Womans recreation bike

Question
I am looking to buy a woman's bike with a child's seat. Can you help
reccommend a brand or style that would be good for under $500? I need a
16" frame and a rear mounted child seat. I was looking at the Raleigh Venture
but have recently found some negative reviews on that bike.

thank you,
Michelle

Answer
I do generally not provide recommendations on buying a specific bicycle, unless I have used it myself. Buying a bicycle is an individual decision, that will depend on many factors that can't be checked by e-mail. Most important, you must buy a bicycle with the right size.

I'd recommend to find a bicycle shop that will provide you with advice, and will let you try several models (at least for 5 minutes on the shop's parking lot), so that you can check you feel at ease on the bicycle. The bicycle reseller will be able to adjust saddle position and handlebars so that you are really comfortable. If that does not happen, don't buy. It will also help if you can describe to the bicycle shop what kind of use you expect to have from your bike, road, terrain, commuting, long trips, etc. It will help them giving you the right advice.

I had a quick look on the Raleigh web site, and the Ventura looks like a decent bike, without being top class (which you can't really expect to get under 500$, and probably don't need either). You need to check with the shop that you can fit a child seat on the saddle rod, or, if that is not possible, add a rear luggage carrier that fill in turn fit a seat. Ask questions until you feel they are understanding completely what you want and are able to respond to your needs. IF you don't feel happy, forget it and go to another shop.

Wish you all the best with your choice, it may take some time to find the right bicycle shop, but once you find it, they will be able to provide you with what you need.