thread: Bike Trailer for Baby

  1. #1

    Apr 2009
    Melbourne
    1,069

    Bike Trailer for Baby

    Couldn't work out whether to put this in "nursery equipment" or here in the Exercise section. It sort of fits in both.

    DH LOVES riding his bike. Now that the weather is getting warmer in Melbourne, I'd like to spend more time outside together. DH would really love it if we could all go bike-riding together, so I was thinking of buying a bike trailer to fit onto our bikes so that DS can come too (otherwise I'll have to leave him at home )

    Any recommendations? I have a friend who has a three-wheeled bike with a baby seat at the front that cost over $4,000 - this is NOT what I'm after. I want a trailer/carrier that attaches to an existing adult bike and holds a baby (until he's old enough to start riding a trike).

    I don't know how much I'd be willing to pay, but I *think* these things range between $300-$800. So if you can recommend anything within that range, that would be really appreciated.

    Cheers TIA.

  2. #2
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jun 2009
    Sydney, NSW
    2,140

    I saw a groovy trailer at the baby expo last year. I did take the details down for a friend, but I can't for the life of me find them.
    I remember it was fluro green.

    Sorry I couldn't be anymore help. Hope you find something that is suitable and within your budget.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Melbourne
    6,745

    The Croozer is a good one that we had until it got stolen - you can get them on eBay too in good condition. He will need to be sitting well by himself and be able to fit a helmet for him to be able to ride in it safely.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Colac, VIC
    744

    If you get a trailer & it doesn't work out (I got a trailer - DD HATED it, would not be in it, screamed, cried...ugh, I didn't love it either as it was a bit tough to pull while riding IYKWIM), I can HIGHLY recommend the Ibert safe T seat. I did a bunch of research before I got mine on front & back seats for bikes & that seemed the best, and for us, it WAS the best! It attaches to the front handlebar stem of the bike & hardly affects the feel or manouverability (sp?) of the bike at all, bub likes it because the are out in front & can see & rider likes it because they can see what bub is up to (turfing shoes overboard etc) & they feel super secure up there in front.

    The difference in how my DD reacted to the trailer & the ibert was freaky - run away screaming from the trailer, run to the bike saying "me too, me too!" with the ibert. I think ours was $150? They're probably cheaper now, PM me if you need any more info, but if you decide on a trailer, good luck & I hope your kiddo likes it!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    i like the look of that ibert. did you order yours on-line or get it from a shop?

  6. #6

    Apr 2009
    Melbourne
    1,069

    I told DH that I was looking at bike trailers and he's just told me that he hates them.

    But, he is interested in the Ibert instead. Only we won't be able to use it until DS is 12 months-old, which is a little while yet. Oh well, I probably wouldn't have felt comfortable with DS on a bike just yet anyway

    Thanks for the help ladies, much appreciated.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Colac, VIC
    744

    i like the look of that ibert. did you order yours on-line or get it from a shop?
    I got it online, if you google ibert Australia the site should come up, even though they ship from NZ lol, they had/have a money back guarantee which made me comfortable with getting it online & really I can't spruik them enough.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Ouiinslano
    5,303

    You can't use it until he can support his own head with a helmet on anyway, and that's probably a little while off.

    My DH also hates trailers. We have one, and he uses it for "stuff" but he wouldn't tow it if he didn't have to. He also really doesn't want to have a kiddie trailer, doesn't feel like they're safe enough for how we would use it. (in Melbs would be a different story - Brissie drivers are mostly homicidal)

    For when our baby is ready for bike trips, we've got the WeeRide - it was about $200 from memory, and baby sits pretty much over your top tube.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Have a friend in the UK who really recommends the IBERT - especially if using it for things like day care drop off as you can detach the seat easily - I have just been looking at the Australia site though and says currently not shipping to that location and points to US site which then points to a non existent Aus site. I can see the NZ site but that says only ships to NZ.

    QueenMab - if you have any more info on how you get one here in Aus - can you PM me?

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    Melbourne
    2,732

    FWIW we have a bike trailer (which doubles as a pram) - it's great! true you do need to have kidlets who are old enough for a helmet anyway, but a trailer is a great way to travel. DH never rides on the road with them, only bike paths (incidentally, if you are in victoria you can legally ride on the footpath with a kiddie trailer, because you are accompanying a child under 12 years of age).

    Our trailer is a Trek, but Chariot make them also. The Chariots are very cool.

    And for those who have kids who hate their trailer, try and try again. I dunno if you will think this is like telling a granny how to suck eggs, but babies change so quickly that what they hate at 1 they have forgotten about by 18 months!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Colac, VIC
    744

    Pm'd link, more expensive than I thought but that's just my bad memory...!

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Melbourne
    6,745

    The Wee-ride and the Bobike are similar concepts and available in Australia. We got our Bobike Mini on eBay.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    Sorry to hijack for a wee bit Persephone! We are looking at both at the moment as well, QM - the Ibert looks really teeny? Is that just the photo though?

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Add aussienic on Facebook

    Feb 2005
    Boyne Island
    6,327

    We bought a bike trailer and when DD was younger I would put her 5 point harness car seat in it. She was still RF in the car but I put her FF in the bike trailer. I knwo it is recommended for 18 months and up or something but we were on bike paths (no car traffic) and weren't going fast. so we figured she would be fine in a car seat

    Here is a pic of DD in the trailer Login | Facebook hope you can see the pic

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Colac, VIC
    744

    Sorry to hijack for a wee bit Persephone! We are looking at both at the moment as well, QM - the Ibert looks really teeny? Is that just the photo though?
    It's a nice size, might look small because it doesn't have a high back? Here is Punk in ours when we first got it. I think they are supposed to fit until around 4yo, but Punk is tall - haven't had her in it for a while because a) Too lazy to pump up my flat tyre & b) Big'ol bump in the way lol.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Add aussienic on Facebook

    Feb 2005
    Boyne Island
    6,327

    How on earth did I not know you were expecting again????

    Congratulations

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Colac, VIC
    744

    How on earth did I not know you were expecting again????

    Congratulations
    lol - thanks Nic - I think you have enough on your plate so I don't blame you for not noticing! (Sorry for the wee hijack...)

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    We are about to move to Seachange town and my kids are seriously lazy at times. DD is a great bike rider but I am thinking there still might be times I would like them in a trailer - are they big enough for a 4yr old and 5 yr old?? Both weigh around 19kgs, the ones I have seen say 45 kgs total so Im not sure? Any other options (other than a cargo bike - not quite in my budget!)