Recreational & Family - Suggest for first-time biking dad a type/size/brand/price for neighborhood rides

I must apologize for adding to the huge number of "What bike should I get" posts, but I couldn't really find my situation.

My situation is that I want to get a bike for a my 2 mile commute to work, that will also be good for taking my kids (4 and 2 years old) around in a carrier or pull trailer.
My neighborhood is fairly hilly.
I'm thinking either a comfort or a hybrid (cross). I think I'll prefer the feel of a more upright position, as I have chronic lower back pain.
I can forsee doing a few miles on a very improved trail in a state park some time, but mostly I'm talking tooling around town two or three times a week.
I just don't see myself doing more than 10 miles or so, and most of the time it'll just be a couple miles.
The fact that I'll be getting a child carrier or a trailer, does that limit what bike I should get?
How little can I spend for such low-mileage requirements? I'd be ok with up to $300 if I had to, but under $200 sure would be great.
I'm 5'11", 150 lbs. with slim build. What size bike will I be looking at?

Thanks for feedback on any of these points.

I have been bicycling for a long time, so I will be interested to see what the other fathers have to recommend for a first-time biking dad.

The only thing I wanted to comment is that if you have cronic lower back pain, an upright sitting position bike might not be right for you. When you are upright in the saddle, all the bumps go right up into your back. I had some back problem from riding upright.

You might want to borrow one of your neighbor's old ten-speeds and see if that position is good for you. Maybe you can find an upright that you could try as well.

Ride it for more than just around the block. Ride it for a few miles and see what you think.

There are quite a few nice bikes in your price range (although you won't find anything decent for under $200 unless you buy used, but $200-$300 is possible), any of which would be fine for the kind of riding you want to do. Many hybrid bikes come with suspension seatposts which help to ease the bumps. When I was shopping recently for a not-too-expensive commuting bike I looked at these:

KHS Brentwood: $229
Trek 7000: $259
Trek 7200 FX: $359
Trek Navigator 50: $229
Trek Navigator 100: $309
Giant Cypress, various models, $229 and up
Trek also makes some mountain bikes that start at around $300, which would also work if you prefer that style.

I ended up buying an '05 Marin Larkspur for just over $300. Quite a few stores are closing out their '05 models now, so it's a good time to find some good price breaks. Test ride as many as you can and go with the one that feels the best, fits the best, and makes you happy when you look at it .

I thought Mike's comment was interesting, as I found the position of my old 10spd road bike to be a killer with my back problems, yet I absolutely love my Trek Navigator's upright position. Clearly, everybody is different, and you should indeed go to a shop and try our the different riding positions for yourself.

I am 48, 170 lbs, 5'11". I pull a Burley Bee trailer with my (almost) 3 yr old. Today's Trek Navigator 100 is very similarly equipped to the way my Nav 200 was in 2002, and the price is reasonable.

Steve

I thought Mike's comment was interesting, as I found the position of my old 10spd road bike to be a killer with my back problems, yet I absolutely love my Trek Navigator's upright position. Clearly, everybody is different, and you should indeed go to a shop and try our the different riding positions for yourself.

I am 48, 170 lbs, 5'11". I pull a Burley Bee trailer with my (almost) 3 yr old. Today's Trek Navigator 100 is very similarly equipped to the way my Nav 200 was in 2002, and the price is reasonable.

Steve

Well, there you have it. Everybody is different. For Steve, the upright position is good on his back and for me it is painful. That is why Steve and I both suggest you try out a couple of riding positions before making a purchase.

The fatter your tires, the longer your bike frame, the more swoop in the fork (or suspension if you go that direction), and the more spring in the saddle will all help take up some of the road bumpies and help protect your back from pain.

I think the mountain bikes and fitness/cyclocross bikes (eg. Trek FX series) would not be a good fit for your needs. The "comfort" bikes like the Trek Navigator and Hybrid models have you in an upright position, touring/mtb gearing for easy climbing(especially with a load). Mountain bikes have knobby tires which you don't need for roads. You can get a mountain bike or a fitness bike and install a riser stem that's adjustable. That'll allow you to pull the handlebars up and back for a more upright position. If you get a mtb, I'd get slick tires for better traction and performance.

Raleigh makes a number of comfort bikes, one being the SC 7. It's just a 7 spd but that should be enough for your two mile commute and to haul kids around. In the $200-400 range.

Specialized makes the Crossroads Sport for $330. It's got 700c x 28 road tires. A very similar bike is their Expedition with mountain bike wheels/tires. Same price.


I strongly suggest you visit several shops and explain the salesperson what you are looking to do with your bike. Try out what they suggest, making sure you are fitted to the bike. After riding several, re-visit your favorites, the ones that fit you the best and are the most comfortable. Try to ride them for as long as the store will let you, not just a circle around the parking lot. I would also try bikes above your price range to see just what that extra money would be getting you. I've ridden several of the Treks and found them to be good bikes but they didn't fit me so I went with a bike I'd never heard of before; an Orbea.

Now it may be that the perfect bike for you is a bit above your price range. If so, I would save up and get that bike rather than settle for something "close enough". The better the fit, the more you will want to ride, the more you will ride, the more fun it will be, etc.

Another thing that is important is service after the sale. The LBS (local bike shop) should be willing to spend the time with you to make sure you understand everything about your bike. Many offer a free tuneup after you ridden the bike for a month or so.

I'll have to disagree with the poster that suggested that 7 speeds would be enough. When you pull a trailer (and I do, 100% of the time), and have any sort of hills, you will use more gears. The more the better in my mind, because it gives you more options for what feels good as you ride. If you have any sort of hills AT ALL, having a range of gears will help you get up, over and down them without killing yourself - and with plenty of gears for going fast down the other side too. :)

I'll have to disagree with the poster that suggested that 7 speeds would be enough. When you pull a trailer (and I do, 100% of the time), and have any sort of hills, you will use more gears. The more the better in my mind, because it gives you more options for what feels good as you ride. If you have any sort of hills AT ALL, having a range of gears will help you get up, over and down them without killing yourself - and with plenty of gears for going fast down the other side too. :)

I'd agree if you are planning on getting the kids out of the neighborhood but I believe the 7-spd. is a 42 chainring with a 34 tooth low gear. That should be low enough for kid friendly hills.

However, what hopefully will happen is that you'll love your bike so much you'll want to ride everywhere; in which case I would also recommend getting the triple crankset with the mt. or touring setup.

OK, Here I go again. I have a Gary Fisher Tiburon. Check out my web page. It is a 21 speed, with the upright seating position. It came with a soft saddle, and suspension seat post. For your size and weight, with back problems the suspension could make a big difference as it would absorb some of the shock that your back would otherwise have to take. The gearing is good enough that it will pull you and a trailer up some serious hills. Please think seriously about a trailer over a carrier. But that is your option. I picked up the GF for $350, but coming into the off season you may be able to catch a deal.

For your use, the bicycle, helmet, and floor pump will be about all you need to get the job done.
I think it is great that you will be spending time with the children, and I also believe that if you teach your children to bike, or fish, your children will give you less problems.
Think about it for a while before you comment.