Biking Off-Road/MTB with a 4 plus year old
Knowing where you want to ride with your child/children can help you understand what is the best solution to support you to ride together.
Get the right solution for your family 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 4 plus year old off road. For other riding environments see
- Bikepath Riding – Kids Seats & Towed Options for a 4 plus year old
- In Traffic – Kids Seats & Towed Options for a 4 plus year old
Biking Off-Road with a 4 plus year old being towed while riding their own bike, on a kids bike seat or a trailer.
To ride off road with your child you need to have confidence in your own riding ability before riding with your child. There are different levels of off-road trails. Make sure you ride on trails that match your capability. If you are unsure whether a trail is suitable, we suggest riding it solo first.
The solutions chosen are based on what we have determined as your needs for riding off-road
- riding off- road will mean you are generally riding on a bumpy and undulating terrain
- There will be a lot of movement on the bike as you adjust your body to keep balance with changes in the terrain
- The width of the trail can vary and may be a single trail
Your options for riding Off-Road with your 4 plus year old
- Tow Rope – assist kids who are capable and well balanced on their own bike
- Tow Frame – Follow me Tandem.- Suitable for easy off road trails. Assist kids who are young and not well balanced on their own bike
- Multi-Use Off -Road or Sports Trailer – Suitable for wider trails – may have limited use due to weight restrictions
- Rear Kids Bike Seat for Older Kids – Can be considered for easy off road trails
- Mid Mount Seat – Best kids bike seat solution for well balanced kids – limited use due to age and weight restrictions
1. Tow Rope -Towhee
Suitable for 4 plus years old who are capable and well balanced riding their own bike.
- Best suited to assisting well balanced riders on their own bike up hills, over distances and through windy conditions or to keep up with older siblings. Places they may struggle to go
- The Tow Rope is a strong rubber bungee covered in durable webbing. Lightweight and easy to carry …just attach when you need it.
- It offers you the ability to assist your child over a wide age range.
- There is little disruption to your movement on the bike as you are towing however you do need the strength and fitness to be able to assist your child. Please read. How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
- Suitable for single track
2. Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem
Suitable for 3 -9 years for kids who are riding their own bike.
- Best suited to riding easy off-road trails/tracks
- This very secure bike to bike connection effectively creates a tandem with your child who is on their own bike. This can be suitable for early riders or those not yet well balanced on easy off -road trails as it provides a very stable connection allowing you to do the work/balancing for your chlld
- The stability of this connection means there is little disruption to how you move on your bike with changes in terrain. However you are towing and therefore you will need to have the strength and fitness to deal with this increased weight Learn more – How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
- To help you be prepared before you ride please read Riding Safely with a Tow Frame
4. Multi-Use Off-Road or Sports Trailer
BIKE TRAILERS are suitable for a 1 yr old up to… Single Trailer – 1 child up to 36kg… Double Trailer – 1 or 2 children up to a total of 45kg.
- Best suited to wider off -road trails.
- There may be limited time use for a 4 plus year old…due to weight restrictions
- You have the option of either the Multi-Use Off-Road Trailer or the Sports Trailer. See our story Comparing Thule Kids Bike Trailers
- These trailers have adjustable suspension helping you to have a comfortable ride in off -road environments. They are multi-use so you can easily use as a stroller/jogger in off-road environments
- 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 child when using as a bike trailer however regular stops can resolve this.
- Your child will be kept safe and secure while seated with a quality harness.
- With the trailer attached behind your bike there is little interference with your biking skills as you move around to adjust your balance to match the terrain. However you will need the strength and fitness to cope with the increased weight of towing. Please read … How does it feel to bike with a Kids BIke Trailer
- Towing a bike trailer will make you wider and longer than when riding solo. You will need to make sure the trail is wide enough to accommodate the width of the trailer
2. Rear Kids Bike Seat for Older Kids
Suitable as a carrier mount or frame mount for 4-10 years.
- Best suited to riding easy off-road trails
- This seat only has a lap belt to help keep your child safe in this environment
- With your seat and child positioned behind you, you have minimal interference with movement as you adjust to the terrain of easy off -road riding. However due to the increased weight with carrying an older child you will notice changes compared to riding solo. Learn more at – How does it feel to ride with a with a Rear Kids Bike Seat
1. Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Mid Mount Seats for Mountain Bikes are suitable for 2-5 years up to 22kg and the pro version up to 27kg
- Best suited to riding off-road trails/tracks and bikepaths that you feel confident and capable riding on.
- Limited use due to age and weight restrictions
- With 2 different designs of seat available – there will be a solution to suit your bike. The Shotgun or The Shotgun Pro that is also suitable for e – mountain bikes.
- These seats are easy to mount and remove from your bike allowing you to easily switch between being set up to ride with your child or set up to ride solo.
- This seat has no harness so suits kids that have good balance. Your child will develop a feel for riding as they will learn to lean with the bike as you ride together.
- With your child positioned between your arms, they feel safe. and you can see and understand their comfort and mood. You will enjoy the view and environment together as you create some wonderful riding moments and memories
- Due to the age and weight of your child as well as their position, seated in front of you ( between your chest and the handlebars) there is a change to the feel of your riding compared to riding solo. You will need to learn to adjust. Skills such as getting on and off the bike as well as how you move on the bike with changes in the terrain will all be altered. See our story to understand more. How does it feel riding with a mid mount seat
- Works best with medium or larger bike frames as larger sized frames provide the space between your chest and the handlebars you need to enjoy riding with this seat.
- To help you prepare to ride with this seat see….Riding safely with a Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat.
- 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 Biking with a 2-4 year old
A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE
Biking with Babies
Bike Trailer - Buying Guide
Bike Trailer - FAQ
Helmets for Kids
Riding with my kids - What are my options?
E-Bikes & Kids
Kids Bike Seat Solution Finder
Balance Bike Buying Guide
Rear Carrier Mount Bike Seat
Ride More Places
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