Need some help from the 50+ Ladies

[vinbek]

I am the practical one. I would encourage your Mom to buy a nice used bike to start. That way she can figure out if its for her or not- without alot of expense. I would buy a light weight cross bike or mountain bike with slicks - not knobbys. I would change the grips to make them padded and comfortable. I would also sit more upright. She needs a frame that fits comfortably and she can get on and off the saddle easily. Gears are important too. She will want enough gears to spin easily. She should look for a bike that is easy to shift - not all the shifters are easy to reach and maneuver with arthritis. My daughter is 13 and has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Certain movements create different types of pain - so she will want to try several out to see where the pressure points are for her. My daughter has trouble with her ankles and fingers right now. And she certainly should pick a style and color that make her grin from ear to ear. Good luck - let us know what she decides.

[Trek420]

I would simply add to all the great suggestions here that at any age but particularly over 50 with some range of motion issues etc it's all about the fit. Whatever she gets it must fit her.

I often say you're buying two things when you get a bike:
the frame
the bike shop

You're stuck with the frame. If you get a good one it's a lifetime bike. She may swap everything else after miles and miles of happy riding. The frame is the "soul" of a bike and determines fit and ride feel.

The shop! Her LBS will be her mentor when you are away, her coach, cheering section and guru. Find a shop that does not talk over her or down to her.

Instead of plugging in this bike or that and links to bikes I'd visit her, do some bike shopping and Mom/Daughter bonding time, find an LBS and tell them "she wants to do this" and try their bikes in that range!!

[newfsmith]

I'm so sorry, almost all of the links I posted probably will NOT fit your Mom. They are all bikes I thought would be nice, but couldn't try because the frames were too big for 5' (and shrinking, heightwise anyway) me. She may need to consider a MTB with street tires as they are often available in 14 inch frames. For a stock bike for someone her size, Terry is worth considering, but they don't have any step-thru frames. If cost is not a big consideration, she might well want to look at the Waterford Godiva series. Interestingly, very few manufacturers or even custom builders, make step-thru or mixte frames anymore, which is a real loss for older men and women. You may need to teach your Mom how to do the diamond-frame with a skirt mount: Put the pedals in the 3 & 9 o'clock position, lower the frame to the ground with the rear facing pedal up. Then step over bike with one foot between the front wheel and chainrings, below the downtube; and the other above the toptube. Finally, raise the bike into position between your legs. I'm off to take some pictures, can't describe it any better than that.

[newfsmith]

These may make my description easier to understand, I hope.

[pardes]

Thanks! I'll try that the next time the hip arthritis muscles spasm hit....which should be in about 10 minutes when I go out for today's ride.

[ASammy1]

Thanks for the tips newfsmith! Those pics are great and you did an excellent job of describing the procedure.

Thanks everyone! You are all wonderful, beautiful women!!!

[Rosie8]

Last year, age 56, I started riding again after a long time off (maybe 15 years). I chose a step through ladies Giant Suede with 7 gears. Have ridden about 1500 miles on it and still love it. I did trade the riser handlebars for tourist type/North Road style because my wrists and forearms bothered me on longer rides (10 miles +). Highly recommend that swept back handlebar option. I'm 5' 5 1/2" and have my seat all the way up as high as it will go. Don't know how it would suit someone 5' tall.

I also test rode a Giant Simple (cruiser) and a Trek Pure. Loved them too. The Suede and Pure come in hub gears too for people who don't want to bother with shifting so much. Hope your mom finds something she loves. Remember that gears also work for windy places and not just hilly ones.