Review of Kettler Flipper Bicycle Seat

Kettler Flipper Bicycle Seat
By: Kettler Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 10
More Information

Amost a five star rating

On: 2007-12-08

Excellent child bike seat!! I find it very safe and a confortable ride for both my 2 year old daughter and myself. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because of the cheap fabric that tears at the seams after the first couple of rides. Even with this issue I recommend this seat highly.

Pleased with seat

On: 2007-06-28

As others mentioned, the seat installation instructions are a little challenging. I spent almost 2.5 hours getting it properly installed on my Mountain bike. Installing it takes a little patience, but once installed, it has performed great. I like that you can lean it back a little bit, and the seat sides help protect him, especially while cycling passed othes. Our chlid weights ~ 20 lbs. I would buy this seat again.

Pleased with seat

On: 2007-06-27

As others mentioned, the seat installation instructions are a little challenging. I spent almost 2.5 hours getting it properly installed on my Mountain bike. Installing it takes a little patience, but once installed, it has performed great. I like that you can lean it back a little bit, and the seat sides help protect him, especially while cycling passed othes. Our chlid weights ~ 20 lbs. I would buy this seat again.

Finally a Child Seat that Fits

On: 2007-05-29

I had purchased two child bicycle seats before this one, just to find out they would not work due to an unusual mountain bike frame on my bike. After doing some reseach online it looked like the Kettler seats would be the only kind that might work. Thankfully it does, though it took a good hour or more for my husband to get it on for me. My only complaint is that I can not ride with my peddle cages, if I do my heels hit the foot rests on the seat. Other than that, Im happy to have something to plop my 22 month old on and just go (we have a trailer, but I hate having to put it together everytime I want to take a quick ride). The seat is so easy to put on and remove when I hang my bike up while Im not riding, or if Im not taking him. I think he prefers to go in the trailer, but hes starting to get used to the seat.

Best Baby Seat

On: 2007-05-26

The Kettler Flipper was highly recommended by a friend. I had looked at baby carriers that are towed behind the bicycle but I did not want all that weight. The Flipper was easy to install even though the directions are in pictograms rather than words. A bracket attaches to the bike frame below the seat post and it can be adjusted up and down and rotated to get the angle right -- I had to raise the bracket after initial installation to avoid hitting it with my knees when I pedal. The seat and attached frame slip and clamp into the bracket, which takes a bit of work -- removing it takes a second or two, so you can ride without the seat when you are solo. The baby is well protected, feet strapped in as well as torso. The seat reclines a bit for comfort. Light weight, easy on and off, baby safe and comfortable -- an excellent bike seat for baby.

Not up to Kettler's high standards

On: 2007-05-08

I have always been impressed with Kettlers balance bike and tricycles. Because of my appreciation for these, I decided to order the Kettler bicycle seat rather than the "Copilot" bicycle seat that most people around here own. In hindsight, this was a bad decision.

1. the installation directions are a mess. In addition to the fact that the booklet consists only of pictures, which are in some cases not clear, the particular booklet that shipped with my seat was not even correct! Step 6 depicts the use of an 8mm bolt in a manner that violates the laws of physics. A copy of the same booklet downloaded from their website does not have the same error, and completely redoes several of the pictures.

2. Some installation hardware was missing, including one non-locking nut and a 22mm washer. Between the missing parts and the inaccurate instructions, installation took about three hours, plus a trip to the hardware store to buy replacements for the missing pieces.

3. I am not entirely comfortable with the mechanism that prevents the seat from sliding off the back of its supporting rack. I added a carabiner to the rear to reduce the risk.

4. The instructions require that the pivot at the back of the seat be at most 10cm behind the rear axle of the bike. On my bike at least, this left my heels slamming into the footrests of the seat on every pedal revolution. I moved the seat farther back after one ride.

5. The saddle bags are poorly designed and difficult to open one-handed. Given the need to hold the bike upright with one hand when a child is in the seat, this makes the bags much less useful. The bags should have double zippers with much bigger pulls, at the least.

6. The seat cushion is, in my opinion, ugly.

On the positive side, the seat is easy to remove, which simplifies my carrying of the bike down to storage in our basement after a ride. My daughter finds it comfortable and, even without my reclining the seat, she falls asleep in it without trouble. The seat belts and lap bar seem safe and give me peace of mind. I thought my daughter would object to the ankle strap (intended to prevent a child from kicking his or her parent in the rear while riding), but she did not mind. Of course, when she gets bored, she can still lean forward and hit me in the rear with her fists.

German engineering at work

On: 2007-05-07

I researched many different seats and finally decided to buy this one. I am amazed that it is a very simple design but works like a charm. It is truly a marvel of German engineering. The instructions were a bit of a challenge and exactly where to place the bracket was not clear so we had to move it after the test ride. Another great thing is that the weight of the seat and child are placed on the center of the bike just like the adults. I had no problem maneuvering the bike. The biggest downside is you never know if your child will like to ride in it until you buy it. Mine tolerates it preferring to ride on her own trike.

I take him everywhere!

On: 2007-04-26

I like this bike seat a lot. Pricier than some but some great features. Straps open to the side so my little guy can put his helmet on first and keep it on when I take him down to walk around.

It is sturdy and keeps him in securely. It reclines a bit for longer bike rides and has good size saddle bags on the side. They hold his jacket and a water bottle easily.

I used to commute by bike when we lived in the Netherlands so have tried smaller back bike seats with overhead straps. While they were lighter and didnt take up so much room, this one removes easily, adjusts easily and will be used for a few years.

I dont think Id spend so much for "once a month" usage but for 2-3 times a week like we do, it is perfect.

Not what I expected

by: Anonymous On: 2006-10-18

The instructions came in German and we had to rely on photos in the booklet to put this onto the bicycle. It states that it holds up to 50 lbs but my 40 lb son isnt stable on it. It shifts side to side and seems to be weighed down almost to the tire once he sits on it. We did take it and the bicycle to a bike shop to make sure it was installed correctly and it was. Just not sturdy in my opinion.

Flipper seat by Kettler is the best out there

by: Anonymous On: 2006-03-24

I bought the Kettler Flipper seat after doing tons of research into bike seats for my then 14-month old daughter. I decided on this one and am so glad I did. She loves riding in this...the suspension system is somewhat unique and so she gets a nice comfortable ride--she even falls asleep in it! It feels solid and is made very well. The best features are: 1) reclining seat great for catnaps; 2) it has an adjustable seat height, which is good if your child is taller like mine; 3) has a higher weight limit of compared to alot of other ones Id seen; 4) adjustable-length footrests with Velcro straps to prevent child from kicking you, 5) easily and quickly switches from one bike to another without needing to use any tools, provided youve also purchased and installed the additional mounting hardware, 6)theres a lap bar that the child can hold for extra stability and you can mount a stationary toy to (dont attach anything with a long tether that could catch in the wheels). Negatives: I dont really care for the cutesy blue print on the seating pad, and its on the pricey side. But I guess thats the price you pay for safety and quality. Some reviews Id read said that there was a problem with attaching this to certain types of womens mountain bikes, but I had no problem at all, and I have a 14.5" womens mtn. bike. FYI, Kettler also makes a line of amazing tricycles for tots, which we also purchased. All in all, one of my better investments into baby/child equipment.

Flipper seat by Kettler is the best out there

On: 2006-03-23

I bought the Kettler Flipper seat after doing tons of research into bike seats for my then 14-month old daughter. I decided on this one and am so glad I did. She loves riding in this...the suspension system is somewhat unique and so she gets a nice comfortable ride--she even falls asleep in it! It feels solid and is made very well. The best features are: 1) reclining seat great for catnaps; 2) it has an adjustable seat height, which is good if your child is taller like mine; 3) has a higher weight limit of compared to alot of other ones Id seen; 4) adjustable-length footrests with Velcro straps to prevent child from kicking you, 5) easily and quickly switches from one bike to another without needing to use any tools, provided youve also purchased and installed the additional mounting hardware, 6)theres a lap bar that the child can hold for extra stability and you can mount a stationary toy to (dont attach anything with a long tether that could catch in the wheels). Negatives: I dont really care for the cutesy blue print on the seating pad, and its on the pricey side. But I guess thats the price you pay for safety and quality. Some reviews Id read said that there was a problem with attaching this to certain types of womens mountain bikes, but I had no problem at all, and I have a 14.5" womens mtn. bike. FYI, Kettler also makes a line of amazing tricycles for tots, which we also purchased. All in all, one of my better investments into baby/child equipment.

Flipper Child Bike Seat-Safe. Pricey & hard to put together but worth it!

by: Anonymous On: 2005-07-11

It took ages to put together. The instructions are all in pictures without words and there are Alot of pieces. It could be more assembled for the price. However, after a couple hours it was finally put together and we love it. Our baby is under 1 year old and even if she wasnt I still would have paid for the 5 point seatbelt & the safety bar together. I looked everywhere and this is the only one with both these features. I dont know why all manufacturers dont take all safety precautions possible to protect our kids. I guess we have to pay top dollar for it! Extras: seat back adjusts with the size of the child, it also reclines for a nap. Adjustable foot braces keep kids feet in place & not kicking mom or dad. Nice design.