Recreational & Family - Comfort bike for my wife

Okay, I know nothing about comfort bikes. What I'm wondering is what matters when it comes to fit?

It seems like that if you are sitting upright and your feet touch the pedals comfortably and your hands reach the giant handlebars then everything ought to be fine.

She won't be riding so far that she's going to do damage to her knees or anything like that.

Does she just get on it and see if it's comfortable?

I ride a road bike and I know about fitting for that, but not a comfort bike.

She also wants a bike that's not too "complicated." I think that means not too many gears and I try to explain that it's nice to be able to get up a hill. She thinks I'm crazy. I feel despair more than joy. :D

She also wants a bike that's not too "complicated." I think that means not too many gears and I try to explain that it's nice to be able to get up a hill. She thinks I'm crazy. I feel despair more than joy. :D
Just tell her you are getting one of the new style bikes that have easy gear controls that make all that complicated sh** a thing of the past.

Try finding a bike that has 7 or 8 speeds either with internal geared hub or rear derailer only. Simple.

Take her shopping. It still needs to fit. Comfort bikes are slow and heavy, so it will need gears unless you live in a flat area, and the seat height has to be right to allow near full leg extension to protect the knees. Some bikes like Electra Townies have the seat set far back so that you can have both proper full leg extension when pedalling and both feet on the ground when stopped.

Take her to a few local LBS and have her look at the different models that are available. A twist shift 3 to 8-speed internal hub is as uncomplicated as it gets while providing her with gearing choices and/or allowing her to shift directly to the gear she wants...which is an advantage over deraileur systems. Many people also want some sort of chain guard to keep their pants/clothes clean or from getting snagged in the chain/sprocket.

When she finds what she wants to ride, then get her fitted and take a test ride. As long as she's happy, it's all good.

dont even mention gears
just tell the Lbs what you want in gears if she asks why or what
say "this will make it easier for you honey"
no further discussion untill she is on the bike and rinding

Take her to a few local LBS and have her look at the different models that are available. A twist shift 3 to 8-speed internal hub is as uncomplicated as it gets while providing her with gearing choices and/or allowing her to shift directly to the gear she wants...which is an advantage over deraileur systems. Many people also want some sort of chain guard to keep their pants/clothes clean or from getting snagged in the chain/sprocket.

When she finds what she wants to ride, then get her fitted and take a test ride. As long as she's happy, it's all good.

+1

The Trek Lime seems to be popular around here - and for those of us who like to accessorize, you can get color coordinated chain guards, etc. :p

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your comments. I think she has decided on the Trek something or other. It might be called a Navigator. She likes it because it is cute.

The problem is the local Trek shop doesn't have them in stock because they don't sell many. Yes, they might sell more if they did have them in stock, but I'm not going to dispute that with them. They're a good bunch of guys and honest and helpful. (The Jittery Joes Cycling team works with them, so they're competent as well)

Oh well, I suppose we'll get her something and she'll ride it or not.

Thanks again.