Gift for my sister

I want to buy my sister a bike. She has a child with profound special needs and she is desparately in need of some joy. Which is obviously why I want to buy her a bike. :)

I could do the research but thought a better idea was to check here first for ideas and suggestions - I'd like to do this pretty soon. I could get her more bike if I bought used, but I want her to have a new bike if I can swing it.

I can afford around $400. She will want a bike that's upright riding position and not a tank. She lives in Austin so will need some gears for the "hill country" and will want something for road and trail.

I'm thinking commuter/hybrid style bike, with internal gearing if I can afford it for ease of use and lack of maintenance. My plan is to settle on the type of bike, buy it from a lbs in Austin and then have her go there for the sizing, fit, etc.

What bikes would you recommend? Thanks!

She's 52 and previously fit. She like many of us could stand to lose 10 lbs. ;)

My hunch is she'll probably never go more than 10 miles at a time. Last time she rode was pre-child, 11+ years ago.

The biggest factor is comfort and something not too heavy (as in cruiser). Her preference will be for a step-through frame.

Thanks,
Susan

Sheila, thanks very much, I appreciate the links.

I like Jamis, I have a Jamis Aurora Elite. I like the looks of the commuter and love the Kona... but this is for her not me. :)

Jamis and Kona both give you a lot of bike for the $$.

Good suggestions, thanks.

Susan

Someone very wisely suggested in another thread where the poster was looking for a bike for his/her girlfriend: make a beautiful homemade voucher and take her to a bike shop and let her try out bikes so she'll be sure it fits her. I made the mistake of buying someone a bike that I thought would work, but it did not and it was a waste of time, money, and effort. The bike was not ridden and not appreciated.

The added benefit is that your sister gets a break from her responsibilities to go bike shopping with you. That might be worth more than the actual bike!

Tulip,

All good ideas. That more or less was my plan, i.e., I don't plan to buy a specific bike for her.

We don't live that close to each other and I won't have an opportunity to see her until June so actually shopping with her isn't a possibility - although I will give her advice on what to look for and work with her/lbs on selection and fit, etc.

I didn't tell her my plan today when I talked to her because I knew she would tell me not too and would even feel bad that I was doing it (spending the $$), but I think I need to tell her and have her start looking/test riding. Surprises are nice, but you're right with a bike gift it's risky. Even though I won't physically be there I can still be really involved. Even long-distance bike shopping will be fun. :)

Susan

I have owned two different Electra Townies, and I don't think they are all that great for hills. It's kind that you want to give your sister some joy. Let us know how it turns out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

I have owned two different Electra Townies, and I don't think they are all that great for hills. It's kind that you want to give your sister some joy. Let us know how it turns out.

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Thank you, I will.