retro rides for the 'rents project!
 

For the last two years I've been picking up discarded bikes, repairing them then giving them away. My mother asked me recently if I would fix up bikes for her and her husband to ride about on local bike paths.

My primary desire is that the bikes will be comfortable. I was thinking of using a pair of Puchs that I have - an Austro-Daimler Pathfinder and a Pathfinder mixte. They are the proper size for my parents and I have on hand most of the parts I would need. I was thinking of using northroad or "3-speed" type handlebars (I have some Nitto Doves currently unused) and sprung saddles.

My concern is the 27" wheel. I have plenty of wheels and tires in decent condition, but will they provide a comfortable enough ride? My parents are in their mid 50s, so they're not ancient! My stepfather had a cool Panasonic 10 speed 20 years ago. He works hard at a physical job and has had back pain. I don't think my mother has ridden a bike since before I was born.

I suppose another way to go would be the fully rigid mountain bike with 1.5 - 1.75 road tires route. I have a Fuji step-through frame that could work. I'd have to find a comparable frame for my stepfather.

Any comments or words of wisdom from the congregation? Unfortunately, there's no money to put a pair of matching Trek Navigators under the tree, so that option is out....:(

What about wider tires, if they'll clear you brakes/fork?
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkekr...sscyklo/pp.htm

Get 'em upright, make sure the saddle is high enough, and use cross tires at the smallest. If they can easily pedal, shift, and brake, you're 2/3 of the way there.

Depending on how heavy they are, you may not have to fill the tires to the max pressure.

The Krosscyclos are listed as 27x1 3/8, and you'd expect them to be wider or at least have the same cross-section as 650a tires, but neither is true. I've had two sets that were no wider than standard 27x1 1/4", but were noticeably taller. So much so that I needed to mount the rear wheel with the tires deflated to clear the chainstay bridge. They should fit your 27" application, as long as you do the deflate-to-mount/unmount routine.

They're a great bargain suggestion, especially at Niagara's price.

Sorry to butt in, but I can't help but hear the Jetsons' dog Astro reading the thread title.

"rut-roh!"

Cool, good advice folks! That tread doesn't look to be too agressive, either. They won't need to much knobbiness on the railtrails. I have some other things to order from Niagara (the mixte needs a fork), so that might be our solution.

Yeah, that's the idea. I'm happy that they're showing an interest. These bikes have to be just right.:thumb:

I would suggest a vintage rigid mountain bike. You can find good ones for not much money, they have an upright riding position, and are highly customizable by just changing the tires. Same bike with slicks is good for the street, while with Kendra Kross tires, did a nice job on the trail.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/...a0a791cddd.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/...f5dc2c3842.jpg

Long TT's make it difficult to put upright bars on an older MTB for conversion to a reasonably comfortable machine - even North Roads might not have enough sweep back.

-Kurt

Speaking of 27 X 1 3/8 tires, does anyone have any experience with these? http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=12260
They look to have more of a hybrid rather than 'cross tread. Am I asking for trouble with Pyramid tires?

Junk tires with a tread that you'll regret unless your ride involves dirt roads.

-Kurt

I have a puch mixte I ride and love it. It is for me the one I run to the coffee shop on or a quick run to the store. Its a great bike however.......... the ones my wife and I ride on the bike trails etc. are hard tail raleigh's with sprung seats and continental contact sport tires for easier roll and 1.6 size for comfort. The wife runs her seat way low but its where she is comfortable and I will keep it where ever she wants as long as she and I can ride together! They work for us, I'm sure there are many choices but these are ours at 65 and 66.