This article features insights from Jennifer Gardner, a passionate cyclist and mother of two hailing from Boulder, CO.
Discovering a Copilot Limo baby bike seat for just $5 at a thrift store felt like hitting the jackpot. While the initial find was based on pure chance, my subsequent decision to restore it, locate the corresponding bike rack, and ultimately keep it was a more strategic choice.
Living in a cycling-centric location like Boulder, Colorado, I’m often presented with opportunities to find pre-owned kids’ bike equipment. This constant availability meant I wasn’t obligated to keep this particular seat unless it truly impressed me.
Fortunately, it did. The Copilot Limo pleasantly surprised me with its user-friendly installation process—no frustration required—along with a washable gel seat pad and the sheer joy it brought to my daughter during our rides around town. Weighing in at just 11.8 pounds, this seat is remarkably lightweight, making its presence on the bike barely noticeable.
Our home’s proximity to a major bike path means we frequently use bicycles for transportation. Given our regular cycling habits, finding a comfortable seat capable of accommodating my youngest child for a year or two was a priority. My criteria included longevity (room for growth), high-quality materials, and, crucially, comfort. I believe this seat ticks all those boxes.
In this review, I will detail the reasons why the CoPilot Limo has become a keeper for our family, as well as highlight aspects I would modify if given the chance. If you’re in the market for a lightweight, easy-to-install, and budget-friendly option, this seat could be an excellent choice. However, caution is advised when considering purchasing this seat at full retail price, and thorough inspection is recommended when buying it used.
CoPilot Limo: Quick Overview
The Upsides:
- Lightweight design, simple to install and remove
- Generously padded, washable gel seat with side impact protection
- Integrated spoke guards with Velcro foot straps
- Foldable grab bar, secure three-point harness, and reclining seat back
The Downsides:
- Lacks storage capacity, unlike bike trailers
- Limited space for both child and adult rider, minimal recline angle
- Child tends to slide forward, creating a gap behind the lower back
- Requires the proprietary carrier rack for installation
- Potential concerns regarding long-term durability and safety
- Incompatible with bikes lacking a quick-release rear wheel
Pricing and Availability:
- MSRP: $199
- Check current price at REI.com
- Find deals on Amazon.com (Price as of 2025-02-22 at 19:18) – Pricing Disclaimer
Comfort and Design Features
The Copilot Limo truly lives up to its luxurious name. The seat is generously sized and spacious, featuring a reclining backrest and a plush gel seat pad that enhances comfort for your little one.
My toddler enjoys using the padded overhead pull-down bar as a handrest. It also conveniently serves as a secure spot for her doll and adds to her sense of security. The strategically placed gaps at the top of the seat provide ventilation on warmer days and offer attachment points for a small backpack, adding a touch of practicality.
Given our frequent use of this 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.
Removing the seat pad, washing it, and reinstalling takes less than ten minutes, a real time-saver for busy parents. While the adhesive on the Velcro backing may start to loosen over time, it can be easily re-glued with standard super glue, a minor maintenance task for the long-term benefits.
Fit Considerations for Parents and Children
The seat is a great fit for my 22-month-old, who weighs around 20 lbs, offering ample room for growth. My adventurous husband even tested it out with our 4.5-year-old, who weighs 49 lbs, for a short ride. He reported that while pedaling was more challenging, it was manageable.
Although the seat is rated for children up to 4.5 years old, my daughter, who is unusually tall for her age at 50 inches (the average height of a 6-year-old), found her knees bumping into his back during the ride. This was more of a fun experiment to satisfy her curiosity about riding in the “baby seat” and isn’t something we’d typically do.
My husband, who is 6’2”, and I, at 5’7”, both experienced the seat protruding back far enough that our heels occasionally hit the bottom of the child seat while pedaling, though this was more pronounced for him.
The seat’s positioning does seem somewhat forward, which reduces personal space for both the rider and child. Despite the quick-release mounting system designed for easy seat transfer between bikes, we decided against installing a second rack on my husband’s bike due to this space limitation.
Despite the closeness, the CoPilot Limo remains a strong contender if you’re seeking an affordable yet comfortable rear-mounted child seat, especially if neither you nor your child are particularly tall. This makes it a viable option when considering used children’s bikes and accessories, as fit can be more forgiving when not paying full price.
Areas for Improvement
While the CoPilot Limo scores high on many fronts, there are a few comfort-related drawbacks beyond the limited space between rider and child. A more significant recline feature would be a welcome improvement. The current slight tilt 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 an awkward gap behind her lower back. There also seems to be noticeable pressure on her diaper area after longer rides due to this forward sliding. This might be more pronounced because she is on the smaller side, but even tightening the straps doesn’t completely resolve the problem.
More adjustability in the harness system would also be beneficial. Currently, there are only two height slots for the harness. Adding a third, lower slot would better accommodate smaller children and provide a more secure fit. Repositioning the seat slightly further back and increasing the recline angle could also counteract the seat’s natural forward tilt when mounted.
While I appreciate the added safety strap that wraps around the seat post, it has unfortunately scratched the paint on my seat post. This isn’t a major concern for my commuter bike, but it’s worth noting if you plan to use it on a bike with a nicer finish.
Ideally, the seat should be compatible with universal bike racks, rather than being limited to the proprietary EX-1 rack. This proprietary requirement means it can’t be used on cargo bikes like the Radpower Radwagon, limiting its versatility.
On our older model, the adjustable foot wells no longer tighten securely. While I can still use the straps to keep her feet in place, this is a point of wear. Interestingly, the newer Limo models have removed the adjustable foot wells entirely, possibly due to durability issues. While a good concept, the execution seems to have fallen short.
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 variant when buying to guarantee compatibility.
The market for child bike seats that work seamlessly with disc brakes is relatively limited, making the Limo a valuable option for cyclists with disc brake systems. This is particularly relevant when considering upgrading used children’s bikes, as disc brakes are becoming increasingly common.
Safety Features
The Copilot Limo appears to be a safe choice when compared to other child 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 rear light mounting point, and the integrated reflector for enhanced visibility.
Many parents, myself included, opt to add extra reflectors and a safety flag for increased visibility, especially when biking in street bike lanes. The Copilot is designed to be compatible with Blackburn flashers and CPSC reflectors if you wish to further enhance safety.
The padded overhead pull-down bar not only serves as a hand rest but also as an additional safety barrier in case of a bike tip-over. Overall, the CoPilot offers a strong sense of safety, provided it remains in good working order. (See notes on durability below).
While Copilot promotes the pull-down bar’s ability to be positioned behind the seat to create a freestanding child seat, I have reservations about its safety in this mode. Although the seat can stand independently, it doesn’t feel stable enough to confidently place a child in it. It wouldn’t take much to tip it over, potentially scaring a toddler and creating a negative association with the seat. It simply lacks the stability needed for safe freestanding use.
Durability and Warranty Concerns
Additional security straps are incorporated to minimize rearward seat movement, a feature that adds to peace of mind.
However, research reveals reports of these straps breaking, and the limited one-year warranty means that if this occurs outside of the warranty period, the seat becomes unusable. Replacement straps are not available for purchase through the Copilot website, which is a significant drawback.
Similarly, a rubber safety strap on the seat back is also prone to snapping and lacks replacement options. These durability issues are important to consider, especially when evaluating used children’s bikes and accessories where wear and tear might be a factor.
Final Verdict
Overall, the CoPilot Limo is a well-designed seat with a mix of strengths and a few addressable, and unfortunately, some inherent limitations. Minor inconveniences like re-gluing Velcro or improvising neck support for a sleeping toddler are manageable. (Few seats offer significant recline anyway).
My satisfaction is amplified by the fact I acquired this seat, including a used rack, for only $20. However, the potential for failure of critical safety straps, without available replacements or fixes, is a significant concern.
Therefore, I would not advise paying full retail price for this seat. However, older models are often available at discounted prices on platforms like Amazon, making them a more attractive option if budget is a primary concern.
It remains a generally good seat, particularly when compared to lower-quality brands often found in big-box stores. If you can find a CoPilot Limo used (which is common in areas like ours), it’s worth considering, but be sure to thoroughly inspect the safety straps before purchasing and remember that the matching rack is essential for installation. This makes it a smart choice for parents looking into used children’s bikes and accessories to save money without compromising too much on quality and features.
Explore More About Child Bike Seats & Alternatives
About Us
Rascal Rides is a family endeavor created by Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born, driven by our desire to continue our passion for cycling as a family. Sharing our experiences and learnings has been our focus ever since. Over the years, we’ve rigorously tested hundreds of kids’ bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and a wide range of other cycling gear.
Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, dedicated to sharing her love for biking with families. Blair is our resident bike expert, mechanic, and mountain bike enthusiast. Parker serves as our chief product tester and constant source of inspiration.
If you spot us on the trail, please don’t hesitate to say hello!
