Looking for Bikes for Our Family

Trailers are so much safer than kid seats on bikes. Also, you will be able to use the trailer much longer than you would a bike seat as we all know how fast those little ones grow. I have a Burley D'lite for my soon to be three year old and a one year old. They love having their own little space to travel in.

I would encourage you to get the best trailer you can within your budget. A great place to look for a used one is Craig's list..there are usually 2-child Burleys for around $200 or $250 and less for one-child trailers or for other brands of 2-child ones.

As for bikes, I'd say go to a couple of different bike shops and talk to the folks there. They are pretty knowledgeable about matching bikes to your particular needs and will be able to get you and your husband the proper fit. Then at least you will have a good idea of what to look for if you decide to buy a bike elsewhere.

Hope this helps..and have fun biking!!

I know Schwinn is no longer a good american brand. It's now made in China or something and the brand is worthless now.

I bought my daugher her first bike a schwinn at toys r us for her 3rd birthday. I had nothing but problem after problem with this darn little bike. I spent big bucks on it like 90 dollars for a bike she outgrew real fast, I thought I could trust that brand and later found out it sucks.

The following year I went to Walmart and bought a cheap Barbie bike. I figured it was cheap enough tha if it broke I'd just buy another. We're on our second year with it and absolutely no problems.

I also liked the trailers you put kids in better than the seat you attach to your bike.

Getting a bike all depends on your budget. My husband used to work at Bokoo Bikes in Chanhassen, so that's where we get our bikes. We tend to stick to TREK and Klein, but they're a little on the spendy side. At Bokoo Bikes, if you buy a new bike, you can trade it in for a new one, like you would a car. They also sell used bikes that have been fully inspected and tested - that's what we buy for our 7 year old. www.bokoobikes.com

As for a seat or trailer - NEVER use a seat that attaches to the bike. Always use a trailer. It may cost more, but if you crash - and believe me it happens - your kids are much, much safer in the trailer. Trailers are made to stay upright even if your bike tips over. The seat on the back of the bike falls with the bike. Trust me when I say it's worth the extra money for the trailer. Pulling it takes some getting used to, but just think of it as an extra workout!

I recommend the trailer versus the seat mounted on the bike. We have a Burley trailer. It is easy to attach and tow, but my son was never very comfortable or happy in it. He will be 4 in August and has been using a bike with training wheels for over a year so this year we bought a tag-along (basically a little bike that attaches to the back of your bike). Now he loves to go out for rides on that even though he can barely touch the pedals. It isn't a solution for you in the short term but something to keep in mind down the line.

Do you have any friends from whom you can borrow a trailer to make sure your kids like it before you invest (although the trailer are easily resold)? Maybe a bike shop where you could rent?

How fun!! We have 4 year old twins, and they each have their own trailer. We used to use just one, but the girls are pretty heavy, and they were also starting to get squashed when we put them together in one trailer. We have two Quick n EZ trailers by InStep. they run about $100 brand new - I got one on sale and one at a resale shop. The one I bought new came with a stroller kit; I went online and ordered a stroller kit for the other trailer. I love them!! We do so much more biking now that we have two trailers - because we don't have to fight about who's going to pull the extra 110 lbs (with just one kid, it's only around 70 lbs).

I have a Burley Dlite for sale. It is a deluxe two passenger trailer with a screen to keep the bugs out that goes behind the bike and it also turns into a Baby Jogger. We used it twice and never did put the Baby Jogger together, it is still in the box.

Let me know!
S.
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We have a Burly trailer for our two kids, 4 and 2. It is great. It also easily converts into an awesome outdoor stroller. (It's a bit big for inside stuff, too wide.) But, great for walking, or running around the lakes.

Our friends have a bike shop in Northeast Minneapolis, Behind Bars. It's family owned. They carry Burly and can outfit you and your husband with bikes and gear.

http://www.behind-bars.com/

If you are interested I have a bike I would like to sell. It;s an eddie bauer 27" with all shimano parts. It is about 5 years old and has been hardly ridden. I am asking 100.00 dollars. Let me know if interested and I could email pics.

S.