The official Riding with Kids thread

[Pieter1]

Hey guys. 
I have a 27.5” 170mm RC2 Lyric that I want to sell. Will bring it with me in December. Comes with a lot of extras. 
Thought I would ask here before I gooi it in the classifieds. 

[hayleyearth]

Anyone know of a bikeshop in PE (or surrounds) that will rent a 20" for my daughter while we are in SA from around 18Dec-6Feb?

 

Also, if any of you have young ones (7ish) that are keen to ride and going for holidays around Kenton we'd be keen to join.

[Shebeen]

9 hours ago, hayleyearth said:

Anyone know of a bikeshop in PE (or surrounds) that will rent a 20" for my daughter while we are in SA from around 18Dec-6Feb?

 

Also, if any of you have young ones (7ish) that are keen to ride and going for holidays around Kenton we'd be keen to join.

rent a kids bike for 2 months? You night find a buy-back option more viable. I'd contact them now

[Shebeen]

 

 

 

 

HBomb has been charging harder as he gets bigger.

He hangs out with the kids at the Uitsig bikepark, and as they are mostly older they been at this for longer than him.

20251025_093041.heic

At the Blackhill jumps (Fish hoek)

 

Then the Chapman's peak jumps, he did pulled this one off.

Three minutes later he over cooked the speed and tried braking too late, cooking the landing

first bone he's broken bit of a challenge keeping him occupied with a cast for the next 2 months and summer just arrived too!

 

Edited November 3, 2025 by Shebeen

[DJuice]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

 

 

 

 

HBomb has been charging harder as he gets bigger.

He hangs out with the kids at the Uitsig bikepark, and as they are mostly older they been at this for longer than him.

20251025_093041.heic 5.39 MB · 3 downloads

At the Blackhill jumps (Fish hoek)

 

Then the Chapman's peak jumps, he did pulled this one off.

Three minutes later he over cooked the speed and tried braking too late, cooking the landing

first bone he's broken bit of a challenge keeping him occupied with a cast for the next 2 months and summer just arrived too!

 

 

Impressive!!

 

[dewaldsss]

Patrolling the streets and golf course in Worcester 

[Shebeen]

looking for some hot tips here.

 

Need to find some replacement 24" tyres for a frog bike. so it's kind of hybrid, essentially 24"x1.5" currently on.

Where to start?!

bike24 seems to be best range and import

wheelchair tyres - might be a bit skinny - https://schwalbetyres.co.za/product/schwalbe-marathon-plus/

bit chunky, but maybe only viable local option. https://www.decathlon.co.za/p/311761-122811-kids-all-terrain-grip-mountain-bike-tyre-24x195.html

 

chunky again - could get in CT - https://www.crowncycles.co.za/products/vee-tire-crown-gem-24x2-6-skinwall-bike-tire

 

 

 

tried all the other usual suspects, other suggestions welcome for this unicorn.

 

edit: think i might have answered my own question here - https://www.specialized.com/za/en/kicker-sport/p/218685?color=355824-218685&searchText=00122-3316

 

Edited February 3 by Shebeen

[Martin Albrecht]

Evening Guys, sorry for coming late to the conversation here. I see there’s pages upon pages of info here, but it’s going to take a lifetime to read through all 1000+ pages. 

My firstborn is now 5 month old, he is sitting well, started crawling, and wanting to stand up against things. So I reckon it’s time to start considering options for having him along on the bike soon. Need to give mom a bit of a break once in a while, and right now I feel particularly guilty taking longer rides on weekends and leaving her alone with the little one. She also rides, but right now we obviously have to take turns to go riding, which we used to do together often on weekends at least.

So, what’s the recommendation from dads that have been through this? Pros and cons of each:

Carrier on the back of the bike (old school bucket seat type)?

That foam carrier type that goes on the top tube?  (I’m not sure if that’s actually suitable for such a young baby - will need to look into it a bit more)

Thule (or other) Chariot/Trailer type job? If I go this route, should I go for the 2 seater from the get go (extra storage for goodies for now, and future proofing for kid number 2, which is on the cards in the next 18-24 months)

I currently only have 2 dual sus bikes, and an ancient carbon road bike. I live in Stellenbosch, so have access to lots of trails and fire roads. I suspect the bucket seat carriers are not really suitable for a full sus, but hoping I am wrong. Road bike frame is probably too fragile for any of the normal options. Both MTBs also have dropper posts. Not sure how that affects things. Obviously any trail riding will be very mild stuff, but will also want to use the setup to cycle around town. 

 

what do the experienced dads here recommend?

[AgentFlash]

31 minutes ago, Martin Albrecht said:

Evening Guys, sorry for coming late to the conversation here. I see there’s pages upon pages of info here, but it’s going to take a lifetime to read through all 1000+ pages. 

My firstborn is now 5 month old, he is sitting well, started crawling, and wanting to stand up against things. So I reckon it’s time to start considering options for having him along on the bike soon. Need to give mom a bit of a break once in a while, and right now I feel particularly guilty taking longer rides on weekends and leaving her alone with the little one. She also rides, but right now we obviously have to take turns to go riding, which we used to do together often on weekends at least.

So, what’s the recommendation from dads that have been through this? Pros and cons of each:

Carrier on the back of the bike (old school bucket seat type)?

That foam carrier type that goes on the top tube?  (I’m not sure if that’s actually suitable for such a young baby - will need to look into it a bit more)

Thule (or other) Chariot/Trailer type job? If I go this route, should I go for the 2 seater from the get go (extra storage for goodies for now, and future proofing for kid number 2, which is on the cards in the next 18-24 months)

I currently only have 2 dual sus bikes, and an ancient carbon road bike. I live in Stellenbosch, so have access to lots of trails and fire roads. I suspect the bucket seat carriers are not really suitable for a full sus, but hoping I am wrong. Road bike frame is probably too fragile for any of the normal options. Both MTBs also have dropper posts. Not sure how that affects things. Obviously any trail riding will be very mild stuff, but will also want to use the setup to cycle around town. 

 

what do the experienced dads here recommend?

Firstly welcome! In my time riding there is nothing greater than being able to blast down a trail with your kids. My son and daughter are a little older, but we have been through that stage.

In my opinion the "Yellow Feva Seat" that goes on the front of the top tube is an absolute winner. Easy to find, affordable, easy to put on and take off the bike, hasn't made any damage to my bike, my kids feel safe and secure, easy to pedal and all round great product! Setup wise you just need to add some more air to the fork. Only issue I have had, is sometimes if you are taking a sharp corner and your fork compressors too much the tire catches the edge of the seat. (The part that goes down over the frame near the tire. Not the part the kids sit on) Not really a super big issue, but thought I'd mention it. This seat is very capable and has stood the test of time, going through both my children. My daughter at age 2 has been around some good trails. Survived a couple of trips around Bloemendaal. She absolutely loves being on it! Her usual commentary usually goes something like "faster daddy, faster!"

However - The FEVA Star Seat bicycle seat is recommended for children aged between 18 months and five years, with a maximum weight limit of 22 kg.

This is taken off AI, however I would agree with the recommendation, so I don't think it is suitable at your stage. Their is a seatbelt, but don't think it would offer the level of support needed at that point.

We started the bicycle journey at a year with a balance bike. My son was just over a year and my daughter just under. Absolutely 100% go balance bike then into a bike with pedals, no training wheels required.

Unfortunately I can't offer any comment on the other options for seats, that would be suitable for your stage, as I don't have any experience with them.

I hope that your able to find what you are looking for and enjoy every moment of this amazing journey!

Edited February 3 by AgentFlash

[Alouette3]

Go for a front mount bucket seat, they can relax and don't have to hold themselves up, being up front, they are part of the ride. 

My first started on ours at 12-13 months my second was hardly 11 months!

I now have one the front and the other on the back with 16 months between them. The back one flexes a bit much and I've started the older one on my MacRide in the full sus

[Mook]

9 hours ago, Alouette3 said:

Go for a front mount bucket seat, they can relax and don't have to hold themselves up, being up front, they are part of the ride. 

My first started on ours at 12-13 months my second was hardly 11 months!

I now have one the front and the other on the back with 16 months between them. The back one flexes a bit much and I've started the older one on my MacRide in the full sus

Agree with @Alouette3

The FEVA is a brilliant solution for kids with stronger neck and arms. The experience for them is also very interactive since they hold onto the handlbars.

The steerer mounted bucket seats are perfect for smaller toddlers, ie.18mths+, BUT I found that it restricted my movements on the bike. They sit high enough to clear the top tube for steering, but the top of the seat prevents the rider from reaching the controls on flat bars. These work great on city cruiser type bikes with raised bars. Then there is the rear mounted bucket seats which I never fancied, purely because I felt removed or "detached" from my boy. I enjoyed sharing the scenery with him until he started sharing whatever he saw with me. You cannot do this with a rear mounted seat, yet many parents prefer the latter option.

Thule have both front and rear mounted seats - but expect to pay. There are many cheaper options.

[Alouette3]

Keep an eye on the classified and marketplace. I picked up a Thule front seat from just under R1k.

Got a no name brand one for the rear, but it's not great to be honest, the metal spring bars are bending with time and often the seat will now hit the wheel on bumps or curbs.

I haven't had issues reaching the controls on my bike, but then I do have fairly wide bars. You do have to deflect your knees a bit when pedalling which is not ideal, but got used to it.

[WR 1.0]

Need some advise please.

My son has moved onto a 24". I have a spare trainer ( Tacx Vortex) that I might as well use to get him to ride with me online.

Challenge/ Question: Do you get training tyres for a 24"?

Do I look for a cheap 26r and set that up for him to ride ( same question regarding training tyres, 26")

Any other suggestions related to this perhaps?

[Shebeen]

5 hours ago, WR 1.0 said:

Need some advise please.

My son has moved onto a 24". I have a spare trainer ( Tacx Vortex) that I might as well use to get him to ride with me online.

Challenge/ Question: Do you get training tyres for a 24"?

Do I look for a cheap 26r and set that up for him to ride ( same question regarding training tyres, 26")

Any other suggestions related to this perhaps?

pretty sure you're not going to find those dedicated blue training tyres in 24", so just look for the skinniest tyre with the least amount of tread.

higher up this page I had a very similar quest for 24" tyres for a hybrid type bike. went with those spesh tyres suggested - they are very wide, just fit.

good luck

[WR 1.0]

Maiden test ride on the tandem. Benmeister loved it now that he finally fits (technically he needs to grow about 2cm to be 100% comfortable). 

Excuse the rag tag clothing. There was some complaints so I've sorted him out with some padded shorts. 

Twin sister will need to grow a bit more before she'll reach the pedals though. She's half a head shorter. 

Bike still needs some tweaking to get it comfortable. ( the gatorskins will be replaced with 30mm Goodyear Eagles, as a start) 

[DJuice]

Time fly’s.

Bikes get passed along and now moving to other families.