Will the Mid Mount for Mountain bIkes -Shotgun – fit on your Bike?
The Mid Mount Seat for Mountain Bikes (Shotgun) attaches to your top tube positioning your child between your arms. It is suitable for kids from 2 years of age with good balance.
Welcome. The Shotgun Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat for Mountain Biking is a versatile seat that can be attached to most Mountain Bikes It is an unharnessed seat that gives you the ability to ride with your child for a wide age range. The Shotgun seat is suitable from 2 years through to 5 years (up to 22kg). Your ability and comfort to ride with your child for this age range will initially depend on the child’s balance and ability to follow instructions. Then as the child grows their size and how that may effect your comfort and ability to ride safely.
Where does it attach?
The Shotgun attaches directly to the top tube of your bike….it has full rubber protection to protect your frame. You have the option of Kids Handlbars that can be purchased separately or as a combo attaching to you handlebars.
Shotgun attached to the top tube of a mountain bike and is secured around your bottom tube.
Optional Kids Handlebars bought as combo or separately do not come with the seat. Attach to your handlebars. .
Shotgun and handlbars attached to a mountain bike
Will it fit your bike?
The Mid Mount Seat for Mountain Bikes is adjustable in width and has flexible arms ( they swing) making it very versatile to fit around different styles of mountain bikes. It is compatible with carbon frames. Your bike must have two tubes. A top one for the seat to be mounted on and a second tube underneath this to secure the frame of the seat. This seat is designed for mountain bikes and it will not fit
- Electric bikes ( see the Shotgun Pro for wide frame electric mountain bikes)
- Road or gravel bikes (due to the lack of clearance between the front wheel and down tube)
- Cruiser or step-through bikes (due to the lack of clearance between the front wheel and down tube)
- Some older bikes (where the gear or brake cable runs along the top of the top tube, however cables that run elsewhere on the bike are fine)
The placement of the seat back from the start of the top tube will vary depending on the size and style of your bike but generally will be between 15-25cm from the start of your top tube. Take the following measurements close to these points…
1. Measure across the width of the top tube. You require a top tube width of between 30-68mm.
2. Measure across the width of your down tube. You require a width of between 30 -100mm
Riding Safely – Frame Size
You may be able to successfully mount the Shotgun… now lets make sure you will feel comfortable and confident riding with your child in this position.
Due to its placement (between your chest and the handlebars) the Shotgun Seat can make mounting/dismounting a bike, stopping & starting, balance, as well as reaching your handlebars challenging. Please see… Riding Safely with a Mid Mount Seat.
If you ride a bike with a small or medium frame size you may find it difficult to reach the handlebars around your child. It will be particularly difficult if the style of bike you ride does not but your body in an upright position.
A great way to test your comfort – with the help of another adult – pick up your child and pop them on the top tube. Position yourself on your seat and make sure you feel comfortable with your ability to reach the handlebars around your child. Do not ride anywhere this is a simple way to test your comfort with reach.
Make sure you are comfortable with the reach.
Advantages and Alternatives of the Shotgun Mid Mount Seat for Mountain Bikes
It is always big smiles when you see kids riding on the Shotgun. Positioned between your arms and sharing the ride with you. Great for well balanced kids who enjoy riding the trails with you.
The Shotgun is an adjustable seat making it highly versatile to fit different sizes and styles of mountain bikes. The shotgun is easy to fit to and take off your mountain bike making it is easy to use your mountain bike for riding solo or with a child. There is nothing permanently attached to your bike.
The shotgun is suitable for most bike frames but does not fit step through frames (double down frames), cruiser style frames and road or gravel bikes. The DoLittle is an option… see Will a Do Little fit your bike? For Electric Mountain Bikes the Shotgun Pro has been designed which does not clamp onto your frame… see Will a Shotgun Pro fit your bike?
Riding with a mid mount seat.
Further Reading & Support…
The Shotgun Pro is one of the easiest seats on the market to attach as you adjust the rail and seat to fit around your bike. Please see… Support for Attaching a Shotgun.
Your riding experience will be different when riding with a Mid Mount Seat than when you are riding solo. You will quickly adjust to this as your child is in a very central place close to the mid point of your bike. This is the best place to add weight as it has a minimal effect on your balance. Your child will need to learn to move with the natural feel of the bike and not fight against it. This is why kids who have balance bikes are good on Mid Mount Seats, they understand the feeling… please see How does it feel to ride with a Mid Mount Seat.
There are two NZ companies that make Mid Mount Seats, to understand and compare your options… please see Mid Mount Kids Seat Buying Guide
We’re here to help. If you need further assistance… call us on 021 025 15576 or 0800 44 33 77 or CONTACT us via email
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Buying Guide
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat Buying Guide – What is the best Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat for your family. Get the right seat to match you bike and riding you do.
Riding Safely with a Mid Mount Seat
Having a mid mount seat attached to your bike is different than riding solo. Get advice & tips on safety.
FAQ - Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
All your questions answered on Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats.
How Does it Feel?
What is it like to ride with a child on an unharnessed seat in between your arms? Find out in this story.
What are your options?
Kids Bike Seats Attached – Understand your options for riding with a Kid Bike Seat Attached to your bike.
Shotgun Pro or Shotgun?
Compare the two seats that Shotgun offer the Shotgun & the Shotgun Pro. Which seat is right for your family?
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
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