Bike Selection for Mom

[Cyclesome]

My mom is an avid Rails to Trails cyclist. She asked me to help her select a new bike. Mom ranges between 20 - 40 miles on the trails each time she cycles. She is 72 and looks very young and fit, but has medical problems such as two partial knee replacements, RA and neuropathy. Here is her criteria for a suitable bike 1. Hybrid 2. Light, Light! 3. Easy to get on and off. Please help.

[Sylvia]

When she asks for easy to get on and off is she looking for something like a step-through frame?

When I was looking for a bike, I ran into a similar problem. I wanted a road bike with a step-through frame that was light so I could easily take it with me. I am pretty short with a 25" inseam and most older bikes were either too large or too heavy. And the newer hybrids that might work were 25 to 35 pounds. I was looking for something closer to 20 pounds. I ended up getting a Bike Friday. The fact that it could be packed into a suitcase was more a side benefit for me.

One thing to look out for if she does look into this type of bike is they are on 20" wheels so it can effectively lower the gearing. I went with a Capreo cassette which goes down to a 9T cog and helps with this problem.

[Trek420]

Here is her criteria for a suitable bike 1. Hybrid 2. Light, Light! 3. Easy to get on and off. Please help.

Go, go Mom!! I want to be her when I grow up (hopefully without the knee replacement but we'll see how they hold up )

Have you thought of a Mixte? Plenty of help around here to find one. Electra Townie?

[Cyclesome]

She would never go for an electric bike. While surfing, I saw a new Specialized bike called Roulux (I believe). Anyone know anything about this bike?

[BikeDutchess]

An Electra Townie is not an electric bike.
http://www.electrabike.com/home.php

[tiva]

Cannondale Quick feminine 4--it's fairly light, a nice aluminum frame and carbon fork, upright riding position, good for rail to trails and roads. It might be worth trying.

[shootingstar]

At her age with her medical conditions (made better for now), steel bike (for less vibration) with some gears and a step through frame.

Really, honest, having a bit of gearing helps make a ride easier so that a person doesn't have to push hard compared to no gearing selections.

Every time I see a newbie on a bike with no gearing choice and it's a heavy-like cruiser...forget it. It makes me wince especially if one knows the person hasn't cycled in ages or is pushing 70-75 yrs. and beyond. Your mother sounds like an intelligent cyclist already..if she's asking for a light bike.

[redrhodie]

Ooooh, the Roulux looks nice!

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...nuItemId=12189

I was going to suggest the Specialized Vita, which looks like a similar style. I'll be stopping my my lbs tomorrow for an adjustment. I'll look to see what they have.

[alimey]

The Giant Dash comes in quite small sizes - I thought it was a really well specced bike. We fitted one to a customer who is 4'11". She went w/ the most expensive (I think there are 3 in the range) in order to get the lightest possible.

A Bike Friday makes a pretty good (albeit expensive) alternative as it has such a low stepover. I really wish a manufacturer would do a new lightweight & upmarket version of the Raleigh Shopper (ie; small wheels, low step through) as it would be good for my mum too.

[Cyclesome]

Thanx for the input

[TrekTheKaty]

My second bike is a Trek 7500 Multitrack with suspension and a rack. Love it, however.........

Hybrids are the "gold" standard for rail trails. I thought I needed a hybrid also (we ride a lot on the Katy rail trail in MO). My two cents is hybrids, in general, are heavy. I've had two, just for the Katy. My sis is riding my old one, and we can't believe how much lighter my road bike is next to hers. What she really wants for rail trails is slightly heavier/knobbier tires than road tires--somewhere between 32's and 28's. And maybe she prefers the flat handle bar style and with a rack? My current Trek hybrid has full suspension, but it's HEAVY! Almost not worth it, but I used to pedal along on a cloud doing 9.0 mph, not even trying to avoid branches-I just rolled right over them on my big knobby tires!

I just trying to clarify you don't have to ride a hybrid on a rail trail (although everyone will tell you that). Hybrid and "light" and a contradiction. We ride our road bikes with 23's on the Katy (although, now I try to avoid the larger tree branches). We've worked my sister back from 35's to 28's and she was surprised that with less effort her speed increased and stability is still good.

[runningteach]

I helped my SIL get a bike on Sunday and she got the Trek 7100. She has trouble getting on it and it has a step through. I honestly was going to guide her to an FX, but realized that was not a good fit for her. I would suggest taking your mom with you and seeing what she is comfortable with. I admire your mom.

[Trek420]

An Electra Townie is not an electric bike.
http://www.electrabike.com/home.php

Thank you Serieously I was thinking of this bike/thread for your Mom

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=37855

And .... invite her here! We'd love to shop with her. Of course that would mean we would no longer be able to kid you about that time you were at the rest stop with the fire men and the chandelier and the goldfish in the gatorade and .... just kidding.

[NbyNW]

When she asks for easy to get on and off is she looking for something like a step-through frame?

When I was looking for a bike, I ran into a similar problem. I wanted a road bike with a step-through frame that was light so I could easily take it with me. I am pretty short with a 25" inseam and most older bikes were either too large or too heavy. And the newer hybrids that might work were 25 to 35 pounds. I was looking for something closer to 20 pounds. I ended up getting a Bike Friday. The fact that it could be packed into a suitcase was more a side benefit for me.

One thing to look out for if she does look into this type of bike is they are on 20" wheels so it can effectively lower the gearing. I went with a Capreo cassette which goes down to a 9T cog and helps with this problem.

+1 on this type of frame, with low step-through, and you can probably also find wheels that are more roadie or hybrid/city, depending on your preference.

If she is just doing rail trails, they tend to have very gentle grades, so it shouldn't be difficult to find appropriate gearing.

[Zen]

7 speed
Aluminum
Mixte
Ticino 7D