Commuting with Children

Hi,

I am new to all of this commuting by bike etc. I decided to buy myself a cheap bike and cycle to work as my car insurance has doubled. My journey is approx 1 mile to the nursery and 4 miles after that to work. The 2 times ive gone so far have been ok (altho please tell me it will get easier lol)

I have bought one of these (i know its nothing special but hopefully it will keep me going for while)
Trax TXC.1 Mens Mountain Bike 2011 - 19"

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_809257_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

I have also bought a front child seat so that i can take my 4 year old to nursery, altho I have managed to fit the seat to my bike its not very good because the top tube is not round. I dont suppose anyone has any other suggestions or any other way of attaching a front seat? (prefebly removeable as my current one is fixed.)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Child-Bik...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item5ade11e2a2

Thanks for any suggestions
Paul

I wouldn't use one of those seats. Little feet don't do too well when they get stuck in a load of revolving spokes.

You're better off with a Hamax seat on the back. They're not expensive.

Not sure how big your 4 year old is, but would a tag-a-long be a better option, especially if you can leave it at the nursery.

Thanks for the advise, something like this? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_815269_langId_-1_categoryId_165476#tab2

Would it fit my bike?

I will be buying another bike at some point so that I have one for me and one for the mrs. Perhaps that will be a good time to look for a better bike. Back when I was about 15 i had a Marin Bobcat Trail lol (they was the days) which i'd of kept it.

Yeah can leave it at his nursery.

Wasnt sure how easily they are to take off. Hes not that big or heavy. Was just thinking it would add alot extra weight.

Hamax Kiss is ideal, though expensive at Halfords. The advantage is that you can buy an additional bracket for the wife's bike and she can use the seat as well. They fix on and off easily.

Ok cool, yeah obviously i will shop around.

altho might pop into halfords so they can confirm it will defo fit.

Suppose if i want to taken both kids anywhere will have to buy a trailer. Was hoping the front seat would have been better so that i could have one on front and one in a back seat.

Are the trailers easy to take on and off?

i.e.? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0046S4H...de=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0046S4H1A

I'd avoid relying on Halfords for everything - they're not a bike shop, they're a shop that happens to sell bikes and as such tend to be monkeys with spanners - not proper bike mechanics. They claim they employ "experts", who are actually 16 year old muppets who'd rather half arse a job than be on the dole.

Decent front seats are ok up to a certain size, then you start pedalling like a frog. If your other one is small, then I can recommend this-http://www.weerideuk.co.uk/.

Trailers are easy to take on and off.

that might be settled then...

I will look at getting a Hamax Kiss (cheapest ive seen is acctually £49.49 from halfords or £49.99 from J E James)

Then I will get a trailer for when i want to take both kids. My other child is just over 1 btw.

Thanks for all of your help

Sorry 1 last question, is it possiable to have a rear seat (hamax) and a trailer?

I have a trailer which seats 2 children under 5.. Raleigh is the make. It comes on & off easily.

Anyone got any idea if this is any good? Reviews look good. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trailer-Str...sr_1_3?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1329835636&sr=1-3

Another vote for the Hamax Kiss here. It even fitted my triple triangle GT MTB frame. I wouldn't be sure of putting a 4 yr old in it though, I reckon I stopped using ours at around 3 to 3½ yrs.

In this picture my yougest son is nearly 1 while the oldest is exactly 4 and riding his own bike for around 10 miles at a time.

If I was going to manage without a car I wouldn't hesitate to get a trailer for the kids as it would also be useful for 100 other things including hauling the weekly shop!

Of course, this is what you really want...

I bought one of these last year and tore my thighs and knees to pieces(I have pretty large legs).They give you a guarantee that it will fit your child up to 4, my son is nearly 2 and I dont think he will be fitting in it for much longer!!! where did I put that receipt????

Scroll down the page a bit.. Boxed weight claims to be 30KG! That's extraordinarily heavy compared to the "Adventure AT3"'s 13KG. If that is correct then it will be unpleasant to pull, unless all the weight is the packaging!