Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Review: iBert child bike seat

Finally got Bea to test the iBert child bike seat I wrote about a couple of days ago.

When its installed on the bike, the iBert feels a bit loose and flimsy as the stinger does not snuggly fit into the seat.  But after a child sits on the iBert, you hardly notice the wobble.

I had no problem fitting Bea to the seat.  She was comfortable almost immediately.  The problem was fitting the Giro Me2 infant bike helmet on her head.  It irritated her and she kept on removing it.

Bea very unhappy with me putting one her helmet. : )

She tried to remove it, but I kept the helmet in place for the picture.

And here we go!  Bea trying out the bell.

Is she happy or what? (what.)

Bea on her iBert safe-t-seat

Over-all, I am pleased with the iBert.  It is a bit expensive though (retails for $80.00).  Many here in the Philippines would just fabricate a makeshift seat made of discarded wood and place it on the toptube.  It's way cheaper, sure, but then the safety issue comes up.

Anyway, what I like about the iBert is that it's installed in front.  This way I can watch over Bea and even talk to her while I bike.  It also gives me the chance teach her by being able to point at different objects along the way, like the trees, a car, a house, so on, so forth.

Another plus is that the iBert's design gives me enough room to bike normally.  I don't need to spread my legs to avoid hitting the seat because the iBert is positioned high enough.  I initially thought it would be hard to maneuver the handlebars with the headtube carrying Bea's weight, but it was manageable.

My only concern is the how the seat fits into the stinger.  I feel it's a bit loose.  The makers should redesign it to have a more solid and snug fit.  That, and sell it cheaper--say $50.00?  Then I'd give it 5 stars.

For now, the iBert Safe-T-Seat gets 4 stars.

By the way, the test ride with Bea was just around the block.  I plan to take her on a longer bike ride after she turns one!

8 comments:

  1. Nice post...very informative...and a fun read as well! Keep it up Kris!

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  2. hi kris! glad that i saw your blog. i immediately returned the bell child carrier i bought from sos. apart from some missing pieces, i realized that front-mounted seats are safer and more enjoyable to both parent and adult. i replaced the carrier instead with a glide bike which is a balance trainer bike for my toddler. anyhow, i still wanted this ibert seat so my kid can still come along with me for longer distance bikes. did you buy the ibert from abroad and had it shipped? how about the helmet? only available are for at least 5 years old and up. thanks so much!

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    1. So sorry I was not able to reply to this last March. I bought the iBert seat in the US. The helmet also.

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  3. Hi Kris i saw your blog regarding child bike seat.I can't buy any of those here in Philippines and if you don't mind me asking,are you selling your ibert child bike seat?I'm willing to buy it for my son.He likes to ride bicycle but i can't put him on my bike,he's just seating on my bike and that's all,it's sad to see coz what i really want is to come along with me.If your selling it please PM me. Thanks Kris!

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    1. Hi, Rache! I have reserved it for another parent already (She told me last September pa). If she doesn't get it within this month, I'll PM you.

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  4. Ok Kris,let me know if she didn't get it.Reserve it to me ha?Thanks

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  5. Hi Ma Cheffrey. After 3 years, I've only seen a couple of iBert seats in the Philippines. I doubt if any local bike shop carries them, but you can try asking them. ROX and Bike Town Cyclery come to mind. In the alternative, you can order one from the US. Good luck!

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