within this first year. To keep them safe your child needs to be securely strapped to the seat and well supported in sitting. You have to have confidence in your own riding ability to ride off-road before considering riding with your baby or toddler. Before you ride off-road you will need to be familiar with the changes to the feel of riding that occurs when carrying your child in a kids bike seat or bike trailer.
Solutions & Support
You have three options for riding with your 1 year old off-road
- Bike Trailers – Both the Off-Road Bike Trailer or the Sports Trailer are suitable for riding off-road. Read Comparing Thule Bike Trailers to understand your best match
- Rear Kids Bike Seat – All rear kids bike seat options for 1-6yr olds are suitable – choose your best match.
- Front Kids Bike Seat – All front bike seat options are suitable – choose your best match
If you are wanting to ride early with your 1 year old then a trailer is your best option. As they get older a rear and front seat can be an option if the terrain is not too bumpy and you are really confident riding in the off-road environment. However there are better options as they get a little older. A mid mount seat suitable for well balanced 2 plus year olds is a better option for riding more challenging off-road environments with your child.
1. Off-Road or Sports Multi-Use Trailer
BIKE TRAILERS are suitable for a 1 yr old to… Single Trailer – 1 child up to 36kg… Double Trailer – 1 or 2 children up to a total of 45kg. Can be used as a Stroller from a young age by adding a baby sling (0-10months)
- The off-road and sports trailer with adjustable suspension will support a reduction in vibration and jostling making this a good option if you want to ride/walk and run with your young child off-road. These trailers are suited to a wider variety of surfaces, sealed, gravel and bumpy terrain. It is multi-use so you can easily convert it to a stroller/buggy while out and about making for some great recreation opportunities and fun with a young child.
- Your child will be kept safe and secure while seated in the trailer with a quality harness. Additional seating support to reduce the effects of the bumpy terrain may be important if biking early with your 1 year old. If you are using your bike trailer as a stroller for a baby you will need to purchase additional seating support to keep them safe and comfortable. Please see Accessories Support for more information.
- For successful riding off-road the trails will need to be wide enough to accommodate either your single or double trailer.
- The trailer is enclosed providing your child/children their own cosy space and helping to protect your child from the surrounding environment and weather. It can be a little more difficult to monitor the comfort and mood of your young child when using as a bike trailer however regular stops can resolve this.
- Making sure your child is comfortable with clothing to match the temperature. This can help make sure they are happy for longer providing you with the opportunity to enjoy more time riding together.
- Riding off-road with your child offers fantastic opportunities to explore as a family… however it is still advisable that you get prepared before you ride as you may be blessed with only a small window of time… so let’s make the most of it. Please read … Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer.
2. Rear Kids Bike Seat
Bike Carrier and Bike Frame Mount options. Suitable for 1-6years up to 22kg
- To consider riding with a rear kids bike seat you firstly will need to be completely comfortable riding in the off-road environment. If the riding is challenging then it is best, to have ridden it on your own before you consider riding with your child. You need to be familiar and competent with the changes in the feel to your riding that occurs with a rear kids bike seat. To help you be prepared before you ride off road please read Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat
- With your child tucked in behind you
- they will feel safe and protected from the weather. However you will know this from when you ride that it can be quite cold on a bike due to the increased air flow. Remember this is accentuated for your young child. They are small and they are not active in a bike seat. You will need to ensure they are maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the ride.
- you will be able monitor the comfort and mood of your baby/toddler
- With the secure harness system and the design of the seat to support your child in sitting they will be safe in the off-road environment
- Rear seats offer you a family riding option for a wide age range 1 through to 6 years – so you have lots of time and opportunity to enjoy and grow your family riding and create plenty of riding memories.
3. Front Kids Bike Seat
Suitable for 1-3 yrs up to 17kg
- Getting on and off your bike/bike saddle can be challenging with your child positioned in front of you (in a front kids bike seat). Some of the space in front of your bike saddle that you use during mounting, dismounting and when moving to adjust your biking balance, as you often do on off-road terrain, is taken up by the kids seat. This can effect your safety in these environments. Larger bikes (tall riders) and dropper seat posts can assist to reduce the effects on your riding. Please read Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat to understand more and what types of bikes are best suited to front kids bike seats.
- To consider riding with a front kids bike seat you firstly will need to feel completely comfortable riding in the off-road environment. If the riding is challenging then it is best, to have ridden it on your own before you consider riding with your child. You need to be familiar and competent with the changes in the feel to your riding that occurs with a front seat. To help you be prepared before you ride off road please read Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat
- With your child positioned between your arms, they feel safe and you can enjoy and share the view and environment together. It can create some magical memories and moments as you explore and discover trails on a bike. Being in front of you allows you to see and understand their comfort and mood.
- Very supported in sitting as the seat is slightly reclined. Making it a great option for riding early with your baby/toddler.
- Secure harness system keeping your baby toddler well supported and secure.
- You will know this from when you ride that it can be quite cold on a bike due to the increased air flow. Remember this is accentuated for your young child. They are small and they are not active in a bike seat. You need to ensure they are maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the ride.
There are factors other than ‘where you ride’ that will influence your decision about which seat or trailer to buy (your best match). Factors such as
- The style of bike you have
- The size of your family – how many children, now and in the future
For more detailed information to support your decision see Riding with a 1 year old
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