Originally Posted by
anaheim flash
as far as i can tell.....i only worry about the "road bike" frame//tires and pulling my trailer and panniers. everything else i have on my current bike
I'd ask on the utility forum what tyres people consider adequate for trailer pulling, then check that the bike has clearance for them. And I'd google for credible expert sources. There's no point buying a bike cheaply if it won't do what you want safely. Cheap visits to the ER aren't cheap!
You should also expect to have to at least check over the bike for mis-assembly yourself - bd are notorious for mistakes, I believe. E.g. in their ad:
Shimano 8spd front, Shimano Sora 8spd rear
- a 64 gear bike! Otherwise it's a good deal, maybe even a very good one, but not uniquely so - the Denalli(sp?) racer for the same price looks even a better one. Obviously the list price is just a gimmick.
Me, I'd buy a used mountain bike with slicks if I wanted to pull a trailer. Preferably a cromolly one. But I'm paranoid.