What you need is a touring bicycle. That聮s because touring bikes have low centers of gravity, making them more stable. Their frames are a little beefier than a road bike. And they have gearing that聮s like a mountain bike, so you can easily pull a big load up hill. The rear axle isn聮t really an issue聴a trailer of 70 pounds (trailer plus child plus accessories) probably has a tongue weight of only 30 or 35 pounds, and not much more than that when pulled up hill.
Cannondale T800 Touring Bike
T800 Touring BikeOne classic example of this type of bike is the Cannondale T800 ($1,400; cannondale.com), which I sort of regard as mid-range, at least compared to some of the all-carbon road-rockets out there. It has an aluminum frame; a stable, relaxed geometry; lots of gears; sturdy 36-spoke Mavid rims; and tires that are plenty fat enough for even fairly rough trails (700X35 Continental Top Touring tires). This bike is designed to carry/pull a load, so the trailer should pose no problem.
Trek聮s 520 ($1,240; trekbikes.com) is similar in all the important ways, save one: It has a steel frame. This makes for a slightly heavier bike, but one that聮s probably going to ride more smoothly. And weight isn聮t really an issue here聴you聮re already packing plenty, so another pound or so isn聮t going to matter. It聮s worth a look.
You聮ve seen our picks for 2007 Gear of the Year, and now the entire
国产吃瓜黑料 Summer Buyer聮s Guide is online. Check out this year聮s more than 400 must-have gear items, including bikes.