What is the front-mounted bike seat?
A front-mounted bike seat is an incredible invention that helps you to ride your bicycle with a younger child, typically from 9 months to 3 years of age. It attaches to the headset, seatpost, or frame of the bike depending on the model. A front bike seat for a child is generally smaller as opposed to rear bike seats and provides that extra comfort and safety for your little ones.
What are the benefits of the front-mounted bike seat?
There are a few good reasons to get a front-mounted child bike seat.
- Child front bike seat provides you and your baby with a fantastic interaction throughout the whole trip.
- You don’t need to yell or intentionally turn your head to the side to hear what your baby is trying to tell you.
- Kids’ front bike seat is safe and very light. Some of the brands can be put in a bag and carried to the airport.
- You see your baby and so able to control her needs. You will know immediately when the baby wants to drink some water, is about to take a nap, or lost her toy or hat.
- Your child has a great view of everything in front of him.
What are the disadvantages of the front-mounted bike seat?
Unfortunately, there are also a few reasons you may want to consider a mid-mounted or rear-mounted bike seat instead.
- The front baby seat for the bike has a limited lifespan. These bike seats for toddlers are quite small and typically serve until 2 to 3 years of age. It depends on the brand and how big your child is. However, if your child is about to turn 2 and you are thinking to get your first bike seat, you’d better pick the rear one.
- As a parent, you should feel confident biking with a toddler. It takes a little bit of practice and balance at the start.
- A bike with a child carrier in front gets bulkier, you will need to adjust the position of your legs as you pedal (otherwise, you will be hitting your knees quite often), and your arms are going to be placed wider than usual. It may feel quite odd from the beginning, but you will adjust to the right way of bike riding with toddlers pretty quickly.
- Among different styles of bike carriers for kids, a front-mounted bike seat exposes your child more in case of an accident as opposed to a bike trailer.
- There is no way you can let go of the bike with the child carrier in front. You should have a certain amount of balance and good bike handling skills when getting on and off the bike.
- Compatibility: you should always check if your bicycle is compatible with the front bike seat for toddlers.
How to choose the right front-mounted bike seat for your baby?
So, to recap, front-mounted bike seat:
- is attached below the handlebars.
- ranges from 9 months up to 35 lbs (16 kg).
- is best for young toddlers.
- provides close proximity to your baby and great interaction throughout the journey.
- is limited in use.
- limits space for an adult rider.
Compatibility
Since there is a huge amount of front-mounted bike seats and bicycle brands, it is important to check the compatibility first. Once you narrow down what child bike seats are suitable, you are free to choose one based on its features.
Space
Consider the size of your bike and how comfortable it will be to ride with the child in front. The distance between your handlebars and seat tube should be not less than 20 inches (50 cm).
Type of your bike headset
Bikes with quill stems (threaded headsets) are usually compatible with bike seat mounts.
Riding style
Consider the objective of getting the front-mounted bike seat. One thing is if you are a casual bike rider, completely other thing is if you are a mountain biker. Then it is the whole new level, and you would like to consider mid-mounted and front-mounted bike seats for kids for mountain biking.
Front-mounted bike seat features
- Safety three- or five-point harness system.
- Padded shoulder height adjustable straps.
- Seat Back Height: high back front bike seats assures that your child is tight with straps at all times. Straps may slip down with low back front bike seats.
- Adjustable footrests provide additional safety for your baby.
Front-mounted bike seat additional accessories
- Windscreen (Thule RideAlong Mini and the Hamax Observer).
- Mini handlebars that allow your baby to be less grabby with your handlebars and feel safer grabbing their own.
The Best Front-mounted bike seat for your family
Image | Name | Age limit | Buy Now |
 | Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini | 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
 | Thule Yepp Mini | 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
 | Thule RideAlong Mini | 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
 | Peg Perego Orion | 12 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
 | iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat | up to 38 lbs (17 kg) | |
 | WeeRide LTD Kangaroo | 12 months up to 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
 | Hamax Observer | 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg) |
Thule Front-Mounted Bike Seats
Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini Child Bike Seat
Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini is by far one of the most stylish and lightweight child bike seats. You’d hardly feel the weight. It is very well-designed, durable, and will last you for years. We love the fact of how breathable it is due to the designed large hole vents on the back of the seat.
Let’s take a look at the technical aspect and features of the Yepp Nexxt Mini.
- Age/ weight capacity: 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Easy mounting and dismounting.
- A universal quick-release bracket that fits normal and ahead stems.
- Adjustable and padded 5-point harness.
- Integrated child handlebar.
- Water-repellent materials that are easy to clean.
- Shock-absorbing seat.
- Adjustable footrests.
- Magnetic childproof safety buckle is a unique feature that lets this child seat stand out from its competitors. It provides additional safety and is hard for a baby to figure out.
Thule Yepp Mini Child Bike Seat
Thule Yepp Mini is a very similar model to Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini. The only visible difference is the style of the seat as it has “crocks-like” holes which provide additional ventilation for your baby that makes the seat very breathable and perfect for hot climates.
- Age/ weight capacity: 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Easy mounting and dismounting.
- Compatible with most bike models.
- Standard childproof safety buckle (not magnetic!).
- Adjustable and padded 5-point harness.
- Integrated child handlebar.
- Water-repellent materials that are easy to clean.
- Shock-absorbing seat.
- Adjustable footrests.
Thule RideAlong Mini
RideAlong Mini has a bit different design. Comparing to other Thule Mini bike seats, it has a much more comfortable strapping system.
- Age/ weight capacity: 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Easy mounting and dismounting.
- Fits both normal and ahead stems.
- Standard childproof safety buckle (not magnetic!).
- Adjustable 5-point harness.
- Integrated child handlebar.
- Removable padding is machine washable.
- Adjustable footrests.
Peg Perego Orion Front Mount Child Seat
Peg Perego is an expert when it comes down to car and bike child seats. We love Peg Perego because it always thinks of compatibility too. It has a lovely design similar to Thule RideAlong, but the handlebar is a bit different.
- Age/ weight capacity: 12 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Installation: easy mounting and dismounting.
- Compatible with most bike models. An innovative bracket system allows the seat to be fixed to the head tube of the bicycle with ease and to many different bicycle frames.
- Built-in suspension system for a smooth ride.
- Standard childproof safety buckle.
- Integrated child handlebar.
- Adjustable footrests.
- Water-repellent and waterproof thermoformed padding.
- Comes in a variety of bright colors.
- Adjustable 3-point harness (not 5-point!).
iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
iBert Front-mounted bike seat is quite innovative, and therefore, more popular among buyers. Let’s take a look at what differentiates iBert from other previously discussed models.
- Age/ weight capacity: up to 38 lbs (17 kg).
- Installation: easy mounting and dismounting.
- Center mount design provides a better center of gravity when you ride.
- No need for adjustable footrests because your child’s feet are placed behind the handlebar and above the front wheel.
- A very unique and interactive design of the handlebar for your baby.
- Made from rust-resistant aluminum and stainless steel.
- It is a low back front bike seat.
- Comes in red, pink, and green.
- Two-year warranty.
- Shoulder straps may slip down with low back front bike seats.
- 3-point harness system (not 5-point!).
WeeRide LTD Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
WeeRide Kangaroo is one of the favorites among parents. It has a simple well-thought design and it is best for a budget.
- Age/ weight capacity: 12 months up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Installation: easy mounting and dismounting.
- Ultra-thick seat and back padding.
- Two-tone padded dashboard and seating area.
- A 5-point safety harness with an oversized buckle system and padded shoulder straps for maximum safety.
- Adjustable foot holders and plush headrest.
- A very unique and interactive design of the handlebar for your baby is also a great help when your child is about to take a nap.
- A child’s weight enhances rather than impairs your bicycle’s stability.
- Improved balance due to your child’s central position on the bicycle.
- Comes in brown and blue.
- Since foot holders are quite high, there are no adjustable foot straps.
Hamax Observer
Hamax is a Dutch company that provides its customers with a high-quality premium product. Hamax is very well-known for its incredibly innovative and durable bike trailers. And yet Hamax created a fantastic Scandinavian child bike seat that undoubtedly will have a great impact on your child.
- Age/ weight capacity: 9 months – 3 years/ up to 33 lbs (15 kg).
- Easy mounting and dismounting.
- Standard or a Head-mount.
- Standard childproof safety buckle.
- One-hand adjustments.
- Footrests and adjustable foot straps.
- Ergonomic arm rests (our favorite feature!)
- Removable 2-piece padding that is hand washable and water-resistant. This padding provides extra comfort.
- Foam padded straps that are non-slip (Hamax has one of the best straps by far!)
- Includes a push-button anti-theft lock with keys.
- No child handlebar.
- 3-point harness system (not 5-point!).
Additional Accessories for Hamax Observer child bike seat:
- Windscreen.
- Neck cushion.
- Rain or dust cover.
Have you picked your favorite front-mounted bike seat yet?
Share with us which one it is and enjoy every moment with your baby!
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