April 2007
Features to consider Bike seats and trailers for children
Assembly. If you plan to buy a bike trailer or a bicycle-mounted seat and put it together or install it yourself, you'll need clear instructions because assembly and installation can be a challenge. If you need help, call the company or consult your local bike shop.
Convertibility. Some manufacturers offer conversion kits that allow you to turn a trailer into a jogging stroller or a cargo carrier. That's an attractive, expense-saving, two-for-one option.
Cross bars. Some bicycle-mounted seats have a cross bar that goes across the lap in addition to a five-point harness, which is an added safety feature in case of a fall--and gives children something to hold onto, which may make them feel more secure.
Protection from the elements. Many trailers come with a plastic shields, which protects against sun, wind, and rain. A zippered front shield will keep water or mud from splattering your child. But if the shield encloses the entire cabin, make certain there's ventilation, such as breathable mesh windows. Your kids may appreciate tinted windows, which aren't available on all models. They protect your child from sun glare, and keep the "cockpit" cool.
Folding mechanism. Some trailers feature quick-release wheels and fold easily for storage (even in a hall closet), which can be an advantage if you don't have a garage.
Frame. Trailer frames generally are made of steel, but in more expensive models they may be aluminum alloy, which is lighter. The frame should be sturdy. Better models offer a roll cage--a perimeter frame--to better protect passengers in the event of a rollover. Keep in mind that these roll cages are not strong enough to protect against a collision with a vehicle.
Harness. With either a bicycle-mounted seat or a trailer, a padded, adjustable five-point harness is ideal: two straps over the shoulders, two for the waist, and a crotch strap, much like the restraints on a child's car seat.
Hitching arm. A trailer's hitching arm should have a backup to prevent the trailer from breaking loose. Check the wheel mounting to be sure that it will hold. Look for a universal hitch, which can be used with almost any bicycle. Some hitching arms are designed to help keep the trailer upright even if your bike goes down.
Reflectors. Some trailers and bicycle-mounted seats have side and/or rear reflective strips or reflectors, which are good even if you're not planning to ride at twilight--and we don't recommend riding at twilight or at night.
Safety flag. If you're buying a trailer, a safety flag--a high-visibility pennant on a whip tall enough (3½ to 7 feet) to make it visible to drivers--is a must.
Seating. The interior of a trailer should offer comfortable seating with adequate legroom and good back support. The seat's protective cavity should be free of protrusions. Roominess is a plus, as are storage pockets for toys and such. At the higher end of the price range, you'll find seats that recline, cushier padding, and, on two-passenger trailers, a seat divider. On bicycle-mounted seats, look for a padded seat cushion for a smoother ride. Seats with a reclining backrest and an adjustable foot and headrest are common at the top of the price range.
Seat location. If you're shopping for a bicycle-mounted seat, consider whether you want a seat that mounts in the back or the front. In our tests, with an 18-month-old and a 30-month old, the kids seemed to prefer riding up front, and we found the tested front-mounted seat did not affect the bike's handling as much. However, our parent testers had to bow their knees out slightly to avoid rubbing against the seat or the occupant, which isn't necessarily a safety issue, but it can be uncomfortable. A front rider can grab the handlebars while using this seat, which could cause an accident.
Side protection. Some bicycle-mounted seats offer side protectors, which help shield a child in the event of a fall.
Wheels. Trailer wheels usually are made with steel rims, which can rust, or aluminum ones, which don't. The wheels should also have one or more reflectors. Look for high-quality rubber tires. Also, consider wheel size. In our tests, larger wheels rolled over bumps better, but smaller wheels made maneuvering easier.
Assembly. If you plan to buy a bike trailer or a bicycle-mounted seat and put it together or install it yourself, you'll need clear instructions because assembly and installation can be a challenge. If you need help, call the company or consult your local bike shop.
Convertibility. Some manufacturers offer conversion kits that allow you to turn a trailer into a jogging stroller or a cargo carrier. That's an attractive, expense-saving, two-for-one option.
Cross bars. Some bicycle-mounted seats have a cross bar that goes across the lap in addition to a five-point harness, which is an added safety feature in case of a fall--and gives children something to hold onto, which may make them feel more secure.
Protection from the elements. Many trailers come with a plastic shields, which protects against sun, wind, and rain. A zippered front shield will keep water or mud from splattering your child. But if the shield encloses the entire cabin, make certain there's ventilation, such as breathable mesh windows. Your kids may appreciate tinted windows, which aren't available on all models. They protect your child from sun glare, and keep the "cockpit" cool.
Folding mechanism. Some trailers feature quick-release wheels and fold easily for storage (even in a hall closet), which can be an advantage if you don't have a garage.
Frame. Trailer frames generally are made of steel, but in more expensive models they may be aluminum alloy, which is lighter. The frame should be sturdy. Better models offer a roll cage--a perimeter frame--to better protect passengers in the event of a rollover. Keep in mind that these roll cages are not strong enough to protect against a collision with a vehicle.
Harness. With either a bicycle-mounted seat or a trailer, a padded, adjustable five-point harness is ideal: two straps over the shoulders, two for the waist, and a crotch strap, much like the restraints on a child's car seat.
Hitching arm. A trailer's hitching arm should have a backup to prevent the trailer from breaking loose. Check the wheel mounting to be sure that it will hold. Look for a universal hitch, which can be used with almost any bicycle. Some hitching arms are designed to help keep the trailer upright even if your bike goes down.
Reflectors. Some trailers and bicycle-mounted seats have side and/or rear reflective strips or reflectors, which are good even if you're not planning to ride at twilight--and we don't recommend riding at twilight or at night.
Safety flag. If you're buying a trailer, a safety flag--a high-visibility pennant on a whip tall enough (3½ to 7 feet) to make it visible to drivers--is a must.
Seating. The interior of a trailer should offer comfortable seating with adequate legroom and good back support. The seat's protective cavity should be free of protrusions. Roominess is a plus, as are storage pockets for toys and such. At the higher end of the price range, you'll find seats that recline, cushier padding, and, on two-passenger trailers, a seat divider. On bicycle-mounted seats, look for a padded seat cushion for a smoother ride. Seats with a reclining backrest and an adjustable foot and headrest are common at the top of the price range.
Seat location. If you're shopping for a bicycle-mounted seat, consider whether you want a seat that mounts in the back or the front. In our tests, with an 18-month-old and a 30-month old, the kids seemed to prefer riding up front, and we found the tested front-mounted seat did not affect the bike's handling as much. However, our parent testers had to bow their knees out slightly to avoid rubbing against the seat or the occupant, which isn't necessarily a safety issue, but it can be uncomfortable. A front rider can grab the handlebars while using this seat, which could cause an accident.
Side protection. Some bicycle-mounted seats offer side protectors, which help shield a child in the event of a fall.
Wheels. Trailer wheels usually are made with steel rims, which can rust, or aluminum ones, which don't. The wheels should also have one or more reflectors. Look for high-quality rubber tires. Also, consider wheel size. In our tests, larger wheels rolled over bumps better, but smaller wheels made maneuvering easier.
