You have so many options! It is tough in the beginning to figure out what is best. Believe me I have been there. We actually wasted a couple of years "talking" about what was best. We actually find road bikes for us to be the best. We don't really ride trails. If we do they are paved so we went the road bike route with the drop style bars and skinny tires. They work just fine for us. I typically ride with a topeak baby seat on the back or towing a trek gobug with 2 kids. Just try to get started with a bike that is functional. As you ride you will figure more out. How far you like to ride, postions and all that!