Recreational & Family - Bike Seat vs. Bike Trailer? for me?

Ok, So I have like a 10+ yr old bike its a Murray Mt. Climber...ehh I know.
But its a start.
And still haven't got a Bike Trailer yet.

My Son is almost a yr old and is already almost 30lbs.
I believe I've found a Bike Trailer its an Instep Quick 'n Lite Bike Trailer/Stroller.
Anyone use this kind of trailer? Pros...Cons???

I also am VERY interested in finding a better bike.
Something preferably under $100, I know what a horrible budget for one but anything has to be better then the one I have now.
Is there really any ok bikes at walmart that are worth paying money for?
We have a nice local bike store, so somewhere else worth looking...
Any Suggestions?? =)

Im 5'2", so I'm short. Is there a certain length of bike I should be looking for also? Certain type?

Thanks! =)

Even if you do not buy from a bike store, you would be doing yourself a favor to educate yourself at your LBS on what to look for in a bike and what kind of bike best suits your size and needs.

$100 is not much to work with for a new bike, even at Xmart. You can get much more bang for your buck in the used market but you'll have an even more difficult time finding something worth buying sorting through the lemons.

There are smaller framed bikes available to fit you. WSD (women specific design) bikes generally have smaller offerings. But you won't be able to touch them new with a $100 budget. Used would be your only option there.

I'd recommend sticking with what you have for now. Checking out your LBS for what piques your fancy, then maybe seeing if you can find that or something similar in the used market. I'll also assume that you are in a part of the country where winter weather will affect your ability to ride. Meaning, a bike you are getting short on riding time before weather sets in. Plus, used bike supplies are higher and can be a bit cheaper in the off months.

Good Luck!

I find the trailer to be much more versatile. I can bring many supplies that I couldn't bring with a bike seat. I usually bring a change of clothes for him, pull-ups, drinks for both of us, his pillow for when he nods off, and his V-Tech. My son is almost 5 and autistic, so that helped me make the decision for the trailer.
Peace and welcome!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n112/hellhammered/Sadipics112-1.jpg

I also am VERY interested in finding a better bike.
Something preferably under $100, I know what a horrible budget for one but anything has to be better then the one I have now.
$100??? Not gonna happen unless you find the "buy of the year" on craigslist (http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/pa).

5'-2" --- you're looking at something around 46 cm or 14.5". Not scientific, just a guess. You could go to a bike shop and ask what size frame you need.

+ 1000 what mastronaut suggested. Think of a bike seat as you sitting on top of a 6' tall ladder with a seatbelt holding you down. Now have someone push over that ladder and all you can do is put your arms out to catch yourself.

The "Roll Cage" design of a trailer offers so much more protection as long as you use the provided restraint straps / seat belt. Also they are now down near ground level so that falling issue is no longer in play.

Sorry for the rant, but your post title made it look like you were wondering which was best as far as a trailer vs. bike seat.

The "Roll Cage" design of a trailer offers so much more protection as long as you use the provided restraint straps / seat belt. Also they are now down near ground level so that falling issue is no longer in play.
Not only that (above), if the bike falls over the trailer stays upright, thus saving precious cargo contained within...

Talk to your LBS. Many will allow you to put a bike in layaway during the "Off Season".

I've used http://www.bicycletrailers.com (http://www.bicycletrailers.com/) for reviews on possible trailers in the past.

I wondered the same thing for my 1 year old daughter. I would prefer to get a trailer, but my town is pretty hostile to bikes. Most roads have busy traffic and no shoulders.

In other words, a wide trailer would be simply dangerous. I'm not willing to take that chance.

So I bought a seat yesterday and just installed it. We'll see how it goes.

We have the Instep quick-n-easy from Target, I think it was about 80 bucks when we got it, not a bad trailer for the price, takes a little trail and error to find a comfortable seating position for the kiddo, but now that I have it setup for her she loves riding in it, she's 18 months old. I only ride the MUP with the trailer though as this town is not exactly bike friendly. As for the bike, used is the only way you are gonna get a decent bike for under a hundred bucks. Walmart doesn't even have much for under that price. They do have a Mongoose paver 700c for around $130 that got some not terrible reviews here on BF, http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8399245, might be something to look into until you can afford something a little more pricey. Good luck and have fun.

I would prefer to get a trailer, but my town is pretty hostile to bikes. Most roads have busy traffic and no shoulders.
In other words, a wide trailer would be simply dangerous. I'm not willing to take that chance.

I have both seats and a trailer and use them both on different days of the week.
I noticed that cars give me way more space passing when I'm pulling a trailer.
Typically even double trailer at 32 inches wide is not much wider than your handlebars, so you might be actually safer with the trailer.

I have both seats and a trailer and use them both on different days of the week.
I noticed that cars give me way more space passing when I'm pulling a trailer.
Typically even double trailer at 32 inches wide is not much wider than your handlebars, so you might be actually safer with the trailer.

I agree one hundred percent!