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/archiv...enture-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/...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...)

[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!