What is a Rear Carrier Mount Kids Bike Seat?

A Rear Carrier Mount Seat is suitable for riding with your child early, from 1 year of age up to 6 years and is a fully harnessed seat. It attaches to a rear bike carrier so your child is positioned right behind you on the bike.

Why choose a Rear Carrier Mount Kids Bike Seat?

The main advantage with a Rear Bike Seat (Thule Maxi) is that the seat comes fully assembled and offers your family a riding solution for a wide age range 1 through to 6 years or 22kg.  As long as you have a compatible bike carrier attached to your bike, you can be ready to ride in minutes.  Your child needs to be able to sit independently and fit a bike helmet to safely use this seat. You will love the experiences you will share with your child on a rear bike seat attached to your bike.

Riding with additional load on the rear of your bike seat does change the way your bike will handle or feel. Bike skills such as mounting and dismounting the bike, stopping & starting and balance alter when a rear seat is attached. However with a little practise the adult rider will adapt and feel capable and confident when riding.

Where does it attach? Is my bike compatible?

As a carrier mount rear bike seat attaches to a rear bike carrier. The key to fit is having a rear carrier that is compatible with the seat. A rear carrier is compatible if it is 110mm-170mm wide and can take a load of at least 22kg. On the base of the Thule Maxi there is an adjustable clamp. This clamp screws onto the rails of your bike carrier.

Carrier Mount: Rear Kids Bike Seat Attachment: Learn more at Will a Thule Maxi Rear Bike Seat fit my Bike?  

Will there be a anything permanently attached to my bike?

For ease you will need to have a rear bike carrier permanently attached to your bike. This carrier can be used for carrying load when a bike seat is not attached. Some people choose to leave the seat permanently on the carrier, though it can be easily removed in seconds.  Note: you can choose to remove the carrier if you need to, tools are required.

What age can you start riding with a child?

This seat is recommended from the age of 1 year up to 22kg in weight.  To use a Rear Seat your child needs to be able to wear a Bike Helmet, see Toddler Helmet and be able to sit unaided. 

What riding ability does the rider need to have?

The position of the rear bike seat with your child behind you creates increased load at the rear of the bike. This load is quite high. The challenges this brings is that the front wheel can lift off the ground, more common as your child grows and gets heavier. This can happen when pushing off to start riding or climbing a steep hill.  It is more likely to happen if you have a small sized bike frame. You require more strength and fitness to ride with increased load/weight this can especially be felt if riding uphill or riding distance.

What riding environments is the Rear Kids Bike Seat best suited to?

When riding with a young child you are best suited to smooth surfaces… bike paths, cycleways, groomed off road tracks.  You need to feel comfortable about your safety and your child’s safety wherever you choose to ride.  This rear seat is a very popular choice with on road, in traffic, commuting families.

Can different family members or bikes use one rear seat?

The Thule Maxi is the most versatile seat and can quickly and easily be removed from one bike and attached to another, as long as the bike has a compatible rear bike carrier. No additional mounting brackets are required as this seat clamps directly onto a rear bike carrier.

The Thule Maxi offers great flexibility for the family. Although it is one of the more expensive rear bike seats on the market it is a cost effective solution if you want the seat to switch between bikes as it does not require any additional mounting brackets.

What about using with an E-Bike?

It can be a great option to use an E-Bike for riding with a child. If your E-Bike is compatible with attaching this rear seat then yes, it is a suitable option.

As always be aware of your safety. E-Bikes give you the ability to travel at a much faster speed than you would achieve under your own power.  What does this mean when riding with a young child?  E-Bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes so please consider how this may effect the skills that can be a little more challenging when riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat.

How much storage space do I need at home?

The rear kids bike seat can be left attached to your bike.  It is very easy to remove and is a fairly compact and extremely lightweight seat. (Seat dimensions in cm, approximately 30W x 20D x 48H plus the length of the footrests).  We recommend storage on a shelf or hook to avoid any damage while not in use.

Can I install the Rear Kids Bike Seat?

The Rear Kids Bike Seat (Thule Maxi) comes to you fully assembled. It only takes seconds to clamp it onto a compatible rear bike carrier. This seat is the easiest of all attached bike seats to mount onto your bike.  We successfully set up the Thule Maxi so we are confident you can too.

Can I use it to ride with multiple children?

If you are wanting to ride with multiple children the rear bike seat offers a good solution as you can have a younger child on a front bike seat or choose a  towing option that attaches to the rear wheel hub of a bike.

You cannot use a rear seat with any towing option that attaches to the adult bike seat post.

Having the ability to ride with two children can offer more riding opportunities. There are two main things to consider when riding with more than one child…

Can the adult rider ride safely with multiple children? You have added weight. Think about your fitness, strength and ability to balance the bike. Consider where you may want to ride.  You should be a skilled rider to consider doing this.  An E-Bike will help enormously with your enjoyment of riding with two children.

How does the placement of a rear seat restrict the attachment of an additional bike seat or towing option?

Multiple Children Options: You can attach a Front Kids Bike Seat and also stable towing options: Bike Tow Frame or a Bike Trailers

What do I need to know to ride safely with my child the first time and then for regular riding?

There are some simple things to do and check to keep both you and your child safe when riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat, for the first time, and as it becomes a regular activity for you and your family. Use our resources to help support your enjoyment of riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat.

Want to understand more about options for riding with kids attached to your bike?  Please see our stories, support & solutions below…

A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE