Can you help me choose a bike please?

[Hallomother]

My budget is about 350 max. I’m looking for something that will take a rear baby seat, works for me size wise (I’m five foot two) and will work through town and on canal path type cycle paths as well as the usual cycle paths. Won’t be on roads where I can help it due to being nervy with the baby seat.
Will be mostly flat terrain and no major hills.
Distance wise the furthest route we usually do is a 12 mile and again, mostly flat.

I was looking at the pendleton’s as I’ve got a Halford’s voucher so that would knock a bit off and they have some ex display models marked down already but am unsure if they’ll work? I don’t know a huge amount about bikes I’ve been using a battered old one but now I’m going to add the baby seat for a weighty toddler I want something a bit better.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Thank you!

Bump. Anyone?

Check out Family cycling UK on FB - there's loads of knowledgeable folk on there. I'm not sure a Pendleton would be a good solution for you, definitely head to the FB group, have a bit of a search of existing posts, and write your own post too.

I cycle everywhere - similar sort of terrain to yours: fairly flat, mixture of tarmac cycle pathway and gravelled bridleways.

I think you'd struggle with a traditional style pendleton, tbh. They're quite heavy and don't have an awful lot of gear. I borrowed my sisters when mine was being services and didn't really like it for those reasons.

I'd go for a hybrid which would see through town and on tame 'off road paths. Some don't have mudguards but you can get those put on pretty cheaply.

I've now got a Ridgeback Speed which suits me perfectly. My previous bike was a Dawes Sonoran and I rode around with a kids bike seat on that for years.

If you're looking at Halfords, there is this which is roughly in your budget?

Also think about buying a secondhand bike, you'll get a better (and lighter) bike for your money.

If I was yoiu I would look for second hand - the Specialised Vita would suit your requirements and is an excellent choice. Out of your budget for new but achievable second hand

I'm 5 ft 4 and ride a trek junior mountain bike. The frame is slightly smaller than an adults...it is boys style because I wanted it for off road as well (very gentle off road). I've had it for 25 years....it had been on long rides, a cycling holiday around Ireland, through 3 kids with bike trailer and bike seat.

You might want to look at a hybrid bike as easier riding position.

You can get baby seats that attach to the frame (the upright rear post...under the saddle) or go on a rear rack. Both work just as well.

Jist make sure your baby is over 12 months before riding (controversial as many will tell you they took their kids on bikes younger....but they need to sit up, wear a helmet, tell you if there is an issue etc...) My kids normally fell asleep so a seat that reclines is a good idea.

At your height you will probably be on the cusp of XS and small frames. So you might need to try a few to find what works for you.

Have you got a good independent bike shop locally? Also I second the recommendation for the Family cycling group on Facebook.

I’ve got a Trek hybrid, size M for my 5’7 height. I bought it at the beginning of the year after having my previous bike for 30 years (!) Its got 20 gears and means I can get up most hills whereas with my old bike I just couldn’t! I think it was £415 and well worth it.

Thank you this is all very very helpful. The Pendleton was listed as a hybrid so that’s what I was thinking of (hybrid) but sounds like it might not be a good fit for me.
I’m guessing if it’s heavy then the extra weight of toddler DS who is a super chunk for his age will also make it even harder work!
Are lighter bikes less sturdy?

I don't think lighter bikes are less sturdy, they're just made of lighter materials (and are therefore more expensive!).

Thanks I’ve just looked online and it seems like a lot of the smaller bike frames might not work with baby seats (on Halfords anyway) so that’s a bit of a pain.

I have a very old bike, that I still love, plus I'm very small - A low step through, basket on the front, and have had Ds1 then later Ds2 in a child seat on the back.

May suit you?

See if your employer offers the cycle to work scheme as you can save a huge amount of money if buying a new bike.

Consider longevity, your toddler will obviously grow and get heavier, you might eventually want to hitch their bike behind yours, etc.

Consider electric if budget allows or a bike that you could convert to electric later on when DC gets heavier.

If you would do second hand and are in the right area this is a good buy

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194215281508

It is heavy but much better quality than the Pendleton. Also Gazelle bikes are very nice and smooth to ride once you are on them , the weight is only a problem on steep hills (which you said you don’t have) and wheeling it around/up stairs etc.

It will be fine on anything tarmac and light canal tracks. It’s no good for anything more seriously off-road like mud hill tracks with rocks and roots.

@Oblomov21 that’s interesting! How tall are you? And which baby seat works with it? Thank you!

Unfortunately I work for myself so no scheme for me!

The Gazelle looks lovely but not near me I’ll keep an eye out though

Are you self-employed or director of a limited company? If the latter you could still use the cycle to work scheme. If not no worries!

I’m a sole trader :)

If your toddler is a ”chunk” , are you sure they will fit a baby seat? Both mine were out if theirs by 2.5 ish.

@BikeRunSki good point, I’ve looked at the max weight of the seats and he’s nowhere near that. He’s 20 months but 13kg just - apparently we should be expecting him to lean out by about 2 so we will see (his dad is over six foot so I imagine that will be the case!) but I’ve got friends with much bigger children in bike seats - I suppose it depends on the ones you get?

I bought a carrera hybrid bike from Halfords two years ago and I love it. It’s reasonably light. I think the weight is the thing to watch.
I’d definitely have a look at them.

@Softpebbles thank you, they’ve come up a lot when I’ve been looking at them and seem pretty good.

Anyone got a Raleigh?

How about the Carrera Crossfire (from Halfords)? There are two versions, 1 which is £310 and 2 which is £360.
www.halfords.com/search?q=Carrera+crossfire+womens+hybrid

Sorry I see SallyOMalley already suggested it.