Hybrid Bicycles - What bikes to look at for my 60yr old mom?

My mother wants to get a bike and she asked me to find one that's very comfortable for her. The main requirements are:

1. price less than $600
2. very comfortable (she's overweight at around 5'3 and 165bs maybe)
3. not too heavy so that she can handle it by herself
4. not too slow so that we can do some recreational rides together (I have a Cannondale Quick)

Any suggestions on what kind of bikes I should be looking for? Very much appreciated.

This http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10VNAWMN2. So comfortable. Perfect bike for ma or grandma. It's one I'm familiar with.

Trek 7100wsd is great too, step through design like the Globe. I bought my girlfriend one and shes about 5'6" or so and 170, shes very comfortable on it. Her mom has ridden it a little camping, shes a bit bigger and has no problems either. Its a quick bike with 700c tires. I paid $320 for it 2 years ago.

The Globe vienna series looks about equal, another option. The 7100 however has a suspension fork which helps with bumps and all, being 60 if she isnt real active she might like suspension. I know my mom at 53 or however old she is, would not take the beating a rigid bike puts out. Then again she isnt much of a bike rider, either.

Take her to a bike shop. Have her test ride some, because only she can tell you what she likes, not us! :)

Giant Cypress/Sedona.

Trek 7100wsd is great too, step through design like the Globe. I bought my girlfriend one and shes about 5'6" or so and 170, shes very comfortable on it. Her mom has ridden it a little camping, shes a bit bigger and has no problems either. Its a quick bike with 700c tires. I paid $320 for it 2 years ago.

The Globe vienna series looks about equal, another option. The 7100 however has a suspension fork which helps with bumps and all, being 60 if she isnt real active she might like suspension. I know my mom at 53 or however old she is, would not take the beating a rigid bike puts out. Then again she isnt much of a bike rider, either.

Take her to a bike shop. Have her test ride some, because only she can tell you what she likes, not us! :)

That was one that I was looking at. How's the front suspension holding on so far and how much maintenance does it require?

Giant Cypress/Sedona.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the 700mm vs 26in tires (Cypress vs. Sedona)?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the 700mm vs 26in tires (Cypress vs. Sedona)?

That I couldn't tell you. I have the Sedona with 26x1.90 tires and it rides well for me.

http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10CAR700WMN4

Any thoughts on this one? I like the 3 speed design... keep it simple for her...

A raleigh wouldn't be bad either.

I asked this question inb4 about my mom, they told me to go to a good LBS with her and have her try to some bikes, I think that's your best bet.

Trek Madone 6.9 Pro w/ a pink dome bell and a handlebar sleeve for her AARP card.:)

Actually, all kidding aside good luck.

Find a few step-through models that combine comfort with ease of use, then take her with you so that she can actually try them out. She's more likely to use the bike if she picked it out and had a chance to ride it first.

You want something that will build her confidence and not intimidate her. As people get older, they tend to be nervous about doing things they aren't accustomed to. (I'm a few years younger than your mom and have been somewhat active, but have to admit that I'm not as brave as I used to be overall. YMMV)

I've heard good owner reviews for the Giant Cypress, Specialized Globe and Trek Navigator-to name just a few models. Maybe even a cruiser would appeal to her-though it might be too heavy.

Edited to add: when you ride with your mom, be prepared to ride at a speed that is comfortable for her confidence level. It's a great way to have quality time with her but let her ride at her own speed.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/grav_dutch.htm

Recently purchased for my Aunt :thumb:

2009 Gravity Dutch $269.95
Suspension Seatpost, Front Shock, Adjustable Stem, Aluminum Frame
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/images/grav_dutchladblue_450.jpg

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the 700mm vs 26in tires (Cypress vs. Sedona)?

If 2 given bikes have the same gearings,the 700 will take less effort to pedal at the same speed,check out the Trek Navigators,they are nice.

That was one that I was looking at. How's the front suspension holding on so far and how much maintenance does it require?

The suspension fork is doing fine so far, no problems in 2 years of her owning it. The only maintenance would be a little fork grease or oil for the wipers, whatever the company requires, and keep the stanchions wiped clean of grit. We ride mostly on fine crushed gravel trails (the NYS Erie Canal trail system) and she does just fine on that or of course pavement. She has liked the bike since day one, and the model I got her, a 2007, has SRAM grip shifters and derailleur. The gripshift is very simple for her, no levers to click to change gears! I thought she would like a specialized more, but they didnt have her size to try and she enjoyed the Trek just fine, so that is what I bought here.

I have her using Pedro's ice wax for chain lube. Its easy for her to see she got it on the chain, not as dirty if she brushes it accidentally, and it works better to keep the dust out from that trail we ride on.

Good luck, best thing really is to take her to look at bikes. DO NOT try to influence what brand or color or what not she picks. Let her get what she wants and is comfortable on. She will enjoy it a lot more then!

4. not too slow so that we can do some recreational rides together (I have a Cannondale Quick)

It's unrealistic to expect an overweight 60 year old to keep up with you unless you slow down, whatever type of bike she uses. If you do slow down, then she should be able to keep up equally well on almost any bike. The only fast bikes are those that put the rider into an aggressively aerodynamic position; the rest are equally slow or fast (assuming a reasonable quality modern bike).

>> What are the advantages/disadvantages of the 700mm vs 26in tires (Cypress vs. Sedona)?

If 2 given bikes have the same gearings,the 700 will take less effort to pedal at the same speed

This is nonsense. The 700 would require a lower pedaling rpm but more force on each stroke.. So definitely NOT "less effort".

One good way to choose tyre size is rider height: 5'6 or below should definitely be 26 for the road. Otherwise the frame geometry is a pain to get right. Above, say, 5'8'' this factor has faded out.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/grav_dutch.htm

Recently purchased for my Aunt :thumb:

2009 Gravity Dutch $269.95
Suspension Seatpost, Front Shock, Adjustable Stem, Aluminum Frame
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/images/grav_dutchladblue_450.jpg

Bikesdirect have, let's say, a troubled reputation. I'd do a search on this forum before purchasing one. Some of their bikes are great deals, but they do have a tendancy to need re-building at your local bike store. Missing grease in wheel bearings is a complaint I've heard repeated several times.

Regarding this design: it reminds me of one of these huge sets of cooks knives sold on TV. Every feature you can think of at the price of a single good knife. Accomplished, with profit to spare, by keeping the quality very low. Notice the bike is "Lightweight Welded Aluminum with multi-shaped tubes and reinforcing gusset" - but they don't say what the weight is. As for the brakes... well they might be ok, but there are some real atrocities around on cheap bikes. They've used brands like "Zoom/Enjoy" and "ProMax" for key components because they're cheaper than Shimano, not because they're better.

Get her a comfortable good looking one.

http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2009/04/criteria-for-relaxed-style-bicycle.html

Check this out too..http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/comfort_nav/navigator30/

http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10CAR700WMN4

Any thoughts on this one? I like the 3 speed design... keep it simple for her...

A 3 speed hub can be pretty limiting due to the limited gear range. If the same or a similar bike is available with the Shimano Nexus 8 or Alfine 8 speed hub then it would be better IMO. Breezer makes step through frame bikes with the Shimano 8 speed hub as do others I believe.

For someone who is a starting rider an IGH is simpler to learn to shift than derailleur systems are IMO but inadequate gear range can discourage new riders.