Recreational & Family - New to Comfort Bikes - recommendations?

I was sooooooooo into cycling about 15 years and 50lbs ago. But, a divorce here, a career change there, and time flies by. I sat the bike aside for years...

Now, I'm 54, a little heavier, and have arthritis in the knees but I am back in love with cycling. However, my Cannondale M500 Mountain Bike is not nearly as comfortable as it was way back then. So... I'm about to buy a new Comfort/hybrid bike.

I've been shopping and have really looked at several nice bikes, all in the $300-$600 range. I've looked at Trek's Navigators & Hybrids (7000 series), and Pures. I've looked at Specialized's Crossroads and Expedition's. I've looked at Giants, Electra Townies, Cannondales (Comfort and Adventure series) and I've looked at Raleighs. I've looked at what seems to be nearly every type/manufacturer of comfort bikes, sat on several, and have narrowed it down.

My top picks are the Cannondale Comfort 4, the Electra Townie 21, the Trek Navigator 3.0 (with the 7200 a very close second to the Nav), and the Specialized Crossroads Elite.

I'm 6'1, a little over 300lbs, and like the fit of all the bikes mentioned (all with a frame of ~18-19" as available). I do like the 'foot forward/flat foot' design a little better because they seem easier on my old knees but the others were still ok.

I know most are going to say, "Buy what fits you and your budget the best" but what I really want to know is which one of these brands has the best rep? My Cannondale M500 has served me well and way back when, I rode it a LOT, mostly on the road (with the hybrid tires I put on it).

My heart says to stick with the Cannondale (is it American made?) but I really DO like the others. I've even researched the Felt bikes and like what I've read but now, I think I've shopped TOO much and am just confusing myself. :twitchy:

Help?

Raven87, all the bikes you have picked out are good ones. It all comes down to what fits the best, which one makes you smile and feel eager to take a ride, etc. If you want a better chance at responses, you might try posting in the Clydesdale/Athena section, since there are more readers there.

PS I like the crank forward bikes myself - I have a Giant Suede but have ridden the Trek Pure and Navigator. They were all nice rides.

Raven,

i was in a similar position as you, not having ridden a bike in some time. When I decided this past spring to buy a new bike, a shopped around, compared what some of my friends had and settled on the Trek 7200. I use it as my commuter to work (15 miles, one way) and it has been great. A very comfortable bike, sturdy, good fit and finish. My LBS stocks mostly Treks and Specialized so I didn't have to breadth of options you have looked at, but I don't regret my decision. One thing to keep in mind is that most of the bikes in this class are going to have subtle differences so don't fall into "paralysis by analysis". :)

Take care.

Most of the bikes you listed would be good choices. Go with what feels good and fits.



My heart says to stick with the Cannondale (is it American made?) but I really DO like the others.
Very few bikes are American made, with the exception of a few bike brands that are way, way out of the price range you listed. Cannondale is not American made. The bike is merely assembled in the US. Frame and all components are foreign made.

All good choices. I have the Specialized Crossroads Sport. Purchased without prior research, was letting mother pick a new bike for Mother's Day in 2007, she said i looked good on mine when took for test ride, and I returned home with two, his and hers.

I have logged just over 900 miles since then on this bike - http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m394/GLVander/Bikes%20and%20related/IMGP1277-1.jpg

Added a second bottle rack and rear rack and travel bag, making this a great along around tourer for road, MUPs whether, paved, limestone, or packed dirt. The 700x38c tires handle it all.

I also have three other bikes that get ride time and see pedal time on longer tours or rides with groups, yet my Crossroads is the first choice for a relaxing ride with the wife as well as excursion onto untraveled pathways when exploring new trails.

The picture shows it with a B17 Imperial saddle, now is fitted with a Brooks B68 as I found the Brooks saddles better suited for longer distances and street clothing. My wife still likes her stock saddle.

PS: I am 6'4" and was 299#, so I know the frame and wheels will handle your size nicely.

Best wishes on your purchase and share pictures, but more importantly ride...

Beautiful bike, bab2000!

I'm really interested in the Specialized bikes as well. My Cannondale has served me very well - when I was riding it full time I never had to take it back to the LBS for anything other than a scheduled tuneup.

The Crossroads series are very nice fits for me. I'm going to another bike shop in a few days that is a little further away. There, I will be able to comparison ride from one bike/brand to the other rather than having to go from one LBS one day to another on a different day. This should give me a better clue as to which one is the best for me because just looking at one brand/bike a day only makes that bike on that given day seem to be the one. But when I go to a different dealer on a different day, THAT bike feels like "THE ONE".

Again, NICE bike and thanks for the reply!


All good choices. I have the Specialized Crossroads Sport. Purchased without prior research, was letting mother pick a new bike for Mother's Day in 2007, she said i looked good on mine when took for test ride, and I returned home with two, his and hers.

I have logged just over 900 miles since then on this bike - http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m394/GLVander/Bikes%20and%20related/IMGP1277-1.jpg

Added a second bottle rack and rear rack and travel bag, making this a great along around tourer for road, MUPs whether, paved, limestone, or packed dirt. The 700x38c tires handle it all.

I also have three other bikes that get ride time and see pedal time on longer tours or rides with groups, yet my Crossroads is the first choice for a relaxing ride with the wife as well as excursion onto untraveled pathways when exploring new trails.

The picture shows it with a B17 Imperial saddle, now is fitted with a Brooks B68 as I found the Brooks saddles better suited for longer distances and street clothing. My wife still likes her stock saddle.

PS: I am 6'4" and was 299#, so I know the frame and wheels will handle your size nicely.

Best wishes on your purchase and share pictures, but more importantly ride...

Your story sounds very much like mine. I found that I can not ride the same bikes I could 15 years ago. That aggressive forward riding position that brought on speed years ago now brings on pains as if I am doing a constant push up.
I like the idea of going with an adjustable stem. If my conditioning improves, I may wish to start adjusting my bars forward / lower a bit. It would be nice to know it is just a single allen wrench away vs. buying a new stem. Other than that, I would say to use the same logic you may have when you were into biking years ago. Since all considered brands have a good reputation, stick with that which fits best and has the best component group within your budget.

I've been thrilled with my Electa Townie 21 (the one sans shocks). Its super comfortable, great for around town and rides up to 20-25 miles (maybe longer, but I haven't tried on it). Its a mellow ride, I wouldn't take it out for a fast paced exercise ride but when its time to go anywhere around chicago, its the one I grab.

I have looked very closely at the Townie's. I definitely like the crank forward set up because it is easy on my knees.

I've also looked at Jamis' bikes, particularly the Citizen, the Explorer, and even the Boss Cruisers.

All of them looked to be great bikes.

I hope to make my final decision this week as soon as I get a couple of days off so I can get back to the LBS's. I can not wait!

Isn't love great?

Another alternative would be to use your faithful MTN bike to get back into something like riding shape and then begin testing.

Whatever your bike choice, you knees will appreciate the use of low gears. If you apply only moderate force to the pedals but spin along as fast as possible, your knees take much less strain than they do if you really push hard.

Isn't love great?

Another alternative would be to use your faithful MTN bike to get back into something like riding shape and then begin testing.

Whatever your bike choice, you knees will appreciate the use of low gears. If you apply only moderate force to the pedals but spin along as fast as possible, your knees take much less strain than they do if you really push hard.

Oh, I agree absolutely with using the old trusty Cannondale for now - I've been doing that religiously for the past month. I've dropped almost 10 pounds already so I want to keep the momemtum going.

Getting the new ride will let me be even more aggressive on the riding regimen.

I can't say for sure about the Townie 21, but we have a Townie 8 w/ fatty balloon tires that rides pretty smooth - I assume the 21 would ride pretty similar. +1 on crossposting to the clydes forum, as you'll want input on bikes that have shown to handle the weight.

If the 'dale fits you right, can you try fitting on larger tires? Something like Big Apples or Fat Franks (if they fit) will make the bike ride smoother and won't be as jarring to your joints on bumps.

Hope that helps!

It's not the ride on my M500, it is the fit. It is a traditional mountain bike posture with a lot of weight thrust forward on my hands/wrists. Plus the posture is too hard on my old knees, thus my need for a more relaxed and upright posture on a bike.

I love my Cannondale and my replace it with a new one but in the Comfort class. :thumb:

All of those are great choices, you won't go wrong. I have an older Trek hybrid that I love on trail and family rides. My wife had a Trek hybrid, what is now the 7300. Even though she loved it, we swapped for the Townie 700c 21sp to relieve her hand numbness. Once you get it narrowed down, see if you can take it out on a 3-4 mile ride.

All of those are great choices, you won't go wrong. I have an older Trek hybrid that I love on trail and family rides. My wife had a Trek hybrid, what is now the 7300. Even though she loved it, we swapped for the Townie 700c 21sp to relieve her hand numbness. Once you get it narrowed down, see if you can take it out on a 3-4 mile ride.

Excellent suggestion and I will do that. I've done shorter test rides but I will take a longer one on the final two bikes I choose from.

I rode a Townie 21 and loved it. With the Crank Forward position, my knees had absolutely no pain at all. However, I did notice that my thighs began to 'burn' much sooner than on a conventional bike. I'm guessing that is because you do not have your weight over your pedals on a C/F bike?

Of the ones I've ridden so far, the Townie was the all around most comfortable for my knees. And like you wife found out, no weight on my wrists was great.