what sort of bike do I need?

[Tommy]

have been to Halfords today looking at bikes for me but I really have no idea what I want/need except that I do not want to pay £300 for it!

Any tips? I am 5'4" and want a bike for mostly going around town with a baby carrier on the back. I may go off road a bit in the New Forest but it's not really going to be "mountain" biking IYKWIM.

Can anyone give me any pointers? The last time I bought a bike I just saw a second hand one for sale and bought it - they didn't seem to be so many on the market then!

d'you know what sounds mad - but if you can do it, head for the nearest "Toys R Us" and get on a few! they have really really good deals, I think theirs start at around £89. It's also worth a nosey at Argos, but obv you can't try before you buy. My dh got his in the JJB sale, they have a fairly big store on a retail park near us.

have just looked at toysrus online but feel I should know what I'm talking about before I try!!

Hadn't thought about sports shops [duh] - could have a look there too

btw, the thing i ride round on (similar stuff to you, a bit around the local area and forest holiday tracks) is apparently called a "leisure bike" - I googled it and this turned up

apparently raleigh has fifty percent off bikes at the moment, but i migh tbe wrong about that.
check out your local bike shop. they should be able toadvise you. or failing that, just look at the second hand ones, particularly good i think if you know how to fix anything that might go wrong.

nah - I think with most places you can turn up and know nothing, T-R-U defo won't care if you show up and start riding round the shop!

If you want to enjoy riding the bike - I would avoid toy r us, they may be cheap but they will be heavy bikes and you will feel the strain exspecially with a carrier on the bike aswell.

I would go to a local bike shop and get some advice, they are usually working in the shops as they have a passion for cycling and bikes so will know there stuff.

Then if you work you can get tax releif on the bike or your dp if you have one who is working can get tax releif on the bike - alos ask for discount in the shop, unlike halfords you will be able to barter.

Or go onto ebay and look on there knowing what size, and model type ish that you want and get second hand.

New forest is hard large rocks and badly signed - just to warn you. A hybred or mt bike is good - road bike useless.

My local tip/refuse center do up bikes that have been left there and sell them, it is surprising what people throw out - take a look at yours and see if they do something similar.

I'd say a second-hand bike is preferable to a cheap new one. A cheap bike will have a steel frame and will be heavy and not much fun to ride as ivykaty says.

I used to use a hybrid for communting and cycling around London. It's a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike, good for around town but still sturdy enough for some off-roading.

A bike shop would be a good place to get an idea of what you're looking for. Some independent bike shops sell reconditioned second-hand bikes as well I think.

Message withdrawn

Where do you live? If you are anywhere near a decathlon store I would highly recommend a visit. They have a full range from v cheap to tiptop super-pricey and you can try them out by riding round and round the store. Local independent bike shops are also good and many will let you ride round the block but they will probably be more expensive, ime, and may be quietly sneery if you are looking at the cheap and cheerful end of the market as they tend to be run by enthusiasts.

thanks all - we have a good local one very nearby and I want to go in there and ask what they think. Had thought about trying some out and then going to ebay so will have a think about that one too.

Scummymummy - I've just discovered that we're not anywhere near a Decathlon - looks good though!

thanks for all the tips - IvyKaty - our trips to the New Forest are likely to be on very gentle paths

I will get on to it!

Do not get anything with a heavy frame...my old bike was hugely heavy. Once dd was on the back in her seat, I could barely pedal it. I was convinced I was hugely unfit, until someone kindly stole it from outside the station and I got a newer lightweight one.

also beware of getting anything too lightweight - had an issue with a lightweight road bike when I put dc's seat on the back.

If it's serious riding you're doing, defo bike shop. TRU & co fine for trying them out IME, as the op hasn't been to buy a bike for a while...

Tommy - I did look the other night on ebay and there were a few good bikes that would suit you - but dont know where you are local to aor how far you would travel for ike.

Good though to get a few tips in an independant shop and then hunt on ebay for second hand similar model.

The new forest is great for cycling but it was just the signposts that were crap not very good and there were a few people getting lost! Take a compass...

I love cycling and want everyone else to love it tooooo

thanks ivykaty - we finally got DS1 onto 2 wheels at the weekend so I'm hoping this is the start of family cycling trips. I've had alook on ebay too. I think I will go to independent shop for advice - then buy somewhere else

BTW - I am in Southampton - we have a good shop very nearby