New Brompton - thoughts on child seats?
 

I've been reading about the merits of owning a folding bike and although I didn't need one, I decided I wanted one all the same!

My local bike shop which is a few minutes walk away kindly lent me a demonstration model a P3L. I wasn't sure about the touring handlebars but I quickly became used to the upright position and I cycled to work with a big grin on my face. It was a blast to ride and was very quick and responsive.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps946e2bbb.jpg

After returning the demo model back to the shop I knew I must buy one. I've a young son and I liked the idea of having it in the car for use on trips out and perhaps buying a toddler seat at some point.

I become a bit obsessive with choosing my model, especially the many different colour combinations and additional accessories.

I placed my order and after only 4 weeks waiting. Here's what I proudly own

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps6d066fcf.jpg

A M6L in orange. Does anyone here own or have any experiences with a child seat on a brompton? I live a short ride away from the local school although my son isn't old enough to go there yet and it would be a quick and easy way of collecting him

Congrats on the Brompton. Awesome bike. I've had mine for about 1 1/2 years and love it.

This might give you a few ideas for a child seat.

https://www.google.com/search?q=brom...l%3B1296%3B968

It is an awesome bike. I've been thinking of buying another one for the wife as she's always saying how good and clever it is.

Ive googled abiut child seats and there's only a few reviews from what I can see. The IT seat looks the best but I don't know how practical a child seat will be on. A brompton

I'm using a Chariot hitch on my Brompton towed Carry Freedom City . trailer.
the hitch elastomer is a ball end.. So, the Chariot kid trailer with that hitch ..

with a Brompton, the rear fold self stand is unimpeded
because of the ball easily rotating in the hitch, fixed under the left axle nut...

details of hitch Thule Chariot Carrier Parts | Bike Kid Shop | Bike Kid

you can cruise the site for the actual 1 & 2 child sized trailers..

a bike seat wont be so useful after they get bigger , like a trailer will be, long after they are pedaling their own bike..

hauling groceries to feed yourselves for example..


Otherwise

There is a Spanish site selling the second saddle mount, to fit in front of you http://www.milianparts.com/en/products/pere/

also this http://www.milianparts.com/en/#!/BRY...tegory=4418112

to atapt to fit one of these http://www.milianparts.com/en/#!/BRY...tegory=4418112

it will all be hanging off the handlebar mast. turning with the wheel

I've been eyeing the IT Chair, but as usual it uses "Brompton pricing". More than US$300 for a fancy piece of bent aluminum which doesn't even come with a seat? Ridiculous. If it was for regular bikes it'll go for less than a US$100.

That said, it seems to lose little value given how difficult it is to find, and the simplicity means there's less to damage. So I guess in the long run, you'd make most of the cost back once you sell it down the road.

I came across this on BikeFun's site:

BIKEfun????

Keep scrolling down, you'll see there's even a little windshield for the ankle-biter.

FYI. The Brompton Owner's Manual states "We do not recommend fitting a child seat to the Brompton, doing so will invalidate the Brompton warranty." in the Safety section, page 2.

The only one i would feel safe for my kid would be this one because of two mount points for safety and stability:

https://www.google.com/search?q=brom...ml%3B480%3B344

I saw a few hooking all that strain directly on the seatpost with a child and seat probably weighing 30lbs+ total it just doesn't feel safe at all , and with that single point of failure that you and the child seat are putting weight on I would not bet my kids life on that since the torsional forces on that seatpost will get very high going over bumps and such due to leverage. For my kid if i'm going to take him for a ride it is on a non folding bike on a rigid child seat with multiple mount points for strength and stability. Some of these people are just gambling with both their lives if things go wrong.

That bikefun one looks nice but you are relying on a SINGLE bolt on the folding hinge to keep your child safe, a SINGLE point of failure on a part that was NEVER tested or even recommended for such stresses by the manufacturer. If that bolt snaps you and your child WILL be going over the bike and can get seriously injured going down headfirst. My folder I only use it for transporting myself but if i really had to I would attach a trailer to it like some here, that way if you go down it'll just be you.

Homebrew it...

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps10e72188.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psf2088b1e.jpg

... or get one of these:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...psdd564273.jpg

Nicely done and on both bikes!

Captain and Rear Admiral.

I work in a bike shop. We sell rear rack bike seats and the one which clips onto the steerer. We actively try to dissuade customers from buying either and try to steer them toward a trailer if they really want to take kids along.

For any folding bike, I'd suggest trailer or trail-a-bike as pictured above.

In the Brompton Bicycle book , there is a picture of a Trail-a-bike .. made out of what else, another Brompton.

http://www.amazon.com/Brompton-Bicyc.../dp/1901464253