Bike re commendation for unfit middle age women

[jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey]

Looking for a bike for a 3 mile commute to new job. Can anyone help with recommendations please?

Will you be commuting on roads/tarmac or offroad paths (woodland?)

Do you want to be able to wear any clothes (especially skirts) or will you be wearing trousers/shorts?

What's your budget?

Assuming roads, I'd go for a hybrid bike with straight (not dropped) handlebars, unless you've used them before.

I'd strongly recommend something that can take a rack and panniers - I find it so much more comfortable than wearing a backpack.

What’s your budget and how out of shape are you?

I'm completely out of shape although I am on my feet 10 hours a day.
Budget I could go to £700 but would prefer not to.
I can go on road or a trail path type road

Can you do bike to work scheme?

Hello. I cycle a lot and race mountain bikes etc. You need what's known as a Hybrid bike, as mentioned above. It's a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike, with flat handle bars. You can ride it on the road or light trails, canal paths etc.

It depends which dealerships you have nearby, but if you have Giant, then try a Giant Escape or Roam. Trek, try the Trek FX or the Dual. Always opt for disc brakes. You don't need multiple gears, less the better, less mechanics to go wrong.

Do try bikes though as the fit is really important.

Is it a flat commute? Do you think you'll start using it for other rides?

You need something comfy in my view, nice big seat, sit up position, step through

I’m middle aged, fat and also gimpy due to recent surgery, I’ve got a gtech city bike and I absolutely love it - you could prob pick up a second hand one for your budget. Happy cycling!

I wanted to add OP that I got a bike to cycle to work 7 years ago with no clue, or bike fitness. Here I am at 53 getting podiums at local mountain bike races/enduros.

On that basis I'd get more bike than you think you need as you may find you enjoy it more than a cycle to work.

Does your employer run the cycle to work scheme? You can buy the bike through your wages monthly and it’s taken out before tax so you get a bit of tax relief on it. You need to find out if your employer offers it.

Liv Alight, I’ve commuted on one for five years. Fitted mudguards and a rack. Commute most of the way on a gravel path.

Halfords let you use an bike for 6hours ( though they’d be outside your budget ).
Maybe they do the same for standard bikes too?

Are there hills? I'd consider an electric bike.

Electric bike !

Is it even possible to get an electric bike for that amount though?

You really do not need an electric bike for a 3 mile ride. Any of the above would be good.

Not a decent one. Not really sure you need one for a 3 mile commute? It’s a 15 min bike ride unless very hilly. Plus an electric bike is much more attractive to bike thieves.

In a similar position I got a Specialized Sirrus 2.0 and have added mudguards and a rack. There was not much between that, the Liv Alight, Trek FX and Pinnacle (?) Lithium I think? Really pleased with it, and my fitness is gradually improving.
Because of the Covid bike shortage I didn't get a step thru frame but it's been ok.

The cycle to work scheme gets you a good discount too, I'm already in year 3.

I wonder if an ebike will be the future though as then I wouldn't need to change at work - I have a vicious hill climb on the way in.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115467087313?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=P9s_V_soRpS&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=HwYkeVPIQpC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This is what I have and I love it!

Completely agree. Plus by your own admission OP, you are unfit, and an ebike for a short 3 mile journey, isn't going to help with fitness and health, like a regular bike will. Plus ebikes are expensive, components wear out faster, and thieves love them.

Ebikes are great for people with health issues or disabilities that mean otherwise they would never be able to get out on a bike.

I second liv alight, comfortable, Light (this makes a big difference when you lack fitness) and not flashy so it won’t get nicked.

My everyday bike is a Trek FX. It's a brilliant all purpose utility bike. Perfect for general commuting and getting around.

Your fitness will rapidly improve if you do the cycle regularly. 3 miles will soon be nothing to you.

another vote for the Trek FX. It’s sturdy but light, takes panniers and is fun to ride!

Just a boring thing. Be aware of your height and inside leg measurement.

I've never been able to ride any bike marketed at adult women, despite being 5 foot 6, as I am long of body and stumpy of leg. If I could reach the pedals on the lowest seat (very rare in itself), it was barely reaching the handlebars or just manoeuvring with massive wheels that made me crap.

So it's been stuff meant for teenaged boys rather than grown ups' bikes. Including the 'desirable' makes marketed to women.

If you have a shitload of money, this might be different.

To save money the best thing you could do is buy second hand. A lot of people buy brand new bikes with lofty intentions and then barely use them and sell them on in a year or so (don't be one of those people!). Much cheaper usually even if you add on the price of a service at your local bike shop to get it into tip top condition. You can probably still get some good deals on bikes that were lightly used during lockdown that the owners are starting to realise they don't really want.

I live in Sweden in a town where cycling is normal transportation for every day. 3 miles is a short distance so IMO you shouldn’t need anything very “athletic”. But a good few gears are nice. 3 is minimum, but 7 is best IMO (my current bike has 3 because I was a bit stingy when I bought my last bike, but am kicking myself a bit every day). I like a sit up granny bike, big front basket and a big square basket on the book-holding thingy at the back for shopping. Life changing! I don’t like cycling leaning forward and am not aiming to break speed records. You should try a few different ones out though to see what you prefer.