I am buying a bike mainly for the purpose of taking my toddler out in the summer. It will be some normal tarmac bike paths, country mud paths and a few forest rides.
Might also use it myself to do some riding if I get time. Will not be anything hardcore though easy forest trails and a few rides maybe 20 mile loops on roads (I know this is probably not as good as a road / gravel bike, but I do not like drop handlebars anyway feel like I am just looking at the floor)
I am looking at buying either a MacRide or Shotgun seat for him to sit on. From my understanding these work best with a mountain bike but please correct me if I am wrong. Any recommendations between these two and model would very helpful.
I can access a Cycle2Work scheme if needed.
These are the bikes I have found but I have no idea how to pick one which would be best:
https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl/products/mantra-elite-lsl-orange
Love the colour on this one but not sure if it will come in stock for a medium and if it is worth the extra over the other voodoo: https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-carbon-pro-mens-mountain-bike—s-m-l-xl-frames-456526.html
I have no idea if i should be spending £1k on a bike for my needs but I have also put a cheaper alterative in as well. I am open to any suggestions ideally trying to stay around £1k and below. Maybe I even get a real cheap one and see how we get on?
by Curious-Emphasis-409
2 Comments
Ask around the R/bikepacking sub. Based on the type of riding you intend to do (mellow all terrain while weighted down a bit) they will likely have the best advice.
I picked up a used Kona unit x for $1200 for exactly this same purpose. My kiddo is still to young for the seat, but the bike is great, albeit slow on the tarmac
I’ve been riding little ones on both KRS and macride for a few years. the mantra is your clear choice because it will be stiffer and has better wheels, at least don’t go with the cheapest options. Stiffer bikes handle the added weight better, and that cheap bike is too flimsy for the application in my opinion. also, the macride is a far superior product imo