Bike advice please

[pollyboo22]

Posting here for traffic.
I am on the lookout for a bike so I can start cycling this summer.
I'm a 5'6 / 5'7 woman.
I would like something that I can eventually fix a child's seat onto the back of for my 18 month old once I've got more confidence in cycling myself.
Im a total novice and getting confused by the different measurements and options online so it anyone give me an idea of the size I'd need (is it wheel size and/or frame size that I need to look at?) and also if there are any special considerations I need to make if I want a child's seat on the back?
Any advice at all would be very much appreciated as I'm totally new to this and I haven't even ridden a bike since I was a child. But it is something I want to get into. Thank you.

Go to a shop, try a load of bikes out, don't buy online especially if you don't know what you're looking for.

Bike sizing is complicated, and is effected a lot by arm and leg length rather than just overall height

I would prefer to see one in the flesh but if I wait til I get the opportunity to do this I'll just end up never getting round to it! Plus I would like to get one delivered to me as my car is tiny to bring one home. I'm not looking for anything fancy, I just need a rough idea of measurements.

If you have not done much cycling

I would suggest getting a second hand bike or a free one from your local area. Look on Facebook market place Freecycle etc

Then you can always upgrade your bike in the future

Or borrow a bike from a friend ?

The sizing is the frame size. Wheel sizes are standard for any particular type of bike.

You're about the same height as me and you probably want a medium or large frame bike, depending on the sizing of the range. If your proportions are typically female (longer legs/shorter torso) you'll probably be more comfortable on a bike designed for women, but it might not be a huge factor.

If you're going to be mainly using cycle paths/road/other hard surfaces you probably want a hybrid bike. Road bikes can be difficult to get on with if you're not a confident cyclists and mountain bikes add extra weight and complexity that aren't needed if you're not riding on rough terrain.

Second the suggestion to look at a proper bike shop, or see if you can get a second hand one. Or borrow a bike to try one.

There does seem to be an emerging market in businesses selling second hand bikes (that they've bought from people in a 'we buy any bike' sort of arrangement) which might be worth investigating as your money will go further. Eg

https://www.cycleexchange.co.uk/

Even Halfords are in on it

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/second-hand-bikes/

(Halfords aren't great for bikes - their own brand ones are pretty terrible and their knowledge and quality of assembly is very hit and miss but they have some second hand Boardmans that might be worth a look).

Halfords are good with bike measuring and info.

If you work

Does your employer provide the bike to work scheme ?
I believe that this may include a loan to buy a bike

Is the frame size you use roughly 17"? This is what the size guide on Halfords is telling me

If you are on a budget/not sure what you want, I'd look at secondhand. Have a look in some shops so you have an idea of the type of bike and can judge price.
I would look at Decathlon, Evans cycles or local bike shops over Halfords. Don't forget to check the weight, steel frames are heavier than alloy framed. If you have to lift it onto a bike rack or something it makes a difference.

I would look for brands like Decathlon (Elops I think are the hybrids), Pinnacle (at Evans), Raleigh, Trek, Specialized or Liv/Giant for a nice bike that will ride well. Apollo, Carerra Pendleton and Boardman are Halfords own brands.

The other thing you will see is "Pashley" type bikes - pastel colours, traditional looking with baskets etc. Some are heavy steel framed bikes which is only ok if everywhere you ride is dead flat. Others are more lightweight bikes in disguise. They also have a slightly more upright position which some people like.

You will probably be OK on a medium frame but bikes vary a lot in their geometry you will need to try one to see if it's comfortable for you.

Depends what kind of riding you want to do. I love the dutch style bikes where you sit more upright. They are great strudy bikes for carting children around on too. However they aren't great for offroading.

I do think you need to try some out - is it really that difficutl to go have a browse at your local bike shop one afternoon?

Go to an independent bike shop, and get specialist advice. Ask locally for recommendations
We found a lovely one when in Bognor - Bognor Bike Hub (they also do hire bikes) but they've a nice range of secondhand as well as new, and they do deliveries too

This sizing doesn't really work out as universal across all bikes though, nor does the S M L sizing.

Going by my (mountain) bike, which is a 16" and I'm a bit shorter than you, 17" could be right. I ride a 50cm track bike, you'd probably be on 55cm.

I have another (mountain) bike which is a S and I'm at the upper end of the recommended height for it, but I also prefer a small bike anyway

You can be lucky in Halfords it entirely depends who serves you. Their own brand bikes are not bad at all

The sizing isn't the same across bike brands. And the frame size isn't useful either. You do need to be able to sit on the frame and see how far you are off the ground.

I'd advise going to a bike shop too. I know it's awkward for you, but it's the best way to get the right.

Most of them will be able to deliver the bike for you, so don't worry about that part.

The other option is to buy a second hand one and see how you get on with cycling in general, and then get a properly sized one once you know you enjoy it.

You'll be making a big and possibly expensive mistake if you don't go to a bike shop and get sized, and try it properly. For a start, getting anything repaired under warranty will be a pain because the warranty won't be with the bike shop that you eventually take it to.

Just to add another reason to try and buy through a bike shop if you can: if you order online, the bike's likely to come part assembled and you'll need to fit the wheels/pedals/rotate the handlebars. It's not very complicated and most will come with instructions, but for a beginner it might be a bit daunting. If you buy through a local bike shop it'll be fully assembled and ready to ride.

🤦‍♀️ go to a bike shop and stop looking online. This is something you need to sit on, feel and do a test ride with. You can't buy one online in your situation.

Frame sizes are different between mountain and road bikes as MTBs have a more compact frame for the same rider size.

This!!!!!

Seriously, make friends with your local bike shop. They will have loads of bikes to try and loads of advice. Equally if you buy one from them they will be happy to put you first when you want your bike serviced.

I can't stress this enough but you need to sit on the bike to get an idea. I have three bikes and they are all different makes, models and sizes. My Trek road bike is 52cm frame, my Specialized mountain bike is sized medium (I think 17" frame) and my Orbea ebike is a size small. I had bought a medium sized ebike during lock down going by the measurements online and that my current mountain bike is medium but it was just too big for me. I got the small and it's perfect. All sorts of bits of the bike need nipped and tweaked to get the right fit (saddle moving forward/back/up/down) and handlebars. I'm a serious cyclist and I can still get it wrong so please, please, please go to a bike shop otherwise you could be throwing money down the drain.

Everyone sizes their frames differently. I have bikes in 54, 55, 56, M and S, and yet they all fit me. Best bet is really to go to a proper bike shop (not Halfords) and sit on a few. You'll probably want a hybrid bike, and in aluminium if you want to fit a seat. make sure it has many mounting points. Something like a Trek Dual Sport might be a good idea, reputable brand, UK real life shops albeit ones you may have to travel to but will use main and relatively easily obtainable components for servicing and repairs, plenty of mounting and an option for a rigid or a suspension front fork depending on if your cycle paths are tarmac based (go rigid) or a bit more country park like where you might benefit comfort-wise from some basic suspension at the penalty of weight and complexity

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/dual-sport-bikes/c/B430/

Yes, bike shop. Some will even throw in a free 3.month check.

Also check out any local cycling groups for advice e.g. which bike shops, which seat. They aren't all going on 60km rides every week.

Point taken guys I will go to a bike shop when I can. It is likely to be Halfords though as we have very few options locally to us. I'm not going to be doing any off-roading, it's purely for family bike rides to the park and pub.