Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.period3
03-17-08, 12:21 AM
I'd like to buy a bike for my father. He's a novice cyclist, almost 60, 5'9" and about 230 lbs.
I mostly cycle on road bikes and fitness hybrids, which I think would be unsuitable for him - I don't think he'd use it, so I'm looking at either a comfort hybrid or a mountain bike. I don't really know how to buy either:
- is there a big difference between a comfort hybrid and a mountain bike? For the same money, I can get a much better spec'd hardtail, but would it be much more uncomfortable?
- How does one size a comfort hybrid? For 5'9" with a 32" inseam, would the medium specialized crossroads be a good fit, or should it be large? http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2007&spid=21917
My budget is $300 or less, so I'm mostly looking on ebay, etc. for lightly used bikes. I live in Canada, my father lives in the southern US. Any purchase I make will be mail order.
I mostly cycle on road bikes and fitness hybrids, which I think would be unsuitable for him - I don't think he'd use it, so I'm looking at either a comfort hybrid or a mountain bike. I don't really know how to buy either:
- is there a big difference between a comfort hybrid and a mountain bike? For the same money, I can get a much better spec'd hardtail, but would it be much more uncomfortable?
- How does one size a comfort hybrid? For 5'9" with a 32" inseam, would the medium specialized crossroads be a good fit, or should it be large? http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2007&spid=21917
My budget is $300 or less, so I'm mostly looking on ebay, etc. for lightly used bikes. I live in Canada, my father lives in the southern US. Any purchase I make will be mail order.