need a bike and a trailer (help)

[strollerqueen]

okay I have a beach cruiser (SCHWINN CRUISER DELUXE GIRLS MODEL) and it's super heavy must weigh 50 pounds or so ( at least it feels like it). It's very nice but not practical for mounting on a rack and going somewhere ( I have a 4 dr honda civic). I've decided I want to sell it and am going to get something else to replace it. I'm looking for something I can ride at the park up and down hills, maybe some trails. I'm 4'11'' 112 pounds and most standard size bikes seem to tall even with the seat all the way down:(. Any suggestions on a bike for me? Also on a bike trailer for my little guy ( double seater for future kiddo)


Thanks,
Lucinda

[Fibber]

May I suggest that you look for an intermediate sized womens bike with 24" tires rather than 26"/700mm? When my daughter was in the upper 4 ft range I had her on a Trek MountainTrail 220. It is a popular choice for many 'tween girls. 21 speed, mountain bike styling, aluminum frame, around $250.

Bikes of this style and price range typically do not have quick release hardware, so a skewer mounted trailer would be difficult to fit. Burley trailers mount to the rear frame (chain stay), so would work. We have the entry level Burley trailer (the "Bee"). It is well built, light weight, holds two, and can be had for around $200. I did once put it on Trek MtTrail 220 and let my older daughter haul around her little sister, so I know it will fit.

Good luck,

Steve

[masiman]

I'm not sure how small they make the Trek 7.x series of bikes but they seem fairly popular. Another models is Giant Sedona. I have no experience with these bikes other than reading posts on here about them. I am sure others can suggest other models to look at. It seems there are many more options for smaller riders than in years past. Terry Bicycles was started by a woman for women. They have some nice bikes that kind of spurred on the WSD (women specific design) bikes from other manufacturers. Terry's generally do cost more but they also have good components and a good reputation. Hopefully you'll have a variety of choices from bike shops in your area that you can test ride to help you make your decision.

If you don't already have a way to transport your bike, I'd recommend a trunk carrier for you. They are much easier to get bikes on and off than roof racks. The roof racks are nice but can be expensive and are harder to get bikes mounted into them. Additionally, there is the real potential of running into low structures and ripping the bike and/or roof off. I personally know 3 people that have done that. I have a minivan that I have to use to get our tandem anywhere. It is a bit of a pain to get it up there but that is the option we chose.

As for a trailer, given that you have a car for transport, you will want something that folds as small as possible. I assume you will need to put it in the trunk. I think that Trek (Doodlebug), Chariot and Burley all have models that fold easily. Again, definitely something to go to a shop and try before you buy. If you can, I'd go the used route on a trailer. New name brand upper end trailers are in the $3-500 range. You can probably pick something up used in good condition for under $200. I don't know how well the cheaper trailers fold up (Instep). If you don't plan on doing alot of miles the cheaper trailers are a good option. Generally, kids will be in the trailer until 4, and start cycling out of after that. For example, my 8 year old rides on their own bike but when tired, we can lash the bike to the trailer and continue on in the trailer.

Good luck, I hope all this helps, you have a lot of nice choices. You should be able to find something to fit your needs.

[mtcougar832]

Bikes of this style and price range typically do not have quick release hardware, so a skewer mounted trailer would be difficult to fit. Burley trailers mount to the rear frame (chain stay), so would work. We have the entry level Burley trailer (the "Bee"). It is well built, light weight, holds two, and can be had for around $200. I did once put it on Trek MtTrail 220 and let my older daughter haul around her little sister, so I know it will fit.

I'm not sure why a skewer trailer wouldn't work - I just removed the nut on the wheel, put the trailer hitch (thin hitch for cheap InStep trailer) on and retightened the nut. A trailer with a thick hitch would be difficult, but a bike shop could help you.

I have a Trek mountain bike in a 14.5" size (I am 5'2" with a ~29" inseam) and it fits me well, but I only have 1.5-2" standover clearance (less than recommended for a mountain bike). I would try all the small 26" wheel bikes before going to the 24" though - easier to get accessories in my experience.

[Fibber]

I'm not sure why a skewer trailer wouldn't work - I just removed the nut on the wheel, put the trailer hitch (thin hitch for cheap InStep trailer) on and retightened the nut. A trailer with a thick hitch would be difficult, but a bike shop could help you.

I believe Chariot and some of the higher end trailers come with a longer quick release skewer and bracket that replaces the OEM unit on the bike. Maybe there is another accessory that would eliminate the requirement of a quick release, but I thought that was the primary attachment method.

I have a Trek mountain bike in a 14.5" size (I am 5'2" with a ~29" inseam) and it fits me well, but I only have 1.5-2" standover clearance (less than recommended for a mountain bike). I would try all the small 26" wheel bikes before going to the 24" though - easier to get accessories in my experience.

Last year I tried my daughter (at the time under 5' tall) on a Trek 820 and 3700, but they seemed too big for her. Now she would be fine on them, but those few inches (and it depends on where they are - legs, torso) make a big difference in comfort and control. Bottom line is that you need to find a good dealer and try a test ride on a variety of bikes to see which fits.

[strollerqueen]

it really sucks being short lol! I've gotta sell this first! My 50 pound bike.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/lucimarie/DSCN3322.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/lucimarie/DSCN3316.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/lucimarie/DSCN3302.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/lucimarie/DSCN3326.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/lucimarie/DSCN3325.jpg

[strollerqueen]

notice how the seat is all the way down and I still can just touch the floor with my tippy toes yikes:o

[masiman]

notice how the seat is all the way down and I still can just touch the floor with my tippy toes yikes:o

A lighter, smaller, better fitting bike will do wonders for your sense of confidence on the bike (endurance, speed, handling, etc.).

I would also recommend gears for your next bike as pulling kids in a trailer can be alot of extra work, especially up hill. You can do it on a single speed, but you may find yourself walking more hills than you want to. I can't tell if that Schwinn has an internally geared hub or not. It looks like there is a cable running from the handlbar.

[Fibber]

What a beautiful bike! Is Pacific (makes bikes under the Schwinn name) making these again, or is this a genuine '60's product?

[HardyWeinberg]

bike-wise, depending on your topography, you might want to go straight to a mountain bike to get the low gears you'll need to pull your kid(s) uphill in the trailer. Or whatever has something like a 22 tooth cog up front and 30 or even 34 cog tooth in back. Touring bike could do it too, could be more esoteric than typical bike shop might stock (Surly bikes are available from pretty much any LBS though, even if they don't stock them; I just read somebody in the touring forum here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=302329)post about riding a 46 cm frame, and I see they even make a 42cm frame (http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html); it's pretty much a $1k bike though, a dept store mtn bike would be easier to find and fund).

Keep in mind that the kid(s) keep growing, too. Ours were ~50# together (toward the Burley trailer's 100# capacity) originally, now are closer to 80#. I need that <20 gear-inch gear from time to time.

[strollerqueen]

No it's not a 60's bike it's a repo. I bought it I think in 2000 for about $600 or $700. It's pretty but soooooo heavy for little ol me. It does have gears (7).

[strollerqueen]

hey does anyone have any suggestions on where's a good place to sell a bike? I'm in Southern Ca.

[masiman]

hey does anyone have any suggestions on where's a good place to sell a bike? I'm in Southern Ca.

Craigslist. They get really good traffic on bikes in this area and I would think is SoCal it would be the same.