 "Good, but kind of a "beta" version." | 2008-10-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3FYXTR54415LV |
I really like this seat. I've used it almost daily since spring came around. I'm a tall rider and have had no trouble with knee clearance. I ride in a fairly busy city most times, with all sorts of bad drivers, and quick maneuvers are no problem.
THAT SAID:
1.
The harness/strap system on this seat is cheaply designed and built and could be greatly improved on. Finding a good snug fit takes some work, and there have been times when my daughter (while falling asleep or twisting to see something fly by) has worked her shoulder out from under one of the straps. Not good on Westminster St.
2.
Speaking of sleep, what would it cost to fix-- or, even better, make a removable/washable-- pad to the crossbar? If your kid falls asleep, there's really no place for them to rest their weary noggin.
3.
The stinger system for mounting the seat isn't as solid feeling as I'd like. If I have to jump on the bike sans kid for a trip to the corner store (seat makes a nifty grocery holder), the empty seat rattles over every bump like it's not really latched on. It is, of course, but there's a too much play, I think.
Overall, it's a great seat. It does the job well. But I can't help but wonder how great it would be if they just took a little more time with it. A better harness, a place for kids to rest their heads and a more reassuring fastening system would go a long way. |
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 "Life changing ....great item" | 2008-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2EWWX4G4RDQL |
This is a very easy seat to put on. I had to raise the handle bars slightly, but the piece is easy to attach and easy to remove for when I am riding solo. I love that I am so close I can leave over and kiss my son. Easy to balance, as they said before. We are riding daily. This has been a great purchase.
** I can see how it could be hard for long legged men. I occasionaly tap the seat with my knees. Probably have to raise it a little higher. |
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 "Near-Perfect option for parents of small children" | 2008-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By jhiroshima |
Some history. I own a Burley Solo Trailer, I have used the rear mounted child carriers, and I was a professional bicycle mechanic for 6 years. This is a great product with just a few drawbacks.
First the Pros:
- This is heads an shoulders more stable than a rear mounted child carrier
- Child interaction and supervision
- Fun
- Safer than a rear-mounted carrier
- Ease of mounting could not get much better
Cons:
- This is not for short riders. People under 5'8" will have trouble reaching the handlebars
- The safety harness is horrible but there are some relatively cheap and simple fixes to this problem.
- Safety of child *may* be slightly lower than a trailer style carrier (see notes below)
Installation Tips:
- I would recommend using this on a bike that has "riser" handlebars. The rise in the bar gives extra clearance for the children's legs/feet when getting them in/out of the carrier.
- Grease the threads of the stinger bolts. Grease is always a good thing, and since you are threading into steel you don't want the bolts to corrode.
Strap Modifications:
I would recommend using a baby-seat sternum clip commonly found on Graco SnugRide seats to help keep the straps positioned on your child. Without these, the straps just fall off the child's shoulder and flop down, basically doing nothing once they have fallen off. The strap material on this seat is CHEAP and could use some improvements. This is my biggest gripe.
Getting you kiddo in and out....
-As others have mentioned, putting the safety strap on is only possible without the helmet.
-I would also recommend that you carry shoes seperately and let them go barefoot. The shoes are what get caught under the handlebars and it can be more than uncomfortable if their legs get stuck.
The Burley is generally a safer device simply by design. It generally won't tip over if you do, it has side and top roll-bars to prevent contact with the child and the cement, it has a lower center of gravity which affects the steering none-at-all, and it trails behind with a huge flag letting motorists know that you have a child and to keep their distance. The iBert has none of these things.... but I still use the iBert 10 out of 10 times. Why? I am an accomplished cyclist and still have great control even with the small added weight on the bike's stem so I feel I am **more** manuverable than if I had a trailer. I can fit through smaller spaces, am more agile, can turn, stop and accelerate faster with the iBert than with the trailer. This perhaps negates some of the safety benefits of the Burley. I run 2 rear flashers (even in the day) to help motorists see me which I think helps address rearward visibiltiy issues. Burly trailers have a tendancy to throw up dirt and grit into you childs face because of their placement behind the rear wheel. In addition, if the child is shorter, when wearing a helmet, the seatback forces their helmet and head downwards making it not only uncomfortable but also painful (imagine a bumpy ride with your head being forced downwards while being pelted with road dirt and sand).
I recommend this product without reservation even given its limitations and rider contstraints. The one thing I am NOT looking forward to is putting my child back into the burley when she exceeds the weight limit of the iBert. I seriously doubt she will want to sit in the back once she has a taste of sitting "shotgun".
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| "Pleased first time mother and novice biker" | 2008-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A15IQO5IS0E0OF |
| My 12 month old loved the ride and seat the very time we went for a ride! He cried when I took him off. Very easy to assemble and to take off and on. I had not ridden a bike in years and was weary of the added weight but not a problem at all. Great product! |
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| "Love It! For a 2.5 year Old" | 2008-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By rama_chiruvolu |
This is a fantastic product. Easy to attach and remove. We bought this after buying a trailer and a back fitting bike seat.
Pros
1) Better than trailer/rear seat because its actually fun! I did a 3 hour bike ride with my daughter over Bay Bridget all the way to Tiberon (long for me). When we finished she wanted more! Oh, by the way, I stuff a peanut butter sandwich in her hoodie and some wipes. She can eat her lunch without me stopping!
2) You can actually talk with your child as you ride. Great for multitasking... bonding + exercise. Also, I'm afraid my kids will beat each other up if they are in the trailer since they are so close in age.
3) Ease of use. Easy on and off. Seat can come off the "bracket" that is attached. Easy to get her in and out too. No knee banging. Also works for bikes like our mountain bikes that couldn't fit the rear seat.
4) Flexible. works for my 10 month old and my 2.5 year old. She is only 25-30 pounds and about 3 feet tall. Height wise she fits. I need to get another one so we can all go together.
5) Cool :-) EVERYONE stops us and asks where we got it. I really feel sorry for the kids in the trailers... or worse in the rear seat pressed up against Daddy's butt with a view of daddy's sweaty back.
Cons (not really)
1) If my daughter moves her head too much sometimes she knocks me in the face. I need to snuggle by one side of her face. I guess if I was taller (I'm only 5'2" my arms would be longer and I'd have more clearance). My husband at 6'0" has no problems.
2) Seatbelt not great... sometimes it rides down her shoulder. Worry about her flying off but I'd worry more if she was in the back. At least I can see her. There is a lap bar though... make sure it snaps in place.
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| "Awesome product!" | 2008-09-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A90EN0XQBB49B |
| This is by far the best child seat out there. It is safe and our 18 month old loves the view. He can wiggle a little and it does not affect the way the bike handles. I highly recommend the Ibert! |
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| "Great bike seat!" | 2008-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1VXHHBDTS3IGA |
| The iBert rocks! We ordered it and a helmet for our daughter's first birthday. The install was super easy, it feels very safe and our daughter loves riding in it. It's not too rough a ride. She isn't leaning from one side to the other trying to see me or see around me like she would in a rear mounted seat. The bike is way more balanced, easier to turn, etc. than with a rear mounted seat. She's 20 pounds and 30 inches tall and has lots of room to grow into the seat. The harness is well made and holds her in place securely, you just have to take the time and follow the directions to get it adjusted right for your kid. We point at squirrels, dogs, trees, kids, cars, etc. She cries when we're all done with our ride. I would definitely recommend this bike seat over all others. |
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| "Makes Riding Fun For You and Your Child!" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By trebcourie |
The iBert Safe-T Bicycle Seat is an outstanding bicycle seat for small children. It was easy to install and feels sturdy, durable and safe. It also slides right off in about 10 seconds, with the mounting bar staying on the bicycle. The manufacturer even has great customer support: I had a question about mounting my seat and iBert emailed a response within two hours of submitting the question through their website.
With your child in front of you, you have much better balance and control, and your child will love being able to see where you're going and feel the wind on his face. The seat also doesn't crowd my legs when I ride. (My bike is a Raleigh Hybrid/Comfort bike.)
Look closely at the installation instructions (available at the iBert website) to be sure that the seat will fit on your handle bar stem, and if it does fit, then I full recommend this seat!
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| "Fun Riding For Everyone" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3IMG80ZF18KOR |
| I love how my son (who's just crawling) sits in front of me and I can see his feet wiggle as we ride (his sign for highly enjoying himself). He gets to see everything and feel the wind on him and I feel like he's safe, cocooned between my legs and arms. It was recommended by friends who love it as well. We're having a great time riding around! |
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| "Very good" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A35X82YUOSSOCS |
| It was easy to install and seems like it is safe and secure. There is plenty of room for our large 15 month old. It does throw your balance off slightly, but not enough to make you feel like you will lose control. The only complaint and it is not a big one is that on the bike we installed it on it does get in the way of our knees a bit. I think with a bike that is a little longer it wouldn't be a problem. We will spitch it to another bike and see. We are both tall. I am 6'1'' and my wife if 5'10''. Even with this slight annoyance we are happy with the purchase. |
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