Mountain Biking Seats
What is the best way to cycle with a baby (8months) (trailer or baby seat) ? (road, hybird or mountain bike)?
Having had 6 children, they are no strangers to cycling. The important issue concerns head protection. Your child’s neck muscles are not strong enough to support a helmet at 8 months old. I used a foreword papoose carrier. My child was strapped to my chest. If I fell, my body would absorb the impact. Just remember there are 2 types of bike riders, those that fell today, and those that are going to fall tomorrow.
Though the rear child seat was available, I did not use it because if your front wheel augers in and your bike flips, the child in the seat is going to absorb quite an impaction injury.
I bought a rear facing sulky with seat belts when they hit the toddler stage. By then their necks could support a foam core helmet. I had a 3 seater, and let me tell you they had a blast. They never minded wearing helmets because that is all they knew. Being a retired professional fire fighter, I have seen my share of head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet.
When the kids got older, I changed the road sulky tires to a more cleated tire for romping in the woods. They had a blast. I can still hear my kids laughing as we would go romping down a forrested trail.
Hope I have been of some help.
PS: Amen to the sulky (trailer). My hitch was designed so I could lay the bike down, and the sulky would remain upright.
Mountain Bike Maintenance : Tips for Bicycle Seats
