What kind of bicycle is best for riding around a suburban area with a trailer?
I'm looking to get a bicycle to use for general transportation around town, but I also need it to be able to pull a bike trailer at times, as I will be using it to go to the laundromat and grocery store. I've been reading about the different types of bikes, and I get the impression that a road bike would make it difficult to pull the trailer, but a mountain bike would not be right for the suburban area. It seems that there are a thousand different definitions of "comfort bike," "commuter bike," or "hybrid bike," so it's hard to make a judgment about these.
I do intend to go to a few bike stores and ask most of my questions there, but I would at least like to know where to start; I don't want to just walk in, admit I know nothing, and ask what bike the employee thinks I should get. 
Thank you.
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Tagged with: bicycle • bike stores • bike trailer • bikes • comfort bike • commuter bike • definitions • grocery store • hybrid bike • judgment • laundromat • mountain bike • road bike • suburban area
Filed under: bikes trailer
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Even in a relatively flat suburban area I think I would avoid a road bike for trailer pulling. Designed for speed, road bikes are geared higher then mountain bikes so pulling a trailer up even a smallish hill might be a problem. Not that it can’t be done, but I would think a lower geared bike would make it easier. Comfort bikes and hybrid bikes are essentially the same thing, a compromise between the durability of a mountain bike and the speed of a road bike. Commuter bikes are for carrying a rider and all of his or her stuff back and forth to the office so they tend to have chain covers, lights, and racks. Hybrids, commuters, and mountain bikes would pull a trailer without to much difficulty. Mountain bikes, because of lower gearing, probably the best of all. If you go that route, swap the knobby tires for some street slick ones and lock the spring fork down so you don’t spend all your energy bouncing up and down. An aluminum or steel framed bike will work fine for you, I’d avoid some of the more esoteric frame materials due to expense and repairability if damaged.
I would recommend a mountain bike due to the fact that you can change gears, this will make it almost any bike you want it. For suburbs try to get an aluminium based body or if you have some extra cash get the Titanium one. I tried 3 bike types Mountain all the way.
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