Summer has come to a close but Fall is still the perfect time for outdoor bike rides and exploration with the family. What better way to get out and see the neighborhood or the trails with your little one than on your bicycle. Veer, the makers of The Switchback System, have done it again by adding a new addition to their massive line up of frames and adapters. Today I will be reviewing the &Bike mount and rack that the Switchback Seat attaches to.
Installation
Installation was much easier than I has anticipated it to be. When all the parts come out of the box it appears to be a little bit overwhelming. My suggestion is to lay everything out in a space to put matching parts together and verify you have everything. This helped to get prepared and reduce the initial stress of everything laid out. The instruction manual is exceptionally easy to read and follow. There are 14 steps in total that guide you along the way to safely and securely attaching the &Bike to your bicycle of choice. If your bicycle is not set up for the &Bike they document the ways to address that very easily.
My bicycle was ready to go for installation. You will need a few tools which the most basic tool boxes have, and the tools required are also included in the box to make it even more simple. The instructions, as I said are extremely easy to follow and really simplify the whole process. Each of the 14 steps include pictures with directional arrows to assist you in installation.
The instruction manual also covers how to attach the Switchback Seat and adjust the pieces to fit your child. The total installation took me approximately 30 minutes with taking my time, taking notes and ensuring everything was set up perfectly for my child. The process overall was not stressful or difficult.
Functionality
If you are a part of the Veer family then you are well aware of how convenient the entire Switchback system actually is. Having one seat that can swap between all of your items is life changing for a parent or guardian. The &Bike allows the Switchback Seat to simply “click” into place with minimal effort. This gives the firm grasp and safe feeling that helps you know your child is secure.
You can also tell that the mount and rack are secured just by looking. However, I would personally just recommend checking before each outing because I am overly cautious. Over all of my rides with my son, none of the bolts moved or loosened, everything stayed put and held up very nicely even on the bumpiest of rides.
Ease Of Cleaning
Just like all of the other Veer products this one is no different. Cleaning is as simple as spraying it all off with a hose. Seat and mount are both designed to be cleaned this way which again is one of the greatest features I’ve ever heard in my life. For those tough muddy pieces and parts you can still use a soft bristle scrub brush to get those tough spots that don’t want to come off.
Overall
If you are part of the Veer family already, this bonus attachment is a necessity if you are a cycler. Even if you just enjoy rides around the neighborhood you absolutely need this for your collection. The &Bike is versatile enough for the Rocky Mountains or for the speed bumps in the local streets. Installation is straight forward and easily completed with the instruction manual. They offer add on packages at affordable prices to make your bike compatible if it is not already. Cleaning is a breeze just like all of the Veer products. Get the hose, spray it off really well, let it dry, ride again. It’s as simple as possible. Everything feels exceptionally safe and secure. I completely trust my &Bike with my son and next eventual child for all of our outdoor adventures. I look forward to trying out even more products with the Veer system. Head over to HERE to purchase yours today!
