Thule Yepp 2 Maxi rear seat – seat tube mount

The Thule Yepp 2 Maxi is a well-designed, sturdy, and – as far as I can tell – comfortable rear child bike seat that handles heavier kids with confidence and ease. It’s the most commonly used child seat I’ve seen out on family rides, and after months of using it myself – and hearing plenty of positive feedback from other parents – it’s easy to see why.

This updated version of Thule’s Yepp Maxi retains the same general shape and features of its predecessor, but brings subtle refinements that make it even easier to live with.

It’s designed for kids aged nine months to six years (or up to 22kg), and as someone with a child closer to that upper limit, I can safely say this seat holds up well.

My son is big for his age – tall and heavy – and I was a little concerned that we’d be pushing the boundaries of what a rear seat could comfortably manage, especially one that isn’t mounted to a rear rack. However, the Yepp 2 Maxi has proven to be more than up to the task. He appears to be comfortable in it, and even after longer rides there’s no more squirming or complaining than I would expect normally. The seat’s flexible rubberised material seems to absorb bumps and road chatter impressively well, which likely contributes to that comfort.

It does not have built in suspension like some, but the design of the seat and mounting system itself manages to do this effectively. Being mounted on the seat tube, with a metal bracket that reaches over the top of the rear wheel, it has some natural flex in the bend, which provides more than enough suspension.

The high back and deep bucket shape offer great support, and the five-point harness held my son securely in place. Once strapped in, he stayed as still and well balanced as you would expect from a child, even when we were navigating rougher paths or pothole-laced roads. The seat feels stable while you’re riding too, something that gives you real peace of mind when cycling with a heavier child on board.

Fit & adjustability

There is a lot of adjustability within the seat, enabling it to be fitted to various bikes and to suit different kids.

Thule offers two versions: one for rack mounting and this one that clamps directly to the bike’s seat tube. It took me no more than five minutes to install it the first time, using just the supplied Allen key.

It attaches to the seat tube using one large bracket bolted to two smaller brackets on the opposite side. This assembly can be moved up and down the seat tube, allowing it to be adjusted for different weight children. The more they weigh, the higher you would want it off the wheel to prevent any wheel rub, for instance.

Once on, the seat locks securely in place with an integrated key system, and it’s just as easy to remove when not in use. I didn’t test how secure the locked seat was, but the little pulling I did while locked suggests it wouldn’t be easy to nick.

The mount itself is clean and low profile, which is a nice touch when you’re riding without the seat. It also has soft rubber on the inners of the bracket, so shouldn’t damage your paintwork. I can’t claim I used this during the deep winter where salt and dirt could get in there, but from my experience it didn’t leave a mark on the frame.

Within the seat itself there is plenty of adjustability, too. Each strap can be shortened or lengthened relatively easily with a single slider. Also, points for being able to put one side in at a time rather than needing to piece both together and plug them in as one piece, as is common with a lot of child seats (though the buckle can be a bit stiff).

The seat itself can be adjusted forwards and backwards along the metal bracket to accommodate different size children…

…and the footrests raised and lowered as required.

There’s no recline option, as you get with some seats, but the angle seemed to suit my son just fine. There’s also less side protection than you get with some child seats, but again I didn’t feel it was an issue for us.

At 4.6kg, the Yepp 2 Maxi isn’t the lightest seat out there, but it doesn’t feel bulky when riding, and the handling of the bike remains manageable, even with a kid on board.

Also, in my opinion, this is one of the best-looking rear child seats on the market. It has a sleek and Scandi aesthetic combined with muted colours and nice curves. It’s obviously not the most important thing when it comes to a child seat, but is something that I noticed compared to others.

Value

The Yepp 2 Maxi’s RRP of £139.99 puts it comfortably in the mid-range for child bike seats. Considering the ease of use, build quality, and comfort, I’d say it’s worth the money. I don’t normally mention resale value for bike kit, but this holds its value fairly well compared with car seats, which is increasingly important for 21st century parents.

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It’s a fiver more than the Hamax Amaze Child Bike Seat, which has a very similar design, while the Bobike Exclusive Tour – which is similarly frame mounted, with the metal bracket offering suspension – is £15 less at £125. It’s bulkier, but looks to offer increased head protection.

Conclusion

Overall, the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi is an impressive rear child seat that combines comfort, security, and ease of use. Whether you’re hauling a toddler or a five-year-old, this seat worked well, especially with its adjustability enabling me to make it more comfortable for my son and myself.

Verdict

Good-looking child seat that works well, with plenty of adjustability

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