We have had good luck with Specialized. My teenagers ride Hardrock and a Myka mountain bikes. Both have been owned several years with both very low maintance. They both trail ride and do some shorter road rides. My husband and I own road bikes. Lower end models the Dolce and Allez and the Ruby. All have been great!
We were able to accomplish getting our family cycling and it has been a successful so far! We have also used our road bikes for towing kids in trailers and mounting baby seats and had no difficulty with this what so ever. I think the bikes have held up very well and more than worth the money we spent!
Have Fun!