Wilfred Laurier

if by wrapped up in
you mean
gave a passing mention based on years observations
then i guess i am guilty

however
i have ridden plenty of step through frames in my life for shorter rides
even though i have never had one that fits
and never thought there was anything wrong with it

and i have reccomended many bikes with step through frames to male customers
when i thought it would suit their needs
although most of them rejected the idea

again
your attack misses the mark
due to your overreaction and assumptions

also
i never even commented on your suggestions
just on your angry responses showing your own insecurity
and obvious constant need to convince somebody
maybe yourself
of something

VastCrew

Keep in mind that trikes are pretty heavy and bulky. Maybe they have some that are easier to transport if you do some research. I, for fun hopped on a trike while visiting grandparents and was amazed at the difficulty of pedaling! Grated at the time I was more of a runner and less of a cyclist however I was still rather in shape!


Maybe you could try a few optional bikes first to help narrow the selection and then give your parents the option?

Wilfred Laurier

quite possible that the one you were on had the sead slammed down
or the tires may have been either seriously underinflated
or the foam rubber flat proof variety
all three of which will make a bike feel slower than it would at its peak

trikes i have ridden
when properly maintained
were slow
but if you realize quickly that you need to lower your expectations of speed
and enjoy the view
they are hilariously fun
but not necessarily as a primary bike for everyone

if your parents are around average height
i still think beach cruisers would be the bees knees
a low effort and low cost entry into cycling

goldfinch

Folders are very popular at rv parks. However, I suggest staying away from the folders sold at Camping World. They weigh a ton. They are inexpensive, but just too inexpensive.

Also popular are the hybrid/comfort bikes with the front suspension fork or no suspension. The current rv resort I am in you can ride all the streets and get 10 miles. There is an around the park ride every Sunday. You see mostly these types of bikes as well as rigid or front suspension mountain bikes.

Our park is large enough that there are roadies as well. There are folks in their sixties and seventies riding 17mph averages over 40 miles. I can't keep up. I ride with the "middle" group. We ride twice a week, 20 to 40 miles a rides. Plus, there is a desert ride group and we do 10 to 15 miles in the desert on mountain bikes. The oldest rider is in his 80s.

MacNasty

Did not say any negative comments regarding a trike, just said, don't put them on a trike. You obviously missed the entire point of this thread.

cplager

Actually I haven't.

Whether or not to put them on a trike depends on what their wants and needs are. From the posting, we don't know enough to say one way or another. If they are concerned about falling, etc., a recumbent trike can be a great choice.

Murray Missile 

I'd love to take one of these for a spin BUT............ and I'm not trying to be a wiseguy.......... BUT, how the heck do you get up out of it?! I'm 6'-1/2", 215 Lbs. with bad knees, I suspect this would not be a good option for me when the day comes I can't balance a 2 wheeler. Bummer too because it looks like it would be a blast.

cplager

Ok... I'll admit it. This may not be the best choice for some people for that exact reason.

Of course, once you sit down and ride it, you may not want to get up again anyway.

Murray Missile 

It DOES look like fun! I have to make a minor retraction of an earlier statement I made regarding single speed adult trikes. They suck riding up inclines but they can be fun, when there weren't any upper level management around I'd ride it around the shop on the front wheel and the rear drive wheel with the other wheel about a foot in the air. It had one piece composite wheels, I wouldn't have tried it on spoked wheels. Also, if you hit a slick corner just right you could bring the rear end around and drift it around the corner, hit it wrong or catch a rough spot though and you had some explaining to do!

VegasTriker

I see a lot of misinformation on trikes in this thread. Not all seniors who ride trikes live in assisted living or are debilitated to the point where we can't ride regular bikes. For some, there is a lot more fun and comfort riding a light, fast trike and having far fewer concerns about the possibility of having a crash that results in broken bones. I do agree that the single speed "granny trikes" that sell for a pittance are horrible. They are heavy and inefficient. Yet, I do see people here in town riding them to the grocery store. You can get trikes that are low to the ground and more difficult for the less fit individual to get back out of but there are also some very good trikes (also expensive) like the Catrike Villager that is easy to exit. It is a first class trike that will last for years. You can also find folding trikes that fit into a much smaller footprint for transportation. Nobody would mistake the one I ride (Catrike 700) for a granny trike. The seat angle is 27 degrees from horizontal and 7" off the ground at the lowest point. I have no problem getting out of it. Don't put all of us in the same box. By the way, you get what you pay for. Entry level trikes have a lot of compromises like trike weight, mediocre components, and inadequate gear ranges.

Wilfred Laurier

good point

all my comments about trikes were aimed solely at granny trikes
a name which i love

sadly though
i believe the op mentioned budgets in the 300$ range or so
which probably eliminates the possibility of a higher performancr trike
unless they can find an unbelievably smokin deal on a used one

HillRiderEast

good bike for the $
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications or go up to the dx or lx versions. Womens specific models also available. This bike can take them from flat to somewhat hilly terrain. Solid bikes, although they should be able to still lift them on to a bike rack with no problem