How to choose the best child bike seat for your child

Thule child bike seats are ideal for the daily commute or for family adventures. They’re safe, easy to use and comfortable whether the ride is short or long. Every parent, child, and bicycle is unique, so it’s important to consider all of your options to ensure the best fit for your family.

In this article

• Rear-mounted child bike seats
• Front-mounted child bike seats
• Comparing child bike seat models
• What age can a child ride a bike seat
• Comparing between a child bike seat and a bike trailer
• What is the safest way to ride a bike with a child

Rear-mounted child bike seats attach at the back of you on the bike.

When it comes to choosing between a front or rear child bike seat, it all comes down to personal preference. Some riders even choose both! Rear child bike seats have a higher weight capacity and larger footprint to accommodate children up to 6 years of age and up to 48lbs/22 kg.

These child bike seats attache to the seat tube of the frame. For children from 9 months to 6 years old with a 22 kg weight capacity.

These child bike seats attach to the rear bike rack. For children from 9 months to 6 years old with a rack that can carry a minimum load capacity of 22 kg.

These child bike seats attach to the handlebar tube at the front of your bike. They are suited to children 9 months to 3 years old and up to 15 kg. 

Front child bike seats offer the best view for you and your child and they make the perfect baby bike seats for younger children. While they have a front-row seat for every 2-wheel adventure, you can keep an eye on them while also taking in your surroundings.

These two child bike seats are only available as rear child bike seats that attach to the frame. Read on to see which features both products have and to see which features on Thule RideAlone 2 has.

Both Thule RideAlong Lite 2 and Thule RideAlong 2 have these most basic features

• Water-repellent materials
• DualBeam suspension system
• The Thule Quick Release Bracket for easy installation on your bike
• Built-in reflector
• Adjustable footrests and footstraps 
• Available as a rear frame-mounted child bike seat

Thule RideAlong 2 has these unique features

• It has five different reclining options so that you’re child is more comfortable when they’re sleeping
• It has detachable, water-resistant padding for a more comfortable ride

These are sleek, lightweight child bike seats with an iconic design. They come as both front and rear-mounted child bike seats, and they can attach to the frame or the rack. The Thule Yepp 2 MIK HD can also attach to MIK HD bike racks.

Thule Yepp 2 and Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 both have these features

• Water-repellent materials
• DualBeam suspension system
• The Thule Quick Release Bracket for easy installation on your bike
• Built-in reflector
• Adjustable footrests and foot straps
• Lightweight and sleek design
• Frame, rack, and front versions
• Adjustable padded 5-point harness

Only Thule Nexxt 2 has these unique features

• Magnetic buckle that makes it easier to lock your child into the seat
• Hard outer shell, soft inner padding

A child bike seat is a seat can be used with kids as early as 9 months of age, although parents should always consult a pediatrician for children under one year old and make sure that the child is wearing a helmet.

Regardless of age, the child must be able to hold his or her head up while wearing a correctly sized and approved bicycle helmet.

• Thule front child bike seats come with an adapter that secures to the bicycle’s head tube
• The head tube must be circular and measures between 20-28mm in diameter
• The head tube mounting zone must be a minimum of 21mm in length for Thule Yepp 2 Nexxt Mini and Thule Yepp 2 Mini***
• The head tube mounting zone must be a minimum of 24mm in length for Thule RideAlong 2 Mini
• ***For bikes with a head tube mounting zone less than 21mm, the Thule Yepp 2 Mini Ahead Adapter is an available accessory for Thule Yepp 2 Mini, fitting head tubes with a minimum of 3mm of mounting space

Choosing between a child bike seat and a trailer comes down to personal preference. Thule child bike seats are a great choice for letting your child see the world from your bike. Each lightweight seat is designed for quick and secure mounting and dismounting, getting you on and off the trail in record time. Have peace of mind knowing your child and ‘copilot’ is comfortable and secure for every ride to come.

Thule bike trailers and multisport trailers come in a range of different models, from more rugged designs for everyday activities and urban use, to high-performance models for the active outdoor family. Each includes a mesh front panel to keep fresh air in and bugs out, as well as a rain cover to keep your child warm and dry during inclement weather. Thule trailers come standard with extra cargo storage for items like snacks and diapers, which comes in handy for longer rides. There is also a choice of models that will seat two kids so that everyone can come along for the ride.

Safety and testing are at the forefront of all product development at Thule. Each child bike seat has met and surpassed the most stringent international safety standards, all without compensating for comfort and functionality. Each child bike seat comes equipped with a 5-point adjustable harness secured with a childproof safety buckle. Padded seats and harnesses along with shock absorbing materials ensure a smooth and comfortable ride for even the longest journeys.

To ensure the safety of your child, please abide by the following guidelines:

• Do not leave your child unattended in a child bike seat
• Do not exceed 15 mph / 25 km in speed
• Avoid steep grades and uneven surfaces
• Avoid high traffic areas and stick to routes that you are comfortable riding
• Wear a well-fitted helmet
• Have your child wear a well-fitted helmet
• Practice proper bike signals and rules of the road
• Always inspect the child bike seat before each ride to ensure proper installation

Each seat also allows for adjustable footrests and foot straps as well as an adjustable 5-point harness, ready to accommodate inevitable growth spurts.