Road Cycling - Road Bike Dilemma

I'm new to the forum, so apologies if I'm repeating a previous thread.

I've been off a bike for more years then I'd care to mention, but after a trip to the bike shop last weekend I'm feeling the itch. The bikes I tested were the LeMond Reno, Allez Elite and the Trek 1500. I'm leaning toward the Allez, so here's my dilemma.... I have a 16 month old daughter that I'm going to want to take for a ride on the path from time to time and none of these bike are designed to carry a back seat. Can I hitch on one of those trailer things to any of these bikes (has anyone done this), and is it recommended? Otherwise, can anyone recommend a more stable bike out there other than a hybrid, which I know I ultimately won't be happy with. My LBS recommended a Sequoia, but wanted to see if there were any other recommendations.

Appreciate any parental advice.
MC

You could attach a trailer to you road bike...they usually attach to the chainstay, but I wouldn't recommend it. The weight in the back of the trailer plus your child is going to be so great that on any type of uphill, you going to lose traction because your tires are too thin. I would recommend a MTB or Hybrid for this task. Go on ebay and buy a cheap rigid and I think you'll be better off

When you child get a little older get her one of these

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/kids/find_right_bike/ages6-9.jsp?selectedbike=mttrain201&bikecolor=yellow

My 3 year old rides with me on one of these and she loves it...but it like towing a dead mule ;)

I'm in the same situation....have a 3 month old. Going to be buying a bike soon (looking at the 1500 and OCR1) and was thinking about one of the trailers. Would probably only use it on paved bike trails and around large parks only. A little afraid of taking the little on on streets.

Talked to someone at the LBS and they said it wouldn't be a problem. And some of them turn into walker/joggers.

I couldn't imagine going up a hill with one of those things attached....but hey, it might be a good workout. Though, loosing traction would be a big concern. I am planning on at least trying it, if no one has anything really negitive to say about the combination.

Anyone actually done it on an actual road bike??? I've only seen people in hybrids and MT bikes try it. Would be nice to hear from someone who has actually tried it on a roadie.

The LBSes here call the rear-wheel-top seats "baby killers". The kid is up WAAAY too high.

A quick search will find a recent thread on the relative merits of seats, buggers, trailers, etc.

Anyone actually done it on an actual road bike??? I've only seen people in hybrids and MT bikes try it. Would be nice to hear from someone who has actually tried it on a roadie.

I saw a few roadbikes with trailers attached during the STP. Although most of the hills were mild, there were a couple of fairly steep ones and they didn't seem to have too much trouble with them. I agree that a touring bike, hybrid, comfort or MTB with lower gearing and wider tyres might be more suited to towing trailers than would a roadbike though.

Thanks for the feedback. Regardless of how I tow her (back seat or trailer) my plan is to stick to the path with my daughter as I don't trust drivers, especially on the streets of Boston. It sounds as if I can still get the road bike and take my little girl out for a spin!

Stay away from the seats! I have a 3-year old (31lbs) and pull him in a Burley Encore which weighs 20lbs. Right now I swap it between a mt bike and my road bike fairly often. I'm riding a Sequioa Expert on the road. I don't see any reason why it would be different on a road bike with different geometry. Traction never seems to be a problem. You definitely feel it going up hills but on the bike path it's not that noticible. Our usual route is around 18 miles, 4 of which are hilly roads. Can't say enough about Burley -- great construction, son loves it, folds completey flat in less than a minute, and seems amazingly light for its size and strength.

We've got one but I generally tow it with my MTB - the low triple makes hills much, much easier and there is at least one that I'm pretty sure I'd be walking without the granny gear. I'm pulling two kids, though, so keep that in mind.

If you're around Boston, I cannot recommend the Minuteman Bikepath highly enough as a kid/trailer friendly ride. The grades are very mild and the lack of traffic is wonderful.

Thanks for that! We're in Belmont, from which I think I can easily get on the Minuteman trail!