Please talk to an idiot about bikes

[Sprogonthetyne]

DS (7) has SEN and some coordination issues, and TBH I didn't actually think he would ever learn to ride a bike, But his OT is running lessons over the summer with some coaches from the council leisure center, and he's doing amazingly. My 4yo has also picked it up, so by the end of the summer, they'll hopefully both be away.

I'd like to take them on some bike rides, but I haven't actually cycled since I was 10, and wasn't good at it then (DS inherited his coordination from me).

What do I need to know?
Will a cheap bike off marketplace be OK for me to potter round with them, or do I need to invest in something good?

You'll have so much fun together! Look for something simple, a mountain bike (MTB) with no suspension (hard tail), disk brakes, and you don't need loads of gears. Loads of people bought these in lockdown and don't use them, so some (not too old) bargains to be had for sure. Then look at off-road cycle centres in your area. So much more fun when you don't have to battle other road users, especially with kids. Cycling in the forests is so much fun. And make sure you all have a good helmet. All of you. Have fun!

Have a look in your local area to see if there are any cycling charities. We have one in our city that isn't particularly well publicised, but it's great. It offers free bike lessons for adults, right from learning to ride to riding in traffic and bike maintenance. They also provide free bikes for the lessons, so you could try a few out and see what you like as well as get your confidence up.

Is this one any good? I picked it up for £40, so not expecting it to be amazing, but do you think it will do for keeping up with the kids (who actually have quite good bike, so are worryingly fast)

Photo would help

That bike looks fine provided a) it fits you and b) everything is clean and well maintained. Make sure the chain and all cogs are clean and well oiled, the brakes work, the handlebars don’t feel loose, and the gears are properly adjusted. You might need to get a bike shop to do this for you. The general rule is that a silent bike is a happy bike.

Edit to add: the saddle height looks very low relative to the size of the bike and length of the cranks. Anyone tall enough to be comfortable with the pedal at the bottom of its stroke will have their knees up by their ears when the pedals are at the top of their stroke. If you’re tall enough to raise the saddle up a bit I would do that.

Round my way, there are people who will come to your home and give a bike a quick "tune-up" making sure everything is as it should be. Not that expensive and worth if for peace of mind, I'd say. (I bought an online bike in lockdown and, having assembled it myself, got someone to take a look and it was well worth it!)

Look for a hybrid bike. Best of both worlds.
The most important thing is that the bike fits you, ie you can stand over the frame with both feet flat on the ground and an inch or two gap between you and the top bar.
The saddle height needs to be so that when you're on the pedal and leg fully extended, you have a slight bend in the knee.