Recreational Bike for Mother

[Ana]

It's heavier than a Townie, but since it folds she can store it anywhere and often carries it in the trunk of her car. Hers is a Downtube, and I've known several folks who love their Bike Friday folders (steel and made in the USA)

Electra: www.electrabike.com
Downtube: http://www.downtube.com/
BikeFriday (made in the USA): http://www.bikefriday.com/

I did consider folding bikes as a possibility but I know so little about them (I'm still in love with traditional road bikes), it's difficult for me to assess whether they would suit her well.

Thank you for directing me to those sites!

[HillSlugger]

My Jamis Coda weighs about 25# but your mom will have trouble getting her leg over the top tube.

There's the women's Commuter 2 at 27#

The Allegro 2 femme is 23#

[Crankin]

I have the Jamis Coda femme.. the top tube is sloped quite a bit. However, it might still be hard for her to get her leg over.

[Trek420]

How about a mixte? Then she can join the mixte club.

[Blueberry]

I did consider folding bikes as a possibility but I know so little about them (I'm still in love with traditional road bikes), it's difficult for me to assess whether they would suit her well.

Thank you for directing me to those sites!

A Bike Friday can be configured however she wants it configured - whatever bars, shifters, etc. They're not inexpensive, though