Doll Seat versus Front Basket for toys

[latequartet]

Hi, I wonder whether there's something for a toy/doll bike seat that we can improvise which is going to work better than these, especially since our Beinn 20 Islabike's got a rear-rack on it so I think it won't work?

There didn't seem much product information, except from Halfords, on how they attach:
Halfords http://www.halfords.com/cycling/accessories/kids-bike-accessories/girls-bike-dolly-seat;
Aumüller http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aumuller-33-Dolls-Bicycle-Nature/dp/B0009JKACU;
Egmont wicker seat http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TDM0IG/?tag=leprice053-21;
Oh, and of course, announcing the Disney princess version(!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Widek-Girls-Disney-Princess-Dollseat/dp/B0030KB19Q?

I can see a handlebar basket has some advantages (and distractions) and wonder whether that's more helpful instead, especially if the rear seats clash with the rear-rack:
Basil Jasmine http://www.evanscycles.com/products/basil/jasmin-scrap-kids-front-oval-bike-basket-ec040196;
Basil Tivoli http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p63248/Basil-Tivoli-Junior-Hook-On-Handlebar-Basket-w-Animal-Motif.aspx;
Oxford Bicycles plastic woven http://www.halfords.com/cycling/accessories/kids-bike-accessories/girls-pink-woven-bike-basket;
Real wicker with leather straps http://www.amazon.co.uk/Child%60s-Traditional-Bicycle-Leather-Children%60s/dp/B00BMR7S50;
and, of course, the Disney princess version(!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disney-Baby-Bike-basket-Princess/dp/B005ZE8RLA?

[pjclinch]

I would personally go for a basket option, if for no other reason that it'll be much easier to take it off when not wanted and when it's on it won't make the rack awkward to use. Baskets are, in general terms, rather easier to use than rack mount stuff and as long as there's no great weight in it then the steering shouldn't be affected. Something with a QR system like Klikfix can be a genuinely useful accessory.

(My daughter was never interested in a doll-seat once she graduated from the pink BSO with stabilisers supplied by her former foster carers. She's carried her school bag (a bike pannier) on the rack of her Beinn 20, and subsequently Beinn 26, on a daily basis since she's been able).

Pete.

[LollyKat]

Speaking from my own experience I think a handlebar basket is better. When I was a child I loved taking my favourite soft toy in the basket - I felt it could see and enjoy what I was seeing, and was easily accessible when I stopped. It was a cat glove puppet and I would stop, put it on and chat to it, before continuing. It was great company and went with me everywhere. Happy days!

[eileithyia]

Thank the powers that be for boys... a few cars go in the bag...

[pjclinch]

Thank the powers that be for boys... a few cars go in the bag...

Boy is turning in to a teenager early, latest bike not to have rack as "not cool" (he wasn't keen on the mudguards until I pointed out he could do his own laundry if he didn't have them), so any time we go anywhere I get badgered to carry stuff for him (the answer is "no: your choice not to have any sensible way of putting stuff on the bike") and much faffing with rucksack. My daughter (18 months younger) is vastly more tilted toward "practical".

Pete.

[latequartet]

Thanks everyone, I appreciated all your comments: I've gone for the lightweight basket Basil Tivoli as the simplest, reasonable durable, lightest and most versatile option.

[eileithyia]

Thank the powers that be for boys... a few cars go in the bag...

Boy is turning in to a teenager early, latest bike not to have rack as "not cool" (he wasn't keen on the mudguards until I pointed out he could do his own laundry if he didn't have them), so any time we go anywhere I get badgered to carry stuff for him (the answer is "no: your choice not to have any sensible way of putting stuff on the bike") and much faffing with rucksack. My daughter (18 months younger) is vastly more tilted toward "practical".

Pete.

That's why am slightly amused by the thread regarding a bike for a 16yr.. and how long before he realises his inexpensive, one size fits all, is totally uncool when out on those charity rides....

[Vorpal]

Mini V had a front basket. She wanted a dolly seat, but I won her to the idea of a basket with the argument that she could see her toys, and would know if one them tried to escape.

She now has a bike with a rear rack.

[latequartet]

We're delighted with our solution. We got the Basil Tivoli basket to fit onto the Beinn 20 (small) from Islabikes. Although the basket looked tiny, on collection, it's a perfect fit. It just meant rotating the brake levers upwards to hang the basket on, making sure there was no pressure on the brake cables, and rotating the brake levers back down, to, in effect, 'lock' the basket in place.