Any bike folk about?

Oh bum. That's a pity.

Hope you do find though

If you are still reading, don't just go on the website, ask in the shop. Especially in your LBS, it won't say on th website, but you just apply through the scheme get the letter take the letter to the LBS not Evans. the independent shop accepts it as any other payment type.

Out website said it was for big chain shop only, but it wasn't. Ask around in several local bike shops before giving up. I asked at about 7 shops, 5 said no, 2 said yes.

Also I can see how a bmx would be excluded for commuting, they are a stunt type bike, but a cyclocross bike is perfect for commuting, fast, good brakes. That is why cx bikes are selling like hot cakes at the moment.

I have a hybrid from Evans' own brand - a Pinnacle Lithium - and I lurve it.

I also live in a hilly city with lots of cobbles, and old railway paths (wondering if we're close by now!) and mostly ride it on roads, tarmaced old railway lines, and a bit of bumpier ground - gravelly hilly paths or gravelly canal towpath. It deals with that ground fine.

Cobbles - easier than I expected when I first got the bike and the tyres seemed so skinny compared to the 90s mountain bikes I rode in the past. There's only one bit of my ride to work, down a really steep cobbly hill, that feels bouncier than I'd like unless I slow right down. I wouldn't get a MTB with suspension just for that, though - not worth it just for one short stretch when the rest is faster on a hybrid. (Plus, I have to go UP that hill the other way, and I don't fancy doing that with an even heavier bike!)

You might not be limited to Evans btw.

I bought a c2w bike last year.

We have a similar scheme supposedly limited to one big retailer, but it turns out that a few of the LBS will accept the letter of intent even if it is specific to another retailer.

Also, I got a cyclocross bike, as far as I'm aware you aren't limited to any kind of bike, just needs to be a bike.

I can't remember if you are local or not but if you are in a city have you checked that there isn't more than one Evans? If so you could maybe go to a bigger one to choose a bike, but do the rest through your local one IYSWIM.

After what you said about cobbles I think front suspension is definitely a good idea. I'm a pretty nervous cyclist, and things like cobbles a big bumps hitting a rigid front end can make the bike feel a bit like it's going out of control as the handlebars bounce round quite hard in your hands.

I agree full suspension would be OTT, but definitely look into a decent suspension seat post - it will make your ride more comfortable. I'm a bit meh about the difference between bigger and wee-er wheels - I think that with the same tyres you wouldnt notice much difference.

I typed that mammouth post when there weren't many replies. Sorry that I've repeated stuff and suggested a more town riding bike

I really feel for you.
It pisses me off when I hear about husbands having opinions about their wives bike purchase.
Your husband wouldn't have bought himself a dodgy second hand bike,
But it was good enough for you.

But hey.
Looking forward.

When you say 'off road tracks' do you mean mountain paths and woodland dirt tracks, or do you mean segregated Tarmac paths?

If you mean the latter look at a hybrid. Something with relatively narrow tyres.
Narrow tyres mean that the work you are doing by pedalling will be utilised most efficiently.
Which given your level of fitness post injury seems vital.
Fat tyres have more traction and that means more effort is needed to move you along.

I ride a globe live 1 it's inspired by a Dutch bike, but is a sister brand to spealized.
It has a good upright position, with handlebars that are wide apart and don't need you to stretch forward.
This might appeal because it gives you good visibility
Mine has a single gear, but you can get 3 and 7 gear versions,
I'd be surprised if you need more gears than that unless you plan very hilly rides.
I started riding that bike when I met my cyclist husband ( bought it after our first date when I realised it would be tricky dating a cycle messenger if I didn't ride a bike) and within a few weeks I was cycling between 14-40 miles per day. Ten years earlier I had fractured my spine, and a racing bike stance was out of the question. I need to sit up right.

Forget colour ( to start with.)
Go into your local bike shop, local specialist bike shop I should say, and describe the type of riding you want to. Explain the injury, and that you want to be sure to get something that fits you well. And that you hope they can help you.
See what they suggest.
Plenty of on test riding.
Take a good number out, may over a couple of weekends.
When you decide what you think works for you make sure they adjust it for you, saddle height and tip, handle bar height etc etc.

Remember saddles can be Changed.
Forget about the colour.
I wouldn't have chosen a brown bike. But I did. And I love it.

You might not want shoes with cleats that fit into your pedals, but I'd recommend toe clips, that fix to the pedals, and help you keep your foot in the optimum pedalling position.
Again, effective pedalling will reduce the amount of work you need to do to get where you're going.
A lot of people don't have their foot well placed on the pedals, and not only is that inefficient, it can be bad for the muscles in you legs etc.

Cycling is brilliant.
My mental health is much much better,
My love life was vastly improved. We are married and have a kid. And that wouldn't have happened without a pair of wheels. And the adventures we could go on.
And I love feeling my body being strong.
Can't wait to get my son in a child seat and me back in the saddle.

Good luck!

On roads and tracks I would struggle to ride 5 -10 miles on a mtb. On a hybrid I can easily do 30 miles. It's so much more effort on a mtb. Get any of the hybrids.

Oh and im quite fat, size 18. I tend to wear blokes cycle clothes. Or halfords have dare2b stuff which goes up to size 18. You also for tops don't need cycling specific stuff. I get a lot of Karrimor tops from sports direct, again up to size 18. Same sort of material. IE wicking and quick drying.

IMO you don't need suspension for that sort of ground. I admit I'm slightly anti suspension. But I don't have suspension and I frequently ride canal paths, old railways, etc. Ive actually been down snowdon on my mtb and that doesn't have suspension and managed fine.

For non mtb track off roading suspension will add weight and cost and the benefit won't be seen. You could get a non suspension bike and if the cost is the same as the suspension bike next to it then the bike without suspension will generally have better qualityr componements,,,,which I think will be better than suspension.

The hybrids all have 700 wheels which are going to be more efficient, and the Ariel and Trek have front suspension which is more comfortable on bumpy off road bits (the Ariels can be locked out for flat surfaces if you want).
I don't know much about MTBs though, sorry.

FLAB (as they refer to themselves) were set up precisely because the founder was larger than cycle clothing and still wanted technical gear. They go up to a ladies 26, and its all fitted on women of sizes across the size range. I've chatted a lot to them at shows while dh is contemplating new jerseys!

WRT to the MTBs Id be tempted to get a women's one as they tend to have a shorter top tube so may be slightly more comfortable for you out of the box.

WRT to the hybrids I think the MTBs look nicer

You can pretty much turn an MTB into a hybrid by switching the tyres (although hybrids tend to have a higher handlebars). You may find that it is harder to fit racks etc to MTBs too.

Honestly, I'd recommend going into your local Evans and having a chat with them. Explain your budget, and your needs, and that you won't be buying that day. It should be pretty easy for them to ship bikes between stores so they should be able to get some in to try. At your price range you are not going to end up with a shitty bike , you need to worry about comfort and fit and weight etc.

Off road tracks - there's a lot of former railways and a canal towpath around here. They're not all tarmaced so can be a bit bumpy - more compacted dirt type tracks. The towpath especially can be a bit muddy too.

In that case I would consider suspension - at the price range you are looking at it'd probably be ok.

Also, depending on tyres it comes with maybe look for semi-knobbly puncture proof ones for a bit of extra grip on the mud. The shop should swap those for you.

To get your confidence up, look to see if theres a Breeze ride local to you - they are women only and generally very welcoming.

If you are planning on getting a cycling jersey, can I recommend Fat Lad at the Back who Evans stock. Their stuff is cut to go in and out, don't consider a 12 to be XL, and is a sensible length. Also vvv good quality

That Spesh Ariel looks the part.

www.evanscycles.com/specialized-ariel-sport-disc-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV244829

It's got the lot. And enough left of your budget to replace the saddle if the fitted item doesn't suit (although a good bike shop would do that in the price if they wanted your money)

Enjoy whatever you end up with.

I have a Specialized Vita as my hybrid bike and really like it.

Mine has its original saddle on it, but I replaced my road bikes saddle with a Selle Italia Diva gel which is comfy. The biggest difference in comfort is the shorts you wear - my faves are DHB halter bib shorts, but if you don't want to wear lycra, I hear very good things about the Urbanist pants.

Good on you for deciding to get back on the saddle! A few years ago I bought a new road bike then crashed badly three days later by being too over-confident! Took ages to pluck up the nerve to get back on it again but love cycling again now.

If you're mostly riding trails then a mtb or hybrid is a good idea. Unless you're doing proper mountain biking you don't need full suspension. My mtb is a Cannondale and I really like it but I did put thinner tyres on as I mostly do trails and it's just easier pedalling with a thinner tyre. If you're going to use it on roads for popping in to town as well as trails I'd go for a hybrid over an mtb.

I look for hydraulic disc brakes on bikes now as they have good braking power.

Evans seem to have quite a few Specialized hybrid bikes. This one seems good www.evanscycles.com/specialized-vita-elite-disc-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV244813

I also like Trek hybrids. Quite like this one but it only comes in black www.evanscycles.com/trek-neko-sl-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV242085