Hello ladies!
I am very new here, just decided a few days ago to get back in shape after having a baby, who is now 18 months old.
Before kids, well, 10 years ago, I loved biking. Never had anything nice, just a hand-me down bike given to me by a friend. Really old bike.
Then kids, etc. Finally, now that we are done, and the baby is older, I decided I need to start doing something for myself. Like going on bike rides around the area.
I live in an urban area, but the beauty of it is that just minutes from my house is conservation area with packed dirt, small gravel, and paved trails. I am not thinking of anything really rugged, or jumping. Just packed dirt at most. and a lot of our trails are paved.
I also would like the bike to go on regular roads, to zoom around the neighbourhood, or occasionally commute to work.
From what I read so far, hybrid is a way to go for me.
But which hybrid?
I do have a budget. I really do not want to get outside of $600.
I live in quite a large city in Canada, so LBS carry most of the big brands like Giant, Specialized, etc.
I have gone to one shop that carries Giants.
I was offered two different choices
Giant Cypress DX and Giant escape 2 w or city.
I liked he idea of cypress, but I don't think I can ride all the time in the upright position. Plus, the bike is very heavy. It is almost 35 pounds, which is a problem at my statue. I am 5'1 and 100 pounds. I also need XS frame. My friend has given me her co pilot seat, so I am planning to take my son with me. so, that adds weight to an already heavy bike.
Do you ladies have some thoughts on what to look at.
Is there anything in Specialized line that would suit me better that Giant?
I understand that I would like to change bike up after a while. I'd like a bike that I don't hate 2 years later. so, I am willing to go a bit higher in price, a bit beyond something very basic. I learned that I outgrew my basic DSLR soon after and regretted not getting something a bit more advanced.
I don't imagine going too fast with the baby, but I do imagine going fast without him:-) I'd like the bike to give me a level of fitness.
I am considering only a new bike. I am very anal about things like that. I am a stroller fanatic, and would only buy a stroller if I know the person, who I know babied it. With a bike, I won't be able to judge how it has been treated.
Sorry for such a long post and thank you very much in advance.