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I have just started Body BIke classes at the gym. Cycling has been something I've wanted to get into for years. I'm limited to classes I can get to, due to work, care, and DH working shift work. So am looking for a bike, and either a bike trailer or bike seat. Any advice? Thinking a trailer. Also any advice on what bike - I've been looking into hybrid bikes. But not sure. So throw your experience and advice at me.
I have a basic bike from Kmart and a bike trailer. ebay sells them for around the same price as the stores but with the ebay ones you can get have them double as a pram..
mine is just a basic one from Kmart or Big W I can't remember which one now.. I love it and have had it just under 3 years. Still going great. I don't use it as often as I did when I first got it though
For DD when she was younger we used to put our spare baby seat in the trailer and anchor it in by tying it up and I just felt better (she was only 6 months old at the time when we got it)
We have both baby seat and trailer.
The trailer is OK for DH but I just find it too heavy (though my DD is nearly 5). It's just an ebay cheapie but it's been great. We only use it on cycle paths. It did take DS a long while to get used to it though. He much prefers the seat on my bike.
Google a Weeride - apparently they're the best.
We have a Trek bike trailer (cheaper cousin of the up-market Chariot). Very cool and only weighs 12.5kg (I could lift it into the back of our station wagon when I was 9 months pregnant without a worry). DH has used it a bit with the bike (on footpaths only - you can ride on footpaths in Vic if "accompanying someone under the age of 12") but mostly it is used as our day to day pram (which it is perfect for). If you google Chariot bike trailers you'll find the Corsair which is very similar to ours.
A bike trailer is probably a better option than a seat if you are planning more than one child IMO....
We were going down the path of a bike trailer, when a few people popped up in here and suggested the wee ride. The negative feedback on the bike trailer was that whatever comes off your wheels can end up in the trailer (unless you have a cover), toys or shoes can get thrown out (again, not a problem if there is a cover) and you have to keep turning around to see the kids.
The wee ride sits in front of the rider, with the baby/toddler sitting actually in between the rider's arms. They aren't cheap, but we bought one (love layby!) and we all absolutely love it. We can hear DD chattering about, she's right there with us. Loads of fun. Good luck!
We have a Bo-bike which is like a wee ride as it sits up front of the bike. The good thing is that you can see your toddler and unlike rear mounted ones they don't have to lean out to see so they don't destabilise the bike. The bad thing is they can ring the bell!!!
We had a trailer but I found it hard to attach and it would drive me crazy. It was also quite heavy but it is great when you have to cart around a lot of stuff like nappy bags, food, etc
I had been looking around at different trailers over Summer, but was put off by the price. I happened to stumble across one in Big W, only $198 and the trailer converts into a stroller as well. Very easy to use and not a huge investment.