Bike Selection for a new rider

Ladies,

I have a co-worker who would like to buy a bike and start riding. I told her I would get some advice to help her pick a good bike for her needs.

She is very out of shape but wants to start riding. She is 49yrs old, 5'3" 29" inseam, weighs 300+lbs.

My first thought is a comfort type bike. She is not prepared to buy new bike and will get one off craigslist, ebay, the local paper, etc.

With that said, I can help detemine if a bike is mechanically sound, but I really don't know what to suggest for size.

She is reluctant to go to the LBS for a fit. If she gets a good used bike and finds this is something she likes and continues to get fit, she will eventually make it to the LBS for a new bike and fit.

For now any advice you all can offer to help me help her will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

If she weighs 300+ pounds like you say, then she might be best off buying a new bike rather than one from Craigs or eBay.

You don't know how a used bike has been treated or if there might be a flaw developing in the frame.

Having a frame fail while riding could really ruin biking for her.

Steel might be better than aluminum, but what really matters is how she feels on the bike. The best way for her to get a feel for what kinds of bikes feel good is to go to a bike shop and try bikes. Lots of bikes, any that appeal to her no matter what they cost. Try bikes first, worry about prices later.

(Kona makes a lovely steel utility bike that comes with fenders already and is very comfortable, and costs about $350. This is the 2007 Smoke: http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/SMOKE/index.html This is the 2008 Smoke: http://www.konaworld.com/08_smoke29.htm )

If she's reluctant to go to a shop because she's shy, you can do what I did. I went to the LBS, told them what kind of bike I was reasearching and who would be riding it, got an advance look at the "good" bikes, discussed steel vs aluminum frames and how they'd handle the stresses. You can also say: "ok, we'll be coming in at this time and on this day, will you be here to help us try these 3 bikes?" Then it's all lined up, shyness doesn't have a chance, and the bike shop experience is a good one.

I agree, a comfort type bike will suit her best. Depending on how comfortable she is riding, it might be best to start out with the seat too low. Encourage her to take it really easy at first. I read a site about how to introduce someone to cycling (or back into it) and he emphasized don't let them go faster than 8 mph on the first ride, which should be no more than 4 miles. They can increase one mile per ride, or 5 miles per week. The reasoning was to keep the pain and discomfort level very low, so they'll want to keep riding. Makes sense to me!

My mother is about ten years older but sounds very similar to your friend.

A confort/hybrid/city bike sounds like the deal... thats what mum got.

It is very upright - she has back problems and that combined with heavy bosom would do her shoulders neck and back in if she had to lean forward at all.

She also has a step-through frame - I suggest this style of frame for your friend's bike too.

Also the gearing - make sure it has the style (most city bikes/hybrids seem to) where you can see the number of the gear you are in. My mother would probably ride in one gear all the time otherwise (she does mostly anyways, as it is all flat at around 16-20kph).

Do watch the seat though... too low and she will be uncomfortable - although as Melavai suggests, a little bit lower than usual may feel more secure for her.

Also, I would suggest you consider what label you use for her bike. My mum likes her hybrid - because she sometimes rides beside the beach (on the cycle path) but she feels like she is off-roading.

My friend at work also has a hybrid and got most offended when our triathelete boss called it a comfort bike. It doesn't matter how many times I say/explain that "comfort" is a normal and usual way for these bikes to be described - I think she still takes it as a personal insult...

Can she visit a bike shop with you, so you both could go out on a test ride? then she'll get some ideas about what feels good. Until you know what a bike that fits you feels like, you might make the mistake and buy and ill fitting one, which you won't ride. I did that- I went through buying two bikes at walmart, and never got into riding them at all. I just thought cycling wasn't for me. Now, I realize that neither one fit me. When I ordered my folding bike, I got lucky and it just feels good, and I want to ride it. When I went to get a hybrid, I rode a lot of them and found out what felt good- it had to feel as good or better than my folding bike. When she finds one that fits well, she'll be more likely to want to ride it- I don't want to quit when I ride my trek hybrid, I could just go on forever.
vickie

I agree about getting a SOUND bike...although if she can find a new used version of a good bike, that might be a good idea. ANd it IS sale time...

When I decided to get a new bike after all the years, I test rode the Electra Townies http://www.electrabike.com/townie/ & the Trek Pure http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...e/purelowstep/ and they were super easy to ride and very comfortable...they also have that foot forward technology that lets you sit VERY comfortably and reach the ground with a flat foot from the seat.

I actually bought the Pure...it was SO comfortable...but within a week I knew it wasn't enough bike for me and I returned it...it might be perfect for her...