Will the Kids Front Bike Seat (Thule Nexxt Mini) fit on your Bike?
Front Kids Bike Seat (Thule Nexxt Mini) – the bike seat and child are positioned between you and the handlebars. It is suitable as a first kids bike seat for 1-3 year olds.
Welcome. The Thule Nexxt Mini Front Kids Bike Seat is a great first bike seat solution as it is durable, lightweight and the most compact kids front bike seat. It is super easy to attach and remove from the adult bike once the mounting bracket/adaptor is installed. The Thule Nexxt Mini is safe for 1-3 years old and up to maximum weight of 17kg for your child.
You will love riding with you child positioned between your arms for the ultimate in interaction so you can enjoy the ride together.
Where does it attach? Â
A Front Seat is positioned between you and the handlebars. It is easily mounted to a bracket/adaptor that clamps around or just below the handlebar stem of the adult bike.
The Thule Mini positioned between you and the handlebars and attached to the mounting bracket
Mounting bracket attached to the handlebar stem of an adult bike
Will it fit your bike?
The Thule Nexxt Mini Front Seat is a solution for your family if the Adult Bike meets the following criteria:
Adult Bike
1. You require at least 20mm of space on or just below your handlebar stem to successfully attach the mounting bracket.
2. You require a handlebar stem diameter of 20-28mm for the Adaptor/Bracket to clamp around.Â
Identify your Stem Type:Â Your bike will have either a Quill (also called Threaded Stem) or a Threadless Stem.
Quill Stems
The best type of stem to have is a Quill stem it usually meets both the criteria above. Please check and it you don’t have 20mm you will be able to lengthen your stem (see photo below)
Quill/threaded stem will have a 1″ = 25.4mm stem diameter so are compatible.
At least 20cm of exposed space on a Quill/Threaded handlebar stem
if you need to lengthen the stem watch for this maximum line
Threaded Stems
Threaded stems are a more modern style and usually are the stems on mountain & trial bikes. This type of stem can be a bit more challenging to get a standard adaptor attached onto.
Criteria One: 20mm of Space – To attach the adaptor you have to remove spacers/rings (see photos). These spacers can sit in different places so look above & below the place where the handlebars are clamped. The spacers will be 5 or 10mm in width so it is easy to count them to work out how much space you have.
If you have less than 20mm of space please look at the MTB Front Seat – it will be a better option.
The adaptor must clamp onto exposed stem so spacers or rings have to be taken off.
Criteria 2: Stem Diameter
If you are mounting to a mountain bike or trail bike the most common diameter on these bikes is 28.6mm (1&1/8″) these are compatible.Â
There are modern mountain bikes (with non tapering forks) that have diameters greater than 28.6mm (1.25″ = 31.75mm or 1.5″ = 38.1mm) these are incompatible.
To find your diameter you can measure across your stem. To do this on a modern style bike you need to take the handlebars and spacers off your bike to expose the tube underneath (the top of your fork)…Â If this is challenging then Google the brand and model of your bike and check the specifications for Fork Steerer Tube.
Riding Safely – Frame Size
The Front Seat is best suited to riders who are in an upright position. If your bike does not place you in an upright position then your bike frame will need to be medium or larger.
To give you an indication of the size, and thus the space that the Thule Nexxt Mini will take up (28cm x 40cm), please take a good look at the photo. If you ride a bike with a small or extra small frame size you may find it difficult to reach the handlebars around the seat. It will be particularly difficult if the style of bike you ride does not but your body in an upright position.
Further Reading: Small Bike Frames – Options for Riding with Young KidsÂ
You may be able to successfully mount this Front Seat but can you ride safely?
Due to its position (between your chest and the handlebars) a Front Seat can make mounting a bike, stopping & starting, balance, as well as reaching your handlebars challenging. Please see Riding Safely with a Front Seat.
The Thule Mini will take up 28 x 40cm of space
Advantages of the Front Bike Seat (Thule Nexxt Mini)…
The Thule Nexxt Mini’s lightweight design, secure attachment to your bike and quality harness make it the best choice of Front Bike Seats. Its slightly reclined design make it great for those wanting to ride early with their child.
Enjoy riding with you child wrapped in your arms sharing the experience together.
The set up of the Thule Nexxt Mini may mean that it is not an option for you. There is another Front Seat… see the Mountain Bike Front Bike Seat (only 5mm of space is required on or below the handlebar stem for attachment). Would this Front Seat fit your bike?
An alternative option is a Rear Kids Bike Seat. This may be a better solution for you. Suitable for 1-6 year olds, this seat is closely mounted behind the adult rider.
Riding with a front bike seat
Further Reading & Support…
goRide has attached the Thule Nexxt Mini to a variety of bikes so we understand the experience and the challenges. See our guide for instructions, videos and tips Support for Attaching a Thule Nexxt Mini
Your riding experience will be different when riding with a Front Seat than if you are riding solo… please see Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat.Â
To understand and compare your options for riding with a Front Seat please read Kids Front Bike Seat Buying GuideÂ
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.
Ride More Places
Bike Gear Stories
Women & families learning...
Read our stories that support you to learn about all things biking related. Be confident that you know how to safely ride & care for your bike.
Buying Guides
Solution Finder
Types of Riding Stories
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride