Do you have a bike with a straight 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.
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
Overview: Bike with a Straight 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. There are different attachment options depending on the type of headset your bike has. 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. See the Mid Seat section below for more details.
Rear – YES for most styles of bike (rear seats are not compatible with rear/full suspension mountain bikes). This bike frame style (traditional triangle frame shape) is often the best choice for a rear kids seat. Two attachment options; to a rear carrier or the frame (seat post tube). See the Rear Seat section below for more details.
A bike with a straight top tube offers many options for riding with kids… Some 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. Often a rear bike seat is the most suitable option for smaller bike frames.
29 INCH WHEELS – If your bike has 29 inch wheels then a frame mount rear bike seat will not be a suitable option.
ELECTRIC BIKES – Battery placement can be an issue with Rear Bike Seats – rear carrier batteries will effect you ability to attach both a frame and carrier mount. Batteries in the frame of the seat post tube will also create problems for rear frame mount seats. 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.
REAR SUSPENSION – Rear suspension does not allow the attachment of a rear bike carrier so carrier mount seats are out. Rear suspension is often placed on the frame where a rear seat clamp would attach so does not allow you to attach a frame mount seat either.
FRAME SHAPE – The larger the triangle of your frame is the more options for kids bike seat attachment you will have. So this also works in the opposite way if your frame is a squashed triangle shape you will struggle to attach a Frame Mount rear kids seat as the clamp will sit too low on your bike and not clear the rear wheel.
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 or Trail Bike commonly puts the adult rider in a 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!!
Will a Front Kids Bike Seat – Fit my Bike
Front Kids Bike Seats – FAQ
Front Kids Bike Seat Buying Guide
Ride Safely with A Front Kids Bike Seat
Mid Mount Seats
Mid Mount Kids Seat attaches directly to your bikes top tube. It gives great interaction and good protection for your child 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 bike with a straight top tube is suitable for all Mid Mount Seats as long as the bike meets the ‘Will it Fit Criteria’. If you are attaching to a mountain bike and also want to ride your mountain bike without your child then the Shotgun brand offers the best solutions for quick and easy removal from your bike. As mid mount seats struggle with forward lean body positions 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? Medium to large bike frames work better. 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.
Shotgun for MOUNTAIN BIKING, DO LITTLE ORIGINAL for STANDARD BIKES, DO LITTLE for ELECTRIC BIKES, Shotgun Pro for E-MOUNTAIN 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 bike with a straight top tube can attach a carrier mount rear kids bike seat as long as a compatible rear carrier can be mounted to the bike. Full suspension mountain bikes can not have carriers attached to them so are not an option. A frame mount kids bike seat can be mounted as long as it meets the ‘Will it Fit Criteria’. Again rear suspension and the frame shape of full suspension mountain bikes (squashed triangle) can make frame mounting difficult.
A solution for you? Weight up to 22kg, generally children 1 to 6yrs Harnessed seat, adjustable shoulder and footrest heights 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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