Instead of worrying about meeting your budget, let us talk first about what are available in the market to meet your requirement and how you can make the right choice so that your decision will not compromise the safety of your children while you are ferrying them on your bicycle.
Whatever is trending now will be more expensive. In my country bicycles with tyre size larger than the regular 26” will be more expensive. The old style 28” steel bike, if you can still find it should be cheaper than a 26” MTB. However, it comes with slick tyres which are not suitable for trail ride. I like the fact that it comes with a double kickstand, which makes parking it to seat your child, before you start riding, more stable. There are stands like that for 26″ bike too.
Are you only cycling on flat terrain? If you are, a single speed bike, which is cheaper, will do. However, on a single speed bike, you will need a lot of leg power to get through riding up slopes with added load. You can stand up on your pedals and grind your way up but if you do that too often, you may have to change your pedals sooner than you should. If you do not mind it, you can always get off your bike and walk when it is too much for you.
Your brake shoes may also wear off faster without the gears to help you slow down, especially when you are cycling downhill with the load. But then it could be a thrilling ride for your kid whenever you have to zoom down slopes. With these factors you mind, you can now decide on whether you prefer a single speed bike or one with gears.
Since your intention to buy a bicycle is to install a child seat, make sure that the bicycle either comes already installed with a rear carrier or one that have mounting holes drilled on the frame for such. A rear carrier for a 26” bicycle is cheaper than one that is adjustable to fit bicycle of size 26” up to 29”.
However, it will be interesting to note that some larger size bicycles may come with extra mounting holes drilled so that a 26” carrier can also be installed.
If there is no rear carrier on the bicycle of your choice, there are child seats in the market that come supplied with carriers. Models like this usually can carry weight load of up to 22kg and will be more comfortable for a taller child as the seat is larger. Also look at the shape of this rear carrier. See the triangular formation? That is the kind of carrier you want to buy for better weight support.
And, should you opt for a cheaper PVC carrier with no specifications, just make sure that you mount it on a carrier that can withstand weight load meeting that of your child. This PVC seat comes with safety harness and is suitable if your child is obese. However, you can slip in cushions from your stroller for a more comfortable fit for a smaller child.
There are also seatpost mounted child seat in the market and following are some examples.
Check the weight load each child seat can carry before buying. One with a harness is a must if you are ferrying an infant. It will be more costly if you opt for branded ones, like Weeride from Australia, which comes with a platform for the child to rest his/her head.
Something to think about if you can find it second hand if you have a budget concern. Cargo bike. This model is strong enough for you to install a child seat on the rear carrier.
These are other options you can consider when your children are older.
Drop by Jom Johan if you have any other enquiries about installing a child seat on your bicycle. For first time users of child seats, we will help you to install the child seat you purchased from our shop, so that you have a better idea of how to do it safely and properly.
