Hybrid Bicycles - Maybe another Hybrid sooner than I thought

I go back to work next week, I'm a live-out Nanny and the mother of the kids I watch brought up the idea of me picking up the boys from school using either her or her husbands bike with their chariot attached. I'd rather use a bike of my own but I don't feel comfortable yet biking during rush hour traffic to their house either ( its about 45 minutes via public transit now anyways ) so I'm toying with the idea of buying another bike to leave at their house that I can use either to pick up the kids for for bike rids together after school. My only criteria is that it has a step through frame and be no more than 500$ Canadian. I also have to convince my husband that its a good idea.

So please I need suggestions on models that are good and available in Alberta with the type of frame I need that would also be good for pulling a trailer.

I was looking at either the Trek 7000 or 7100WSD would love either opinions or alternatives. Oh good resell value would be good too as I'd only use it this school year and the next and then wont need it probably anymore.

P.S. The bus I take doesn't have the bike rack in front and the transit train doesnt allow bikes on board during rush hour or I'd use the hybrid I have now.

Thanks in advance:)

I'd write letter to the editor of your largest papers explaining how the transit company should make provisions for bicycles and help slow Global Warming and blah, blah, blah.... you get the idea.

You could also get a 7.2 FX for the same cost as the 7100 bikes. Well - a little higher. Unless you prefer a more sedate ride with bigger tires while towing the kids. In either event, it looks like you're on track just fine. Any of the Trek bikes have good re-sale values, as long as they are well maintained of course.

I'd write letter to the editor of your largest papers explaining how the transit company should make provisions for bicycles and help slow Global Warming and blah, blah, blah.... you get the idea.

You could also get a 7.2 FX for the same cost as the 7100 bikes. Well - a little higher. Unless you prefer a more sedate ride with bigger tires while towing the kids. In either event, it looks like you're on track just fine. Any of the Trek bikes have good re-sale values, as long as they are well maintained of course.

Good idea..they are 599CDN at the only Trek dealer in town so maybe after talking it out with my husband tonight we'll check them out. I see they make a WSD version with a lower top tube though not as swoopy at the 7000 or 7100. I'm really hoping that my employer also calls me back tonight and offers to reimburse me a part of the purchase too:) well I can always dream.

Do you think a 7.2 will haul a chariot well?? it would be paved roads with no hills

Oh sure. I see it being done commonly here in Vermont. Trek FX bikes, Peugeot's, Old Univega's. Seems kid-hauling knows no particular breed. I've even seen full-size tandems biking with a triple baby-carriage attached to the back with 3 little kids peering out. I haven't seen any recumbents hauling kids - yet. No doubt now, as I've written this, I will. I hope it has 20-inch wheels so I can give 'em this stupid inner-tube Nashbar sent me instead of the Teflon-spray I'd ordered.... long story... :rolleyes: :D

Oh sure. I see it being done commonly here in Vermont. Trek FX bikes, Peugeot's, Old Univega's. Seems kid-hauling knows no particular breed. I've even seen full-size tandems biking with a triple baby-carriage attached to the back with 3 little kids peering out. I haven't seen any recumbents hauling kids - yet. No doubt now, as I've written this, I will. I hope it has 20-inch wheels so I can give 'em this stupid inner-tube Nashbar sent me instead of the Teflon-spray I'd ordered.... long story... :rolleyes: :D


Awesome and thanks:)

My little sister and her husband use a Kuwahara Mixte touring bike (hers) and a Giant hybrid (his) for towing around their twin daughters... I have used a great number of my bikes for towing duties including my hybrid, my fixed folder, girlfriend's folder, and my mtb.

For any serious towing you need really well built wheels as this is probably the most important thing along with a solid frame.

My little sister and her husband use a Kuwahara Mixte touring bike (hers) and a Giant hybrid (his) for towing around their twin daughters... I have used a great number of my bikes for towing duties including my hybrid, my fixed folder, girlfriend's folder, and my mtb.

For any serious towing you need really well built wheels as this is probably the most important thing along with a solid frame.

I'd love a Mixte:) You dont have another hiding in that stable of yours,,,do you? :D

Im going to look at the Treks on Saturday and probably get over to Western Cycle also to look at some Giants. Hubby ok'd the new bike on the premise that we can Xtracycle it later if we want too so I'll have to factor that in too