Bell Cocoon Child Bike Seat: Tested and Reviewed!

You get what you pay for with the Bell Cocoon 300, but it gets the job done!
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Here are five things you need to know to determine if the Bell Cocoon 300 Child Carrier is right for your family.
0:28 1. Smaller than other rear child bike seats
1:20 2. Cramped Ride
2:03 3. Bike Compatability
3:17 4. Harness is a Hassle
3:46 5. Can't easily remove seat
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The Bell Cocoon is the smallest rear child bike seat we’ve seen. While most rear seats have maximum weight capacities of 40 lbs. for US standards and 48 lbs. for Europe, the Cocoon has a 40 pound max no matter where you live. it also has a height max of 39 inches, while most rear mounted seats don’t have a height limit.
As a result, your child will outgrow the Cocoon more quickly than almost every other seat on the market
The Cocoon’s design has two limitations that create the potential for a cramped ride. The seat itself sits a bit closer to the adult rider than other seats on the market. If your child is small, this won’t be much of an issue.
However, as your child grows to the higher end of the sizing spectrum, the narrow, stationary footrests force a child’s knees into a high position that makes them more likely to hit the adult rider in front of them.
This will depend on your specific bike, including how high you set your saddle, and if you have your saddle set closer or farther away from the child behind you. Unfortunately, a great fit is really hard to determine before a child bike seat is mounted on your bike.
While most rear child bike seats mount to the seat tube of a bike’s frame or to a rear-mounted rack, this Bell seat is the only rear child carrier we’ve tested that mounts to the seat post AND the seat stays of your bike. While the seat post mount wasn’t an issue for us, we had difficulty mounting the Cocoon’s mounting arms to the seat stay.
To secure the black metal mounting arm to each seat stay, the bottom of the arm has a pivoting metal piece that essentially wraps around the seat stay. It is secured with a bolt to connect the two metal pieces. If your seat stay is too round or too thick, it’s pretty tricky to get the two sides of the mounting arm to close tight enough to be secured by the bolt.
If you have trouble getting the bolt to secure, try removing the plastic frame protectors.
We have a few mountain bikes (recreational and true mountain bikes) that have seat stays that are too thick. Unfortunately there’s no metric to definitively say that your seat stays may be too big.
This is the only child bike seat we know of that has three buckles. While we appreciate that it has a lap belt, all other seats that have a lap belt have it incorporated into a single harness system with one central buckle. Strapping squirming toddlers into a child bike seat is often a frustrating task, so a three-buckle system with a separate lap belt does make it a bit harder.
There are three shoulder strap height settings that should be adjusted as your child grows.
For us, the biggest drawback to the Bell Cocoon 300 is that it’s not designed to take on and off your bike between rides. Basically, if you get this seat, it will live on your bike until you decide you don’t want it there anymore.
Almost all child bike carriers have quick release systems that allow you to mount or un-mount the seat in under 30 seconds, without the use of tools. Not the case with the Bell Cocoon. It attaches via several bolts and is a serious process to attach to your bike. It’s not something you’ll want to do more than once unless you really have to.
So what’s the bottom line?
We understand the appeal of the Bell Cocoon 300 for budget-minded families. Just remember to factor in its small size, basic-quality and features, awkward harness, and finicky-fit mounting system. But when found on sale, it’s hard to be disappointed, even if it doesn’t work out!
Reviewer: Carrie Wren
Videography & Production: Fressia Eames
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#Bell #BellCocoon #BellCocoon300 #ChildBikeSeats #RearChildBikeSeats
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[@Athida91]

Very helpful review. Thank you!

[@Twowheelingtotsbikes]

You’re welcome!

[@jaizee8241]

Great video. Thank you! Do you or anyone recommend another carrier that is easily installed and taken out, as you mentioned?? I need 2 on my bike, one in the front and one in the back for both kids. Any suggestions???
Please help.

[@Twowheelingtotsbikes]

Oh yes! Did you see our video covering our 10 favorite child bike seats? (We’ve personally tested them!$

[@aquadrifter8174]

I'm going to buy it. My toddler is 18 month and by the time she is 3; She can learn to rider on her own.

[@Twowheelingtotsbikes]

Hope you enjoy!

[@aquadrifter8174]

great review. thank you

[@Twowheelingtotsbikes]

Thanks for watching!