Bicycle seat on a fat bike: what should you consider?
Fatbikes have become extremely popular, not only for adventurous rides in nature, but also as cool city bikes or family bikes. More and more people are mounting a Qibbel bike seat on a fatbike to take their child with them. But is that always safe? In this blog, you can read what you need to consider if you want to use a child seat on a fatbike — including practical tips and technical requirements.
Is your fat bike suitable for a child seat
Not every fat bike is designed to safely carry extra weight. A child seat can only be mounted on a fat bike if the bike is structurally designed for this purpose. Always check in advance:
Can your fat bike safely carry the weight of a child + bike seat?
Many fat bikes are designed for one person and sporty use.Does your fat bike have sturdy mounting points, such as a solid luggage rack?
Advice: If in doubt, contact the manufacturer or supplier of your fat bike. Ask specifically whether your model is suitable for carrying a child seat.
Which luggage carrier is suitable for a Qibbel bike seat?
The quality of the luggage carrier is crucial for mounting a Qibbel Air rear seat or Qibbel Junior 6+ seat on a fat bike. The luggage carrier must meet the following specifications:
Width without inserts: 115 – 175 mm
Width with inserts: 100 – 160 mm
Tube diameter:
Without inserts: round tubes 14–25 mm, square tubes 11–20 mm
With: round tubes 10–14 mm, square tubes 10–11 mm
Load capacity:
Minimum 27 kg (Qibbel Air rear seat)
Minimum 37 kg (Qibbel Junior 6+ seat)
Is the luggage rack on your fatbike too narrow, too weak or unsuitable? Then we advise against mounting a child seat.
Qibbel front seat on a fat bike: pay attention to the stem!
In many cases, a Qibbel front seat can also be mounted on a fat bike, provided that the stem is suitable. Our standard stem attachment fits stems with:
Diameter 22 – 36 mm
Minimum height 20 mm
Also suitable for many A-head stems
Integrated cables? Use the stem adapter!
Fat bikes with an integrated cable system (cables running through the stem) require an additional solution: the Qibbel stem adapter. Available variants:
1 1/4 inch
1 1/8 inch
Optionally with extension bolt
Please note: Mounting the stem adapter is technically complex, as the headset must be readjusted. We recommend having this done by an experienced bicycle mechanic. Read more about this adapter on our instruction page (https://www.qibbel.com/en/instructions-accessoires/front-mount-adapter).
Why choose Qibbel? Sustainable and Dutch craftsmanship
All Qibbel bicycle seats are produced locally in the Netherlands, at our factory in Krimpen aan den IJssel.
We use green energy, more than half of which we generate ourselves.
Many parts are made from recycled materials.
All our seats are easy to repair and durable, which contributes to sustainability.
Thanks to short transport lines, we minimise our ecological footprint.
With a Qibbel bike seat, you are not only choosing comfort and safety, but also making a conscious and sustainable choice.
Conclusion: safe adventures with your child on a fatbike
A fatbike with a child seat is a great way to enjoy cycling with your child — as long as you check beforehand that your fatbike is suitable. Pay attention to the load capacity of your bike, the quality of the luggage rack and the handlebar stem.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us or visit a bicycle repair shop for professional advice on mounting a Qibbel bicycle seat on your fatbike.