w8up4me

Does anyone have one? If so, what are the pro's and con's of your experience with it. I know search the forums, but all the comments are from people who do not own one. I'd like to buy one for my daughter, but I don't know if it's worth the extra 50 bucks for it. I like it cause it "seems" to give you more knee room. It also "seems" like it would be difficult to get a child in and out with there legs so close to the handle bars. Also, are they sitting too close to the dashboard controls, most importantly the front brake. The LBS's only sell rear seats and trailiers, so they're no help. All I have to go on is picture's and assumptions. Please share your experience.

Owner

I had the same questions as you and similar difficulty finding feedback from actual owners, so I just bit the bullet and ordered one. It's still in transit, but I'll update you once I receive it and try it out.

masiman

Not having ridden one, my view is:

1) Legroom could be a factor for a squirmy child
2) My guess is that steering will be more greatly affected than with a top tube mounted child seat.
3) I would also guess that your CG (ctr of grav.) will be more greatly affected. Higher chance of an endo, more steering resistance than with top tube mount.
4) Slow speed steering may be more difficult in that the child and seat may interfere with your being able to turn the handlebars as far as you would like (the higher the speeds the lesser the steering angles used).
5) Lower child weight capability than top tube mount.
6) Potential that your current stem, bar and lever/shifter (lever/shifter on MTB mainly) setup will have to be modified to fit the seat and child.

It looks like alot of fun for the kids. Probably a smaller usability window than other child carrying methods due to size and weight limitations. Looks like you will have more leg/knee room than with the top tube mount carriers. Let us know how handling is.

JeffS

I feel stupid, but I'm still not entirely sure how it attaches.

It looks like you need to have a long fork with spacers. Are you removing some of the spacers and clamping directly to the head steerer tube? If so, does this cause any potential issues with getting correct preload on the headset?

I've been putting off a purchase, but my daughter is quickly approaching the age that I need something.

Of all the options I've seen, I strongly prefer the bobike. The only problem is it requires a 1" threaded stem and I don't have such a bike - and am having a hard time finding one that's not a) a rustbucket or b) too expensive.

[edit] after a second look, it appears that there is now an "ATB" mount that might work.

Owner

We've now ridden a few times with it. Installation was very simple: just tighten two bolts. The strap system really sucks, but it's just a minor nuisance. Our toddler really loves riding in it. When pedaling, the seat is in the usual path of our knees, so we have to ride with somewhat splayed knees. For slow speed cruising, it's not a big deal, but I wouldn't want to go on a longer or faster ride this way. We mounted it on a women's Schwinn cruiser from Target. Perhaps on a bike with less headtube angle, the seat wouldn't get in the way as much.

Wombatspeed

We got an I-Bert for Christmas. Mounted it on a Kona Blast hardtail MTB (size 19inch, so not a small frame), and the seat, even in its most forward mounting position, would be in the way of my knees. I suppose you could cruise around a flat town for short distances with your knees pointing outwards, but if you want to do any type of distance, or face steep hills which require some leg power, then this is no good.

In principle, this is a nice seat but, from my experience, you will need a very upright and largish frame (i.e. something with a very long head tube) to not have it get in the way of your knees. As mentioned before, the seatbelt is marginal and a bit of a pain to use.

I am sorry it didn't work, as kids tend to have way more fun sitting in the front that in the back (or a trailer).

Otter 718

My daughter turns one in two weeks; I already have her iBert seat, but I'm waiting as patiently as I can for her birthday to get it out for a ride. As long as we get reasonable weather, I'll chime in with a report on her big day!

masiman

The age limit is first full moon after the first birthday......j/k.

My point is that 1 year is not a magic number if that is the reason for not going out. However, if it is this cold spell we are having, that's a different story.

spurdy

I just got my IBert today, and so far I like it. Installation is ridiculously easy. It includes the right allen key (not that you wouldn't have it anyway) and just bolts on your handlebar stem. Seems pretty secure to me.

Getting the baby in and out is pretty easy. I'd like two people, but got her out just fine on my own. Adjusting the harness for the first time's a bit tricky, but once your done you shouldn't have to mess with it for some time. I do like that there is a harness AND a tray to keep them in. It also seems like she'd stay in there without anything, but I wouldn't risk it.

Only took it for a short test drive, but the ride was pretty normal. My knees didn't hit, but I did have to push my legs out a bit wider then normal (may all be in my head). Nothing uncomfortable though. I did have to get used to her being right on my chest though. I wouldn't try getting too much speed going with her on it, but for fun rides and grocery trips and the like it's a great find.

My DD can be very squirmy and can get bored pretty easily, so the front seat seems like it will keep her engaged in the ride. Today she was pointing things out and laughing, so I think it's a good sign.

I do like how easily it goes on and off. There's a pin that holds the seat on the mounting arm which comes off very easily. I'll give another update after I've put some miles on it. But so far, it's everything I hoped for.

spurdy

Ok, my follow up with a bit more experience under my belt.

Getting my daughter in and out has gotten MUCH easier. I can do it by myself. The strap system is still a bit wierd, but I've also been getting better at it. As for the mounting system, I like it a lot. I leave the "stinger" attached to the bike, it doesn't get in the way of my riding.

The ride is nice. The sides of my legs sometimes brush against it, which is what makes it feel like you are going to hit your knees. I haven't actually hit my knees on it yet, so it seems like a winner.

The biggest plus is that my daughter likes it. She actually sat down and waited for me to unlock the bike so I could put her in there. That was a BIG step. She would usually be running to chase a pigeon or something of the sort.

Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a young one. Ok, I'll stop talking now.

Otter 718

The big day finally came, and the baby got her present from Daddy, the iBert bike seat. She has seen me bring the bike in and out so much now, she is really drawn to it. She'll run across the room to try to climb on it, and when I pick her up, she rings the bell on the handlebars. The seat puts her in just the right position for a busy little girl; she can touch the handlebars and ring the bell from where she sits. On our first ride, she had a great time. A couple blocks in, she was tilting her head back to smile at me. Our ride was a couple miles round trip, to the playground and back. It had been a long morning already, so she fell asleep in the seat before we got home.

I was surprised at how little effect the seat and the extra weight had on handling. I had no trouble at slow speeds - and my wife had some bike trouble on the way out, so this got a real test. There was no problem hitting my knees either, it sits just barely out of reach. All said, baby girl and I are thrilled with this seat after the first two miles.

masiman

Thanks for the write-up! It sounds like it works very well. How did it work with sleeping? There does not seem to be any head support, so does her head just roll all around? She looks to be about 1 year old. Do you think she will be too big for it next year?

Otter 718

I was really surprised that she fell asleep like that. The back comes up about to her shoulders - I think the heavy coat she was wearing helped to keep her stable. She just sort of fell asleep sitting up. Of course she was very tired, but this does tell me that the seat was comfortable for her.

As for a year from now, I can only guess. I don't know a thing about two year olds. There is definitely room to grow in the leg supports. The only tight spot in my setup is getting her shoes past the shifters, which hang right over the leg supports, but this will probably vary by bike, and could be adjusted. The baby's weight on the front was really a non-issue, which is still surprising to me.

Another effect of the baby up front position: it drew a LOT of attention. Smiles and waves wherever we went, and this was a two mile round-trip on a cold day.

Owner

spurdy and Otter, what model of bikes are you riding? I'm curious because you mentioned you don't have any clearance problems with your knees.

masiman

After your write-up and pics, I think I would prefer the I-bert over the rear child seat carriers for young ones. The only mod I guess you could hope for would be a slightly reclined head rest for when they nod off. It does look tight but manageable with the clearances. How tall are you? I am only wondering if you are taller and thus a bigger bike with more space to fit you and the I-bert. I can't quite tell from the pic but I would guess you are over 6' based on what I can make out of the head tube.

Otter 718

Owner and masiman, regarding the fit - I am 6'3", my bike is a 21" 2005 Schwinn Mesa, which has a 23.9" top tube. I hadn't considered that before, but it seems pretty likely that is why I'm not having the knee clearance issues others have reported.

A headrest might be nice at times like this weekend, but on the other hand, it would stick right into your ribcage. You can see in my pictures how her head is practically cradled in my arms and chest while we're riding.

One change I would like to see is in the mounting system. To be fair, it is really simple to get completely on and off, but I don't want to ride to work and back all week with the 9-10" long bracket hanging off my steerer tube, so I take it off and on with the hex bolts every time. Not a big deal, but a place for improvement.