Lightweight hybrid with upright position under not too expensive

[Eldcyclist]

Good Morning,
My wife and I have been very happy with our Hybrid bikes which we have had for 12 years and have enjoyed using around town and on holidays -tow paths cycle ways and the occasional bridleway. However they weigh about 16 kg and as we are getting older both in our 60s we are finding them increasingly difficult to get up on the car bike rack and to push if the going gets really tough,. so we thought we would invest in new bikes ,- this search for something similar has been unexpectedly VERY difficult so I am hoping someone out there can help us.

Our requirements are as follows :-
an upright seating position
as light as possible
not too expensive - probably less than £250 (as we will probably need to go for electric bikes in the next few years)
my wife does not like a high bar

Any advice would be gratefully received - some people have advised us to get folding bikes but we have read that the cheaper ones are very bumpy and juddery so would prefer no too unless anyone can convince us other wise.

Thanks

 

[vickster]

Are you ok with second hand, your budget is likely to be somewhat restrictive for new, as you've found cheap bikes are heavy

Alternatively, if funds permit, buy more costly bikes that will hold their value. Look after the, and you'll probably get 50% back

Maybe look at something like a Giant Liv Alight for your wife and a Giant Escape for you?

Avoid suspension, not needed on tow paths and simply add weight

Also, Could you add a tow bar mounted rack to the car so no need to lift so high?

 

[Arjimlad]

My wife's Liv Alight fits the bill above & has been excellent.

 

[jefferdj]

Can someone help me decide if I need suspension or not? I too want a light bike but the thought of suspension sounded appealing. I want to do lady trips out - pathways, round our Milton Keynes lakes and the odd trip down a tow path (perhaps). Not serious off-roading stuff, but a bit of comfort wouldn't go amiss.

 

[vickster]

Can someone help me decide if I need suspension or not? I too want a light bike but the thought of suspension sounded appealing. I want to do lady trips out - pathways, round our Milton Keynes lakes and the odd trip down a tow path (perhaps). Not serious off-roading stuff, but a bit of comfort wouldn't go amiss.

Just get a rigid hybrid with 32-38mm tyres for comfort. Or if you’ll just be pootling off road, get suspension as the weight won’t matter unless you have to carry it up loads of stairs at home

 

[nickAKA]

Can someone help me decide if I need suspension or not? I too want a light bike but the thought of suspension sounded appealing. I want to do lady trips out - pathways, round our Milton Keynes lakes and the odd trip down a tow path (perhaps). Not serious off-roading stuff, but a bit of comfort wouldn't go amiss.

Something with fixed forks and a decent width of tyre would probably suit you best, avoiding the 'weight penalty' of suspension forks on lower end bikes, but it's hard to make a suggestion without knowing what your budget is... there are loads of hybrids that would suit what you want to do but the costs are from £250 to 10 times that so think about your budget.