iBert Bike Seat Review: Why We LOVE It!

For the first few years we spent biking with our son, the iBert bike seat was hands-down my favorite child-related piece of cycling gear. For 2 1/2 years straight, we used it multiple times a week for biking around town, commuting to the store, and even some mellow trail riding. 

This isn’t the fanciest front-mounted bike seat around, but I continue to recommend it for several reasons. It’s simple, easy to clean, works on most bikes, is durable and isn’t too obtrusive for the parent riding the bike.

If you have a child between 1 year old and 3 years old, and are looking for a front-mounted bike seat, the iBert should definitely be on your short-list of considerations.

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Review in a Nutshell

Pros:

• The position at the front of the bike makes it easy to talk with and interact with your child
• Possible to use off-road (for parents who are into that sort of thing)
• Easy to mount and install
• Does a good job of protecting child in the event of a tip-over
• Plastic material is easy to keep clean
• Affordable in comparison to many other child carriers
• Durable
• Lots of fun!

Cons:

• Not as safe as a bike trailer
• Shoulder straps tend to fall off
• No head support for sleepy babies

Price & Where To Buy:

• $99.99 List
• $101.10 at Amazon.com* (Last updated: 2023-11-30 at 02:14 – More Info)
• Check price at KazamBikes.com

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Front-mounted Design Is Fun For Little Ones

The iBert is mounted to the steering tube on the front of the bike. This forward position means that you can see and talk to your child the whole time you bike. We sing songs, talk about the things we see, and tell jokes.

Not only is it nice for the parent, it’s nice for the little person too because they can see where they are going and feel involved in the whole biking process. Compared to the trailer, our son rarely complains in the iBert and can go for long distances. In the trailer, he quickly gets bored and I think it’s because he doesn’t involved.

Kid-Approved Design

In addition to being a part of the action, little kids also love the iBert because of the design. It is a comfortable little bucket seat; their legs are protected and supported in the leg slots and the back is high enough to provide plenty of support.

The front “steering wheel” provides a place for little hands and good entertainment for the ride. My son has always been happy to go for a ride in the iBert.

Good For (Mellow) Mountain Biking

Ok, so this isn’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea, but for parents who feel comfortable taking their young child mountain biking, the iBert is your best option. It easily mounts to a mountain bike, provides plenty of leg room even when climbing, and is light enough to be nimble on singletrack.

For older toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2.5 or 3), we really like the Mac Ride or Kids Ride Shotgun seats. That said, these open air designs (they don’t have straps) are not suitable for 1 and 2 year olds. For the littlest riders, the iBert provides a way to get out on (mellow) trail.

Safety

There are always risks when riding with a child in a bike seat. Critics of front child-seats will tell you that they are inherently unstable and your little one risks a serious fall in the seat.

For this reason, I generally tell parents who aren’t confident riders to use a trailer instead. That said, if you are a skilled rider and are willing to accept some risk, you will love the iBert.

Truth be told, we have had a couple minor tip-overs with the iBert—primarily mountain biking. My son has never been hurt.

He’s never even cried. The seat has always provided good protection.

The seat comes with shoulders straps to hold the child in. We didn’t feel like they were secure or snug enough, so we’ve modified the straps with a plastic band.

This holds our little guy securely. The front bar also clicks into place and offers some additional safety. After LOTS of use, we’ve also had to place some screws to hold it into place.

Affordable When Compared To Other Options

Compared to our Chariot trailer, the iBert is cheap. It retails for under $150, and because it’s durable, you can often find a like-new iBert on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.

Even compared to other front and rear mounted seats on the market, the iBert is a great value.

Durable.

We’ve given our iBert a run for its money. We’ve taken it in our carry-on luggage on vacations, we’ve mountain biked with it in 5 states, we’ve left it out on our patio in the heat and the rain and the snow. With the exception of a little grime, and a few modifications that I already mentioned, the thing is still in great shape.

The plastic material is easy to wash down with water and soap, and it has never shown any signs of cracking or other wear. I’m sure when we are done with it, the seat will go to another child for several more years of use.

Easy To Mount and Install

Of the 8 bicycles Blair and I have, only one doesn’t work with the iBert and that’s because the steering tube is too short. The iBert works on most bikes (road, mountain, or commuter) as long as the steering tube is at least 3/4″.

A “T-bar” attaches to the steering tube in just a few minutes with an allen wrench, and then the seat slides easily to the bar and secures with a pin. I am not particularly mechanically inclined, and even I can manage this really easily.

Here a video where you can see it being installed.

The only bummer about this installation method is that you need to remove and then re-install the bar each time you want to use the seat. (It’s not particularly safe to leave on in between uses if you’re riding solo).

Smaller Profile Makes It Easy For Parents To Maneuver Around

I’ve read other review where the iBert has been criticized for having a low back. While this is a fair criticism (a higher back gives little ones more head support), the low back was a plus in my opinion.

Some front mounted bike seats have a higher back and larger profile. I like that the iBert doesn’t take up much space and is easy to maneuver your body around.

Cons

There aren’t many cons to this child seat and most of them I’ve already mentioned. The straps, in my opinion, could be better. After lots of use, we’ve had to screw the bar back in place.

There’s also the fact that child seats aren’t quite as safe as a trailer and you do have to worry about balance issues. These risks aren’t enough to stop me from using the iBert, but it is something to consider.

The other thing that can affect safety is a sleepy child. This isn’t a concern specific to the iBert, but rather with biking with young kids in general.

When P was really little he could last about 30 minutes in the iBert before he would drift off. At that point, his head would flop over, unsupported. This isn’t safe and we would have to wake him or try to prop his head up while we quickly biked home.

Specifications/Details

• Appropriate for children ages 1-4 and up to 38 pounds and 42 inches tall. In my experience, most kids get too tall or heavy for this seat by 3 ½ or so.
• Comes in pink, red, or green.
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Dimensions: 14.2 x 26.5 x 9.3 inches

Bottom-Line

We started my son in the iBert around his first birthday and have been used in constantly ever since. I have nothing but fantastic things to say about it, and would recommend it to anybody who wants to bike with their young child and who feels comfortable with using a bike seat.

The iBert is an absolute blast for both parent and child, is more affordable, lighter, and easier to transport than a trailer, and is made right here in the USA. The seat will make lasting family memories possible.

Note: I have no association with iBert, and purchased this product on my own. 

Learn More About Biking With Young Kids

Not sure if your child is ready for a front mounted seats? Interested in exploring other options? These articles will help.

• 7 Best Front-Mounted Bike Seats For Your Baby or Child
• Biking With Baby: From Newborn To Infant To Toddler
• Child Bike Carriers: 7 Ways To Haul Kids By Bike

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