Looking for a children’s bike seat? Hollandbikeshop.com has a wide range of children’s bike seats for luggage carrier, frame and front mounting!

What should I pay attention to when buying a bike seat or child seat?

When buying a bike seat, safety comes first. Therefore, it is important that it meets European safety standards. Always check if the seat is marked with the EN 14344 certification. This indicates that the child seat meets the necessary safety requirements. But that's not all.

Always choose a bike seat with a sturdy three-point or five-point harness. What’s the difference? A three-point harness secures your child at the shoulders and between the legs, while a five-point harness also firmly secures the hips. This prevents your child from unbuckling the harness or sliding out of the child seat while cycling. Ensure that the harness cannot be easily released, for example, by a double-click fastening.

Good foot protection is also crucial. Why is foot protection important? It prevents your child's feet from getting caught in the spokes while cycling. Most bike seats have adjustable footrests and straps that keep the little feet securely in place. This is not only safer but also provides extra support for your child's legs, making it more comfortable for longer rides.

Additionally, you need to check if the child seat fits well on your bike. Does every bike seat fit my bike? Not always. Some bikes, especially electric or sporty models, have different handlebar stems or racks. This may mean you need a special adapter to securely attach the seat. Always check the product information of the bike seat to see if it is compatible with your type of bike and if additional accessories such as an adapter are required.

Another important point is the maximum weight that the bike seat can carry. What weight can I use a child seat for? Most front bike seats are suitable for children up to 15 kg, while rear seats are usually suitable for children up to 22 kg. Always check the maximum weight limit to ensure that the bike seat remains safe and comfortable as your child grows.

Which bike seat fits my bike?

Which bike seat fits my bike? This depends on the type of bike. Do I have an old-fashioned bike or a modern city bike? For most city bikes, you can easily mount a bike seat without any issues. However, if you have an old-fashioned bike seat, you may need an adapter. This depends on how the seat needs to be mounted. Especially with bikes that have a narrow rack or an unusual seat post, it is important to check the dimensions.

On a mom bike, a bike with a wider handlebar and more stability, you can often easily install one or even two bike seats. These bikes are designed with transporting children in mind and offer extra sturdiness, especially when parked thanks to the double stand. This ensures that the bike does not tip over, even when your little one is still in the seat.

But what if I have a sporty bike? This can be a bit trickier. Many sporty bikes have the handlebar mounted differently, namely in front of the stem instead of above it. This can cause problems when attaching a bike seat, as there is less space to securely fasten the seat. Therefore, always check if a bike seat is suitable for your type of bike.

Bike seat for an electric bike

How do I choose a bike seat for an e-bike? If you want to buy a bike seat for an electric bike, there are a few extra things to consider. First, you need to determine whether the seat will be mounted at the front or back of the bike.

For a front bike seat, it is important that you still have a good view of the display of your e-bike. Can I still see the display once the seat is installed? Additionally, you need to ensure that your child cannot reach the buttons on the display. The type of stem also plays a role. Some electric bikes have a different stem, which may require an adapter to properly attach the seat.

For a rear bike seat, you mainly pay attention to the rack. Is there enough space between the battery and the rack to install the seat? A wide or unstable rack can cause problems. It is also important to check if the rack can support the weight of your child. This is especially true if the battery of the e-bike is located under the rack.

Age and weight of the child

Which bike seat is suitable for my child's age? The choice of a bike seat depends not only on the bike but also on the age and weight of your child.

• 0-9 months: For the very youngest, a bike seat or baby scale in a cargo bike or bike trailer is the safest option.
• 9 months - 3 years: At this age, a front bike seat is suitable, provided your child can sit up independently.
• 3 - 6 years: For this age, a rear bike seat is better. This offers more space and stability for larger children.
• 6 - 10 years: Older children who still ride with you can use a junior bike seat, which is mounted at the back of the bike.

What age should my child be to sit in a bike seat? As soon as your child can sit up independently, usually around 9 months, you can safely use a front bike seat. For growing children who weigh more, a rear seat is recommended. This provides more stability and allows you to continue cycling easily without being hindered by movement.

Attaching a bike seat

How do I attach a bike seat? Most bike seats come with a mounting bracket that allows you to easily secure the seat. For this, you usually only need a few basic tools, such as a hex key. It remains important to check the product information to ensure that the bike seat fits your bike and supports the maximum weight limit.
Do I need an adapter? This depends on the type of bike and where you want to place the bike seat. For front bike seats, which are attached to the stem or the top tube, an adapter is usually not needed. However, for bikes with an unusual stem or for e-bikes, an adapter may be necessary.

Attaching a bike seat at the back

How do I attach a bike seat at the back? For bike seats mounted at the back of the bike, there are generally two ways to attach them: to the seat post or to the rack.

• Attachment to the seat post: Some bike seats are designed to be directly attached to the seat post. This is ideal for bikes without a standard rack or for bikes where the rack is too weak to carry a seat.
• Attachment to the rack: Bike seats that are mounted on the rack are often quicker and easier to attach. But what if my rack differs from the standard? Some bikes, especially electric bikes, have different racks, and an adapter may be needed to securely fasten the seat. An example of this is the MIK system. 

The MIK system

What is the MIK system? The MIK system (Mounting Is Key) is an innovative click system that allows you to easily and quickly attach bike accessories, including bike seats, to your rack. This system is especially handy for bikes equipped with a MIK rack, but there are also adapters available for bikes that do not have a MIK rack.

• Easy installation: Thanks to the click system, you can attach or detach accessories like a bike seat with a single action.
• Universal compatibility: The MIK system is compatible with many different bikes and accessories. If your bike does not have a MIK rack, you can use a MIK adapter plate to still benefit from the system.
• Flexibility: Do I need a MIK system if I want to quickly switch my bike seat? Yes, the system makes it very easy to quickly transfer your bike seat to another bike with a MIK rack or adapter. This is handy if you share the seat with another bike.

With the MIK system, you can attach and swap accessories, such as bike bags and bike seats, hassle-free, which is ideal for parents who use multiple bikes or frequently switch accessories.

Different adapters

What types of adapters are there? Depending on your bike and the type of bike seat, you may need different adapters:

• MIK adapter: This adapter is used if you do not have a MIK rack but still want to use the MIK system. You attach the MIK adapter plate to your existing rack, so your bike seat can be easily clicked into place.
• Adapter for unusual racks: For bikes with wider or narrower racks, such as many e-bikes, specific adapters are needed to correctly attach the seat. For example, consider the Yepp Easyfit adapter for wider racks.
• Adapter for stems: If your bike has an unusual stem, such as with some sporty bikes or e-bikes, you need an adapter for bike seats that are mounted at the front. These adapters ensure that the seat can be securely fastened, even with an unusual stem.
• Quick-release adapter: With these adapters, you can easily move a bike seat from one bike to another, handy if you want to switch the seat between different bikes.

Thanks to these adapters and the MIK system, you ensure that your bike seat is securely and safely attached, regardless of the bike or rack you have.

Until what age can my child sit in a rear bike seat?

How long can my child sit at the back of the bike? Generally, children can sit comfortably in a regular child seat until they are six years old. From that age, many children start cycling independently. However, if your child still wants to ride along, you can switch to a junior bike seat. This seat offers a comfortable sitting position with a backrest and removable footrests, allowing older children to ride safely and stably.

Until what age can I use a junior bike seat? Junior child seats are suitable for children up to about 10 years old, depending on their height and weight. Most of these seats are designed to carry children weighing up to about 35 kg, which often coincides with an age of around 10 years. This allows you to safely take your child along for a few more years, even as they grow a bit taller. 

Hollandbikeshop.com is the online shop for bike seats and child seats. Here you will find a wide range of high-quality bike seats. We offer bike seats from well-known brands such as Thule, Bobike, and Hamax, but you can also find a Yepp bike seat with us. We also provide bike accessories such as bike bells. Orders are delivered quickly, often within 2 working days in the Netherlands. Do you want good service, a large selection, and fast delivery? At Hollandbikeshop.com, you are at the right place!