Fifty Plus (50+) - Ideas for bike for my mom?

In the near-future I plan on acquiring a bike for my mom who just turned 58. She expressed an interest after I got my new bike (she tries to copy me frequently.) Anyway, it won't be a new, expensive, flashy ride I don't have that kind of dough. Do you guys think a hybrid is a good idea for her? She won't be using to go to and from work (she gets off work at 2 am!)

She's ballpark 5'6. What's a good size frame for her? I'm 2 1/2" taller (at least) than her so my rides are too big for her to borrow.

In the near-future I plan on acquiring a bike for my mom who just turned 58. She expressed an interest after I got my new bike (she tries to copy me frequently.) Anyway, it won't be a new, expensive, flashy ride I don't have that kind of dough. Do you guys think a hybrid is a good idea for her? She won't be using to go to and from work (she gets off work at 2 am!)

She's ballpark 5'6. What's a good size frame for her? I'm 2 1/2" taller (at least) than her so my rides are too big for her to borrow.


Let your mom choose her bike. That way she will feel it is her choice (which it will be).

Frame size can't be determined from height. Leg length and trunk length is a lot more important.

What kind of riding will she be doing? That makes a lot of difference in what type of bike you buy.

How much dough do you have/want to spend?

Please have your mom read this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=438160

It was written just for your mom.

Let your mom choose her bike. That way she will feel it is her choice (which it will be).

+1
Take her to several bike shops (not Wallymart) and see what she likes and what is comfortable on her. DF gave you good advice on a thread to read. Also - have her check in with us when she gets going - we will have her tuned up and ready to ride a century before you know it :D

She'll be riding for enjoyment, I expect. If I take her to LBS she will fall in love with a new shiny bike that neither of us can afford. I guess they can tell me what size bike she needs anyway, for instance I ride a size 18 bike.

I was thinking of getting a used hybrid off craigslist off her. $100 kind of territory.

For $100, your best bet may be getting a used mountain bike off CL and then switching the tires to slicks. You can add fenders, and a rack, for riding in the wet.

Used MTB's are a lot more numerous than used hybrids, and seem to be cheaper, too (at least on this side of the border).

For $100, your best bet may be getting a used mountain bike off CL and then switching the tires to slicks. You can add fenders, and a rack, for riding in the wet.

Used MTB's are a lot more numerous than used hybrids, and seem to be cheaper, too (at least on this side of the border).

For $100 that may be your only bet. Just make sure it shifts well. A bike thats a chain chucker or gear skipper may frustrate her to no end.

The bike should be her choice after adequate testing. Getting and keeping it in good shape is part of your gift to her.

Go to a real bike shop, not Walmart or Target. Let her pick a bike that she likes. However, try to convince her to buy one that's light (aluminum frame) and has gears. I know people who think beach cruisers are "so cute", but after struggling to get up a few hills they stop riding them. You can find bikes that are really cute and also lightweight and have gears. I know because I bought a bike for my daughter when she went away to college. It had to be cute, and it had to have a cushiony seat, and she didn't want to be bent over. She found a Trek that she loved, but I also approved because it was very light for that style, and had lots of gears. She actually rides it!

If your mom is intimidated by derailleurs and shifting, consider one with only a rear derailleur, or one of the ones with internal gears in the hubs.

Back to your original post: I think hybrids make a ton of sense for a lot of people. If your mom would like one, great.

By the way, I'm 58 too. Your mom is still a young woman!

I think the best way to pick a size is to go to a bike shop, try out different sizes in several different brands, and have a good salesperson advise you. If you feel like they're trying hard to steer you to one particular bike, beware.

Get her a nice three speed let her walk the hills for a bit //You will know when she is ready for the big time:crash:/Kenneth