Lama82

My wife is turning 66 and hasn't biked actively for over 40 years. She is 5' tall and would like to start biking some. She is in fairly good shape walking her 10,000 steps per day.

She has seen a Trek Lime out of manufacturing that she thinks would be good for her. This includes coaster brakes and automatic shifting. Any recommendations for something that might work well for her in the $400 range? She will be mostly riding paved bike trails in the Minneapolis suburban area.

She is concerned about trying to learn how to use shifting and hand brakes.

k7baixo

Check this thread. Maybe you can work something out with the OP.

Yo Spiff

What particular model is a "Lime"? The Pure Deluxe Lowstep appears to be similar to what you describe. Probably a good choice for someone who hasn't ridden a bike in decades. It has both a handbrake on the front and a coaster brake on the rear, so she can get used to a hand brake. It's not automatic shifting, however. It has an internal 3 speed hub, which is easier to shift than a derailleur equipped bike and can also be shifted while stopped.

Wildwood 

Let her pick it out with almost no help from you.
But then who am I to advise - also see N-2 thread.

miss kenton

+1
But if you would like to give her a place to start, I have a suggestion. I was at a Ladies Only Bike Night at a local bike store last night. They had a rep from Fuji there. Fuji has a bike called Mio Amore. Single speed, coaster brakes and retails for about $350.

zonatandem

Get a TANDEM!
She'll have no need to shift/brake/balance and . . .
You'll be riding TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

buelito

look at folders-- simple and efficient--and closer to the ground There are lots under $400 (check CL and ebay as well)- they are also fully adjustable, and can fit mst people between 4'10 an 6'4... (I have a dahon speed P8, which I love, and my wife has an older model downtube--with suspension and 9 gears)

rain safe-

Laserman

Trek did an "Autobike" a couple of years ago called the Lime.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/lime
Don't know why they dropped them but they are no longer in production.

tcs

The bikes from several manufacturers that used the auto shifting Shimano "Coasting" three-speed hub went out of production because they were more significantly expensive than comparable bikes with no benefits.

Auto shifting bikes are for the demographic of people who can balance, steer, pedal and brake but not shift. The marketplace has proved repeatedly and consistently over the last 40+ years that there's no one in that demographic.

RepWI

I would be careful of getting a single speed bike. The first time a slope is encountered and it becomes real work to get up that hill, the objections, maybe even unspoken begin.

Have her try a number of bikes. Actually, maybe even have a shop set one up on a trainer so she can be talked through the simple process of shifting and braking.

trek330

I got an old Trek for my wife.And you know what,I don't even miss her!

dbg

The internal geared hubs are great for simple shifting. That's what my wife rides (it's a custom build, so I can't offer a model number).

DnvrFox

It might be easier to get a new wife for your bike. Seriously, let her choose her own.
-::

cranky old dude

If I may suggest...take your wife to a few LBS's and let her explain her wants and concerns to the staff. They can introduce her to several bikes that will satisfy her situation and still stay within your price range.

They can coach her about shifting and braking. After a few shops she should have a pretty good idea of what is available and what she wants.

Good hunting!!

Louis

.....

Lama82

Thanks for the tread it was very insightful.

ytri

Lama82- Why not spend $160 and get a GMC Denali (available through Amazon or the big box stores)? It has mountain bike shifters, which should make it easier for her. The bike has been praised by reviewers (and see the review by CigTech on this website). I'm using one and can't praise it's price highly enough. Regardless, happy trails to you both.

rydabent

You might want to check out some crank forward bikes. Over the years I bought my wife 3 DF bikes but she never rode them very far. I now have bought her a tadpole trike and she loves riding it. Already this spring she has put more miles on the trike than the other 3 combined.

crackerdog

She doesn't have to shift if she doesn't want to. She could put it in a gear she likes and leave it there. Then in the future as she is more comfortable with biking, she can learn to shift.