Fifty Plus (50+) - Which would be the best for my 58yo mother?

My mother is just getting into biking with my sister, husband and I....she rode on a comfort bike and loved it but we looked at a few today and she tried them and liked them all. Which of these would be best for her on bike path riding?

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62181&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62185&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/cruiser/womens_cruiser/calypso_womens/#

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/navigator/navigator_2_0_wsd/#

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/sedona.st.w/7340/44138/

She saw all of these in the stores today and liked them - actually her favorite being the cruiser bike with breaks and speeds. But didnt know if maybe this was too little of bike for paths?
Her main concern is the more upright position, a few speeds to change, also she wants a mud guard in the back at least and add a panier rack in the back.

Serious answer here, any bike will work fine on bike paths....the best one for her is the one she's the most comfortable on.

She needs to test ride several bikes and by test ride I mean riding farther than around the Bike Store parking lot. Then she will be better able to choose the bike that she's the happiest with.

I would stay away from suspended forks so with that Calypso or Sedona would be my choice. But like cranky said whichever is the most comfortable is so important.

I think the Calypso is cool looking too and the fenders would be right up her liking.( not pink though either of the other two colors but that is such a personal choice too)

Let HER choose the one she likes, not you and not us.

All the bikes will do just fine for her purposes.

And, tell her to join us here at the 50+ forum where we have folks just drooling to give support and suggestions.

We love to hear about the progress of new and returning 50+ rides.

I agree with the other poster, to avoid the forks with suspension. Also, I'd advise her to try a bike with 700c wheels (which I prefer) and compare how that rides to the ones you mentioned above that have 26inch wheels. I think the 700c wheels roll faster.

Have her look at the Specialized Crossroads which has the 700c wheels.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62226&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use

Let HER choose the one she likes, not you and not us.

All the bikes will do just fine for her purposes.

And, tell her to join us here at the 50+ forum where we have folks just drooling to give support and suggestions.

We love to hear about the progress of new and returning 50+ rides.

:thumb: The title "...58 year old mother" caught my eye. Then it dawned on me "Hey, I'm 58 ... Wait. No, that can't be right! (Just had a birthday, which one was it again?) Oh, crap.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/utility/allant/allant_wsd_2011/#

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/utility/belleville/belleville_wsd/#

DH and I both have Nav 2.0s and really like them. They are bomb proof.You might check out the Trek Belleville and the 2012 Trek Allant if you want rack and fenders included. A little more pricey, but look great.

comfort, ease of riding, no strain on neck and wrists, and feet on the ground at stops
http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/townie-original21d-bikes-ladies