My girlfriend and I are looking to get some bikes to ride around. Mostly for exercise. We would like also bring our kids along. I honestly have no idea where to start when looking at buying a bike. I'm a beginner so do I really want a road bike where I'll be hunched over the whole time? Definitely not looking to go on long rides, but a decent bike that can take us 10 miles a couple times per week. I'm 6'3 and she is 5'5. Also really not looking to spend a ton, like I said we are beginners.

Also a bike that could attach one of those toddler trailers or one of those little car seats you attach directly behind the seat.

Thanks!

I would browse craigslist for a pair of Hybrid bikes and then try them out. These are like mountain bikes, but with road bike tires and a more upright riding position. Even a pair of mountain bikes will do, but you want to lose them knobby tires and run some semi-slick or urban tires.

I would start with your LBS ( local bike shop ) or better yet shops . A very important factor in how much you like or dislike cycling is bicycle fit , your LBS should be able to help you there, unless you have an experienced friend a LBS is important IMO . If you'd like to avoid being hunched over, you may wish to consider a hybrid .

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Agreed. Visit a bike show or two and talk to the owner about your goals, budget, etc. Tell them about riding with the kids too. Test ride all the bikes that appeal to you.

I just went through this whole process and ended up with a road bike because I do want to do some longer rides and I wanted speed. But before I decided that, I researched tons of hybrids. If you're going to be on-road, I'd say avoid a bike with suspension because you won't really need it and you'll save weight with a rigid fork.

The funny thing with hybrids is that it's a ridiculously wide spectrum. Some are more like mountain bikes with less knobby tires and some are more like road bikes with flat handle bars. I was leaning more to the road bike with flat bars side because again, less weight and the narrower tires which still have some decent tread on them. They're also very easy to ride so dont be afraid of a slightly narrower tire than you may be accustomed to.

Since there is a wide variety of brands to choose from, research online and find some models in your price range then go to a local shop and test ride them. Make sure to figure out the proper size....bike shop guys will tell you this.

Becuase I was recently in your shoes I can say with some confidence that the guys in the shops will ask you the right questions and point you in the right direction.

I found some brands websites to be really helpful narrowing down the options based on your expected usage. Raleigh, Giant, Trek, and Cannondale have websites that were particularly helpful in that regard.

So good luck with it! And try to buy from a local shop as opposed to a big chain...it'll make you feel good.

I will probably go to a local bike shop, but the problem is their cheapest hybrid is $400 and road is $700. Saw some private sellers selling some hybrids for around 100-200 which is what I wanted to stay around. I'm most likely going to get the most info possible for them and helping me find a size and fit

why not see if the LBS has used bikes for sale. Many of them do. At least they may have an idea on what kind of bike you feel most comfortable on and what fits your needs. and will be able to size you correctly for the bike.

Hybrids KILL my back right away, the drop bar bikes are far more comfortable to me. Even my mt bike is more comfortable than the hybrid, to me

FWIW, at 6'3", you will find frame size a limiting factor (I'm 6'3" myself). Don't buy a bike that's too small for yourself.

Also, those 'toddler seats' can be very dangerous if the bike goes over into the pavement.

IMHO it depends on where you're planning to ride. Paved trails, street, beach, etc. The most versatile bikes are upright style with real skinny tires. You can get some pretty good deals on generic models with aluminum frames from independent bike dealers. I've seen some really nice aluminum frame bikes from bike shops starting around $350.

Walk into a Bike Shop?

trek 7.2 fx

How old/big are your kids? We used a bike trailer (croozer double) behind my 80's road bike and my wife's hybrid until this year, now Kid 1 is biking with us (5yo) and kid 2 is on a trail-behind (burley kazoo) - I recommend if you're going with the trail-behind, get something with an articulated hitch. The first one we had was one that just pivoted on the seat post, and while it worked, it damaged my frame and wouldn't work with my wife's bike. Adams folder's are nice, and they make a tandem trail behind (ie. you pull two kids) as you mentioned 'kids'.
If you can find on older entry-level road bike with lever extensions to brake from the top of the bars, they're pretty much equivalent to today's hybrids. You can occasionally find them real cheap though.