Fastening a kid's seat onto the back of your mountain or road bike will allow your small child to take part in your cycling adventures. Various models of the child seat exist to accommodate the different styles of bicycles. Many of the child seats are designed to fit behind the seat of your bike. According to the bicycle experts at REI, many child seat models can comfortably hold kids that weigh up to 40 lbs. Remember that since the seat has been fastened to the rear axle, your small child will feel any bumps in the riding terrain.
Step 1
Identify the metallic rack of your child bike beat. Loosen the dropout bolts found in the middle of your rear wheel using a socket wrench. Locate the struts found on either side of the rack. Place the rack around your rear tire and align the struts around the dropout bolts. Tighten the bolts to secure the position of the rack.
Step 2
Locate the seat stay straps found on the front of the metallic rack. Fasten these straps around the rear tube of your bicycle. Adjust the seat stay straps until the top of the rack sits parallel with the ground. Tighten all of the rack screws with a screwdriver to ensure it remains secured in place.
Step 3
Slide your child bike seat onto the top of the metallic rack to engage the security catches of the seat. Listen for a series of distinctive clicks. Reposition the child seat on the rack if it has not been fastened in place. Lift the bar of the rear security catch to fasten the seat to the rack.
Step 4
Locate the large cloth security strap protruding from the front of your child bike seat. Fasten the security strap around the seat tube of your bicycle. Slide the buckle of the safety strap toward the seat tube to minimize the movement of the child seat. Lift the overhead safety bar of the child seat. Open the seat adjustment levers to change the position of the child bike seat.
Step 5
Push the adjustment levers down to lock the seat into place. Place your small child into the newly installed bike seat. Lower the safety straps over your child's head. Fasten the buckle in between your child's legs. Pull down on the loose ends of the harness to tighten the straps. Lower the safety bar over the head of your child.
Tips and Warnings
- To safely ride in the bike seat, your child should be old enough to sit upright without any assistance. Make sure your child wears a properly fitting helmet while fastened in the bike seat.
- Placing a child that weighs more than 40 lbs. into the bike seat is dangerous.
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Screwdriver
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