My mom's interested in a bike... recommendations?
 

Hi all. A visitor from the SS / FG section here.

I just arrived at my hometown today for the holidays, and while talking about my biking adventures and misadventures in NYC, my mom revealed that she'd like to have a bike.

Nothing crazy. No road bikes or MTB's or track bikes. Just something sort of roadster-ish, simple, fun, for her to pop a basket on, and commute here and there.

Now... if we were in NYC or anywhere in the states, it would be easy enough to find her a nice little used vintage bike, much in the same way I've found bikes for myself. But it's slim pickins here in PR where my parents live. Most shops only sell MTB's or road bikes. I've seen like 1 or 2 classifieds that may fit the bill but they are WAY overpriced. So I'm thinking I may just have to get one online somewhere.

Any suggestions, as far as shops to browse (I've checked bikesdirect so far, but trying to find more to be able to compare) and/or specific bikes that may be appropriate?

Thanks.

Find a helpful bike shop near your mom, and ask them to put a BD bike together for her. She will then have a place to go for adjustments and service. The gear systems on modern bikes are so much easier to use than those on vintage bikes.

My mom is 65 and very short with really short legs. When she and my dad came out to visit at Thanksgiving, we went to the LBS and got her an Electra Townie. She can tool around the campground while they snowbird in Arizona and I don't worry about her falling off and getting hurt. We got her the 21 speed so she could backpedal to get the crank in the right spot before she takes off. Plus, the girls think it's "cute."

Thanks guys. I'll try and find a decent shop nearby and see what options they have.

Check this site out. Lots of good material for new riders.
www.biketoledo.net