Do you have a mountain bike with a curved top tube?
Understand the options that may be suitable for your style of bike. Helping you get the Right Kids Bike Seat Attached to your bike.Â
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
Overview: Bike with Curved Top Tube
Kids Bike Seat Match:
Front – YES. Ideally your bike frame will be medium to large otherwise you will struggle for the space required to fit a seat and a child here. You will probably need a mountain bike specific adaptor. See the Front Seat section below for more details.
Mid – YES. Ideally suitable for bike frames that are medium to large otherwise you will struggle for the space required to fit a seat and a child here. There are two different brands to choose from – Shotgun & DoLittle. Both these seats have been designed to work with angled top tubes.
Rear – NO, if your bike is a full suspension mountain bike, it is not compatible with a rear kids bike seat.
YES-it may be an option if your bike is not full suspension. It will need to meet the will it fit criteria.
A Mountain Bike with a curved top tube has some options for riding with kids… Points to note.
SMALL and XSMALL FRAMES – if you are considering a front or a mid mount seat then pay particular attention to whether you will have enough space between your body and the handlebars. Often small & x-small mountain bikes do not work with kids bike seats, your only option is to tow.
29 INCH WHEELS If your bike 29 inch wheels then a frame mount rear bike seat is likely not be a suitable option
ELECTRIC BIKES: Battery placement can be an issue with Kids Bike Seats . Batteries in the frame of the bike, bottom tube, seat post tube can create problems for mounting so the set you choose needs to have width adjustment or compatibility. Unharnessed or lap belt seats are not always a suitable option for an electric bike if you plan to ride at speed.
CARBON FRAMES – Carbon frames are not compatible with front or rear kids bike seats. They can be used with mid mount seats.
Front Kids Bike Seats
A Front Kids Bike Seat sits right behind the handlebars so the child is in between your arms. Kids love this as they can see where they are going. This seat provides the best interaction between you and your child as they are right in front of you and you can see what they are doing.
A Mountain Bike  commonly puts the adult rider in an forward lean body position. This position reduces the space between your chest and the handlebars and can effect your ability to ride comfortably with a front kids bike seat. You may have enough space if you ride a medium to large bike frame. A dropper seat post can be a great solution to riding with a front kids bike seat – as you can lower the seat to stop/ mount and dismount the bike.
A solution for you? Max weight is 17kg, generally children 1 to 3yrs, child must be able to sit unsupported to be put in this seat, height up to 110cm. Your child must be able to fit a helmet see toddler helmet..It’s also a good multi child option as it leaves the back of the bike for more children – if your riding is up to it!!
Mid Mount SeatsÂ
Mid Mount Kids Seat attaches directly to your bikes top tube It gives great interaction and good protection in between your arms. Most mid mount seats have no harness. These no harness systems are great for kids who have ridden balance bikes from a young age.
A mountain bike with a curved top tube is suitable for all Mid Mount Seats as long as they meet the ‘Will it Fit Criteria’ If you also want to ride your mountain bike without your child then Mid Mount for Mountain Bikes is your best solution as it is quick and easy to attach and fully remove this seat from your bike. As a mountain bike commonly puts you in a forward lean position it is great to check your reach to your handlebars. With some assistance place your child on your top tube 20cm back ( from the front) do you have enough space to reach your handlebars around this seat and ride comfortably. More comfortable for those riding medium to large bike frames. A dropper seat post can be a great solution to riding with a mid mount kids bike seat – as you can lower the seat to stop/ mount and dismount the bike.
A solution for you ? Max weight is 25-30kg, generally children 2 to 5-6yrs, child must be fairly good with balance to begin riding with them. .Mid mount seats are also a good match to bike path/trail riding.It’s also a good multi child option as it leaves the back of the bike for more children – if your riding is up to it!
Will a Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat – Fit my Bike.
MID MOUNT FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING, DO LITTLE ORIGINAL FOR STANDARD BIKES, DO LITTLE ELECTRIC BIKES
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat – FAQ
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat Buying Guide
Ride Safely with a Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat
Rear Mount Seats Carrier and Frame
A rear kids bike seat fits above the rear wheel of your bike attached to a rear carrier (carrier mount) or directly to the frame of your bike ( frame mount). A great commute riding option. .The biggest issue is weight to the rear of your bike… You will need to practice riding with the extra weight high at the rear of the bike.
A mountain bike with a curved top tube. If it is a full suspension mountain bike then a rear bike seat is not a suitable option as the suspension will cause impact into the rear wheel.
If it is not a full suspension mountain bike then it will need to meet the ‘will it fit’ criteria for either a carrier or frame mount kids bike seat.
A solution for you? Weight up to 22kg, generally children 1 to 6yrs Harnessed seat, adjustable shoulder and footrest heights at allow for height change as they grow There is a Junior Seat for older kids: Max weight is 35kg, generally children 4 to 10yrs, the harness is a simple lap belt Rear seats are a good multi child option as it leaves the front of the bike for more children or the wheel hub for tow options– if your riding is up to it!
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