Rear Kids Bike Seat – FAQ

What is a Rear Kids Bike Seat?

A Rear Bike Seat Seat is suitable for riding with your child early, from 1 year of age up to 6 years and is a fully harnessed supported seat. There are also rear seats for older kids 4-10 years.  The seats either attach to a rear carrier mounted to your bike (Carrier Mount Rear Kids Bike Seats)  or directly to the frame of the adult bike with a supplied mounting bracket (Frame Mount Rear Kids Bike Seats). Your child is positioned right behind you on the bike

Why choose a Rear Kids Bike Seat?

The main advantage with a Rear Kids Bike Seat is it offers your family a riding solution for a wide age range 1 through to 6 years or 22kg. Or 4- 10 years for the older child version. With options of a carrier mount or a frame mount there is a solution for most bikes. 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?

Rear Kids Bike Seats are categorised into 2 different types.

1. Carrier Mount -. The rear seat attaches to a rear bike carrier. The rear carrier must be load compatible to carrying a child…loads of up to 22kg and a size that will fit the rear bike seat

2. A Frame Mount Rear Bike Seat that has a mounting bracket/adaptor that clamps around your seat post tube. (the exact how and where is brand dependent). For ease of use it is best that this bracket/adaptor is permanently attached to your bike and the bike seat is easily attached and removed from this bracket/adaptor.

Frame Mount: Rear Kids Bike Seat Attachment: Learn more at Will a Frame Mount Rear Bike Seat fit my Bike?  Will a Frame Mount Junior Rear Bike Seat fit my Bike?

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

Will there be a anything permanently attached to my bike?

Carrier Mount Rear Kids Bike Seats – For ease you will need to have the carrier permanently mounted to your bike. Though it can be removed if you need to remove it. Tools are required. The Urban Iki also has a Mounting bracket/adaptor that attaches to your carrier that for ease is best left attached to the carrier.

Frame Mount Rear Kids Bike Seat – For ease you will need to have the seat post mounting bracket/adaptor permanently attached to your bike, Though it can be removed if you need to remove it. 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, this is more common as your child grows and gets heavier. This can happen when pushing off to start riding, dismounting the bike or climbing a steep hill. It is more likely to happen if you have a small sized bike frame. Though there are ways to minimise this by learning to keep load over the front of the bike during these activities  You will also require more strength and fitness to ride with the 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. on road if you are comfortable in this environment.  You need to feel comfortable about your safety and your child’s safety wherever you choose to ride.  Rear seats are a very popular choice with on road, in traffic, commuting families.

Can different family members or bikes use one rear seat?

Yes but for

Carrier Mount Seats you will need to purchase an additional compatible bike carrier.. The Urban Iki will also require an additional mounting bracket/ adaptor to attach to the second carrier

Frame Mount Seats you will need to purchase an additional mounting bracket/adaptor for the second bike to easily switch the seat between bikes.

What about using with an E-Bike?

It can be a great option to use an E-Bike for riding with a child. Please note  that an e-bike is frequently not compatible with the frame mount rear bike seat due to the diamater of the seat post tube

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 21D x 45H 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?

Rear Bike seats are easy to install . We successfully set up Rear Kids Bike Seats 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 Trailer

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…