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Back in Spring we got him a WeeRide LTD seat. This fits between the handlebars and my seat.(There is also a non-LTD version with less padding. Both versions are sold with the mounting bar included; the separately sold bar is only for a family that wants a second one, to be able to quickly move the seat from one bicycle to another.)
It works great. But there are a large number of caveats.
First, it does not fit every bicycle. The Amazon reviews make clear that some people had to return it for this reason.
Second, I am 5'4" and it just barely fits comfortably. Anyone smaller than me would probably have problems. I did not have to change how I pedaled, or where my knees where.
Third, the 5mm hex key it comes with is so poorly machined it does not work. Anyone ordering the seat should also buy a hex key set if they do not already own one.
Fourth, my leg length allows me to normally stop the bicycle without hopping off the seat, simply pointing one foot tiptoe to rest while stopped. Anyone used to hopping off the seat when stopped would obviously have to change habits.
Fifth, my fitness level and bicycles number of gears allow me to bicycle up even the steeper hills I would ride on without standing. I never had the habit of standing while pedaling up a hill. I have not tried standing while Smiley is in his seat, but from the Amazon reviews apparently this does not work.
Sixth, the harness system is odd. Smiley can twist out of a shoulder strap, as he did in the above picture when smelling roses at the Owen Rose Garden. I assume this is intentional. If, heaven forbid, I was to crash then having the toddler firmly stuck in the seat is probably not the best option. But a wiggly child who does not follow instruction would need a different bicycle seat.
Seventh, the child can grab the handlebars. Smiley does not try this while I hold them, but if I let go of one to adjust my MP3 player or blow my nose he sometimes does. Be alert for this potential source of swerving!
Eighth, the routes I might bicycle are all on streets and paths kept clean of gravel and debris. By using a bicycle seat instead of a trailer, I am betting that my likelihood of crashing my bicycle is less than a motorist's likelihood of hitting my trailer. If I lived near gravel roads or where autumn leaves sat damp and made slipping a danger, a trailer would be the better choice.
Ninth, there is no hole in the seat large enough to pass a cable lock through. Where I live I am not worried about the seat disappearing while the bicycle is locked in front of the library or a store. In other locations this might be an issue; the seat comes off quickly and easily but is very bulky to carry around while doing errands.
Tenth, pediatricians currently recommend that babies under a year of age not use any bicycle seat or trailer. Their brains still slosh around too much for that kind of vibration to be safe.
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WeeRide LTD Kangaroo Child Bike SeatProduct Description: The ultimate in child and comfort and safety, the WeeRide LTD Kangaroo child bike seat offers all the features of WeeRide's popular Kangaroo carrier--including a unique carrying position and adjustable foot cups--but ups the ante by adding ultra-thick padding on the seat and back and a padded shoulder harness. As a result, your child will be more secure and comfortable than ever while you ride across the countryside or to the grocery store.The LTD Kangaroo is an unusual child bike seat because it doesn't sit behind the bike saddle, as with most carriers, but in front of the rider. This puts your child in a safer position, where you can easily take note if he or she is upset.
The deluxe safety harness and oversized buckle system, meanwhile, will keep your child secure while giving him or her a much better view of the road and surrounding activities. Perhaps the subtlest yet most convenient feature, however, is the enhanced weight distribution, which keeps you from wavering while navigating corners or hitting bumps. The LTD Kangaroo bike seat--the plushest carrier that WeeRide makes--carries a two-year warranty.
A deluxe safety harness and oversized buckle system will keep your child secure.Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are the age and weight limits for passengers of the Kangaroo child carrier? A: The recommended limit is 4 years old and 40 pounds.
Q: What is the minimum age for passengers? A: The child should be able to support his or her own head with the added weight of a helmet, usually one years old. Please consult your pediatrician.
Q: What is the maximum height for passengers? A: This is also dependent upon the height of the adult piloting the bicycle, obviously the rider needs to see over and reach around the passenger. A good way to judge the height of the passenger is to sit him or her on a bench and have the adult sit directly behind them. If the adult can see over and reach around the child, you should be fine on the bike.
Q: Will I have to alter my cycling position or pedal stroke when using the child carrier? A: Yes, but the alteration is minimal. It's not a tremendous alteration of your cycling, but you will have to pedal with your knees slightly more apart than usual to avoid hitting the seat. For the short recreational trips you are taking with your child, this will be a very minor inconvenience in comparison to the quality time spent with them. If you are going for a long training ride you wouldn't want to subject your child to that, so the seat is easily removed for those rides.
Q: Will the child carrier fit my bike? A: Wee Ride carriers will fit most bicycles: mountain, hybrid, cruiser, men's, or women's bikes. It will not fit to road bikes with drop style handlebars (rider is too hunched over) and downhill/freeride bikes (DH forks have legs that go up almost to the handlebars and the WeeRide mounting bar will restrict steering).
Q: What if I want to switch the carrier between two different bicycles? A: An additional mounting bar is available separately. You can mount it to the other bike and switch the carrier at will.
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The instructions for the rack were useless, in the end I don't think the rack fit my Jamis hybrid anyway. The top and bottom parts of the seat did not fit together because a part of the plastic where the seat connects seemed to be made poorly. The box I received the chair in looked like it had been returned several times. It was very beat up, taped up, and looked old.
