Why choose a front mounted child bike seat?

Riding up front with a child bike seat

On this page you'll find information about the difference between front and rear mounted seats, and what makes the shotgun seat different.

Front versus rear mounted child seats.

If you're looking to take your little one riding, the first step is to decide whether you'd like them sitting in front or behind you – and as you can tell, we think front is best for the reasons below.

Front Mounted Seat Rear Mounted Seat
✅ Active participation, learning to ride ⛔️ Passive participation, sitting prone
✅ Centered weight distribution on bike
⛔️ Uneven weight distribution on bike
✅ Suitable for full suspension bikes
⛔️ Suitable for hard tail bikes only 
✅ Visibility of what's ahead
⛔️ Looking at parents back
✅ Ability to interact / talk with child
⛔️ Limited ability to interact / talk with child

Why choose the Shotgun Kids MTB Seat?

If you're keen for your child to ride up front, there are a few options to choose from. The following table shows what makes our shotgun seats unique:

Shotgun Seat Other Front Seats
✅ Fully adjustable saddle
⛔️ Fixed saddle
✅ Quick release for fast fitting / removal
⛔️ Tools required to attach / remove
✅ Adjustable width to suit all mountain bikes
⛔️ Fixed width
✅ Adjustable angle for flat or sloping top tubes
⛔️ Fixed / set angle
✅ 60 day returns
⛔️ 14 day - 30 day returns

Which Shotgun seat is right for you? 

Use the below table & video to help you decide if the Shotgun seat, or the Shotgun Pro seat, is the right one for you:

Shotgun seat  Shotgun Pro seat
Suitable for kids 2-5 years (48lb / 22kg) Suitable for kids 2-5 years (60lb / 27kg)
Not suitable for E-bikes
E-bike compatible
Frame mounted  Zero frame contact 
No bike modification required  Stem spacer fitting required 

Quick fitting and removal

Lightning fast fitting and removal

 Fixed leg length

Adjustable leg length

 


Ready for your little one to ride shotgun? Shop now or find a stockist.