Help me find bikes for my parents

[BrewMaster]

My dad has lost about 50 lbs in the last 14 months on Jenny Craig (and learning to eat well and exercise). He used to get winded walking out to the curb now he is in good enough shape to ride. Since I have started riding, my parents have taken an interest in biking. They are not interested in MTB, but just cruising around for some exercise.

I need some help and opinions on what kind of bikes to point them to.

No road bikes, they are not in it for speed.
No MTBs, they are not going to hit much dirt, if any.
No funny looking chromed out cruisers with banana seats and high handle bars.

They live near a bike path and have a few friends that ride, so they just want bikes that are comfy and good for pavement riding at a slow pace.

Suggestions? Be as specific as you want/can. They would be fine spending $500 or so on each bike. A little more wouldn't be a problem, they just want bikes they will use.

Thanks.

[foofighter]

havent a clue about the bikes but big kudos to your father for dropping the lbs that is really GREAT!

[Pain Freak]

Look for the hybrids. These bikes were made for people like your parents. Solid bikes with good componets. You'll get your best deal with a Giant, but any of the big bike manufacturers make a good bike.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/1436/29360/

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Look for the hybrids. These bikes were made for people like your parents. Solid bikes with good componets. You'll get your best deal with a Giant, but any of the big bike manufacturers make a good bike.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/1436/29360/

[Hanzo]

Some older coworkers wanted something comfortable with gears. She didnt like the fact that on a mountain bike she was reaching forward. I told her she could change the stem and handlebars so it was more upright. Anyways she got a Townie and her husband and her love it.

http://www.electrabike.com/04/bikes/...06_twn_19.html



Good for your pops.

[Pain Freak]

I like the Townies, but they are really heavy. I thought the Hybrid would be more comfortable and easier to ride. Glad they like their purchase.

[mtnbikej]

These kinds of bikes tend to be pretty popular with the ride/cruise for fun crowd.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes..._path/fx/72fx/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...0_series/7200/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...r/navigator30/


The first 2 are designed around 700c wheels while the Navigator is designed around a 26" wheel.

All 3 have adjustable stems, suspension seat posts and 21-24 speeds. All can be had for well under $500 each.

Come see me, we are a Trek dealer.

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Come see me, we are a Trek dealer.

2nd that.....Switchback is a good shop with a variety of bikes for all kinds of people

[jeffj]

I like the Giant Sedona and Cypress lines. The Sedona are 26" wheeled bikes and the Cypress are 700c. They have women's specific models with step-thru frames and they are very comfortable to ride. My wife has a Sedona and loves it. My dad had a Giant Nutra hybrid (700c model that is discontinued) that he used to ride to the beach and back via the San Gabriel River bike path.

If they have any back pain issues, have them look at the Revive series.

[b5driver]

My wife has the Trek Navigator 300 (I think it's an '05 model) that she really likes. It's perfect for paved trails, going down to the beach, or some very smooth dirt trails. She really likes the grip shifters. I would highly recommend it. Good luck with the search.

[Winger]

My wife also has a Trek Navigator...only 200, 2005 model. She likes how comfortable the bike is and I've even gotten her onto light offroad (Aliso up the middle, Peter's Canyon up the middle). We went with the Men's frame because the Women's frame didn't look very durable. I'd look into a Navigator if my parents were getting into biking.

The biggest thing is to take them shopping and to get something they are comfortable riding.

[BrewMaster]

Thanks for all of the recommendations. My folks live up in the Bay Area (San Mateo), so they will buy up there.

The Trek and Giant lines look good. I'll send them to my dad and let him browse.

[PacMan]

I second the Giant line of comfort bikes. Good, quality stuff at decent prices.

[speckledtrout]

i just went through the same thing for my old boss. she just started a new job within biking distance from her house and we all chipped in and bought her a bike as a good bye present. i checked out/rode a ton of hybrid/city bikes and settled on the Navigator. she loves it. the geometry is perfect for what she needed and the price is right. nice upright handlebars, adequate gears, and a sturdy build. she says she feels safe so she really enjoys riding it. and that's the whole point, right? And my LBS gave me a deal too so that helped in the decision! he knocked off enough that I was able to get her lights and a helmet, too.

[UR2KLOS]

I would recommend a nice recumbent. It is like riding in a lawn chair.

I think these are around $500: http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/recumbents/ez1/ez1.htm

It is based on the Easy Racer EZ1 "compact long wheel base" recumbent bike tha tis no longer made. RANS makes a similar bike but they are over $1000.

The biggest problem with these things is that it is sometimes difficult getting them onto a bike rack or in your car. The long wheelbase ones are really difficult to transport.