Would like a hybrid? bike I can love like I love my tri & road bikes. Needs to be able to take baby seat….

[pootlebug]

Looking for some advice from more experienced cyclists and bike owners than me….

I got into triathlon last year, and have a tri bike and a road bike, both of which I love. But for riding with the kids (including some non-tarmac trails) with a bike seat on the back for the smallest I have a bike I've had for years that has the weight of a tank and feels like pedalling through blancmange. I would like to be able to do non-road-bike rides more - both to train along the river path away from the London traffic, and to potter with the kids who can now do 10+ miles. Ideally something I can ride on the road at a reasonable speed but will also cope with off-road gravel etc.

Not sure on budget. My road and tri bikes were ebay purchases and happy to go that route again. Or can potentially get something on the bike to work scheme and save a bit that way.

Any ideas?

Very interested in the responses - in the same boat - an eBay purchased road bike I use for triathlon or for Richmond Park/road riding or else a heavy tank of a mountain bike for riding with kids but useless for long rides/hills /commuting type riding. Also v much looking to flog my road bike in favour of one that fits me properly at some point!

Cyclo-Cross perhaps?

Specialised Sirrus is a great hybrid too.

I have a Specialized Ariel Elite disc. Until I get my road bike, I'm doing long on road rides on it (30 mile+), family bike trails in the forest (gravel, loose surfaces, lumpy), and everything else. It copes with it all very happily, and I love the disc brakes on more exciting downhill sections

Whyte Malvern. I ride up to 49 miles on it, v comfy for trails etc

Ooh fab that's three diff bikes to enquire about. Thank you for your recommendations (hijacking thread for personal gain shamelessly!!!!)

Don't worry about hijacking pleaseput - I'm really grateful for the things to go and investigate too!