Which child bike seat to choose?

Learning to ride a bike is a great time for kids and parents to spend together. To encourage kids to use a two-wheeled vehicle, it is worth supplementing the equipment with appropriate accessories. One of them is a bicycle seat for children. It not only helps to maintain correct posture, but also promotes comfort while driving.

Why is choosing a child seat important?

Of course, the vast majority of bikes already come with a saddle. Therefore, the idea of ​​comparing them with the predispositions of a young cyclist does not always come to mind. It may turn out that although the bike is suitable for the child, he is not able to ride it for a long time. The fault most often lies on the saddle. Basically, there are separate models designed for girls and boys, and this is worth stopping at the final choice. Although there are universal options on the market, they do not provide the same comfort of use as models specifically designed for this floor. What actually influences the shape and size of a saddle when choosing one for a child?

Physical Considerations to Consider Before Buying a Saddle

In order for a child's bike seat to fit their expectations, it must be consistent with the distance between the sitting bones. The distance between them is different for boys and girls. It is not always possible to accurately measure it, but there is a way. All you need is some sort of flexible cardboard or gel pad for your child to sit on. The best solution is a wooden chair without upholstery, on which to put the selected material. If the child sits on them and is able to imitate the position, for example, on a bicycle, then it will be possible to check the distance between the ischial bones by the bruises remaining on the material. Such information can be useful for parents who want to find the perfect seat for their child.

This distance is decisive when choosing a saddle. If you know her, then you can simply look for a model with specific sizes and fit them to the physical data of your child. What is very important, it does not matter here the width of the hips or weight. The key point is the distance between the ischial bones. As a general rule, saddles should be narrower for boys and wider for girls.

Child bike seat and proper riding position

Luckily, there aren't many options in this case. Small children usually do not ride bicycles, do not rush through forests and mountains. Of course, it should be noted - usually. The child bike seat is selected according to the preferred riding style. Bicycles usually allow you to ride with your back at right angles to the ground, due to the comfort and lack of need to develop higher speeds.

Therefore, the correct saddle length is crucial here. Longer models are used when the cyclist has to change positions frequently. Sports realities require such dynamics in movements and adjustment of body position depending on the terrain. The child will most often ride with parents or friends near the house, on bike paths or in the park. So you can buy him a saddle a little shorter, because in this case it will not change its position so often while riding.

How to choose a comfortable bicycle saddle for a child?

What do many people associate with comfort? Certainly soft. However, in a sitting position, not only the feeling of comfort is important, but also the effect on the vessels. Of course, the child may not be aware of this, which is why parents choose the appropriate model, and not the child himself. A bicycle child seat, very soft, can really be extremely comfortable on short trips. Harder ones may be uncomfortable at first, but over time you will feel more comfortable to ride than a softer model, especially a balance bike.

Therefore, the main thing is to find a compromise. You have to take into account the frequency of trips and their duration, as well as the routes that the child most often takes. With the first of these variables taken into account, a soft saddle will be useful on short routes, and a hard saddle on longer ones. If, in addition, the child often drives on gravel roads, where their hardening leaves much to be desired, it is good to use a softer model and reduce tire pressure a little. In this way, all vibrations and shocks caused by collision with obstacles will be effectively eliminated.

In the same way, a bike seat for children with a slightly more rigid character is used on city roads, yard squares, sidewalks and bike paths. If you are passionate about cycling and want to instill your passion in your child, a thinner and stiffer saddle may be suitable for him. Remember that children are more tender than adults and are very sensitive to any physical inconvenience. Therefore, they quickly become irritated and become discouraged when something bothers them.

Baby seat and driving lessons

In the early stages of learning, your child may need side wheels or a special stabilizer to help the adult maintain balance. There are special saddles on the market equipped with special mounting brackets. Thus, you do not have to combine it with do-it-yourself solutions and installing handles. This outfit is perfect for traveling together.

Over time, it may turn out that the bike is too small for the child and you will have to look for another model. The same applies to the saddle. Children grow up very quickly and you need to be prepared to spend to provide them with the appropriate conditions for development. Therefore, the bike, and the helmet, and the saddle will have to be changed every few years.

As you can see, choosing a child bike seat is not a trivial matter. This requires thinking, adjusting to your preferences and reviewing the market in terms of available models. However, what is very important, when choosing the optimal model and installing it on a bicycle, the child will be able to use his two-wheeled transport without any problems.

See the Baby and Mom section for more tips.

/ Petr Doll