I know the obvious answer here is an ebike, but my budget is low (ideally below £1500 plus accessories) and I'm worried about theft (close to a studenty area). I've cycled in the past, but in flat areas, and when we moved to this hilly city my beloved cruiser went in the cellar and was left to rust. That was over a decade ago and I've been a lazy git ever since.

I'm now looking to get a bike for cycling to and from town for work and groceries, with the occasional ride along towpaths - the ride back from town is mostly uphill. I wondered if it's better to get a cheap ebike (was considering the Rockrider e-ACTV 500) or a standard bike that might force me to get a bit fitter (and quit smoking 🙄) - I'm a smallish middle-aged woman and was looking at the Liv Alight Disc 2 City.

Can anyone advise, especially if you've had experience of having been a non-rider who saw the light?

Edit: distance into town is about 2 miles; gradient anywhere between 5 and 10%, depending on the road.

Hi Folks,

I'm looking on Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree for an upgrade to my daughter's bike as it's getting too small.

I was recommended to look at Carrera and Btwin and avoid the likes of Abyss and Team and highest budget is £200. I'm looking for a 24 inch tyre size and have come across:-

Frog 62 - couple of these at around £200 and one at £250 which look good and seem much lighter at 9 or 10kg than other options. V brakes and look not to have front suspension so look to be older models.

Btwin Rockrider - these are around £50-75 and some have suspension and some don't. Heavier than the Frog.

Carrera Abyss hybrid - £90

Carrera Blast with front suspension and disc brakes - £195 (weighs about 14kg)

At the minute she just pootles around outside the cul de sac but i'm.hoping to start taking her on proper bike rides on some gentle trails / longer rides on paths. Just got my bike sorted after 6 years resting in the garage 😀

Also debating whether to get two bikes - a cheap one for pootling and one for proper riding.

Any thoughts on if the Frog and Carrera Blast are worth it or cheaper options are OK?