Please help me choose a bike - Pendleton Somerby?

[LittleCabbage]

I haven’t cycled for many years, and am looking for the following:

A bike that I can take out by myself for rides of 1-2 hours, mostly on quiet roads, but also that I can take on family rides with the kids (ages up to 8 years), on canal towpaths, cycle tracks, through woods, and other slightly bumpier routes.

That will have enough gears to cope with reasonable hills.

That will allow a child seat to be fitted to the back.

That is reasonably lightweight (but not like a road bike).

Despite saying initially I didn’t want a “girly” bike, I rather like the styling of the Pendleton Somerby - more due to its vintage-ness rather than girly-ness. I would choose the dark red or dark blue. But I’m not sure if it will have the right gears to cope with moderate hills? And how will it be on bumpy tracks?

Please advise me on your own bike choices for these needs, especially if you have the Somerby. Thanks all.

Anyone about?

I have a similar bike, it's the Dawes dutchess. Same kind of styling but you can't take it off road. It has seven gears so can do small hills. I live near the fens so they are not much of an issue round here.

You might struggle to get that style of bike to do off-road. I only go to work and back on roads and cycle parts

I have a Liv Alight 3 City. I'm sure it would take a bike seat. I use it for muddyish tracks along the river and in the woods.

It's light enough.

Thanks both. From your replies, I suspect I should forget the Pendleton one, despite it's beauty! In an ideal world, I'd have that AND an off-road one!

The Liv Alight one looks really nice but is more than I was planning to pay. Hmmmmm.

Sounds like you need a hybrid - thinner, bigger wheels than a mountain bike but sturdier than a road bike to cope with bumpy tracks. Some come with adjustable suspension at the front which is great for switching between roads and tracks. Your best bet is to go to a few local bike shops and take a look at/ test ride a few bikes (if you can at the moment). Unless you have very long arms go for a women’s bike rather than a unisex as the reach is shorter. Expect to pay £300+ for a half decent one

Thanks @WhataCant

The Pendleton Somerby does call itself a hybrid but although it has great reviews, not many reviewers mention rougher ground so I'm not sure how well it would fare. I think I'd better choose a different hybrid.

I can't go to a local shop now so am just goimg to order based on reviews and hope for the best! But maybe I should look at paying more like £300 like you say. Was initially thinking up to £200 but don't want it to be a false economy.

Good advice re women's bikes. I am short-ish with (probably) short arms, so will def choose a women's bike.

I’ve got a Pendleton. It is a thing of beauty and very comfy on one’s undercarriage.

The gears are rubbish.

while recognising that there is a need for a step through frame (I can't get on the proper ones either!) the Pendleton bikes are a classic case of 'design it for women and make it really shit'. They weigh an absolute ton due to stupid frills and fripperies.

try and buy something without female branding if you can. and yes, you would think Pendleton would know better.

Okay, I am stepping AWAY from the Pendleton. Thank you for preventing me making a mistake .

I have a Raleigh Pioneer 2 (2017), it's a hybrid and a step-thru. I'm short with even shorter arms so I wanted one with adjustable handle bars.

Also, think hard about frame size. I knew I needed 14", 15" or 16" and ended up popping into Halfords to sit on a few. An inch makes a big difference. (As we all know.... )

Can I ask how tall you are @DisplayPurposesOnly?

And what frame size you chose in the end?

Im 5'2" but not quite in proportion - relatively longer legs and shorter torso/arms.

Think i have the 15" frame.

Thanks. I am 5’4 and was thinking of getting a 16” from what I’ve read, so that sounds about right.

Hi, Can I ask what bike you went for in the end? I had a Pendleton but, found the gears were awful and slipped a lot.

I am in love with my Pendleton bike.
I find it so comfortable to ride and l can go miles on rough ground with it, trying to keep up with teenage son on his mountain bike.
I sometimes borrow his bike if he's not using it if l know there will be hills etc but l have always cycled since a girl, and l manage fine on on mine.

I've had my Pendleton approx 4 years and use it all the time as l don't have my own car.