Is there a most versatile that won't break the bank.   Seriously have been checking pawn shops and craigslist  .  We don't want anything expensive that may be lost , stolen, or damaged. on a trip.  I think we do want something with larger tires (off road type) vs a road bike made for speed.   A light weight frame would be good but has to be strong as well.   Preferred method of carry would be a bike rack on the back of the Pod.  I can carry in the back of the truck if needed  but that would take up a lot of my storage and packing space.  Finding something for better half is my biggest concern.

You can find a good selection of used bikes at shops that repair bikes.  And you have the benefit of a legitimate bill of sale.  They also go through the bikes and make sure everything is working properly.  

As for carrying the bikes on the back of the Pod, the 1 1/4" receiver can hold a lightweight 2 bike rack with two relatively light bikes, but if things get heavier, you could find your receiver has broken loose and your bikes are about 20 miles behind you.  There are some good bike racks that fit the receiver on Amazon.  

Based on the OP's question.. and experience..

Light, strong, inexpensive.. pick 2.

Our current "all around" camping bike is a Bike Friday Tandem Twosday. Very handy.
If going somewhere I think some mountain biking may be an option, I load up a pair of Fisher Sugar 1's...

We also believe in roof top carry..

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Been looking at their website.  Wow, they are proud of their bikes.  I had no idea they were that much.

https://okaloosa.craigslist.org/bik/d/miramar-beach-stow-bike-folding-for/6842915850.html

We also have had Specialized Rock Hoppers for many years.  They were not outraegeously expensive or heavy , but have been solid  and user friendly.  We carry them with us almost always

Vann

At $80 for two, how can you go wrong? If you wind up wanting something different just re-sell them, no harm done. Ditto if you find you're not riding them. 

Unless of course the bikes are stolen property, it is CL after all. But that's usually pretty obvious when you talk to the sellers, that's a benefit of buying local. 

This is not what the OP is interested in, I'm pretty sure, but I got a Rad Power Bikes RadRover several months ago.  It's a fat tire bike; I wanted something I could ride on the beach.  It does great on the road too, but it is heavy and hard to carry around.  Never the less, I take it everywhere and ride nearly every chance I get.  I don't know how to explain it, but an electric bike is really something different!  Anyway, Rad makes folding electric bikes an several other models to choose from.  They are mostly around $1500 delivered.  So maybe not for the OP, but I think it's a great bike to have while camping or anywhere else.

TT

Originally posted by TearlessTom What are your thoughts on Cannondale?  A stopped by a local Pawn and they had one out front.  I didn't check the price as I always thought they were very heavy construction due to a 400+ pound buddy  of mine had bought one a few years back...   The one at the pawn had Disk Brakes. I've never seen that on a bike before.

If you are asking me..They make decent bikes. But the question you ask is like asking "Thoughts on Ford" ... well it's a long way from a Focus to a GT, in every aspect of the words.

Cannondales can be had new for between about $400 and $6K.. The $400 does everything the $6K one does. It just isn't made of higher grade materials, lighter tubing, top end components, etc..

Remember: Strong, Light, Inexpensive.. Pick two.

Disc brakes on bicycles started about 20 years ago. They have matured a long way from the first ones, and the technology has moved down stream to much less expensive bikes then they debuted on.. Just like cruise control and air bags in cars.. Disc brakes are in general, much better then rim brakes, but both work.

Well the guys 1st buyer fell through so I was #2 in line and drove over to Destin to pick them up.  No concern re being stolen.  Turns out they are a non profit organization operated out of St Andrews Episcopal Church.   They take donations of cash or bikes.  The better bikes they fix and sale  to pay for parts for all the bikes that they fix and give to the homeless or indigent populations.  I forget the number of bikes he told me over the past few years but it was in the thousands.    He has a parts distributer that gives him a hefty discount so the money goes even further.   All for charity.    Can't go wrong there.

Anyway I got the two folding bikes. They need a few adjustments and will be replacing the seats to fit our non-20 year old butts.  Otherwise very happy with the purchase. 

Folding electric bike.