Preparing Riv for Baby

[lambbo]

I'm having a baby very very soon, and am wondering how others have set up their bikes to carry them around once they are old enough (when are they old enough?).  It's so exciting!  

I have a 60cm Cheviot, with a Pletscher rack in the back, and the XL Bosco bars, and I sit upright.    We'd be doing urban riding. 

I see some bikes with the seat in the front, and others with the seat in the rear, but I know none of the merits of either. I have another bike (Roadini) so I'm OK with dedicating my Chev to this cause for a couple years, and my wife, who doesn't ride much, has a bike too small for me to ride, and I'd probably be the one riding us around.    Sadly, no room or $ for the well timed baby bike, which otherwise I'd buy in the in-between size for us both to ride!

Thanks!

A

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Next summer is your summer of baby cruising, with an orange Yepp mini up front, which you can come pick up as my gift (it's only a little bit dirty)
And your canti'd fork! Which you most certainly don't want to test with baby aboard...
-Kai

[Deacon Patrick]

Congratulations! New life is precious! Six months at earliest, which is winter, so as Kai says, next spring, summer, and fall is what you're gearing up for. We preferred front carriers for interaction, rear carriers for no need to "duck ride," which will kill hips if done more than a few miles. One of the gifts is little distances are now huge, and you will recalibrate to see the small in a whole new way. Grin.

Other concepts we found amazingly helpful, so if you haven't you may want to look into: nursing and co-sleeping (no drugs or alcohol, that's what causes the horrific headlines, oblivious parents), and sleep deprivation is a non-issue; sling carriers (your motion puts them to sleep, everybody happy!).

Enjoy the wild adventure coming your way!

With abandon,
Patrick

[Paul Richardson]

I have also heard the Yepp Mini is the way to go, but I haven't gotten one of my own quite yet.  Curious if there are other good options for riders in the under one age group!

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

Lambbo,

Congratulations on the baby and wishing you and your family the best!  Our little boy is about to turn two next month and can't believe how quickly he's grown.  I've used the Yepp Mini with great success, he loves being up front and center with a full view and make for great parent/child interaction during the ride.  I'm 6'5" with a 65cm Clem H... the stack and reach of that monster frame makes knee strike a non-issue for me but I've heard of it being a problem with smaller frames/riders.  I'm running Jones riser loops right now with a short stem but also think Bosco's are just about ideal for a front seat and the upright posture will eliminate chest/chin interference with back of the child seat/head, which is another issue I've heard with smaller bikes and riders.  We're unfortunately missing out on prime riding time right now with a cross town move quickly approaching and all bikes already cleared out and in storage : (  but as others have noted, next spring/summer you'll be ready to go with your ~1yr old!  I've also used a rear rack plus small panniers to carry snacks/diaper bags/blankets/toys/etc. so the Pletscher rack will certainly come in handy either way.  The Yepp Mini maxes at 30-33lbs so they'll outgrow it quickly but I'm hoping to at least make it through this fall before swapping to a rear seat next year.

After the move I also plan to test the Yepp Mini paired with Chocomoose bars on an alternate bike and I'll be sure to post an update.

Brian Cole

Lawrenceville, NJ

[Drw]

Doctors usually say 1 year. General consensus is when they can sit up for decent periods of time unsupported- like in the middle of the floor. We put our guy on at 9 months. The baby bike is like 600lbs, but super fun.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Oh my! That baby bike rules. I use a big Rosco to take my 2nd grader to school on the way in to work, sitting on a sturdyish homemade rack. Today I put my my preschooler on there too (but walked beside). The one and only thing that's bothered me with step throughs and kiddos was once they got big and I pedaled out of the saddle -things got very wiggley. I use the Clem H for my cute 40lb rear loads of any longer length than a mile, but regardless, I don't stand up. Enjoy!
-Kai

[David Bivins]

Congratulations! My only regret is that I didn't get my kid onto my bike earlier, so good that you're looking into it in advance!

For when they're older, I loved our BoBike Classic Junior (and so did my son). I have one that's well used but solid if you need it later. I'm in Brooklyn (I believe you're in NYC, too). Then there's a Trail-a-bike, and then Islabike, etc... It happens fast, so have fun!

Our favorite father/son ride was riding the perimeter of Manhattan on a couple of occasions. It gets stupid above 34th Street for awhile, but it's a blast and you've given the kid more of the city than most adults ever get.

David in Brooklyn

On Tue, Jun 18, 2019 at 7:12 PM Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY <kaivi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Oh my! That baby bike rules. I use a big Rosco to take my 2nd grader to school on the way in to work, sitting on a sturdyish homemade rack. Today I put my my preschooler on there too (but walked beside). The one and only thing that's bothered me with step throughs and kiddos was once they got big and I pedaled out of the saddle -things got very wiggley. I use the Clem H for my cute 40lb rear loads of any longer length than a mile, but regardless, I don't stand up. Enjoy!
-Kai

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[Pancake]

Counter point for the front seat - Yepp Mini Nexxt in front (the rider in the photos is a gallon bucket of simple green since I didn't want to leave the baby on there without being able to hold the bike myself ... the double kickstand works fine to hold her up so long as she doesn't move much but she does so I don't leave her+bike alone).

I like the front seat to be close to our daughter while riding. But it is a bit too close to get between the nose of the saddle and the back of the baby seat so you can put a foot down easily. I ended up lowering the saddle slightly (few mm) so I can comfortably put a foot down while still with my rear end on the saddle. The rear setup takes a higher weight limit and is easier for putting a foot down, but I really enjoy having her right with me during our rides. 

As for timing: some say as young at 9 months okay with doctor's support, but my research showed pretty consistent recommendations and good reasons to wait until at least 12 months old (stronger neck, less brain bouncing around aver bumps and such which you can't always avoid, etc). 

[lambbo]

Wow, thanks folks!  This is so cool, it's great to get all your advice and even photos of set-ups! It's relieving to know I have about a year before setting this up, but also it seems so fun I can't wait.  Pancake, we have the exact same bike (less all the grime on mine) so your photo is really helpful.  I can't believe my luck in future color coördination with the orange yepp/orange chev.  

Double kickstand also seems very smart, where are you all getting yours? 

[David Bivins]

I love the Velo Orange double kickstand. You can try mine out. I’m not using it right now, but I anticipate using it again sometime. 

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[Will]

One of the things you will want is a really protective helmet. We used this for our grandson. It is hard to find XXS sizes, which you will need, and you want the helmet to fit well. Equestrian helmets offer better protection than regular bike helmets and their coverage also extends a bit lower on the head behind the ears. They are comfortable, well vented, and you want an interior liner setup that is removeable for washing. 

Good luck. You're about to have the grand adventure. :-)

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