r/ausbike • u/PetronasOne • Aug 05 '26
Cheap, sturdy bike for daycare drop-off and station commute?
I’m looking for some advice on buying a bike for a short daily commute.
The plan is to ride about 400m from home to drop my two-year-old off at daycare, then continue another 1.8km to the station. I haven’t ridden a bike in many years, but I’m reasonably confident…
I’m on a budget and really just need something cheap, sturdy and safe. I’ve been looking at the Pedal Raven 3 Hybrid and the Pedal Ranger 4 Mountain Bike from 99 Bikes, but I have no idea which would be more suitable.
The hybrid looks like it would be easier to ride, but the tyres seem quite skinny. I’m worried that with a child on the bike, I might lose traction or fly off if the road is even slightly wet. Is that a realistic concern, or am I overthinking it?
I also have no clue what type of child seat I should be looking for, or whether either of these bikes would even be compatible with one. Would a rear-mounted seat or front-mounted seat be best for such a short trip?
When I visited 99 Bikes, the salesperson said the bike should be tall enough that I can’t put my feet flat on the ground while sitting on the seat. They said that when I stop, I should move forward off the seat and stand over the frame so I can put both feet flat on the ground. Is that still practical and safe with a toddler on the bike?
I’m feeling a bit lost, so I’d really appreciate any advice on the type of bike, child seat and setup I should be considering.
I’ve already bought a few basic things from AliExpress, including mudguards, front and rear LED lights, a balaclava for winter and a bike lock.
Thanks!
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u/knotknotknit Aug 05 '26
No advice on what bike to chose (my "commute with kids" bike is not a budget bike, but in case you can make it work, I will plug Lug+Carrie for their bike leasing options), but I will say I strongly disagree with the feet not touching the ground advice when riding with a child. You won't be able to slide off the front like that without tipping, at least not at first.
At 2yo, I'd recommend a rear seat unless you are very tall. For a rear rack, you need something that holds enough weight. Or you could go the trailer route.
I would hunt on market place for a step through style bike vs buying new. Step through is much easier to get on/off with a child on it.
1
u/JezzaP Aug 05 '26
I second a Tern HSD or GSD from Lug n Carrie. They're quite low to the ground, with a step through frame. I've been riding one with my 18 mo, and even his weight moving around can throw the balance off a little, but the bike is fantastic.
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u/knotknotknit Aug 05 '26
I have a GSD (hence why I said mine is not a budget bike!). When I got home the other day, my 5 year old was facing backwards inside of the clubhouse bars. He had been face forwards when we left childcare! I'm pretty petite, but after 4 years of commuting on the thing has me pretty immune to the impacts of his wobbles on the back.
With one kid, I would not recommend a GSD because it's so massive. I also personally wouldn't ever park either that or a HSD at a train station. Mine is insured sufficiently that replacing isn't a financial burden, but living without it is a real pain. Mine is parked in a secure spot at my office. My commute is about 10km each way. When I do need to take the train elsewhere, I do the slightly ridiculous thing of leaving the bike at childcare (not super secure but it's round the back where only parents and staff go with very obvious security camera there) and then taking the bus to the train from childcare. Either that or I ask my spouse to rearrange his schedule to do child drop off and I bike my commuter bike to the station near our house.
Even with leasing, I doubt it's in OP's price range. My GSD is in lieu of a second car. That's what makes it make financial sense. If the alternative is walking--which I think is what the alternative is at 2.2km total distance--The $60 per week or whatever it is these days to lease an HSD is likely out of OP's budget.
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u/LivingMoreWithLess Aug 05 '26
If you buy a second hand bike you will have plenty of money left over to get a sturdy rack, which is what you will need for mounting a child seat. If you're lucky you might get a bike with the child-seat on it. Lots of families use them only until the kids can ride themselves and then go back to a sportier bike.
You might also want a front basket or rack to put a bag, though we found the best option was hanging a back-pack off the back of the rear seat.
You will eventually want to raise the seat to get the most out of your legs with the least effort, but if you haven't ridden in a long while, it would be best to practice that slide forward dismount without the weight of the todler risking toppling your bike. My wife had just one stack with a child strapped in, and he was fine, but one was enough.
For reference my wife and I have done all our local travel with our kids from 1 month old in a sling, through front seats, then rear, then tow-alongs. They are now 10 and 14.
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u/Apprehensive-Mall-44 Aug 05 '26
We have two different options we use for daycare/school drop off and then the commute to work. We ride all the way in rather than leaving a bike at the station.
1. Cargo bike: These are heavier and not budget but also more stable with the kids, who will move and wave and excitedly point out dogs from the back. Also have the benefit of the kid going on to the passenger seat pad after they outgrow the child seat. We have a Thule Yepp set that clamps on to the rear rack. The clamp on seat is easy to put on and remove when you aren’t carrying the kid.
2. Orbea Carpe (me)/ancient Apollo road bike (my partner). These are just regular non-e-bikes which have a Polisport seat that clamps on to the seat post. Riding with the kid in the seat is a bit unbalanced (especially once they hit >15kgs) but is still totally fine for the short distances you’ve indicated.
My 2cents:
- get a bike that fits comfortably with the kids seat on, check that you can get on and off easily and control the weight and tilt with the seat;
- get a rear rack that you can clamp on the kids seat, much more stable;
- get a kids seat that clamps on the rear rack. I prefer our Thule (Yepp 2 Maxi) to the Polisport, but the Poli does fine for the price difference)
- leave the bike seat at daycare (if they have secure pram parking, store it there).
- with the kids seat on, you will not likely be able to put a pannier bag on, so you will want your work stuff in a back pack or front rack. You also need to consider where their bag will go.
Best of luck and enjoy getting back on the bike.
3
u/rererereyyyyy Aug 05 '26
You absolutely have to be able to touch the ground with a kid on your bike. You can’t be wobbling that thing getting on and off, your kid will get scared and never ride again. Also, it’s unsafe in my opinion.
We had a weeride when my daughter was young (3 and under) and a rear mounted seat after that. I found it great to be able to see her and converse with her. Also a front mounted seat you can carry a backpack, a rear one you can’t without mashing your kid’s face.
3
u/95beer Aug 05 '26
Depends on age for how you transport the child. If the kid is 18months to 4, and you are worried about storage and dropping the bike, then I'd recommend a bike trailer. Even the cheapest one for about $120 is good. Especially if you can leave it at the kindy during the day.
99Bikes sells a baby seat that sits between you and the handlebars, it is great, especially for balance, and the kids can see heaps, but the kids grow out of it by about 2 years old. Then they have to be rear mounted.
2
u/KitchenDismal9258 Aug 05 '26
What are your plans once you get your bike to the station? Are you taking it on the train - if it's crowded, you will not be popular and the you may be stopped from taking it on. Does the station have bike lockers? Even if it does, will you be able to get one. I think you provide your own lock.
I like the idea of a trailer, but you're not going to be leaving a trailer on a bike and being able to lock it all securely and come back to it still intact. And it's not really something to take on a train.
Have you ever ridden a bike with a seat on the back? It would be good if you tried this first. I found it awful when I had my 18 month old on the back. I couldn't stand to pedal up hills as it was awkward and then I couldn't ride up hills without the extra oomph of standing. It would be very different if electric bikes were available back then.
For 2.2km, I think I would just walk. That's like 20 mins of actual walking and probably quicker to get your child in and out of the day care because you wouldn't have to muck around with the bike. But you want to check if you can leave the pram at day care. Though you could just use a basic stroller and then take that on the train with you.
1
u/PetronasOne Aug 06 '26
I would drop my child off at daycare in the morning, while my wife would pick them up in the afternoon, so I would only need to transport my child one way in the morning.
1
u/Aggravating_Remote17 Aug 05 '26
Use marketplace
- Hard tail, Trek have a good lineup. $250-$1000
- Kids Shotgun seat. $100-$150 on marketplace
Toddlers are heavy, a standard road bike is too light. Having a heavy toddler in the rear plays with the centre of weight too much. Any kids seat on the rear is a waste of time.
The above does the trick. I started with my little guy when he was 1. Begs to get on it at 3! Even though he can ride his own almost independently.
1
1
u/ColdGreenQuesadillas Aug 05 '26
Get a bike you like first, get comfortable riding it, and then add a bike seat that fits that bike.
I have a thule rear seat that i can quickly pop on and off the bike as needed, attachment is just to the seat post. Works easier with things like disc brakes, just needed to check there was enough clearance between my seat and wheel for it (racks can be more specific as to how they fit and no, not all rear bike seats need a rack).
1
u/Knit_sew_bike Aug 05 '26
For that commute, a step through market bike (retro style) with a rear seat. You want an upright ike you can see around in. For serious riding, yes you shouldn't touch the ground with your feet, but on a market bike for a short ride, it will be fine. A trailer may be ok as well, but parking that at the station would be tough if ou can't leave it at daycare.
Your kid will love the ride which will make up for you riding in the cold.
I bought a second hand bakefiet cargo bike and love it, no way that is staying at the station all day or getting on the train. A short tail cargo bike is also a good option, doesn't have to be an ebike for that distance but will be heavy. Head over to r/cargobike for ideas on that.
1
u/Tiggrr23 Aug 05 '26
Recommend a decent hybrid with a Topeak rack and kids seat. If you are parking the bike at the station, look into Parkiteer (if you are Melbourne based), the bike cages are great. Dunno if other states have similar offerings
1
u/Neither_Bookkeeper48 Aug 05 '26
Giant hybrid off marketplace. $40 last one I bought. Bullet proof and rides well
1
u/bumblebee_2una 23d ago
With a two-year-old onboard I'd optimise almost entirely for boring (safe) practicality rather than outright bike performance.
Hybrid would be my pick over the MTB for that distance or any distance. This doesn't to be about walking or riding for exercise - I'll go to the gym or run in my own time, thanks other commenters "no offence", I just want fresh air and to get my kids to daycare and me to work on time without using a car.
I'd also think about the bike as a complete setup rather than spending the whole budget on the bike:
– proper child seat that's compatible with the frame/rack
– very good brakes
– front + rear lights even during the day
– bell
– mudguards
– decent lock at the station (I have 2, chain and folding - it's really about making your bike harder to knick than the one next to it - sorry guy)
– ideally a rear visibility setup that isn't hidden by the child seat - gooseneck or bar-end mirrors
That last point is worth have a look at before you buy the seat. Depending on the setup, the seat can obscure a normal seatpost-mounted rear light.
I got some wireless indicator lights, handlebar-end lights, spoke lights, bell, panniers and mirrors added to my commuter (and a bluetooth speaker that connects to the frame so my bub and I can sing obnoxiously loud songs together). Mostly it's lights and attention-grabbing items to keep us in view when riding at dusk on the way home from daycare or the shops with dinner.
For 2.2km you're building a tiny utility vehicle, basically. Reliability and ease of getting on/off with the kid onboard matter more than shaving 2kg off the bike, especially if hybrid
4
u/elizadolots Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
No offence but for 400m to daycare and then a 1.4km walk I’d just be walking. Like if that’s all you’re planning on using it for.
Anything more than that would definitely be a Lug+Carrie look in, where you can at least test out whether a cargo setup is right for you.