Finding a Blackburn Copilot Limo baby bike seat for just $5 at a thrift store felt like hitting the jackpot. While the initial find was luck, the decision to invest time in cleaning it up, sourcing the compatible bike rack, and ultimately keeping it was a well-thought-out choice.
Living in a cycling-centric town like Boulder, Colorado, offers the advantage of easily finding pre-owned kids’ bike gear. This meant there was no pressure to keep the Copilot Limo seat unless it truly impressed.
Fortunately, it did. The Copilot Limo pleasantly surprised me with its user-friendly installation process – no frustration required! – its easily washable gel seat, and most importantly, the pure joy it brought to my little one during our rides around town. Weighing in at a mere 11.8 pounds, the seat adds minimal weight to the bike, making it barely noticeable during rides.
Our home is conveniently located right on a major bike path, making bike commuting a regular part of our lifestyle. With frequent bike trips, finding a comfortable and durable seat for my youngest child, one that would last for a couple of years as she grows, was a priority. I was looking for longevity, quality materials, and, above all, comfort. The Copilot Limo seemed to tick all these boxes.
In this review, I’ll delve into the reasons why the Copilot Limo has become a keeper for our family, along with some aspects I would tweak if given the chance. If you’re in the market for a lightweight, easy-to-install, and budget-friendly Toddler Bike Seat, this could be the perfect option for you. However, it’s wise to proceed with caution when considering purchasing it at full price and always inspect used seats thoroughly before buying.
Quick Verdict: The Copilot Limo Toddler Bike Seat
The Upsides:
- Lightweight and User-Friendly: Effortless to install and detach from the bike, making transitions smooth.
- Comfort Focused Design: Features thick, washable gel padding and side protection for a comfortable ride.
- Safety Features Included: Comes equipped with spoke guards, a secure three-point harness, and a fold-down grab bar for added safety and security.
- Adjustable and Reclining: Offers a reclining backrest and adjustable footrests to accommodate growing children.
Things to Consider:
- No Built-In Storage: Unlike a bike trailer, this seat lacks storage space for essentials.
- Limited Space: Can feel a bit cramped between the child seat and the adult rider, and the recline is somewhat limited.
- Child Sliding: Younger children may slide forward in the seat, potentially causing discomfort in the lower back area.
- Rack Dependency: Requires the specific carrier rack designed for the seat, limiting compatibility.
- Durability Concerns: Potential issues with the durability of straps and overall longevity.
- Quick-Release Wheel Requirement: Will only install on bikes with a quick-release rear wheel.
Pricing and Purchase Options:
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $199
- Check Current Price at REI.com
- Find Deals on Amazon.com (Price as of Last update: 2025-02-22) – Disclaimer on Pricing & Availability
Prioritizing Comfort for Little Passengers
The Copilot Limo truly lives up to its “Limo” namesake when it comes to comfort. The seat is generously sized and spacious, featuring a reclining back and a wonderfully plush gel seat pad.
My toddler enjoys resting her hands on the padded, overhead pull-down bar, which also doubles as a secure spot to hold her favorite doll and gives her an added sense of security during our rides. The clever gaps in the plastic at the top of the seat are not only good for ventilation on warmer days but also provide handy attachment points for clipping on a small backpack for carrying essentials.
Given how frequently we use the seat, the easily removable and washable gel padding is a standout feature. It’s incredibly convenient to be able to quickly clean up spills and messes.
I can easily remove the seat pad, rinse it under the sink, and have it back in place in under ten minutes. While the glue on the Velcro backing of the pad can start to loosen over time, a bit of super glue easily resolves this minor issue.
Fit Considerations: Best for Average Height Parents and Toddlers
The seat provides a comfortable fit for my 22-month-old, who weighs around 20 lbs, with plenty of room to grow. For testing purposes, my adventurous husband even took our 4.5-year-old, weighing 49 lbs, for a short ride. He reported that while pedaling was more challenging, it was manageable.
A happy toddler sits comfortably in the CoPilot Limo bike seat, enjoying a bike ride with her parent.
Although the seat is rated for children up to 4.5 years old, my daughter is already quite tall for her age, around 50 inches (the average height of a 6-year-old). During the ride, her knees were bumping into my husband’s back, making it less than ideal. This particular ride was more about fulfilling her curiosity to experience the “baby seat” again and isn’t something we’d recommend for regular use with older or taller children.
My eldest daughter clearly inherited her height from her father, who is 6’2”. He found that the back of his shoes would frequently hit the bottom of the baby seat while pedaling. At 5’7”, I experience this issue to a lesser extent as well.
The design of the seat does seem to position it a bit too far forward, which reduces personal space for both the rider and the child. Despite the convenient quick-release mounting system, which is great for switching the seat between bikes (similar to car seat bases), we haven’t opted to install a second rack on my husband’s bike due to this fit issue.
Despite the somewhat limited space between parent and child, the Copilot Limo remains a reliable and economical choice for a rear child seat, especially if neither the parent nor child is particularly tall.
Areas for Improvement
While the Copilot Limo is a solid seat, there are a few aspects related to comfort that could be improved, beyond just the limited space between rider and child. One feature I wish were more effective is the recline. The slight tilt available isn’t sufficient to prevent my toddler from slumping forward uncomfortably when she falls asleep during rides.
Another issue is that my daughter tends to slide forward in the seat, creating a gap behind her lower back. This also seems to put pressure on her diaper area by the end of our rides due to the sliding. It’s possible this is more pronounced because she is on the smaller side, but I haven’t been able to resolve it, even by tightening the straps.
More adjustability in the harness would be beneficial to achieve a more secure fit. Currently, there are only two height slots for the harness. Adding a third, lower slot would be helpful for smaller toddlers to ensure a snug and safer fit. Ideally, repositioning the seat slightly further back and allowing for a greater recline angle would counteract the natural forward tilt of the seat when mounted.
While I appreciate the added safety strap that goes around the seat post, I’ve noticed it has scratched up my seat post. For my commuter bike, this isn’t a major concern, but I wouldn’t recommend using this seat with a more premium seat post you want to keep pristine.
Lastly, in an ideal scenario, the seat would be compatible with a universal bike rack rather than being limited to the proprietary EX-1 rack. This rack requirement means it can’t be used on cargo bikes like the Radpower Radwagon, which is a significant limitation for some families.
The adjustable foot wells on our older model seat no longer stay tightened, but thankfully, I can still use the straps to secure my child’s feet and prevent her from kicking me while riding. Interestingly, the adjustable foot wells have been removed entirely in the newer Limo models. This suggests that perhaps they were prone to breaking – a good concept, but potentially not executed with optimal durability.
A close-up showing the adjustable foot well and straps on the Copilot Limo toddler bike seat.
Disc Brake Compatibility
A significant advantage of the Copilot Limo is its compatibility with bikes equipped with disc brakes. It’s crucial to ensure you purchase the “EX-1 Disc” rack version when buying to guarantee compatibility.
The market for child bike seats that work seamlessly with disc brakes is not extensive, making the Limo a valuable option for parents who need this compatibility.
Safety Features and Considerations
The Copilot Limo appears to be a safe and well-considered option compared to other toddler bike seats available. I appreciate the bright color options (ours is a vibrant red and yellow, while newer models come in bright blue and green), the integrated rear light mount, and the built-in reflector, all contributing to enhanced visibility.
I’ve observed other parents adding extra reflectors and even safety flags for increased safety, which is always a prudent idea, especially when biking in bike lanes on roads. The Copilot is designed to be compatible with Blackburn flashers and CPSC reflectors if you choose to add further safety measures.
The padded overhead pull-down bar serves a dual purpose, acting as a comfortable hand rest and providing an additional protective barrier in case of a bike tip-over. From a safety perspective, I feel confident in the Copilot Limo, provided it remains in good working condition. (More on durability concerns below).
Copilot promotes the pull-down bar’s ability to be positioned behind the seat, allowing it to function as a freestanding child seat. However, I’m not entirely convinced of its stability in this mode. While the seat can stand on its own, I wouldn’t feel comfortable placing my child in it while freestanding. It seems easily tipped over, which could frighten a toddler and potentially make them wary of the seat. It simply doesn’t feel sufficiently stable for freestanding use.
Durability and Warranty Limitations
For added security, the Copilot Limo includes extra straps that limit rearward seat movement. This feature provides an extra layer of reassurance.
However, research reveals some user complaints about these straps breaking, and the warranty is limited to just one year. If these straps fail after the warranty period, the seat essentially becomes unusable, as replacement straps are not available for purchase through Copilot’s website. This is a significant point to consider regarding long-term durability.
Additionally, a rubber strap on the back of the seat, also intended for safety, is reportedly prone to snapping and similarly lacks a replacement option.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Copilot Limo is a commendable toddler bike seat with several positive attributes, though it does have a few minor and, unfortunately, some potentially unfixable drawbacks. I’m perfectly content to re-glue the Velcro on the seat pad as needed or to use a jacket to support my toddler’s head when she naps due to the limited recline (many other seats also lack significant recline).
The fact that I acquired this seat and the rack used for only $20 makes it an exceptional value. However, if either of the crucial safety straps (front or rear) were to break or tear, the seat would quickly become unusable and destined for recycling, given the expired warranty and lack of replacement parts.
In conclusion, I would hesitate to recommend purchasing this seat at full price due to the durability concerns. However, I have noticed older models available at discounted prices on Amazon, which could be a worthwhile option if you are on a tighter budget.
It remains a generally good seat, especially when compared to some of the less expensive, generic brands found in big-box stores. If you can find a Copilot Limo in the used market (which is common in areas with active cycling communities), it’s definitely worth considering. Just be sure to carefully inspect the safety straps for any wear and tear before purchasing and remember that you will need the corresponding EX-1 rack for installation.
Explore More Options for Child Bike Seats & Alternatives
About Us: Rascal Rides
We are the Rascal Rides family: Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). Rascal Rides was born when Parker arrived, and we were determined to keep our passion for biking alive. As we learned about biking with kids, we shared our experiences. Over the years, we’ve put countless kids’ bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and other cycling gear through rigorous testing.
Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach who is enthusiastic about sharing her love of biking with families. Blair is our resident bike expert, mechanic, and mountain bike enthusiast. Parker is our chief product tester and constant source of inspiration.
If you spot us on the bike path, don’t hesitate to say hello!
