In message <
[email protected]>, great_gusto <
[email protected]> writes
>Hi, I am just cleaning the cob webs off of my bike as it has been put away for a very long time
Hope it's got good brakes.
> but I am getting ready to go out and enjoy the spring but would like to take my 7 mnth old with
> me, is she old enough for a rear seat / trailer? If so, what types are best?
>
At 7 months she's not really ready for a rear seat as they need to have goo neck muscles, and be
able to hold their head up etc. 12 months is the usually recommended age for this. Though as with
all things baby related, you really need to go by how your child is doing.
She can go in a trailer, but not strapped in directly yet. But you can strap a baby car seat into
most trailers (or even get a specific baby seat to strap in.
I've no great experience of rear seats but we do have a trailer.
Firstly have a peek on Google Groups, there are a couple of urc-lings on the way and there have been
a few trailer threads over the last few months.
One is current at the moment ' Trailer decision help needed!'
You'll find that there is no such thing as the 'best trailer' so much depends on your own
requirements, an of course your budget. If this is just for occasional weekend use then you might
want a lower budget than for one to be used regularly all year round. It's really quite a difficult
thing to make a choice.
Some things to consider:
strength of construction, roll-over protection etc.
solid base or frame and fabric base. Comfort for the child, security and ease of use of the harness
How easy and secure the hitch is
How good and easy to use are the various weather covers. A mesh cover and a plastic rain cover
is essential
How easy is it to fold down.
Most trailers are good at al of these, it all comes down to personal preference. Most aren't that
cheap either, though worth the money IMO.
At the budget end you have something like this for GBP 129:
<
http://www.gltc.co.uk/cgi-bin/sgin0102.cgi?UID=2003021222393240&T1=G1280
&FNM=00&UREQA=X&UREQC=4&UREQD=5&GEN5=DIV02trailer>
Steel frame and probably wheels, just a rain cover, hitch might not be so good, but probably
works fine.
There is one made by Phillips that I've seen around in a few places that seems similar.
Two plus Two have a good selection:
<http://www.twoplustwo.uk.com/ctrailers/index.html>
<http://www.twoplustwo.uk.com/ctrailers/leg_class.html>
Others to look at include:
Burley
http://www.burley.com/>
Winther Dolphin:
<http://www.winther-bikes.com/dolphin/dolphin.htm>
Kool Stop:
<http://www.koolstop.com/trailers/trailers.html>
FWIW I have a Chariot Chauffeur with a Weber hitch, bought from Two plus Two.
PS, and where's the piccie for uk.rec.cycling.littlecuties ?
--
Chris French, Leeds
