New here, and trying to pick a "pregnant" bike!

[merrysmom]

So I am a HORRIBLE decision maker! I decided I wanted a bike when my husband started riding a lot. I have five kids who all ride bikes around the rural area where we live as well. I am almost three months pregnant and decided to buy a bike I can ride until it's fall and too cold and I'm too big.

I thought first I wanted a cruiser. So I rode a bunch, and it turns out I don't like them. Then I moved on to a comfort hybrid. I liked those a lot- especially a 2013 Raleigh Venture 4.0- http://archive.raleighusa.com/archive/2013-lifestyle/venture-4-0-13/

Today I rode (among many other things) a Venture 3.0 and a Venture 4.0. I pulled up a comparison on their website- not sure if it will link or not, but here is what I found- http://www.raleighusa.com/compare-bikes?bikeid=1308 If I go with one of those, is the 4.0 worth the extra $150? I don't know enough about components to really get it, you know? And my husband is still a relative beginner- he had a friend help him choose his bike.

Are there comparable bikes I should try?

The master plan is to have this baby, and then if I have any remaining sanity as the mother of six, buy a flat bar road bike (Jamis Coda Sport? Trek FX 7.2? I don't have to decide that one for awhile!) so I can ride bike paths with my husband, and keep whatever I buy to ride now to ride around the roads/ farms at home with the kids. Husband even said he wants the same type bike to ride with us.

(Gosh that sounds like we are going to purchase a lot of bikes in the near future...)

Thanks so much for any help! I have read this forum for weeks and learned so much- everybody is so nice here!

Melissa

[Jolt]

What about an older, non-suspension mountain bike? You could put a riser bar on to be more upright and accommodate that growing belly. Or, if you wanted to spring for something newer/nicer, a Surly Troll with a riser stem/bar. Slick tires can be put on for street riding. Good luck, and congratulations on the coming new addition! Six kids--wow! I give you props for being able to manage such a big family and stay sane, not sure I would be able to do that.

[merrysmom]

I haven't even looked at mountain bikes. Would they be preferable because they lack the suspension? It might be worth considering because some of the roads we ride around here are gravel. My two oldest girls have mountain bikes (not super nice ones but they ride them everywhere.)

I love the look of the Troll, but I think I'd rather spend less on a bike now and more on a bike I can ride with my husband after things get back to normal around here. It will be good to ride something in the meantime to get my riding skills dusted off and the muscles I've neglected toned up a little.

I just want to find something easy and comfortable to cruise the neighborhood, but nice enough that I won't be frustrated riding. I'm willing to consider all suggestions- I really am a beginner. I am feeling a small time crunch however, since my days of being able to comfortably ride in the immediate future are dwindling...

[merrysmom]

I tried the Townies and while it was really fun to ride, it felt a bit heavy and bulky to me. (My husband absolutely LOVED the Townies- I wouldn't be surprised to see him choose one for himself for his "putter around" bike!) Which made me sad because they are SOOOO cute! I am having a very difficult time separating my desire for a bike I love the look of and a bike that "feels" right. (Why do girl bikes not come in more colors, by the way? And NOT purple? Granted, color is not a deal breaker, but it sure might make me happy!)

[merrysmom]

I just looked at the Trek Pure Lowstep and it is super cute! I'll have to track that down and try it. I'm assuming it's advantage over the Raleigh is the lack of a suspension system? (And if I'm totally wrong, please correct me!)

[merrysmom]

I see! (I actually rode the Townie in orange- my favorite! Purple is probably my least favorite color, but it seems like the only color besides grey or black that most girl bikes come in is purple. I just don't think I could buy a purple bike...)

So it's more about the sitting position, then. That makes a lot of sense. I definitely don't want to be falling. I am reasonably tall, too, at 5'8", so it's a long fall if I go down!

Thanks so much for the explanation- that definitely gives me more to go on!

[merrysmom]

What about something like the Giant Cypress DX (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.dx.w/18812/76155/) I rode it at one of the first dealerships, which is where the guy helping me suggested the Raleigh Venture 4.0 instead, saying that it had better components and would be more fun to ride. I like the Cypress (although I vaguely remember liking the trigger gear shifter thing on the Venture a lot better than the grip shifts on the Cypress, which probably had as much to do with me not understanding exactly how they worked as anything- I've improved with my weeks of test riding...)

[merrysmom]

Easy peddling is a priority for me. If a men's bike will make it easier, I can definitely look that direction. I rode a men's Giant bike (can't remember the model) yesterday and it was pretty comfortable. I just keep coming back to how comfy I was on the Venture bikes. But it could be as simple as switching out the seat for a girls version that fits better, too.

Did I mention I hate making decisions?

[roo4]

Can you borrow a bike from a friend instead of buying? It sounds like you want to use it for 4 months, then upgrade to a different bike after delivery. I wouldn't put much money into a bike for that short of a time frame. Go cheap and put the money you save into the post-baby bike.

[TigerMom]

Can you borrow a bike from a friend instead of buying? It sounds like you want to use it for 4 months, then upgrade to a different bike after delivery. I wouldn't put much money into a bike for that short of a time frame. Go cheap and put the money you save into the post-baby bike.

I completely agree with roo4. I don't think it is worth money to buy a bike for 4 months only.

[merrysmom]

Borrowing would be awesome, but I have no friends who bike. I'm in a super small town and rural area, which is awesome for riding around on roads, but not so great for finding friends who want to do what I want to do. I can see that I might like to still have the bike after the baby so I can take it camping with the kids and ride back and forth to grandma's house (which is gravel part way.) My husband thinks he would like a comfort/ cruiser style bike for the same thing.

I just can't figure out a way to get one bike that does everything I want. That's why I was thinking maybe a two bike system would be nice.


Although honestly, I am looking again at the Trek FX 7.2 and wondering if I might not just want that bike...

[VeganBikeChick]

Or could you buy the bike with the intent of selling it when you want to upgrade?

[Jolt]

When thinking about what bike to get, you might also want to think about how suitable it will be for putting a child seat on/pulling a trailer with when the baby is old enough to ride in one...this will be useful for getting out riding as a family, plus it's a way to get more use out of the bike. Enjoy the search and don't forget to check Craigslist etc. for possibilities.

[ny biker]

I don't know much about components on bikes like the Venture, but my guess is that the 4.0 might be a bit lighter, and more importantly is an 8-speed bike, whereas the 3.0 is a 7-speed. This will probably matter most on hills, especially steep ones. If you're not going to be riding the Venture (or similar bike) on hilly terrain, I think it would make sense to save some money on that purchase so you'll have more available for your road bike (and diapers!).

As for buying two bikes vs one, I'm actually a bit of an outlier around here because I don't believe that n+1 is always the correct number of bikes to have (where n is the number of bikes you have now). You should buy a bike if you can afford it and you expect that you will ride it. If it (or a bike you already own) just sits and collects dust while you ride something else, you're probably better off saving your money.

But you seem to have a plan for riding the Venture (or similar bike) with your kids after #6 is born, so it might very well make sense for you to have both that bike and a road bike later on. And depending on how old your other children are, you might end up handing down the Venture to a daughter in a few years.

BTW congratulations on #6!!

[merrysmom]

Thank you everybody for your help!

I really do think a comfort bike will be more conducive to riding about with my kids, especially if I need a seat or a trailer to ride occasionally. I just need to spend another day or two looking.

I could easily pass a bike to either of my older daughters if I decide I no longer need it anymore. My older daughter is 13 and just a hair short of 5'9" so she would fit my same bike right off the bat. Plus, I can always send it to college with her in four years if I really need an upgrade at that point!

I'm not totally sure I need a road bike of any type yet. I want to jump in on a bike I really like to ride right now and see how it goes. But I would like to have the option to ride with my husband someday, and for sure he wouldn't be able to go slow enough for me on a pokey bike. Plus, I know the flat bar road bikes aren't "real" road bikes, but it was so fun to zip around fast on the few I tried!

I bet pulling a trailer with two kids develops a lot of muscle. I need to get some built or teach the soon-to-be three year old to ride a bike.

So now I just need to figure out if the Ventures are everything I need in a comfort bike or if there is something else out there that would suit my needs better. I have a list made already from the suggestions here. I'll have to find a day to get out of town and ride some again.

[TigerMom]

Thank you everybody for your help!

I really do think a comfort bike will be more conducive to riding about with my kids, especially if I need a seat or a trailer to ride occasionally. I just need to spend another day or two looking.

I could easily pass a bike to either of my older daughters if I decide I no longer need it anymore. My older daughter is 13 and just a hair short of 5'9" so she would fit my same bike right off the bat. Plus, I can always send it to college with her in four years if I really need an upgrade at that point!

I'm not totally sure I need a road bike of any type yet. I want to jump in on a bike I really like to ride right now and see how it goes. But I would like to have the option to ride with my husband someday, and for sure he wouldn't be able to go slow enough for me on a pokey bike. Plus, I know the flat bar road bikes aren't "real" road bikes, but it was so fun to zip around fast on the few I tried!

I bet pulling a trailer with two kids develops a lot of muscle. I need to get some built or teach the soon-to-be three year old to ride a bike.

So now I just need to figure out if the Ventures are everything I need in a comfort bike or if there is something else out there that would suit my needs better. I have a list made already from the suggestions here. I'll have to find a day to get out of town and ride some again.

I want to add the Specialized VITA on your list then

[merrysmom]

The Vita! Thank you! I remembered a bike I road at a shop in Cedar City that I really liked and could NOT for the life of me remember the name- that was it! It was more in the style of bikes I'm thinking to add next summer. But I need to keep it on my list. I also road the Ariel at that shop and it was fun, too.

Part of my problem is that I'm forgetting what I like since my visits to bike shops are so far apart. It's always as we drive through a city on the way to somewhere and we're usually rushed and sometimes dragging the kids. It's hard to compare bikes when I forget what I liked about one by the time I try the next one.

[withm]

I just can't figure out a way to get one bike that does everything I want. That's why I was thinking maybe a two bike system would be nice.

Simply put, you can't. That is why we all have so many bikes.

[merrysmom]

Simply put, you can't. That is why we all have so many bikes.

See? I knew I wasn't crazy. I had that epiphany yesterday. My sweet husband said he was sure I would be happy with any bike I picked and that I should just choose one. I told him I was pretty sure I could be happy with any bike if I could choose two. He spoils me, so he happily agreed. Luckily we live on 17 acres with outbuildings and garages that used to house my grandpa's tractors so bike storage isn't an issue. If we want, we can have a literal bike stable!

[ny biker]

Part of my problem is that I'm forgetting what I like since my visits to bike shops are so far apart. It's always as we drive through a city on the way to somewhere and we're usually rushed and sometimes dragging the kids. It's hard to compare bikes when I forget what I liked about one by the time I try the next one.

Put a small note pad in your purse, or take a blank piece of 8x10 paper, write "BIKE NOTES" at the top, fold it and put it in your wallet. Use it to jot down a few notes before you leave each shop. Use your phone to take photos of bikes that you try, including close-ups of the tag with the model name and price. Even if you're in a rush and the kids are cranky, you can still write the name of the bike and something quick like "LIKED IT" or "HATED IT."

(I had to take this approach when I was planning a kitchen renovation and visiting various stores to look at things like cabinets and tile and flooring materials. It really helped my overloaded brain to keep track of things.)

[merrysmom]

Put a small note pad in your purse, or take a blank piece of 8x10 paper, write "BIKE NOTES" at the top, fold it and put it in your wallet. Use it to jot down a few notes before you leave each shop. Use your phone to take photos of bikes that you try, including close-ups of the tag with the model name and price. Even if you're in a rush and the kids are cranky, you can still write the name of the bike and something quick like "LIKED IT" or "HATED IT."

(I had to take this approach when I was planning a kitchen renovation and visiting various stores to look at things like cabinets and tile and flooring materials. It really helped my overloaded brain to keep track of things.)

That's brilliant. I am totally using my phone. I always think I will remember things, but I forgot how much brain power I lose when I'm pregnant. I swear I am throwing up brain cells along with most of my meals. I know I tried another Trek bike I really liked but the memory is gone.

The beauty of having two babysitting age kids is that it's pretty easy for my husband and I to slip away for a day. We just need to find a day without dance camp, piano lessons, football camp, baseball camp, volleyball camp, voice lessons, play practice, band practice... etc. Wish we were close enough to activities for the kids to ride bikes to them!

[Owlie]

That's brilliant. I am totally using my phone. I always think I will remember things, but I forgot how much brain power I lose when I'm pregnant. I swear I am throwing up brain cells along with most of my meals. I know I tried another Trek bike I really liked but the memory is gone.

The beauty of having two babysitting age kids is that it's pretty easy for my husband and I to slip away for a day. We just need to find a day without dance camp, piano lessons, football camp, baseball camp, volleyball camp, voice lessons, play practice, band practice... etc. Wish we were close enough to activities for the kids to ride bikes to them!

Another suggestion: When I worked at a bike shop, I used to write bike information on the back of a business card for people if they were shopping around. :) But the notebook seems like it would be easier to keep track of. :)

Good luck with shopping!

[merrysmom]

I finally made a decision! My husband patiently shopped with me at 11 different bike shops (many of them with three or four or five visits each) all over the state and patiently waiting while I rode (and rode and rode) every kind of bike. He even rode them for me to help give me another opinion. And I finally (FINALLY!) found the bike that felt just right!

I ended up buying the Giant Alight (which was the Escape until they changed the name for 2015.) (Here!) (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/alight.2/18781/76141/#specifications) It looks like this:
17317

Isn't it pretty? They were trying to put me on bigger bikes at the last store I shopped at because I'm fairly tall (5'8") but I couldn't even straddle the top bar unless I was on my tippy tippy toes- almost ballerina style. My legs are pretty short and my torso is longer. So I ended up with a medium, which feels good so far. It's hard to tell exactly how it will fit when my starting-to-get-in-the-way pregnant belly is gone. I know I have the seat lower than I should right now, since I am a bit nervous starting out and definitely want to be able to catch myself if I tip.

My husband and I went out on a quick 5 mile ride tonight and it was so fun! I wasn't sure I'd even be able to do one mile, but we just flew along. I'm going to need to sort out the (seemingly inevitable) behind discomfort, which isn't terrible, but a little sore, and find a way to position my body so my wrists aren't tired, but all in all I'm pleased at how easy it went. My form is definitely weird right now, but I can ride weird for a few months until the snow flies and then start fresh in the spring after baby is here.

Thanks SO much for all the help and assistance! I'm excited to have found such a friendly place!

[Jolt]

Congratulations and enjoy! I think I rode an Escape when I did a day tour of Boston/Cambridge once...seemed like a pretty nice hybrid.

[merrysmom]

Thanks! I really wanted to start on a hybrid so I could be more upright and keep an eye on my kids when we ride together, and be able to go on the occasional (fairly tame) gravel road with them. (Also being more upright is easier with my fat belly!)

I did some reading on the forum last night and found tips on positioning for less wrist pain. We just did our little five mile loop again, and my wrists barely started to bother me by the end. Keeping my arms more bent and fixing my seat slightly really helped!

Now I just need to keep going so I keep working on the backside, and work on not finding myself out of breath by mile 3... slightly embarrassing! I'm glad husband is patient and will ride whatever speed I need- he's just happy I'm riding with him.

Maybe I can ride enough that after baby gets here I'll weigh less than before I got pregnant? A girl can dream, right?