Advice on purchasing bike
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Advice on purchasing bike
OK, True confessions.
I'm female, 5'8" and weigh 230. I'm 62 yo and not as steady on my feet (and maybe on a bike) as I used to be thanks to back surgery, pain, weight gain, and ? I'm thinking of bike riding to recondition myself and lose weight. I want to sit upright. I want a comfy seat. I think I want a few gears to help me not have to work so hard at first. Any input about bicycle vs tricycle vs bicycle with training wheels? I will only be riding for fitness and pleasure. I'd appreciate any input or suggestions.
I'm female, 5'8" and weigh 230. I'm 62 yo and not as steady on my feet (and maybe on a bike) as I used to be thanks to back surgery, pain, weight gain, and ? I'm thinking of bike riding to recondition myself and lose weight. I want to sit upright. I want a comfy seat. I think I want a few gears to help me not have to work so hard at first. Any input about bicycle vs tricycle vs bicycle with training wheels? I will only be riding for fitness and pleasure. I'd appreciate any input or suggestions.
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I would think a recumbent trike would be a good possible option.
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2007 Jamis Ventura Comp
2006 Jamis Explorer 2.0
2000 Specialized Hardrock (bought used)
Swim, Bike, Run and sounds like fun
2007 Jamis Ventura Comp
2006 Jamis Explorer 2.0
2000 Specialized Hardrock (bought used)
Swim, Bike, Run and sounds like fun
#5
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I have a Sun EZ-1 and really like it. I have a minor bit of scoliosis and this allows me to ride upright and even kick back a bit and enjoy the view. I had the opportunity to ride some trikes last weekend at a recumbent rally and it was an interesting experience.
The Terra Trike https://www.terratrike.com/ tadpole--2 wheels in front, 1 in back--design was really nice and solid, but I don't think I was in one that was really the right size for me. The steering felt a bit too responsive for my liking, but it was still fun to ride. I didn't get to try the other designs, but there were different options and configurations. I'm sure I could have gotten a better fit if I wasn't outside the range of "normal" rider.
I also rode the Sun tadpole trike which had an adjustable boom for the pedals. The steering felt better on that model, but I didn't like the way the bike pitched from left to right as I spun the pedals.
Later I tried a Sun recumbent Delta--1 wheel in front, 2 in back--design which is similar to my bike and it was comfortable, but the two wheels in back dragged badly on the turns and reminded me of riding my grandmothers trike back in the 70's.
I rode a BikeE which is no longer in production, and it was fine, It felt almost identical to my bike
I also tried to ride a Rans Rocket and it was super light compaired to my bike, but the recumbent design had me leaning way too far back for my comfort level. My balance is not the best either... I was going to give it a go anyway but it turned out that my knees were hitting the handle bars and so I chickened out because I didn't want to crash the guys bike. In the end I was happy for my bike. It's a long wheel base and easy to ride, although not as easy to transport. In the end I'd say that you really have to test ride a few things and pick what feels best for you. It's been said by many people on here "Buy the bike that makes you want to ride".
Good luck and let us know what you pick and how its going for you.
The Terra Trike https://www.terratrike.com/ tadpole--2 wheels in front, 1 in back--design was really nice and solid, but I don't think I was in one that was really the right size for me. The steering felt a bit too responsive for my liking, but it was still fun to ride. I didn't get to try the other designs, but there were different options and configurations. I'm sure I could have gotten a better fit if I wasn't outside the range of "normal" rider.
I also rode the Sun tadpole trike which had an adjustable boom for the pedals. The steering felt better on that model, but I didn't like the way the bike pitched from left to right as I spun the pedals.
Later I tried a Sun recumbent Delta--1 wheel in front, 2 in back--design which is similar to my bike and it was comfortable, but the two wheels in back dragged badly on the turns and reminded me of riding my grandmothers trike back in the 70's.
I rode a BikeE which is no longer in production, and it was fine, It felt almost identical to my bike
I also tried to ride a Rans Rocket and it was super light compaired to my bike, but the recumbent design had me leaning way too far back for my comfort level. My balance is not the best either... I was going to give it a go anyway but it turned out that my knees were hitting the handle bars and so I chickened out because I didn't want to crash the guys bike. In the end I was happy for my bike. It's a long wheel base and easy to ride, although not as easy to transport. In the end I'd say that you really have to test ride a few things and pick what feels best for you. It's been said by many people on here "Buy the bike that makes you want to ride".
Good luck and let us know what you pick and how its going for you.
Last edited by BigPolishJimmy; 09-20-09 at 06:15 AM.