Bicycle Recommendations

cfistew · 06-09-2008, 11:42 AM

I want to buy a bicycle and trailer for my daughter to ride in. Something just to ride around town and through the parks. I live in downtown San Antonio so I don't need anything too fancy or high end. I'm thinking a lower end mountain bike. Something stable, lightweight, and easy to maneuver that I could use for light trail riding and would also be good for the streets. Any recommendations? TREK? Schwinn? What are your thoughts?

Bob · 06-09-2008, 12:04 PM

As for the bike... just go with something smooth, lightweight, and comfortable... possibly a hybrid since you are thinking a low-end mountain bike... but also leisure rides with the family. I say this... because I currenly have a true mountain bike (Gary Fisher) and it's great on the trails... but not so comfortable on the family rides. So... if it's just me and the kids... then I usually end up just taking my wifes bike to pull the trailer. It's more of a hybrid and much more comfy for pulling.

In my opinion, regarding the trailer... go with the Burley d'lite.

It's made for two kids, very lightweight, tons of cover for weather but plenty of ventilation for the hot days, as well as bug screens for the buggy days, folds down flat, and lasts forever. The one I bought 6 years ago still looks and performs like new. They cost around $400 new... but the resale is way higher on them than on the look-alikes.

Also... you can find a really nice one in great shape on eBay for the cost of a new "knock-off".

burley trailer, Outdoor Sports, Strollers items on eBay.com

Even though it seats two... it's actually very comfortable for one... plus... there's ton's of storage in it for food, supplys, etc. as well as some side pockets handy for the kids books, or sippy cups. When my daughters were younger... I even just attached their carseat to the inside. Worked like a charm.

Hope that helps!

Bob

Wild Bill Kelso · 06-09-2008, 01:12 PM

My wife and I have Trek Hybrid 7200 series. They are great for what it sounds like you will be doing. The hybrids have a little thicker tires, while still being great on roads and gravel.

We bought a cheaper trailer for our son when he was small about a year. It was about $100 at Target and looked like the one pictured above. It also converts to a stroller, which is nice for trips to Sea World, etc. If your daughter is a little older, I would highly reccommend the Trek MT Train series. It is one wheel, with pedals and handle bars for the kid. My son is 3 1/2 and LOVES it! Plus, it is much narrower, allowing for better trail riding. I have pis of it in my profile, take a look. HIGHLY reccommended.

cfistew · 06-09-2008, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. That is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. My daughter is one, so it will be a trailer for us. Thanks again, great info guys.

Randy Brodbeck · 06-12-2008, 10:43 PM

I do a lot of riding. What ever you do, shy away from cheap store brand bikes. I. E. $100 specials at K-mart, Wal Mart. You will not be at all happy with the performance and maintenance required from that level of quality.

As stated earlier a Trek hybrid would be a great choice for what you want to do. Schwinn has been sold by the bean counters and is now nothing more than a cheap Chinese made knock-off brand. That name has no credibility anymore.

A nice mountain bike will get you by for family rides but I find a hybrid does ride better than a trail bike on pavement and even gravel roads or unpaved rail trails. Hybrids don't do that great on true off road single tracks though.

I have a two seat trailer that I use to take my daughters in. The model we selected is called the Super Doodlebug. I don't know much about trailers but this model seems like really good quality. It converts to a jogging stroller as well. The real reason we selected that model was the based on a recommendation from my local bike shop. The shop asked to buy it back from us when the girls out grow it. My oldest daughter is 2 years old now. As soon as she is old enough to stay on the saddle and reach the pedals she is getting a trailer bike. Towing a 30 lb trailer with 50-60 lbs of precious cargo into a head wind makes for a much more strenuous ride. Actually it allows my wife to keep up with me. It does require a very noticeable extra effort however, so do do be prepared. The trailer bike requires much less effort to tow even if the child doesn't pedal. That's why I can't wait for her to be old enough for the transition.

I really recommend loyalty to a local bike shop. It is one of the best resources a cyclist can utilize.

cfistew · 06-13-2008, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the good info, Randy. I've actually got an old car I'm selling to finance this whole venture, so I was planning on getting a quality bike. We have a few good bike shops here in SAT, so I think I'll have some good choices. I'm thinking something in the $400-$750 range for the bike and possibly a used trailer (Burley or TREK).

Again, thanks for the info everyone. Keep it coming!

Wild Bill Kelso · 06-20-2008, 11:39 AM

I would reccommend Bike World (i go up to the one up on 1604 north just west of 281) GREAT customer service.

cfistew · 06-20-2008, 01:01 PM

Thanks Bill. I've been in to the Alamo Heights one a few times already (1604 is too far out in loopland for me

). You're right, they've been super helpful. Got in touch with my college roommate who is an avid cyclist and enlisted his help as well. Thanks for all the good info. I'll report back when I buy something...hopefully in the next month or two.

By the way, 1941 was a great movie!

cfistew · 07-24-2008, 10:54 PM

Got a bike! Here it is. Trailer to come later after a get a couple of months experience. Thanks for all of your input

Wild Bill Kelso · 07-26-2008, 11:11 PM

Sweet... now just let me know where you find that works well in SAT for hauling a trainer. Over where I'm at, the roads are awful for biking with someone behind me...