Bring your little rider along for the ride.

A Kids Ride Shotgun seat puts your child between your arms with a clear view of the trail and you close enough for a chat. It is a great way to share riding before they are ready to cover much ground on their own bike.

The right setup depends on your bike, your child’s size and how often you want to fit or remove the seat. Here is how the Original, 2.0, Pro Gen 2 and Pro EVO compare, along with the handlebar and combo options.

Which Shotgun Setup Should I Choose?

If you want the short answer: we would start with the 2.0 Combo for a regular mountain bike and the Pro Gen 2 Combo for an e-MTB. We still recommend checking the fit before ordering. If your child needs a harnessed seat, look at the Pro EVO.

Original Shotgun: A Simple Starting Point

The Original Shotgun MTB Child Bike Seat mounts directly to a compatible mountain-bike frame. Rubber padding protects the contact points while the seat width, leg angle and saddle position can be adjusted to suit the bike.

The Original is a good option if you only plan to use the seat occasionally and do not mind taking a little longer to fit or remove it. Its leg length and footpeg height are fixed, so check that your child can reach the footpegs comfortably.

Choose the Original Shotgun Seat and Handlebar Combo if you want the seat and child handlebars together. Check the product listing to confirm which handlebar version is included.

Shotgun 2.0: Our Pick for Regular MTB Family Rides

The Shotgun 2.0 Child Bike Seat keeps the rubber-protected frame mounting of the Original but adds quick-release fitting. That is particularly useful when the same bike is used for family outings and your own rides.

Two footpeg positions provide more room to adjust the seat as your child grows. The 2.0 suits compatible alloy and carbon mountain bikes, but it is not designed for electric mountain bikes.

The Shotgun 2.0 Seat and Handlebar Combo includes the matching 2.0 child handlebars. This is the package we would start with for most families riding a regular mountain bike.

Shotgun Pro Gen 2: For E-MTBs and Frequent Use

The Shotgun Pro Gen 2 Child Bike Seat mounts between the headset and seatpost without contacting the bike frame. Its adjustable layout works with many regular mountain bikes and e-MTBs, including bikes with wider down tubes.

Quick-release mounting makes the seat straightforward to fit and remove after the initial setup. Seven leg-length positions provide considerably more adjustment than the frame-mounted models.

The Shotgun Pro Gen 2 Seat and Handlebar Combo adds the wider quick-release Pro handlebars. This is our pick for frequent family rides, especially when you want to use the seat across two compatible bikes.

Initial installation involves fitting a dedicated headset spacer. Check the headset, stem and seatpost clearance before ordering. Some proprietary headsets and internally routed cable systems require a separate adaptor.

Shotgun Pro EVO: Start Younger and Convert Later

The Shotgun Pro EVO 2-in-1 Child Bike Seat starts as a supportive harnessed seat, then converts into an open Pro seat as your child grows. Shotgun Pro child handlebars are included.

• Harnessed setup: For children weighing 9–15 kg and recommended from approximately 9 months to 2 years, provided the child meets the manufacturer’s readiness requirements
• Open Pro setup: For children weighing 12–27 kg and recommended from approximately 2–5 years once they are ready to ride without the harnessed seat

The harnessed configuration includes a five-point harness, sternum strap and child-resistant Fidlock® buckle. Both configurations mount at the headset and seatpost without contacting the bike frame.

This is the model to consider if you want to begin riding with a younger passenger and continue using the same system as they grow. The harnessed and open configurations have different child-readiness requirements, so follow the instructions supplied with the seat.

Shotgun 2.0 Bars or Pro Bars?

Both versions give your child their own small grips and help keep their hands away from your brake levers, shifter and other controls. The main things to check are your adult handlebar diameter, available room around the stem and whether quick removal matters to you.

Choose Shotgun 2.0 Child Bike Handlebars if you want a compact setup, particularly if your adult handlebars use a 25.4 mm clamp diameter.

Choose Shotgun Pro Child Bike Handlebars if you want a wider hand position and quick-release fitting.

The handlebars do not have to match the seat model. Check the available space around your adult handlebar, stem and controls before choosing a set.

Seat Only or Combo?

Choose a combo if you are starting from scratch and want the seat and matching child handlebars in one purchase. It is still worth comparing the combo price with the current prices of the individual items.

Choose the seat separately if you already own suitable child handlebars or want to choose a different bar width or fitting system.

Check Your Bike and Child Before Buying

The Original and 2.0 seats are intended for compatible regular mountain bikes. The Pro models fit many e-MTBs, but they are not automatically compatible with every bike. We still need to check the headset, seatpost and available clearance.

Do not assume that road bikes, gravel bikes, step-through bikes or bikes without front suspension will be compatible.

Age is only a starting point. Before using an open seat, your child needs to reach the footrests, hold on, follow basic instructions and remain awake throughout the ride. Always follow the weight limits and readiness requirements supplied with your particular seat.

In the shop, the first thing we check is whether there is enough room for you to pedal, steer properly and see clearly over your child’s helmet. Bring your bike and child in if you would like us to check the setup before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use a Shotgun Seat on a Carbon Bike?

The Original and 2.0 seats are designed for compatible alloy and carbon mountain-bike frames and use rubber protection at their contact points. The Pro models avoid contact with the frame altogether. Check your bike manufacturer’s requirements and keep all mounting surfaces clean.

Can We Share One Seat Between Two Bikes?

Yes, provided both bikes are compatible and the seat is adjusted correctly for each one. The Pro models are particularly convenient for this. Both bikes need the appropriate mounting hardware, so check the package contents and any Shotgun Pro adaptors or spare mounting parts required.

Do Pro Handlebars Make a Seat E-MTB Compatible?

No. E-MTB compatibility comes from the seat mounting system and the available space on the bike. Adding Pro handlebars to an Original or 2.0 seat does not change which bikes the seat can fit.

Where Should We Start Riding?

Begin with a short ride on smooth, quiet ground and get used to the extra passenger before heading further. Keep the pace relaxed, allow plenty of stops and stay within the terrain restrictions for your seat and configuration. Both riders need correctly fitted helmets.

Our Thoughts

For a regular mountain bike, the 2.0 Combo is the sensible place to start. The quick-release seat is handy and the two footpeg positions provide some room as your child grows. The Original remains worth considering if the seat will only be used occasionally.

For an e-MTB or regular swaps between bikes, we would look at the Pro Gen 2 Combo. If you want to start riding with a younger child who needs a supportive harnessed seat, the Pro EVO is the option to check.

Getting the fit right matters more than buying the most expensive model. If you are unsure, bring the bike in and we can work through it with you.

Why Buy from Chain Reaction?

Come in and have a chat about your bike, your child and the sort of riding you would like to do together. We can help compare the options and check which setup makes sense before you buy.

You will find us at 4–218 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch, with more than 200 free onsite car parks. Bring your bike along so we can take a proper look.