bike decisions and training with little ones

[divingbiker]

If you're going to be towing your kids, you definitely want a road bike, not a tri bike.

[tulip]

If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, understand that the LBS (Local Bike Shop) will likely be busy and you won't get the attention you are expecting. Not all shops are like that, but many are. Also, will you actually be buying a bike from the LBS? You mentioned your friend who could get you a pro-deal. If you are just looking for the right bike at the LBS, but will buy it elsewhere, you might have a problem there. The LBS needs to make sales, and so if you take up alot of time with no intention of ever buying a bike from them, then that's really not very cool. You could partially make amends by buying all of your accessories at the LBS, but I hope you reconsider your decision about supporting your LBS. It will also open up many more bike options; the Fuji might not be the best bike for you.

If you do intend on spending alot of time looking for and trying bikes, I hope you consider leaving your kids with your Other Half. You cannot test ride bikes if you have your kids there--who will watch them?

52cm will be too big. If you want to tow kids, be sure to say that up front to make sure to look at appropriate bikes. Get a bike for now. A few years later when you are not towing kids, you can get a new bike that is more appropriate for your riding at that time.

[jenniferh]

I have 3 kids (4yr, 2yr and 11mo) and I got the same things when bike shopping recently. It's almost like I can't seriously be planning to ride a road bike (alone even) with that many little kids. I make it work becuase I love it so to heck with the salesman. I ended up buying my bike from a Lbs that treated me nicely instead of a bigger one becuase they blew me off.

I ride a 52" (not wsd) and I have a 31" inseam and I'm 5ft5in. Good luck on your shopping trips. Mom's like us need to make being active mom's the norm. Just because you have kids doesn't mean we shoud sit at home.

[Saeri]

I started bike shopping at 10 am this morning and didn't stop until 7pm. I was lucky enough to have the day off and recruited a guy friend to come along with me. I still had the kiddos with me since the other half was at work. Saturday was definitely the biggest factor. I probably didn't look like a serious buyer with the kids in tow on a Saturday but on Monday without much competition for attention I was able to get plenty. It was really a great day. I went back to the place that left me the most displeased even and had 2 guys trying to help me this time around but I felt more like I was their daughter looking for a cute bike than someone looking for a pretty decent bike. I probably totally wasted my time and their by going there but it did help me to rule out Fuji and Giant. I started and ended my morning on a 2011 Specialized Dolce Elite. At the end of the day I feel ready to commit to a 2010 Specialized Dolce Comp. I rode it a couple times also and compared it to practically everything I could get my hands on. I rode a Cannondale that was full carbon, a couple Treks with carbon forks and aluminum frames, a couple Fujis, a Giant, and a few models in the Dolce line up.

Everyone pretty much consistently put me on a 50" or a 51" frame at my nearly 5'3" state I decided to try out a 48" and it really was weirdly uncomfortable to me. Since I keep coming back to that one bike. It must be love Plus I accidentally left my cell phone in the store and didn't realize it until I got to the next store. By the time I returned they were closed. This must be a sign I can't wait to go pick up my bike!

Thank you girls!

[colby]

Everyone pretty much consistently put me on a 50" or a 51" frame at my nearly 5'3" state I decided to try out a 48" and it really was weirdly uncomfortable to me. Since I keep coming back to that one bike. It must be love Plus I accidentally left my cell phone in the store and didn't realize it until I got to the next store. By the time I returned they were closed. This must be a sign I can't wait to go pick up my bike!

Thank you girls!

It must be love... I'm sure it was a long day, but your body will thank you.

[moonfroggy]

definitely make sure the bike can tow a trailer. i tow my son in a trailer on my mountain bike and it works fine i can even take him on trails! but a road bike would work well too. realize that towing little ones and training will not be that compatible unless they really like the trailer or if they like napping (and can nap at the same time) in the trailer. i have a friend who can watch my son a few hours a week and my husband watches him some on weekend i probably manage 6 hours on a good week right now and most weeks maybe 3 or 4 hours. that's not pulling the trailer and on my luna. pulling the trailer it ranges from zilch to an hour a day or more but that is completely dependent on my son and usually i am taking him fun places like berry picking or playground. one thing i have discovered is that now that he can ride a balance bike he loves to go to the playground he can ride his bike and i can ride my bmx around! really fun. that can keep us both entertained for a long time. now that school has started we can't use the elementary school with the big blacktop unless it is weekend or after school. i am looking forward to school holidays so we can play on that blacktop.

you may want to choose what trailer you will be towing so that you can be certain the hitch will work with your new bike.

[Nutmeg]

This has been a great thread to read! I have the same goal and have just had my second baby in 3 years. The older one is almost 2 and the younger is 3 months. I've been wondering about training with the trailer too. I'll keep lurking here to learn more

[Saeri]

I ride a 52" (not wsd) and I have a 31" inseam and I'm 5ft5in. Good luck on your shopping trips. Mom's like us need to make being active mom's the norm. Just because you have kids doesn't mean we shoud sit at home.

Especially since kids learn by example! I have no interest in raising little home bodies. The world is far to interesting and we have to get out there