I went through this just a few months ago. Before my son was born last February I rode either a very lightweight steel racing bike or a Surly Steamroller single speed, neither of which would work at all for carrying a child. I'd admired the Rivs my friends have for a long while so it was a great excuse to buy a Hillborne frame which I built up with a Thule Yepp Next Mini. Originally I had had visions of using the bike both as a baby commuter and a light cross bike, but I haven't done the latter and I'm not sure I ever will.
I'm very happy with how it turned out although I'd probably do things slightly differently if I knew then what I know now. First of all, I should have made the connection that riding with a child is basically the same as doing fully loaded touring, which I did a lot of in my 20s. A Hillborne is burly enough, but I'd probably just get an Atlantis if I could choose from any frame and start over. I also would size up as much as possible. I got a 54cm and fits well, but the cockpit is certainly tight with the kiddo. Albastache bars work great though if the kid sits back and up straight his head is just under my chin. Likewise my knees just barely clear the bottom of the seat on the top of peddlestrokes. I think I'd be happy with the 57cm tradeoff. My kid started riding at 10 months. I would have started at nine months when we was already holding his head up strongly but I had to wait for the Sams to come out and then to finish the build. He mildly resisted the helmet but got used to it quickly and seemed to take to riding right away. He especially loves riding when his mom is around. We've got a tandem coming soon that I can't wait for us all to ride together. He's a big kid and in six months (when he's two) I'll probably transition him to the rear. I have no regrets starting him out front though; it's nice to be able to see him and my guess is he prefers it also. Mostly we ride on errands in the western half of SF and through Golden Gate Park, but occasionally we ride from one end of the city to the other and back. It's a workout since a fair amount of climbing is unavoidable, but comfortable enough for both of us. This summer we went camping in Yosemite Valley and rode all over the valley together, and those rides will be fond memories for the rest of my life. Oh, and for anyone considering the Yepp Next Mini, don't make my mistake and plan on using a canti brake up front: they're not compatible with the Thule seat. On Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 12:47:47 PM UTC-7 wboe...@gmail.com wrote: > Trailer for me when my kids were small. Don't like that unpredictable > weight up high and they grow fast, so any up top solution is very > impermanent. They'll be towing me around soon :) > > Will > > On Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:05:10 AM UTC-4 pbsm...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> Kushan - that's right no room for my legs or knees! My flat bar hybrid >> bike provides the most clearance given it's long top tube but it was still >> uncomfortable. Mountain bikes with very long top tubes may do better. >> >> Smitty >> >> On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 12:26:40 PM UTC-4 Kushan wrote: >> >>> Smitty - >>> >>> May I ask what didn't work about the front seat set up? Was it leg >>> clearance for yourself? Being able to steer (as someone else pointed out >>> earlier). The set up videos of these seats make it look so easy to set up >>> and ride, so I am wondering if there is something specific (like size of >>> frame, presence of horizontal top tub etc) that makes it difficult to use >>> them. >>> >>> I haven't spent much time on a bakfiet/cargo bike but they look so fun >>> and functional. >>> >>> On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 7:19:23 AM UTC-7 pbsm...@gmail.com >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Not too much to add other than I tried a front mounted seat at about >>>> 9-10 months given that my kid was strong enough to hold their head up with >>>> a helmet. The top tube + baby seat wasn't functional on any of my 3 bikes. >>>> It didn't matter either way because the kid hated the bike helmet. I >>>> waited >>>> another 4 or 5 months till the next spring and went with a rear mounted >>>> bike seat, which the kid enjoyed. Been doing daily 9 mile round trip >>>> daycare pick-ups and here is a photo of the very last one before they >>>> started pre-school. Also just took them in for their 3 year check up and >>>> they are now 40 pounds, right at the weight limit for the Yepp Maxi seat. >>>> >>>> We have a 2nd due in January and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth >>>> it to get a box bike and adapt it to hold a baby in a car seat or if I >>>> should just give up on my dreams of getting the baby on the bike for the >>>> first year. DC is about to pass a $1000 rebate for cargo e-bikes purchased >>>> in the city so I've been eying my choice of future baby hauling machine. I >>>> imagine I'll wind up with a long tail but I need to do a lot of test rides >>>> first. >>>> >>>> Smitty in DC >>>> >>>> On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:08:49 AM UTC-4 Davey Two Shoes >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I've had my little dude on the back of the bike since he was 1. He >>>>> loves it. First I used my Sam but now I use my Karate Monkey. Its better >>>>> for the job. >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 1:19:46 PM UTC-4 >>>>> ber...@bernardduhon.com wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Burley recommends 20 months for their child trailer that’s very >>>>>> conservative but the doting grandmother insisted so we did. After they >>>>>> grew >>>>>> out of it the trailer Was and is and excellent grocery and whatever >>>>>> hauler >>>>>> it have passed it around and is back at my house waiting for great >>>>>> grandchildren >>>>>> >>>>>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >>>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>>> *From:* rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> >>>>>> on behalf of Ted W <ted.l...@gmail.com> >>>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, September 2, 2023 7:21:53 AM >>>>>> *To:* rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> >>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [RBW] Re: Babies on bikes >>>>>> >>>>>> > We're riding a Big Dummy now, but it's less used for long rides >>>>>> >>>>>> Do you have one of the covers for the passengers? I’ve seen some with >>>>>> these and it seems like a really neat option. I’ve been considering a >>>>>> cargo >>>>>> bike but I’m worried about the size of the bike making it tricky to >>>>>> park. I >>>>>> already have trouble navigating my Gus through the office elevator when >>>>>> I >>>>>> ride it to work. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sat, Sep 2, 2023 at 10:12 AM 'j glenn' via RBW Owners Bunch < >>>>>> rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> - I didn't get back into riding till my kid was at least 2, but I >>>>>> would highly recommend a high quality solo trailer. We had a Burley >>>>>> Bee. >>>>>> The trailer provided a safe roll cage around the kid and didn't >>>>>> effect the >>>>>> bikes handing so I could get some real fitness riding in on a 20 mile >>>>>> 3 >>>>>> playground tour. We used it for longer rides untill he out grew it. >>>>>> >>>>>> The biggest advantage to the trailer was the environmental shelter it >>>>>> gave. The mesh gover protected from sun an bugs and the plastic >>>>>> cover from >>>>>> cold and rain. We went out in all weather, including out in the snow >>>>>> with >>>>>> studded tires. >>>>>> - We're riding a Big Dummy now, but it's less used for long >>>>>> rides, as it's less comfortable and not as suitable for "wake me up >>>>>> when we >>>>>> get there". The back deck is better for standing up and surfing on >>>>>> though. I have installed Quadrophonic scooters mirrors..... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 8:18:16 AM UTC-4 ted.l...@gmail.com >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> My son is about to turn one and I’ve had him in a rear mounted Thule >>>>>> kids seat since he was about 8 months old. Before that, I played around >>>>>> with mounting his car seat base to the metal frame of one of those >>>>>> side-by-side kid trailers. I only ever used it twice, though, before he >>>>>> was >>>>>> old enough to be in the rear seat. >>>>>> >>>>>> You’re not really supposed to mount car seats to those trailers, but >>>>>> I was able to fabricate a mount that let the base mount the same way it >>>>>> does in the car, allowing the carrier to clip in the same way as it >>>>>> would >>>>>> in the car. Combined with the “roll cage” design of the trailer, I felt >>>>>> comfortable using it for quick rides to the neighborhood park, less than >>>>>> a >>>>>> mile away. >>>>>> >>>>>> The conventional wisdom I’ve heard is that you need to wait until >>>>>> they can hold their head up well with their helmet on. That was >>>>>> technically >>>>>> 7 months for us, but I waited until he was a little bigger and the >>>>>> helmet >>>>>> gift him better. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 11:31 PM Michael Baquerizo <mbaqu...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> it might not just be research but also law. you should check in your >>>>>> area. >>>>>> >>>>>> i started when we were allowed to, i think still before 1 YO. we used >>>>>> a yepp maxi because i didn’t want to have to buy a mini and then a maxi >>>>>> after he grew out of it. but i regretted not being able to have him in >>>>>> the >>>>>> front with me. >>>>>> >>>>>> fast forward a few years and i helped a friend install a mini on his >>>>>> bike w swept back bars. it was impossible to ride around with, and there >>>>>> wasn’t even a kid on it when i tried. turning was impossible. i’m sure >>>>>> there’s an ideal setup for it like a rosco bebbe) but a ‘normal’ bike is >>>>>> not it >>>>>> >>>>>> i still use the yepp maxi on a nitto campee rear rack, for sure not >>>>>> rated for his weight and it’s about time i switch out racks for >>>>>> something >>>>>> beefier. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, September 1, 2023 at 10:58:35 PM UTC-4 Kushan wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Looking for wisdom and advice from the Riv community on riding bikes >>>>>> with babies on them. At what age did you start? What seats, trailers, >>>>>> etc >>>>>> did you use? Where did you ride? >>>>>> >>>>>> My little one just turned 6 months old and I am itching to introduce >>>>>> him to bike rides. He can sit on his own and does pretty well in >>>>>> carriers >>>>>> (both facing in and out). He loves being outside and I would love to do >>>>>> a >>>>>> ride with him on a car-free bike paths or (non-technical) dirt trails. >>>>>> Most >>>>>> online resources recommend biking with babies after 1 year of age but I >>>>>> am >>>>>> not sure if that's based on any actual research. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/23100a0d-6d3f-4bed-b5f4-b5083cca6a1fn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/23100a0d-6d3f-4bed-b5f4-b5083cca6a1fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/69bce26c-cd08-46a4-a846-b866ba75c200n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/69bce26c-cd08-46a4-a846-b866ba75c200n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CANCvShqj1EE%2BGQZLNjOH3%3DFU1-wHP1d%2BGz2c-vobqt1N-P6Bzg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CANCvShqj1EE%2BGQZLNjOH3%3DFU1-wHP1d%2BGz2c-vobqt1N-P6Bzg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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