Vet's Daug
Hi, I need some advice from people who work in bike shops or just bike and know a lot about it. My questions are pretty simple, but I'm a complete novice.
I haven't been on a bike since I was a kid, but my sister and I both want to get cruiser bikes (most definitely the beach cruiser type, not a comfort/commuter bike) to ride now that the weather is getting nice. But I don't know what to look for. I don't want a super expensive one. I'd like to keep it below $500. I don't know if steel or aluminum is better (and why) and I know that some come with a 'flat-foot' style pedal and I have no idea what that means. Also, what drive train to get, etc. I did look all over the internet for reviews, but most of the sites I found just give general information. Nothing about any specific brands or styles.
FYI-each bike will be hauling a double baby trailer. The lakes and biking areas where we live have some hills, but nothing to steep. We're in Nebraska. My sister is 5'11 so the women's bike she gets will need to be tall enough. Oh, and we're in our 40's and don't plan on doing any racing. Ha-Ha. This is just for fun and exercise and to entertain the babies.
Please give me your expert-biking guru advice and THANK-YOU!!
Answer
If you want to pull a trailer and have hills a cruiser is the worst possible bike you could ever buy. Visit the local bike shop and look at comfort and hybrid bikes it will be a much better choice for what you want. Google " bike shop + your zip " and start there.
If you want to pull a trailer and have hills a cruiser is the worst possible bike you could ever buy. Visit the local bike shop and look at comfort and hybrid bikes it will be a much better choice for what you want. Google " bike shop + your zip " and start there.
What are my best options for toting three kids around with my bike?
Q. Is there a trailer for 3 kids? Would it be ok to have a "trail-a-bike" type option then connect a trailer to that? Or get a child seat plus the trailer? Kids are 4 mos, 2.5 yrs, and 5 yrs old.. The 5 yr old can ride a bike, but very slowly and not very far.. Thanks!
Answer
You have a few option, although I agree with those who mention 4 mos may be a little young for any kind of biking. The only way I would bike with infants is if I can either carry them very close to me, or if I can strap them into a reclined seat where they don't have to fully support their head while going over bumps etc.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bend,OR&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.460237,67.763672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bend,+Deschutes,+Oregon&ll=44.05157,-121.315155&spn=0.28771,0.529404&t=h&z=11 Front mounted seat.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIH0EG?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FIH0EG Top Bar Mounted
In Denmark they often ride with the youngest in a front basket or cargo bay laying down in blankets.
I've tried my kids in trailers at 9 mos and found it didn't work for me with any of them because I couldn't watch how they were doing and couldn't attend to their needs at all without stopping, dismounting etc. AND until over a year they didn't do well enough with head control. The trailers actually ride fairly jouncy and bumpy because the kids are sitting right on top of the wheels.
Moving on....
I have seen people do the tag along and the trailer, but for regular use it seems to long and unwieldy to me.
I'd go the cargo bike / long tail route: Madsen Cycles has a model that seats 4 with seat belts (takes the optional extra seat to get to 4 - standard is 2) http://www.madsencycles.com/
A review of cargo bikes: http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/longtail-bikes-a-review-and-buying-guide.html
And Riding triple on a long tail http://surfabike.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mundo_bilby_side_m-preview1-jpg.jpeg
You have a few option, although I agree with those who mention 4 mos may be a little young for any kind of biking. The only way I would bike with infants is if I can either carry them very close to me, or if I can strap them into a reclined seat where they don't have to fully support their head while going over bumps etc.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bend,OR&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.460237,67.763672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bend,+Deschutes,+Oregon&ll=44.05157,-121.315155&spn=0.28771,0.529404&t=h&z=11 Front mounted seat.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIH0EG?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FIH0EG Top Bar Mounted
In Denmark they often ride with the youngest in a front basket or cargo bay laying down in blankets.
I've tried my kids in trailers at 9 mos and found it didn't work for me with any of them because I couldn't watch how they were doing and couldn't attend to their needs at all without stopping, dismounting etc. AND until over a year they didn't do well enough with head control. The trailers actually ride fairly jouncy and bumpy because the kids are sitting right on top of the wheels.
Moving on....
I have seen people do the tag along and the trailer, but for regular use it seems to long and unwieldy to me.
I'd go the cargo bike / long tail route: Madsen Cycles has a model that seats 4 with seat belts (takes the optional extra seat to get to 4 - standard is 2) http://www.madsencycles.com/
A review of cargo bikes: http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/longtail-bikes-a-review-and-buying-guide.html
And Riding triple on a long tail http://surfabike.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/mundo_bilby_side_m-preview1-jpg.jpeg
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