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?