Need good, affordable bike for support and comfort, pulling a child trailer.?

Question

I am 5'4,110lbs,F. Need good, affordable bike for support and comfort, pulling a child trailer.

I was looking at the cheapest women's bike with Kettler. Then saw some at Target.com. I have tried bikes at Performance and REI, but they seem awful expensive for me at this time. The trailer I just got was $399. I was hoping not to spend more than $250 tops. I've been looking on Craigslist, too, but not sure. Bike suggestions?

Answer 1

Generally, the more expensive the bike the lighter and better quality it will be.  Target, Walmart, etc. sell lots of very inexpensive bikes, but they tend to be heavy and pretty low quality.  

Pulling a trailer and a kid or two is pretty hard work.  The lighter the bike, the further you are going to be able to haul your kids.  Also, the least expensive bikes available have only a single speed.  Frankly, gears are a godsend when pulling kids in a trailer.

If you get a bike from a discount retailer, you should plan on having to get another one in a year or two.   Also, discount retailers tend to have noone who can fit you and get the bike set up for you.  Thus, you run a good chance of getting the wrong size bike or not getting the seat height and handlebar height correct.

Performance and REI carry a wide variety of bikes to meet nearly all price points except the very lowest.  You can count on these bikes to be a nice step up in quality.  Furthermore, the sales people should take time to work with you to be sure the bike fits you properly.

Your local bike store may be even better.  You aren't going to want to go to a "racing" oriented shop, though.  Just one than sells a variety of bikes that should suit your needs.  

I suggest you try out a mountain bike, a hybrid and a cruizer with gears.  I am sure one of these will be perfect for you and will fit your budget.  I also recommend you take your kid and trailer with you.  Plan on taking an hour, or so, test ride with each bike.  Buy the one that is most comfortable for you.  Don't buy a bike on the basis of a 10 minute ride around the parking lot.  That just isn't enough time to determine if the bike is really comfortable.

Hope this helps.