Recreational & Family - Bike suggestions for bike path riding

Hi all. I am middle-aged and used to ride my road bike to work. It's been awhile though! Now, my wife wants me to ride with her on our beach bike paths (cement, some sand) - leisurely! I am going to get rid of my road bike, and get something easier to ride in these conditions. I looked at a used Ross Mt. Khahad (spelling?) 21-speed, 26" wheeled bike the other day for $100. I am 6'5". Is this the type of bike I want for this kind of riding? (This is a "mountain bike", isn't it?) Does anyone know if this is a good bike? How do I measure the frame to see if it is a large bike, medium, etc? What size should I opt for at my height?

Thanks so much for any advice.

First off, keep the road bike.

That Ross is a one size fits most between 5'1" and 5'9" and you will hate it. Find a good LBS brand bike in your size that is a hybrid or comfort bike with a 22" frame. Unless you're able and willing to convert the road bike, but the frame and fork should accommodate at least a 32mm wide tire.

Hi all. I am middle-aged and used to ride my road bike to work.
First question. How old is middle-aged? I'm 63 and still a kid. I'm not getting rid of my road bike for many, many years. :)

Riding on cement and riding in sand are two different things.
As DD suggested, stop by your LBS and talk with them about the type and size (big) bike that will work best.

If money is an issue, talk to the LBS or others who can give you information, then buy used. If you can find a shop that specialized in used and bike repairs, they may have what you need for cheap. Just bought a used bike that would sell on Ebay for 200 from my guy and paid $65, that included new tires/tubes, truing of both wheels, and a bit of special work I had done to the brake set to allow me to run a bit larger tire.

Take a look at Trek's Navigator line and similar "comfort bikes" from other manufacturers.

The Trek comes with an adjustable stem, suspension fork and seatpost, beach-cruiser-esque saddle, upright bars and 26" wheels with a tire that's smooth in the center with knobs on the side. It's good on pavement, good in gravel and on dirt and has a nice upright ride. If you're used to a road bike, it's going to feel like driving a bus, but for casual comfortable riding, it can't be beat!

My ride buddies have Treks. One has a 7200 and the other is a 7500. Both are good bikes with reasonable comfort for us older riders. I have wrenched on both bikes and am impressed with their good value for the money spent. If you prefer no shock fork, look at the 7 series FX's. bk

Thanks all, for your help. I am not really interested in converting my road bike, or using it much now or in the future, so I will go to my LBS and see what they have. Sounds like a "hybrid" or a "comfort bike", maybe a TREK, with a larger frame (22") is the way to go for me. I need something used, at least for now, so I'll see if any shops carry any.