5+1 Rear Bike Seats for Enjoyable Rides with Kids

Swedish company Thule knows a thing or two about convenient and practical bike seats. A striking example is the rear-mounted Ride Along Lite, which is highly popular among bike travelers from all over the world.

The seat for the young passenger is placed behind the parent's seat. The seat is mounted on a quick-release support with a central connector on the seat tube. The metal bars that support the child's seat are fixed in its slots. In case you need to leave the bike unattended, the seat can be locked.

The model is designed and tested for children from 9 months to 6 years old. The weight capacity limit is 22 kg. As the child grows, the seat can be adjusted forward or backward, and the height of the footrests and the straps can be modified — all for the comfort and safety of the young passenger. Wide side shields provide additional protection for the child's legs.

A horizontal red reflector is built into the back of the bike seat, and a mounting point for a light is also provided on the backrest. Overall, the model leaves an entirely positive impression after close acquaintance, both from the perspective of parent-riders and young passengers.

The Bobike One child bike seat series is designed for urban cycling. The lineup includes a front-mounted model Bobike One Mini Price from 2 860 up to 3 010 ₴ for the youngest riders (from 9 months to 3 years) and a rear-mounted seat One Maxi. Let's dive into the latter in more detail.

The seat is either mounted directly on the rear luggage rack or "tied" to the bike's seat tube. Both mounting options are often included in the standard equipment of the model. The seat weighs less than 4 kg but can support children weighing up to 22 kg. It can be used until the child is around 6 years old.

As the child grows, the position of the footrest height and the length of the 3-point safety straps, which are made with soft material, can be adjusted. The padding on the seat is also soft and water-repellent for added comfort under the young passenger's back and seat. An additional plus for the model is the presence of foot retention loops, which significantly reduces the likelihood of their feet getting caught in the bike wheel spokes.

A large reflector on the rear part of the seat ensures visibility on the roads at night. Just like its "little brother" Bobike One Mini Price from 2 860 up to 3 010 ₴, the model is available in multiple colors. It also proves to be worth every penny spent, delighting children with comfortable seating and parents with easy installation/dismantling and simplicity in use.

The Scandinavian brand Thule has given child bike seats a special place of honor in its product range. One of the most technologically advanced models in the manufacturer's lineup is the Yepp Maxi.

The model is installed behind the rider, using the seat tube of the bike as the mounting point. The quick-release mechanism allows for installation and removal of the seat in a matter of seconds. At the same time, the seat is protected from theft by a special key lock.

The Thule Yepp Maxi offers a high level of comfort for the young passenger. Consider this: the model features a soft seat with waterproof padding, a ventilated backrest of anatomical shape, and adjustable footrests, which can easily adapt to the growing child. Additionally, the backrest has slots for 5-point safety harnesses, which are equipped with soft shoulder pads.

The Thule Yepp Maxi Frame Mounted supports children weighing up to 22 kg, and children can start using the seat from about 9 months old. The product itself weighs 4.6 kg, which is slightly more than most of its counterparts. Overall, the model belongs to the "premium" class of bike seats, impressing with its high-quality materials and assembly, as well as its flexible adaptation to the child's parameters as they grow.

As an alternative to the classic rear bike seats for the youngest children, many consider bike trailers. The Swedish company Thule excels in "building" such trailers. In particular, the Chariot Cross 1 model, available in both single-seater and double-seater versions, is popular among avid riders.

The trailer is connected to the bike using a special hitch mounted near the rear axle of the "two-wheeled horse." The child can be positioned either sitting or reclining in it — the adjustable backrest angle allows the seat to be adjusted according to current riding conditions. Additionally, the stiffness of the rear suspension can be adjusted.

Now for the most interesting part — the trailer's transformation capabilities. With a simple movement, it transforms... into a stroller. The trailer's large rear wheels are complemented by swivel front wheels mounted on quick-release fastenings. The stroller version can be maneuvered by grabbing the wide handlebar. Optionally, you can buy a large front wheel and ski runners for the trailer — with these, it transforms into a jogging stroller or sled respectively.

The model also includes a spacious cargo compartment, a mosquito net with a zipper, a sunshade, a rain cover, and reflective tires. It will take a fair amount of money to acquire this beauty, and the trailer weighs almost 12 kg. Nevertheless, expecting anything else from such a versatile all-rounder would be simply unreasonable. The key to the Thule Chariot Cross 1's success is its unique design combined with four types of activities under one umbrella: cycling, walking, jogging, and sledding.