Riding with the baby
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Riding with the baby
Hello,
Well, my son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
Well, my son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
#2
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Home alone
Posts: 6,017
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Chels
Hello,
Well, my son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
Well, my son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
The trailer is sooooooooo much more easy to pull than i ever imagined. It also is nice because there is room for the kid to play with his/her toys and to put drinks etc. My kids even bring books. So the bike seat is definitely not easier and definitely not safer. Go with a good trailer, a Burley or something like that. I spent around $170 on a Schwinn at Target. It works great for what we do and has a rain cover, net cover, etc.
Don't forget a helmet. That is the biggest problem if you buy a cheaper trailer is that the back of the helmet hits the back of the trailer and the helmet slides over your kids face. This aggravates the kid. I basically fixed this by buying helmets with more vertical backs (more like football helmets) and using a couple pillows behind the kids to provide more clearance behind the head.
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by Ranger
The bike trailer is by far a much safer option. Child's seats for bikes are very dangerous and you can just Google it to find any number of reasons why.
The only "kiddie" accident I know about around here was when a kiddie trailer, being pulled by a bike, was hit by a car in an intersection. The biker simply did not realize how long it took to clear the intersection with a trailer, and the auto hit the trailer. Fortunately, only minor injuries to the kid.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,794
Bikes: litespeed, cannondale
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It would seem to me that trailers would be safer then kiddie seats. If you crash, I would think that the trailer would probably stay upright. I would wonder if they child might be harmed in a crash whilst in a kiddie seat.
I have heard from parents that small children can nap and play with toys while in the trailer and they were quite pleased with them.
However, one of our local riders, Diane, had a child and her girl did fine in a child seat until she graduated to being a stoker on a tandem.
I have heard from parents that small children can nap and play with toys while in the trailer and they were quite pleased with them.
However, one of our local riders, Diane, had a child and her girl did fine in a child seat until she graduated to being a stoker on a tandem.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 352
Bikes: Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Go the safe way and go with the trailer for children, if you do use a rack on the bike there is always the possibility of hitting a pothole or crack in the road, and then we would need to fear the worst. Yes, if the bike were to fall I believe the trailer stays upright so the child is unharmed, but to have the child sitting on the bike with you is a serious risk.
#6
Look out!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 138
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock, Raleigh Record Ace, Argon 18 700.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
We recently bought a trailer for our 2 year old daughter. I found the following article informative:
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
#7
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by Vision-
We recently bought a trailer for our 2 year old daughter. I found the following article informative:
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
Simply an opinion piece. No research at all.
#8
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Home alone
Posts: 6,017
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
As we were parents of young children far before the advent of trailers (and helmets, by the way), I am curious as to why you consider trailers safer? We did ride with kiddie seats (and also one in my Gerry backpack) and did just fine, as did many others. No accidents that we heard about.
The only "kiddie" accident I know about around here was when a kiddie trailer, being pulled by a bike, was hit by a car in an intersection. The biker simply did not realize how long it took to clear the intersection with a trailer, and the auto hit the trailer. Fortunately, only minor injuries to the kid.
The only "kiddie" accident I know about around here was when a kiddie trailer, being pulled by a bike, was hit by a car in an intersection. The biker simply did not realize how long it took to clear the intersection with a trailer, and the auto hit the trailer. Fortunately, only minor injuries to the kid.
Mainly trailers are considered safer because they are about 4 inches off of the ground, which doesn't leave gravity a lot of room to work with when it comes to falling. Your reasoning reminds me of so many grandparents that refuse to buckle their grandkids into child seats. "Oh we used to haul you kids all over the country and you didn't die," they say. (saying this to the little kid's parents)
"That doesn't mean anything, so you got lucky and nobody ever got killed, so what? THat is no reason to risk the life of your grandkids," is my reply. I know that you didn't say anything about seat belt use and i am only referring to the fact that you mentioned that you used to do it a different way and that should make it ok.
My point is that just because something used to be done a certain way, doesn't mean it should continue that way. Twenty years ago nobody used to wear a seatbelt. This video illustrates why we all should.
WARNING THIS IS GRAPHIC. CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by Ranger
Mainly trailers are considered safer because they are about 4 inches off of the ground, which doesn't leave gravity a lot of room to work with when it comes to falling. Your reasoning reminds me of so many grandparents that refuse to buckle their grandkids into child seats. "Oh we used to haul you kids all over the country and you didn't die," they say. (saying this to the little kid's parents)
"That doesn't mean anything, so you got lucky and nobody ever got killed, so what? THat is no reason to risk the life of your grandkids," is my reply. I know that you didn't say anything about seat belt use and i am only referring to the fact that you mentioned that you used to do it a different way and that should make it ok.
My point is that just because something used to be done a certain way, doesn't mean it should continue that way. Twenty years ago nobody used to wear a seatbelt. This video illustrates why we all should.
WARNING THIS IS GRAPHIC. CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
"That doesn't mean anything, so you got lucky and nobody ever got killed, so what? THat is no reason to risk the life of your grandkids," is my reply. I know that you didn't say anything about seat belt use and i am only referring to the fact that you mentioned that you used to do it a different way and that should make it ok.
My point is that just because something used to be done a certain way, doesn't mean it should continue that way. Twenty years ago nobody used to wear a seatbelt. This video illustrates why we all should.
WARNING THIS IS GRAPHIC. CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
Asking a question is NOT "reasoning," and you really ought to learn the difference between a discussion and a question and accusing someone of false or incorrect reasoning.
I have NEVER stated that trailers are or are not safer than bicycle seats - I was asking why it was now thought so.
You are implying words I never stated and thoughts I never thought.
And what in the world does seat belts have to do with bike trailers? Talk about faulty reasoning!
Here is a much better article, IMHO.
Grrr!
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-01-04 at 03:07 PM.
#10
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Vision-
We recently bought a trailer for our 2 year old daughter. I found the following article informative:
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...dcarriers.html
www.bhsi.org/little1s.htm
There seems to be some contradictory opinion between the two, specifically on the likelihood of a trailer flipping over. The Harvard article cites the stability of the trailer as a plus. The BHSI ariticle talks about how easily trailers flip. Intuitively it seems that it would be hard to flip a trailer over just from road hazards or cornering.
Could someone with some trailer experience shed some light?
#11
Look out!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 138
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock, Raleigh Record Ace, Argon 18 700.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
While I don't necessarily disagree with the conclusions of that article, the reasoning to get to the point is filled with misconceptions and half-truths.
Simply an opinion piece. No research at all.
Simply an opinion piece. No research at all.
It's interesting that you made the following statement to Ranger,
"You are implying words I never stated and thoughts I never thought." after doing exactly that to me.
#12
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by Vision-
I never claimed it was anything other than an opinion piece. The author clearly states that fact.
It's interesting that you made the following statement to Ranger,
"You are implying words I never stated and thoughts I never thought." after doing exactly that to me.
It's interesting that you made the following statement to Ranger,
"You are implying words I never stated and thoughts I never thought." after doing exactly that to me.
Ranger talks aboiut my "reasoning" when in fact, there was no reasoning, only a question. Two quite different things. Your analogy fails the test of parallelism.
Here is an example of "parallelism"
https://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/sat/part2/sds2p1.asp
2.2 Analogy
In this section you are asked to assess the relationship between a pair of words that is given to you (in capital letters) and then to recognize a similar or parallel relationship in another pair included as one of the five multiple-hoice answers given. Here is an example of an analogy question:
Each question below consists of a related pair of words or phrases, followed by five pairs of words or phrases. Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.
ARTIST : PAINTING
(A) driver : car
(B) pedestrian : road
(C) composer : symphony
(D) surgeon : operation
(E) mailman : letter
The correct answer is (C). Just as an artist creates a painting a composer creates a symphony.
2.2 Analogy
In this section you are asked to assess the relationship between a pair of words that is given to you (in capital letters) and then to recognize a similar or parallel relationship in another pair included as one of the five multiple-hoice answers given. Here is an example of an analogy question:
Each question below consists of a related pair of words or phrases, followed by five pairs of words or phrases. Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.
ARTIST : PAINTING
(A) driver : car
(B) pedestrian : road
(C) composer : symphony
(D) surgeon : operation
(E) mailman : letter
The correct answer is (C). Just as an artist creates a painting a composer creates a symphony.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-02-04 at 09:10 AM.
#13
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cycling with baby
Hello,
I asked this question in the "general" forum but perhaps it is better discussed here. My son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
I asked this question in the "general" forum but perhaps it is better discussed here. My son is now one-year old, so I am getting excited about taking him out with me on rides. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. I am trying to decide between a trailer and a rack-mounted seat. In some ways the trailer seems best - it looks comfortable for the boy (especially if he wants to sleep) and the ride is smooth. On the other hand it seems like riding with the seat would be much easier and possibly safer. Any advice?
Also, what brand of baby helmets to people like?
Thanks
#14
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/57779-biking-infant-seat-trailer.html
Your kid is a bit older but the discussion is along the same lines.
Your kid is a bit older but the discussion is along the same lines.
#15
Look out!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 138
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock, Raleigh Record Ace, Argon 18 700.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
No, I never said you stated it was opinion or research. I simply observed that it was not research.
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
Ranger talks about my "reasoning" when in fact, there was no reasoning, only a question. Two quite different things. Your analogy fails the test of parallelism.
Here is an example of "parallelism"
Here is an example of "parallelism"
Your example of parallelism is just patronizing pseudo intellectualism.
#16
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Home alone
Posts: 6,017
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
But bike trailers have drawbacks of their own, like reduced communication. Also, the ride can be quite rough. There is extra length to contend with, which can hinder maneuverability. Another factor is that trailers cost much more than seats.
1. Extra Length....We're not pulling a semi trailer here. This is a non issue.
2. Reduced Communication. "Hey dad, i'm slobbering all over myself back here and i think in a couple miles i am going to crap my pants. How is it going up there?" said the one year old.
3. Cost. Well heck, if it costs more it must be bad.