You might be a cycling newbie or a relative De-France competitor, but anyone can fall victim to the common buying mistakes when it comes to cycling gear. Unfortunately, while the internet makes shopping easier than ever before, it has also increased the difficulty for newcomers to discern the good from the bad. Read next: The best umbrella strollers for easy travel and storage Is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 easy to clean? The Adventurer is ready to use straight out of the box. The straps take no time at all to get to grips with and everything adjusts as you would expect.

But what do you need to look out for when shopping for cycling gear? What are the best brands? What kit is really necessary? Do you really need it?Despite the feather-light design, it's surprisingly sturdy, with chest and waist straps that ensure it feels perfectly secure for both parent and child. The ideal progression from a front carrier, the Ranger is a great alternative for short to mid-length journeys if you want to leave your pushchair at home. So how do you choose the best baby carrier? They are available from newborn up to about four years old, so learning what works for you also depends on the age and temperament of your child (some tots are wrigglier than others!) and what feels most comfortable for both of you. Our advice is to take your time studying factors like the reputation of the brand, the materials used to manufacture the product and also comparing it to other products of a similar price in the Child Carriers category. Husband carrying our 16-month-old in the LittleLife Cross Country S4 on a nature walk How we tested the LittleLife Cross Country S4 There are hundreds upon hundreds of brands in bicycling. From budget to billionaire worthy, the range in prices can vary significantly.

We love the mirror for peeking at your little passenger as well as the soft head cushion that supports your child if they fall asleep. The height-adjustable foot loops also ensure maximum comfort for your toddler as they grow. The Cross Country S4 is the ideal choice for those who require a great all-rounded child carrier with more than enough features to keep you and your child happy throughout the day. Read next: The best baby carriers: soft-structured carriers, wraps and slings How easy is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 to assemble? Again, as you have come to expect from Littlelife, assembly takes mere moments. Online tutorials and instructions are handy if you want a bit of extra information and the in-box instructions can be followed with ease. Chances are you won’t need either but it’s nice to have the option.Thankfully, adjusting the seat isn’t fiddly in the slightest, meaning there is little risk of you trapping your finger in a fluster. For parents with more than one child, this feature also means you can adjust the seat to fit a slightly older child as well as your younger child (though not at the same time, obviously). Let the fighting commence. Comfort in a carrier is key too, for example the hip belt pivots whilst you’re walking so the load is shared more evenly across your body. I was given both a rain cover and sunshade to test alongside the carrier. Both attach to the carrier frame using tent-like poles and provide adequate coverage no matter the weather. The sunshade didn’t quite tension out evenly when attached to the frame due to the angle of the poles. While it didn’t affect UV protection, I would have preferred an integrated sunshade to make life easier. In total, of the 7 products, 2 products cost more than LittleLife Cross Country S4 Child Carrier and 4 cost less. Littlelife Child Carriers

Do you want a sling that will last for years, or something that works amazingly in the first six months before graduating to one better suited to older tots? 'Be aware that carrier manufacturers can be optimistic with how long their products will last — it's highly unlikely a sling suitable for a newborn will last until your child turns four.' says Ruth. Co-parenting

The best part about cycling is that you need very little to get going. There are a number of must-have pieces of equipment such as a helmet, high visibility clothing and lights, but apart from this small group, you don’t need anything extra. It sits midway in terms of weight, so isn’t the lightest option in the LittleLife catalogue, but alongside the Freedom S4 and Voyager S5, it allows for a greater adult fit (from 5’2” to 6’4”) and comes with more accessories, including the stirrups, sun shade and rear view mirror. The LittleLife Cross Country S4 has been designed for use over a longer duration than other LittleLife carriers like the Ranger S2, so I found it comfortable to use on long outings. We were able to try this carrier out with both the LittleLife sunshade and rain cover, and transported it in the car boot of our small Ford Fiesta for days out. Weight of the carrier: How much does the carrier weigh when empty? Considering the weight of the carrier itself, along with the weight of your child, is important, particularly if you are petite or small-framed. Lightweight designs are often more comfortable to carry, however they don’t tend to be as feature-rich as the heavier, more robust designs.