Can you help me pick out a bike?

Question

Hello!

I'm looking for a bike to attach a trailer to, to haul my 2 kids around this summer. I have a mountain bike but it's not comfortable for me any longer (ever since I hurt my lower back). I already have the trailer but I want to replace my mountain bike with a more comfortable one.

So, I'm a woman, I'm 5' 5" and I would like:

-comfort

-street bike but it could be for light trails for when I'm without the kids

-at least 3 speeds

-anything else I should look for???

Could you help me and recommend a brand and/or style on any that you think I should take a look at? I'm the type of person that likes to research before I begin my browsing at my local shops! :)

Thank you soooo much!

Answer 1

Was your existing mountain bike fitted to you for proper frame size?  If it is, maybe you just need to adjust a few things to eliminate the back pain.  You can try things like moving the saddle a bit forward, using an adjustable stem that brings the handlebars up more so you can sit more upright, etc.

If you got your heart set on a new bike, definitely go to a bike shop first to get fitted for the right frame size--  That's the critical foundation to build on to ensure comfort.  Then build from there by selecting a bike with the right geometry (describe your back pain to the bikeshop person and test-ride different geometries).  Then think about the feature sets you want (handlebar setups, wheel type, derailleur components, etc).

Good luck.

Answer 2

"Which is a better bike, a Trek or a Specialized?

Or Cannondale or Orbea or Scott or Schwinn or Cervelo. We're asked "Which brand is better?" almost daily. While each brand has its diehard fans, we can't answer the question. It's not because of any political reason, but because it's not the right question to ask--you're buying a bicycle, not a brand. .."

Bike Buying Tips: Buyer Be Wise;...Here we answer 10 of the most common queries to help you find the right bike.

By Bicycling Staff

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