The iBert seat on the Brompton

I finally got to try out the iBert child seat on my Brompton M6L.  I attached it on yesterday, but wasn't able to use it.

This morning, Bea and I took the Brompton for a spin.  As you can see, the iBert seat sits a bit lower than usual compared to its position on a full-sized bike.  Yesterday, I thought that issue would be a problem but its really not.  I was able to pedal quite normally.

As usual, whether on a full-sized bike or a folding bike, Bea enjoyed her bike ride with Daddy.  Look at the smile on her face.  It's priceless!

Now for the bad news.  After I uninstalled the iBert seat, I discovered that the clamp of the stinger left a deep scratch on my head tube / stem.  And this is after I put black rubber foam padding around the tube precisely to protect the head tube / stem from these kind of things.  Imagine what the damage would be if I attached the metal clamp bare and without padding.  The abrasion would be bigger and deeper.

Argh!  

I touched it up with white nail polish.  It didn't erase the scratch, but at least its not that noticeable.

I guess that's it for the iBert-Brompton combination.  It's back to the Trek Allant for this child seat.  I don't want to further damage the head tube / stem of my Brommie.

If you don't mind paint chipping off your folding bike, then go ahead and install the iBert seat.  I think the head tube / stem can carry the load.  And you can pedal normally.

An Attempt to Install the iBert Seat on my Brompton

I've used my Brompton folding bike.  And I've also used the iBert child bike seat.  But I have never used them together.  

The iBert seat is installed on my full-sized commuter bike (a Trek Allant), and that's what I use when I take Bea around with me.

One of the reasons why I haven't used the iBert seat on the Brompton is because I feel the head tube is not strong and sturdy enough to carry the load of a child.

But I remained curious.

So this morning, I uninstalled the iBert seat from the Allant and attempted to install it on my Brompton.

I wrapped rubber foam around the stem first before screwing on the metal stinger to protect the paint from any scratches.  I noticed that the Brompton's head tube / stem is much thicker than the Allant's.  Once tightened, I slid the iBert seat into the stinger.  I pushed it in, but it wouldn't go all the way.  The reason for this was because the iBert seat was already hitting the stem.  But I was able to nudge it enough for me to be able to lock the seat in place.

It fit!  But it wasn't the best fit.  I might have to put rubber foam around that part of the stem that rubs against the edge of the iBert seat.  Just to avoid scratch marks.

There's another concern.  The cables are kinda in the way, which could possibly affect steering and maneuverability.

I didn't have enough time to test it.  I'm still kinda apprehensive that the head tube / stem can take the load.  Also, may be I'd have a difficult time pedaling because the seat is positioned quite low.  

Well, there's only one way to find out.  Ride it. I'll probably do it this weekend.  Will blog about my experience next time.  Fingers crossed that the head tube / stem can carry the load of child on an iBert seat!

Bea and I visit Ayala Triangle Garden

The other weekend, I biked with my 13-month old toddler, Bea, around Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati CBD.

But not on my folding bike.  We went around using my trusty Trek Allant with the iBert seat installed.  (I'm still figuring out if it's okay to use the iBert seat on the stem of my Brompton bike.)

Ayala Triangle Garden used to be an unused triangular shaped lot owned by the Ayalas in the middle of downtown Makati.  It was enclosed and gated.  Shrubs and weeds were left to grow.

Until the mid-2000s, when Ayala Land thought to make good use of the lot by making it into a park.
Here Bea and I are biking along one of the parks cemented lanes.  People living and working in the nearby buildings walk their dogs here.  Others jog.  And some, like me, take their daughters for a nice bike ride.

Ayala recently put up a row of restaurants in one side of the park--and they are packed during lunch and dinner time.

Bea and I choosing a restaurant to have dinner.

Ayala Triangle Garden is another nice little park to take your kid biking in the Makati area.  The trees offer some shade.  There are wide and open spaces.  The park is still enclosed, so there's a certain level of safety. And there are cafes, restaurants and shops where you can park your bike in front of and have some lunch, merienda or dinner.

My New Bike Buddy

I have a new bike buddy:  My one year old daughter, Bea!

I had trouble convincing her to wear her helmet before, hence I couldn't let her ride.  But somehow, my wife and I were able to convince her it was fashionable.  Once we overcame than, there was no more problem with her enjoying the iBert seat.

In fact, for the 2nd day in a row, she rode with me in buying the newspaper.  She didn't want to get out of her seat when we got home.  I had to take her around the block one more time!

It was great bonding with my daughter!

Bea really does enjoy riding the bike.  She's all smiles.

My friends suggest though, if I take her on longer rides, to put sunblock on her skin.  We don't want her to get sunburn this early.

Dad Kris with one-year old daughter Bea (March 2011)

Bea familiarizing herself with the iBert seat

Bea rode on her iBert seat for the second time last weekend.  This time we biked past and beyond the block.  We went out of our neighborhood to buy sunday newspaper!

All set and ready to go!  This time no problem with wearing the helmet!

"Dad, what's taking you so long?"

"C'mon, Dad, you better get back here!"

Back at home with Dad's newspaper

When Bea's nervous or stressed, she sucks on her thumb.

Later that day, Bea and I went out again.  This time, we biked to the neighboring village and visited some relatives.

It doesn't look like you're enjoying, Bea

That's a little better

With cousin Luigi.

"Why don't you have a helmet?"

With Manang Nor.  Piper and Ron out.

Bea enjoyed our bike ride around the neighborhood.  She raised her hands and rocked forward and backward.  She also played with the bell and the gearshift.  And she didn't take off her helmet!  Whoopee!

Next time, I'll see if I can install the iBert seat on my Brompton folding bike.  I just have to put rubber or foam padding to avoid scratching the paint.

Some additional observations/comments on the iBert seat:

A.  The metal stinger sometimes goes off-center.  I don't know if I didn't screw it on tight enough (but the instructions said not to over-tighten), but the metal stinger loosened up.  As a result, the iBert seat swayed to the left while in transit.  I had to recenter the seat to the middle.

B.  The iBert seat rattles when there is no occupant.  I biked to the a Thai restaurant to get take-out for dinner without Bea and the iBert seat was noisy.  Since there was no baby, the seat just rattled all the way to my destination.  It was irritating.

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!

Can't wait to use the iBert infant bike seat!!!

I wanted to buy a bike seat for my daughter so that she could ride with me.  What first came to mind was a typical child seat you install on the rear rack like this one:

But I heard that it is hard to balance the bike with all the weight at the back.

The next option is to get a trailer that attaches to the back of the bike like this:

The problem though is that when closed, it can be very hot and humid for the child passenger.  When left open naman, dirt, mud, rocks or any other kind of debris may splatter unto the child passenger.

Plus, another problem with both a rear child bike seat and bike trailer is that they're both situated at the back of the biker.  It's very difficult for the biker to check on his passenger.

Then I found out about the iBert front child bike seat.  It's supposed to be better than rear child bike seats and bike trailers because it's placed in front of the biker.  Also, it offers a more solid center of grafity for a more stable ride. 

This got me excited, only to find out that it is not available here in the Philippines.  Undeterred, I asked my brother-in-law to order me one in the US, to which he quickly obliged and sent it to me via balikbayan box.

Here it is, the iBert "Safe-T-Seat" Child Carrier.  It only comes in one color, green.

Included in the box is a metal stinger, an allen wrench, rubber plugs and a metal pin.

You attach the stinger to the headtube like this:

Then you slide the bike seat into the stinger and lock it into place with a metal pin.

The iBert seat attached to my Trek Allant bike.

I can't wait for Bea to ride with me.  The instructions recommend, however, that she be at least 12 months old.  It is designed for kids up to 4 years old.

Added Bonus:

My brother-in-law also sent Bea a pink Giro Me2 infant bike helmet.  Ang cute! 

Bea and I are now all set and ready to go!!!