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BUYER'S GUIDE

Best child bike seats and trailers 2024 — bring your little ones along for the ride

Your guide to child carriers to suit all budgets

With one of the best child seats or trailers parenthood doesn't have to be the end of cycling. Once your youngster is old enough you can take them along with you on a child seat on your bike or a trailer behind. Based on a wide range of user reviews from around the web, these are the best child seats and trailers you can buy.

You can carry Junior in a child seat as soon as they can support their own head, usually from about six to nine months. Trailers can carry children from even earlier as they can just lie down and doze off.

Front-mounted child seats are less common in the UK, but their fans love being able to easily communicate with their kids.

The biggest child seats — like the Bobike Classic — can carry kids up to 35kg, or around ten years old

The best child seats

Avenir Snug Child Seat

Avenir Snug Child Seat.jpg

This well-reviewed child seat has its own mount that clamps the seat tube, so you don't need anything else, and is considered a bit of a bargain.

Amazon reviewer C. Isherwood said: "My son was very comfortable and very safe and we have had so much fun with this now that the weather is getting better. I can't praise this enough. Don't pay a fortune for a child bike seat. This is brilliant and does everything you need."

There's also a version that mounts on a rack.

Find an Avenir dealer

Thule Yepp Mini

Yepp Mini.jpg

In a previous version of this guide commenter KiwiMike said: "I'm amazed that the Yepp Mini isn't there. It fits onto both quill and Aheadset-style bikes, fits with one hand - we sometimes took it on/off with a sleeping child still strapped in. It also locks, has the sleep mat, windscreen, your knees are safe and it weighs bugger all. When it's removed the bike is almost totally normal, unlike the WeeRide that still has a stupid heavy steel girder in place.

"Seriously guys, put the Yepp Mini in there. You're doing parents a disservice by omitting it."

Find a Thule Yepp dealer

Bobike Classic Junior

bobike-junior-classic-rear-child-seat-urban-black-EV191173-8500-1.jpg

In a previous version of this guide commenter Username praised the Bobike Classic: "We upgraded to this when our girl exceeded the weight for her Hamax.

"I must say I had my doubts because it was already a handful riding with her bouncing around in Hamax, upsetting the bike's balance, which meant one had to be a very confident cyclist to cope with it but the Bobike Junior is a revelation because it doesn't bounce.

"It is fixed firmly and despite the fact she is now a few years older, taller, heavier, than before the Bobike makes it easy to cope with her on the back.

"It's rated to 35 kgs, or roughly aged 10, and I can see us still using it for quite a while.

"Fully recommended."

Find a Bobike dealer

Hamax Siesta

Hamax Siesta.jpeg

Suitable for children older than 9 months and up to 22kg, this seat can be tilted back 20° so that Junior can have a nap, hence the name Siesta.

It has a tall back and high sides with double buckle system means you can strap your child in quickly and securely.

There are two versions. The one shown above mounts on a bracket that you add to your bike, or you can get a model that mounts on an existing rear rack.

Find a Hamax dealer

WeeRide Safefront

Weeride safe front child seat

The latest front-mounted childseat from WeeRide has its own mounting bar that fits between the seatpost and handlebar stem, so once it's set up the seat itself can be removed quickly.

For year-round kid-carrying, WeeRide also make a windscreen to keep the weather off your young 'un. It might make your bike look like a moped, but a happy passenger is worth looking a bit daft.

Find a WeeRide dealer

Topeak BabySeat II with rack

Topeak babyseat 2.jpg

Another recommendation from a road.cc reader, DaveE128, who says: "I would recommend (from experience) both the Topeak Babysitter II and the Copilot Limo. [The Limo seems to be no longer available in the UK - Ed]

"Both mount onto a rack. My preference between the two is the Topeak. This can be easily fitted to bikes with disk brakes, and although it doesn't have an adjustable recline feature, this isn't great on the Copilot anyway.

"I would warn that when towards the upper end of the weight range though, that with a lighter weight frame (eg my CX/adventure cross/commuter Pinnacle Arkose Two) you don't want to stand up, as it makes the frame flex scarily. It's much better on a mountain bike.

"For either seat, you can keep the rack on the bike and use it for commuting with panniers, or in the case of the Topeak, a rack top back and a rack-mounted rear light/reflector."

Find a Topeak dealer

Hamax Caress

Hamax-Caress-Bike-Childseat-Child-Seats-White-Black-HAMCAR8B-0.jpg

The deluxe model in Hamax's extensive range, the Caress also has a sleeping position, plus redesigned footrest and harness systems and rear reflectives for visibility.

Find a Hamax dealer

The best trailers

WeeRide Co Pilot Tagalong Trailer Bike

WeeRide Co-Pilot Tagalong

This popular single-wheel trailer effectively turns your bike into a tandem; Junior has their own pedals so can contribute or just relax and encourage you to go faster. It attaches to your bike's seat post via a quick-release fitting that makes it easy to remove, and it's hinged in the middle to make it easy to store or pop in a car boot.

It's recommended for riders between four and nine years old, up to 35kg.

Find a WeeRide dealer

Burley Bee

Burley Bee

With room for two kids, this classic trailer has additional storage space for all their bits and pieces and is reported to be very stable and easy to tow.

Wiggle reviewer NewDadExperiencedRider says: "The Bee is very stable and it gives the impression that the cargo (my daughter) is very secure. It tows easily and is very light, the weight is comparable to a light road bike. It is a well engineered piece of kit and attaching both the trailer and connecting bracket to the bike is less than a 5 minute job. Once the bracket is on your bike you simply clip in and out in seconds."

Find a Burley dealer

Thule Chariot Cross

thule_chariot_lite.jpg

Babies don't come cheap, and forking out £800 on a bike trailer may not be your number one priority, but the Thule Chariot Cross looks like a wise investment. Suitable for children up to about 30kg (roughly 6 months to around 5 years), and even younger with the Infant Sling (around £70) designed for babies 1 to 10 months, this trailer is robust and nimble enough for both town and track, making it ideal for keeping the family mobile when there is a little one in tow.

It's also a favourite of road.cc readers, one of whom called it "the Rolls Royce of Thule's Chariot range of child carriers". With a lightweight aluminium alloy frame, it'll take up to 34kg of kid and kit.

At heart, the Cross 1 is a stroller on steroids, and comes with the bike attachment it's shown with above. It can be converted into a three-wheeled jogging stroller, a round-town four-wheeler and even a ski trailer.

There's also a two-child version, the Cross 2 for £1,099.99, and there's a vast range of accessories.

Read our review of the very similar Thule Chariot Cougar 1
Find a Thule Chariot dealer

Tout Terrain Singletrailer

Tout Terrain Singletrailer.jpg

Reader wstephenson describes this as "the only trailer that doesn't feel like you're hauling a wheelbarrow full of bricks using a bungee cord as soon as you put the power on, and it's great with a road bike or MTB. Has lots of happy daddy daughter miles with ours."

With a chromoly steel frame and just one wheel, it's light at a claimed 9.5kg and a built-in air shock helps keep Junior comfortable if you want to take it off road.

The Singletrailer famously co-starred in this classic Danny Macaskill video.

Find a Tout Terrain dealer

Things to know about child seats and trailers

To take a young child along on your bike you have three main options: a seat behind your saddle; a seat on the top tube; or a trailer.

The classic behind-the-saddle child seat either sits on a rack or has its own mounting system to attach it to the bike. It will usually cradle your kid, with a high back and sides so they can fall asleep without falling out, leg guards and a harness. It should be designed so that your sprog shouldn't be able to get their feet or fingers into the spokes.

Once a child gets a bit bigger and heavier, they can make a bike with a rear-mounted child seat a bit top-heavy, and affect the handling.

Your child needs to be able to hold their head up on their own to be comfortable in a child seat. That's usually from six to nine months old, but check out what each seat says about the minimum age it supports and follow that guidance.

The front-mounted seat, that sits on the top tube so the child is between your arms, is the least common option in the UK, but more often seen in Europe. It has the advantage that your child is very close to you, so communication is easy, and kids enjoy being able to see where they're going.

A trailer can accommodate very young children, as they can just lie down and doze off. Your child sits in their own little carriage behind the bike, which is very comfortable, but you may worry that you're a bit out of touch with the child.

Junior probably won't be very bothered as they're enclosed in a spacious bubble and protected from the elements. If you need to transport a child by bike all year round, this is the way to go.

Trailers are the most expensive option, but they hold decent resale values if looked after and you can use them for much more than just carrying children; a trailer is perhaps the best way of carrying shopping too.

About road.cc Buyer's Guides

The aim of road.cc buyer's guides is to give you the most, authoritative, objective and up-to-date buying advice. We continuously update and republish our guides, checking prices, availability and looking for the best deals.

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road.cc buyer's guides are maintained by the road.cc tech team. Email us with comments, corrections or queries.

John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

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21 comments

Avatar
MrGear | 3 years ago
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I've got one of these Qibbel Junior seats, which is great for slightly older kids (5-10 years). It needs a sturdy rack, but dutch/utility bikes usually have those. It's very secure, but equally can be removed in seconds when needed. You might need to buy seperate footpegs.

This company do a range of similar products:

https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/bicycle-seat/qibbel-bicycle-seat/qibbe...

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AlexChief | 4 years ago
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I've had a Feva Star top tube seat for about a year. Chose it because it is easy to swap between bikes, won't damage a carbon frame and is relatively cheap. When it arrived I was sceptical that a few bits of foam and some straps would do the job but it's been brilliant. I find it best on my mountain bike or cyclo-cross bike as the top tube is longer so there's more space and your riding position is more upright but no regrets at all on the purchase.

Image: 
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Panslanepaul | 4 years ago
1 like

We have a doggyride trailer and the issue that will crop up more and more is through axle and indeed disc brake compatibility. The axle mount fits onto a QR or bolted axle but the secondary retaining strap is not recommended for disc equipped bikes owing to the potential to snag on the rotor. The axle mount won't fit my Cannondale Topstone, and the solution the DoggyRide people are working on is to make the attachment via one of their rear rack/carriers (i.e. over the wheel) so something else to buy to add to the cost.

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Shouldbeinbed | 4 years ago
2 likes

Zombie posting 😁

I had a previous incarnation of the Burley Bee when my kids were smaller. Excellent trailer, I wish I'd kept it for cargo when they outgrew it. (hindsight, aaah).

Very solid, reliable, good space for 2 at 5-6 y. o. & a little 'boot' too. The linkage was able to accommodate the odd rear end of my Birdy folder as easily as a regular rear triangle & was completely secure.

I can vouch for how safely it kept them too when I got caught out by a mini railway track, wedged my front wheel and the impetus of me & bike falling over tipped the trailer on its side.
My two were perfectly safe, still strapped in and after putting them right, both asked to do it again.

If you are on the lookout for a trailer, I found the Burley excellent & a big mistake to sell it on once the kids grew up a bit.

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Nepomucene | 5 years ago
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Been using a qeridoo speedkid2 for 3 years now and could not be happier with the purchase. Thing 1&2 (6y & 4y) are now a bit cozy, but still the best option when going further than they can cycle! (And significantly cheaper than Thule  1 )

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only1redders | 5 years ago
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I have a Chariot Lite and whilst I haven't yet used it for cycling, it's brilliant as a running buggy and allows me to get out and exercise without the guilt of leaving the little one at home with her mum. Only negative I have with it thus far is the rain cover, which attaches via hooked loops and is so tight against the frame that it steams up on the inside, as there aren't any ventilation holes

Debating on whether to go to a tailor's/camping shop to see if they can get some holes in it without completely ruining it. Any thoughts, fellow commentors?

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Eton Rifle replied to only1redders | 5 years ago
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only1redders wrote:

I have a Chariot Lite and whilst I haven't yet used it for cycling, it's brilliant as a running buggy and allows me to get out and exercise without the guilt of leaving the little one at home with her mum. Only negative I have with it thus far is the rain cover, which attaches via hooked loops and is so tight against the frame that it steams up on the inside, as there aren't any ventilation holes

Debating on whether to go to a tailor's/camping shop to see if they can get some holes in it without completely ruining it. Any thoughts, fellow commentors?

You could try Scottish Mountain Gear. They do modifications and repairs to all kinds of outdoor kit. I haven't personally used them but have seen plenty of satisfied customers.

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bechdan | 6 years ago
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Halfords own single bike trailer is pretty decent, probably not as fancy as the Burly but its about £80

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Roady replied to bechdan | 5 years ago
1 like
bechdan wrote:

Halfords own single bike trailer is pretty decent, probably not as fancy as the Burly but its about £80

Have one of these and it's done around 1100 miles now with zero issues. Nearly all weathers (avoiding the worst of the Ice/Rain). Little boy started Nursery at around 8kg in August 2018, 3 days a week (4.2 miles each way) and absolutely loves it! We've towed it with our Road/Gravel bikes, although hitching to my carbon thru axle frame was a pain. Hydraulic disc brakes with it are superb. Riding with a powermeter and it into a headwind is interesting and some quality threshold training!

Mini is now nearly 21 months old and weighs 15-16kg. He's getting harder to carry/pull and I would say is reaching the limit of the trailer. They have a recommended 18kg total cargo 'limit'. We're looking at the Weehoo IGO 'Turbo' series next, but will possibly push the 'Chariot' a bit longer then just go the Trailgator route instead.

The Weehoo IGO series are superb and are a huge thing to be missing from this list!

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NPlus1Bikelights | 6 years ago
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If you find the price of a Burley trailer too painful the Bellelli Bike Taxi is very good. Don't pay more than £200 for a twin though. Hard base it pretty bombproof, some storage at the back, very waterproof covers, roll back the rain cover to reveal insect netting for summer. Holds a 2 year old and a 4 year old easily. My one gripe is they changed the latest model so that you cannot put a single child in the middle by using one piece of each seat belt, they now have to be on one side which affects handling. Also folds down very compactly with wheels stored inside. They also have excellent customer support from Italy if you need e.g. replacement removable reflectors which snap too easily when loading kids/ parking (I modified mine to be magneticly fixed).

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LastBoyScout | 6 years ago
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We've got the WeeRide - it's not without it's problems.

If you have a small frame/short head tube and suspension forks, you have to be careful the foot rests don't foul the tops of the forks, which somewhat cuts down the range of adjustment. My wife is also pretty much resting her chin on little one's helmet (don't start, you know who you are!), so there isn't much growing room.

I've also tried putting the WeeRide on my bike, but have had to lower my saddle a chunk to be able to get my feet down solidly when stopping, as you can't slide off the front of the saddle as you normally would. That also robs you of some leg power and you end up riding a bit like John Wayne to avoid banging your knees.

That said, they get a much better view and it's easier to chat with the little'un. I had my friend's 5-year old on it while my little one was having a sleep in their chariot.

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bechdan replied to LastBoyScout | 6 years ago
1 like
LastBoyScout wrote:

We've got the WeeRide - it's not without it's problems.

If you have a small frame/short head tube and suspension forks, you have to be careful the foot rests don't foul the tops of the forks, which somewhat cuts down the range of adjustment. My wife is also pretty much resting her chin on little one's helmet (don't start, you know who you are!), so there isn't much growing room.

I've also tried putting the WeeRide on my bike, but have had to lower my saddle a chunk to be able to get my feet down solidly when stopping, as you can't slide off the front of the saddle as you normally would. That also robs you of some leg power and you end up riding a bit like John Wayne to avoid banging your knees.

That said, they get a much better view and it's easier to chat with the little'un. I had my friend's 5-year old on it while my little one was having a sleep in their chariot.

 

Sounds like youd really benefit from a dropper seatpost

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Chris Hayes | 6 years ago
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We ran a Chariot CX1.  Superb piece of kit.  Sold it on eBay for not much less than we bought it 3 years later. Probably cost 30 quid a year.  Could have easily doubled-up as a pram too, but my wife insisted on a 'proper one', and then another.... They didn't sell so well. 

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Chris Hayes | 6 years ago
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We ran a Chariot CX1.  Superb piece of kit.  Sold it on eBay for not much less than we bought it 3 years later. Probably cost 30 quid a year.  Could have easily doubled-up as a pram too, but my wife insisted on a 'proper one', and then another.... They didn't sell so well. 

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Chris Hayes | 6 years ago
0 likes

We ran a Chariot CX1.  Superb piece of kit.  Sold it on eBay for not much less than we bought it 3 years later. Probably cost 30 quid a year.  Could have easily doubled-up as a pram too, but my wife insisted on a 'proper one', and then another.... They didn't sell so well. 

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luisgutz | 6 years ago
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I'm surprised the FollowMe Tandem (https://www.followmetandem.co.uk) wasn't mentioned.

It's a somewhat heavy solution when compared to tag-alongs (about 8kg for the gadget, plus your kids bike), but technically is very very good: The center of gravity remains low, hence the whole system is stable; it tracks your bike without any surprise lines; its easy to attach/detach...

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louismichaels replied to luisgutz | 4 years ago
0 likes

I had one of these. It was brilliant! 
Once attached to our tandem we were a very long articulated vehicle!

Image: 
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IanEdward | 6 years ago
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I'm already starting to think about this now that mini-me is sleeping in his rucsac, seems he's ready for a child seat! My concern is which bikes can take the Hamax style seat tube bracket?

I have a Trek Superfly, not crazy light carbon exotica, but still a relatively racey aluminium frame. How do you know when your frame is too light for a seat-tube mounted child seat?

Will consider getting an extra long seatpost to provide some overlap, but I'm already near the top of the stock 400mm post...

 

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LastBoyScout replied to IanEdward | 6 years ago
0 likes
IanEdward wrote:

I'm already starting to think about this now that mini-me is sleeping in his rucsac, seems he's ready for a child seat! My concern is which bikes can take the Hamax style seat tube bracket?

I have a Trek Superfly, not crazy light carbon exotica, but still a relatively racey aluminium frame. How do you know when your frame is too light for a seat-tube mounted child seat?

Will consider getting an extra long seatpost to provide some overlap, but I'm already near the top of the stock 400mm post...

The bigger issue I've found is cable routing - I bought a hybrid especially to put the Siesta on, as the bracket wouldn't work with the top-pull front mech on my old mountain bike.

I was equally wary about putting it on my racier mountain bike but, again, the top-pull front mech negated even trying.

The bracket is supposedly designed to work with top-pull mechs, but, in practice, the rubber padding makes it too thick to work, unless you have a lot of stand-off clearance between the cable and seat tube.

 

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dottigirl | 7 years ago
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I've ridden with a couple of dog trailers (occupied and not, and also full of shopping) and didn't think they were that bad. Yes, a bit more work but not drastically so. Dog trailers are a little different though - the CoG is lower to the ground as they don't have to have seats in, or as many 'safety' concerns, so they're probably lighter. 

However, one dog disliked the trailer so much, he fought his way out. I believe the same applies to children as I've used them too - some are OK, and some hate it. 

Child sears are easier to use with a wide and straight bar bike - if your handling is twitchy with drop bars, it's even worse with more, high weight on the rear. Ditto trailabikes, especially if the coupling lets the bike rock. 

If you are using a child seat without solid leg sections (as the readers recommend above), please be aware that it increases the chance of clothes or body parts getting caught in the wheel, so make sure everything is tied down tightly.

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Jamminatrix | 7 years ago
2 likes

We bought a Burley trailer for our dog a few years ago, removed seats and made flat carpeted deck for her. We bought it for casual rides to the beach, not serious riding. Even with the trailer empty, that thing is like a parachute​... Huge airbrake. Add a 80 pound retriever, now that's a workout! Mad respect to anyone who does serious mileage with one.

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