Hi there. I'm hoping to get some good input from the gang here regarding a comfort bike.

I'm a 44 y.o., 6'3", 200 pound gal (mostly legs ... 35" inseam) with lower back and right hip issues. I'd like to get back into cycling (I used to be an athlete ... back in the day), but feel I need to sit as upright as possible to minimize the strain on my back. I'm not going to be doing any mountain biking, or road racing. I don't necessarily need a 21-speed bike. I'll just be neighborhood pedaling and maybe some park bike paths. I'm living in an elevator building in the city now, so hauling the bike up stairs isn't a real issue (unless I decide to take it on the subway ....). I doubt I'll be riding in inclement weather.

I'm seeking to spend roughly $300-$400. I've been looking at some Treks and Specialized, and a few Schwinns.

Any opinions on the Specialized Expedition?
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32563

Are there others I should check out?

TIA,
Diane

My sister is 6' 3" as well (I am the runt of the family at 6' 2.5"). She and my brother in-law (he is 6' 3.5")were looking to aquire bikes last year. They both tried various bikes and both found different bikes that fit them better. Because of her hight, womens bikes were not even an option so she only looked at mens models. My sister ended up being most comfortable on a Raleigh Venture 3 and my brother in-law ended up with a Gary Fisher Zebrano. Go to a few different bike stores and take various models for some short rides. With some bikes you instantly can tell they just don't feel as comfortable for your body type. Bikes are like jeans, there are lots of different models, and only some will fit just right. Just like with cloths... you have to try them to find out which one works for you.

Happy riding,
André

I don't know about the ins-and-outs of anyone who is 6'3" but men and women can have drastically different distributions of body length between legs and torso. Women tend to have a lot more leg and a lot less torso, so a bike that fits your legs might be a bit of a stretch for your torso. That would be something to pay attention to. I think at that price range, any of the big name bikes are making about equally serviceable/reliable machines, so I would pay the most attention to whatever brand they're selling at a bike shop where they are taking care to make sure the bike fits your size/shape.

I would recommend giving the recumbents some consideration as well.

Here's a women's bike w/ a substantial frame size and shortened top tube, but $650:

http://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling_savvy/susanb.html

I would recommend giving the recumbents some consideration as well.

Me too. I recommend looking into a used recumbent for the price range you stated. From personal experience, these are the most comfortable bikes there are.

I've attached some pics. The first one is a Sun EZ-1, and the other is a higher end Challenge Hurricane.
The hurricane will be faster, and in fact probably faster than any upright you've ridden.

If you do decide to try one out, here are some tips I've learned....

------------------------------------------
Gradually build up to the point of getting both feet on the pedals. Don't start off by expecting to pedal right away. Most recumbents place most of the riders weight above the axles, and spreads it nearly even between both wheels. So your first ride may be tippy at best, and you will fall over when you lift both legs to the pedals.

What you need to do first is STEP around a bit. Try to get some speed going - gradually. What your doing here is getting your upper body accustomed to the change in seating position, and weight shift. Leave your feet close to the ground to catch yourself. Just push it about with your feet.

As your balance improves, try placing one foot on a pedal and pushing around with the other. Try that for the next 20-30 minutes or until your confidence improves. Try a few turns into the foot that's not on the pedals. Take your time. Just keep in mind that the faster in speed you go the easier it is to balance.

As your upper body gets accustomed (remember to keep it loose and relaxed) you'll soon be able to place both feet on the pedals. And since you've ridden bikes before it should be a fast learning curve for you. Your muscles are already programmed to balance on a bike - for the transition to a recumbent they just need to get accustomed to the new seating position and the shift in weight!

Also, there will be some new aches as you'll be using different sets of muscles than those used for an upright. For example, you'll be holding up your legs on a recumbent wherein they just hang down on an upright.

You can thank us later :thumb:

I'm short and I'm a man, so I'm really in no position to give you advice, but have you looked at Electra's line? If you want a cruiser, they may have a nice alternative for you.

http://www.electrabike.com

I'm short and I'm a man, so I'm really in no position to give you advice, but have you looked at Electra's line? If you want a cruiser, they may have a nice alternative for you.

http://www.electrabike.com
This is a good suggestion, especially for a starter bike. They're good quality for their price, and the crank-forward design will be forgiving of your height.

People with body parts smaller or larger than average tend to pay more for something that truly fits. They just make fewer of the item in question because there are fewer people who are either very small or very large. With bikes, most of them meant for the tallest people are expensive ones. While I am not as tall as the OP, I've got larger hands, feet, and head circumference than the average woman. I pay $$$ for a poor selection of shoes, and have learned to make my own hats and mittens. This is just the reality I have come to accept. Dianagram, I'd get an Electra if I were you. if you then find yourself really getting into riding but begin to feel limited by having a cruiser bike, you'll know you need to save for something that will be more expensive.

Sitting up as straight as possible is not the best thing for your back at all! You want to take as much weight off your back as possible. You want to share your weight with your arms, legs, and back. This is why a recumbant is not what you want, all your weight will be on your back. A 'comfort' bike will also put most of your weight on your back, and will compress vertebrae when hitting bumps. Yeah that will be comfortable. A road bike that places some (a fair amount) of your wieght on your wrists will serve you well.

A road bike that places some (a fair amount) of your wieght on your wrists will serve you well.

Yes, your back will never thank you. However, your wrists will start complaining, and your neck too.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=412290

It's difficult to assertain what the OP's back pain is due too. For example, is it due to strained muscles, a prior spinal injury, or genetics? Have you (dianagram) seen a doctor about this? What did he/she say? Can you lay on your back? Can you lean forward? Are you in a physical therapy program - what do they say?

The only downside to recumbents are the size and weight, so taking into consideration what dianagram had originally stated - a recumbent might be difficult to carry up and down a set of stairs or to haul into an elevator. Especially if your having back problems.

The Townie as stated before might be a good go between. Giant also makes a recumbent that's almost an upright.

^^^^Additional downside to recumbants. If you have lumbar back pain, I do, they kill your back. At least mine did. Alot and immediately. Another downside mine was terrible climbing short steep hills (of which there are alot around here).
The riders weight should be evenly carried on the back, the wirsts, and the legs. Overuse any of these (recumbant overuses the back, overly aggressive road bikes overuse the wrists, ) and pain will follow.

dianagram

I suggest you see a doctor/specialist (preferably one who cycles!) first before you invest in any bike if you haven't done so already. Then if you can so kindly post what the findings are and the suggestions given. It may help others too. The specialist can point out what's causing the back pain and provide the knowledge on how to avoid or strengthen opposing muscle groups - if that is the cause.

Goodluck, and hopefully it's nothing serious but some overused muscles complaining.

Sitting up as straight as possible is not the best thing for your back at all! You want to take as much weight off your back as possible. You want to share your weight with your arms, legs, and back. This is why a recumbant is not what you want, all your weight will be on your back. A 'comfort' bike will also put most of your weight on your back, and will compress vertebrae when hitting bumps. Yeah that will be comfortable. A road bike that places some (a fair amount) of your wieght on your wrists will serve you well.

This poster's opinion is not consistent with the reality of the thousands of people with back problems who have found recumbents work very well for them. A bent may, or may not be, right for you.

What will in fact work well for you is, well, the bike that works well for you. I suggest doing long test rides on various styles. Stay relaxed. Don't push for any feats of speed. Spend time with adjustments if something doesn't feel just right. You will likely find yourself with the right hybrid, road bike, cruiser, city bike or recumbent.

My strong, and highly prejudiced suggestion is to keep looking, find a bike right for you, and then ride, ride, ride. At age 44 you have great years of riding ahead.

+1 on getting the back pain "reason" checked out. For a lot of people the recumbent position has helped their back and allowed them to ride again. You do not have to look at the racing bents, there are a lot of other 'easier to ride' bents that could be possibilities.. including the crank forward styles.

And unless absolutely all of your riding will be on flat ground, get a multi-speed.

Any opinions on the Specialized Expedition?
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32563

The Expedition is fitted with 26" rims, and the Crossroads version is same design with 700 rims, and may over a easier/gentler ride.

I am 6'4" and have the Crossroads Sport (XL frame), enjoying it as a good path and road ride. Will include picture to allow you look see with seat extended, that should be about the same for your indicated leg length.

The bars can be adjusted to several positions and should accommodate to your upper body and arm reach, providing a good upright position if you require. The frame style with top tube curve will provide a greater length for stanover height, but the tube really is no lower and many othe hybrid and MTB designs if at all.

Specialize does have other bike frames tailored to woman proportions, not certain for your height. another style to examine would be the Globe as its frames come in a variety of sizes and a woman's version as well.

If looking at Schwinn models, confirm they are branded with the SELECT tag.

Wish you the best.

Thanks everyone for your input to this point. I'm up to my eyeballs in info and catalogs and such. I haven't actually test-rode any of the bikes yet.

As to the status of my back ....
I have some stiffness issues with the right side of my sacroiliac joint (dull achiness ... feeling like arthritis) and a "tired" strained type of feeling in the right gluteus medius muscle running to the outside of my right hip.

I am currently undergoing physical therapy (electrical stimulation, massage, core strengthening). I've been at this for about 4 weeks, with a bit of improvement in my sacroiliac joint (it doesn't seem as chronically cranky), though the gluteus medius muscle still feels "tired" (could possibly be a "cascade" or "compensation" injury).

I've seen a chiropractor on and off for minor back issues over the past few years, and saw him once a few months ago when this first started. I may go back to him again.

I have a follow-up appointment with my rehab physiatrist tomorrow. We'll see if he wants x-rays (x-rays taken in september 2006 for a different type of discomfort showed no major vertebrae issues).

Sitting up as straight as possible is not the best thing for your back at all!

As someone who has ridden decent distances on a unicycle with a *very* vertical posture, I can vouch that this advice is given by someone who doesn't ride anything with said back position. Riding a unicycle, I do much like I would on, say, a horse - I sit vertically, but slouch into it dynamically; this lets my spine adjust to the shocks and move with the bumps, LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO WHEN WALKING/RUNNING, rather than trying to isolate my spine and take shock with the weight on my HAND, which isn't really constructed best to be taking continual pressure like that.

OK ..... after taking the Electra Townie Mens 3-speed for a test ride today, I went and bought the Electra Townie Mens 7D. Its being ordered and I'll have it next weekend.

Thanks for all your help.

YEAH!!! welcome to the dark side. !!!