PastorW

I am a Clyde married to one hot Athena (yes I know that I am a lucky man). I have been cycling just long enough to understand the bike I have, to daydream about the next one, and that is about it. My beautiful Athena wants to start riding with me some and we are looking for her a bike. This will be her reward to herself for being able to ride a mile without wanting to cry (her words not mine). Any advice would be greatly appreciated from any of you all (especially you wonderful Athenas). She is 5'2" (on a good day) and weighs ~ 220ish (I hope I'm not in trouble). She has had a couple of hard pregnancies and other health problems in the past three years so we won't be doing any hard off roading, just easy riding for starters and much later progressing to some of the hilly roads here in Mammoth Cave National Park. I ride a Gary Fisher hybrid, so we are thinking about something similiar. Any suggestions?

squirrell

Athena myself here--

I bought a Raleigh Hybrid a few years back that I'm still using--would rather have road bike but can't afford it. Anyway, the Hybrid cost me like $200 or so I think. Works fine. I did get a horn-less seat from Amazon.com that made a huge difference! It's wider than most seats and has no horn (obviously) so less pressure points. I'm 5'4" and about your wife's weight.

AndrewCO

This is the bike my wife has and she loves it. Of course, she's 6', about 200 (sorry babe) and has a very bad back. It's the first bike we've tried that she has felt comfortable on (that front shock really does help).

They make them in a 13.5" low-step, so that should help your Athena I think.

MathMomma

Hey, I'm her. Awww... no, he's not in trouble because I really weigh ~235. I, too, have a really bad back, so if any of you have any experience in that area, please let me know. I have six bulging discs, two in my C-spine, one in my T-spine, and three in my L-spine. Yuck. Thanks in advance for your help!

AndrewCO

See my post right above your post. If my wife's spine was straight and not twisted, she would be right around 6'4"-ish if that gives you any idea. She loves that bike as it also has a low step-over height (she can't lift her legs more than just about mid-shin/knee height.

cohophysh

you will probably want a more upright bike, there are some nice cruisers out there that are step throughs, Giant for example has a couple nice models. I suggest you go to the bike shop and ride a bunch and see what you like best.

Mr. Beanz

Are you talking about some offroading in the future? Heck save some cash and go for a mountain bike. Swap out the knobbies for some narrow slicks. MTB's with high pressure slick don't give up much to hybrids. Then slap the knobbies back on for some light trails and fireroads.

geo8rge

Consider a folding bike xooter.com swift or a dahon. They are easier to store and load into a car. They might fit into her life better.

professorbob

In all seriousness, go to a good shop and try out as many as you can. Even someone who hasn't ridden in many years can feel the difference between bikes. Then choose the one that feels best.

Jerry in So IL

Ok, the only reason I'm posting here is because my wife isn't here! So, what happens in the Bike Forums, stays in the Bike Forums!

My wife is 5' 2" and around 180. Four bugleing/blown/bad disc in her lower back. She loves the upright postitioning of my daughter's meduim frame GT Nomad. She rides daily for about four or five miles since the first of last month. Not quite Tour De France training, but for her, its a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy exercise and not be in pain afterwards or the day after. All stock, except for end bars. A few things I hate about them are they don't take standard racks well, the ugly green color mine came in, and hard to fit other tings like fenders in them. These are just really made for day trips. The Sport model is a little better, but still has its lacking points.

Now, I really liked the Railiegh Passage bike. I was considing the 4.0 or 5.0 one really hard, til they sold all that they had in about a week. Damn college student returning! Anyways, the Passage is no longer being made, but its replacement is alot like it and has the same upright riding as the Passage and the Nomad. If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought the Passage 4.0 and been just as happy, if not more so do to the Passage taking "normal" off the shelf add ons.

I tried out the Giant Cypress, but wasn't impressed with them. The componets wasn't up the the 4.0 or Nomads, in the same price range. Might just have been my local dealer, but I don't know.

+1 on the mtn bike with slicks. I might look more "manly" on a mtn bike instead of a "comfy" bike, but I don't care. I'm prettty quick on my Nomad, and its going to look REAL COOL when I transform it into a Xtracycle, if it can be. If not, I'm stuck with a nice ugly bike.

All the bike I talked about are in the <$450 range. The 4.0 being the highest and the Nomad came in at $375 OTD. So, you don't have to spend alot on a good bike to ride. But if you can. go for it!

Goof luck in youir choice. Hell, take her out for an evening of bike shopping and dinner. But if she finds the "one bike for her", just buy it then. That way no snot nosed college kid doesn't have his parents buy it for him!

Jerry

Condorita

5'4" and over 235. Former smoker (nearly 14 years smoke free). I don't have Valerie's other health issues. And I absolutely adore my Giant Cypress W.

tomdaniels

As one of the few resident recumbent riders, I would encourage those with bad backs to drop by a shop that carries a few recumbent bikes and trikes. Many folks who are not comfortable on upright bikes find the large seats and leaning back seat angle make cycling fun.

One warning: don't go trying them out unless you would consider buying. I know several people who went "just looking" and now are bent riders.

fastdogs

+1 on the mountain bike. I bought my first bike last year, a downtube folding bike. It got me hooked, because I could carry it everywhere and ride whenever I got a chance.
Then I got a trek 7200 hybrid. I rode a lot of bikes, the trek was the one that made me smile the whole time I was on it.
This year, I got a mountain bike- a gary fisher wahoo. I LOVE this bike, and I love moutain biking. You don't have to do real crazy stuff, but it's nice to get on a shady singletrack and just explore. Those fat tires will roll over anything. I think if I'd ridden this bike or even seriously considered a mountain bike (not sure why I didn't, it was recommended by these wise folks), that's the only bike I'd own. I still use the hybrid because it's proven itself comfortable for longer rides, but it's only a matter of time before the wahoo takes over that too.
I've never ridden a recumbent, but if you get in a shop that sells recumbent trikes, they do call out to you...
vickie

Pamestique 

May I suggest something? You didn't say your athena was out and about doing other physical stuff even though she wants to ride (or spend time with you). Before investing in even an inexpensive bike, how about getting out and walking first? Find some truly beautiful areas (if you have mountain bike areas that would be great - she can get a feel for the terrain). Just go out and walk, let her stop and enjoy the flowers and fresh air. Make it a date - have lunch or dinner after. Start out slow and easy. Start on building up her endurance and aerobics. This way when she finally commits to finding a bike, it won't be such an issue. And let her be involved in the buying process. Don't surprise her with a bike and equipment and gear. Let her choose it that way she will be invested in the process. And if and when she gets on the bike, start really slow. Don't push ever. Let her make the choice on on far and when you go.

Just be the patient, caring, involved husband I know you can be. You should know from your own experience cycling is a personal experience that requires commitment and resolve. Both of you start eating healthy and exercising. Once the weight comes off, she will be motivated to do more.

Pamestique 

Sorry I missed your post... see mine above.

Back issues should not affect your riding in fact it should help. I have an extremely bad back (severe stenosis L4 - S1) and riding helps. I don't ride a comfort style bike because the upright position bothers not helps my back. Being stretched out a bit, bent over is more comfortable, but everyone is different. Don't rush into buying a bike. Try them out and take your time. Get out and start walking. Every pound you lose will help out your back Buldging disc are generally no problem, most people over 40 have some, but excess weight is. I carry too much weight as well (I'm 5'8", 215) and know if I lose some more (I wold like to get down to 150) alot of my back problems will resolve. Aother thing to do... get invested in stretching exercises. Ask hubby to help - he can benefit as well. Like after dinner, sit in the living room and pull each other back and forth for 20 minutes. The flexibility you gain will help with your cycling.

Good luck. and most of all have fun!

Pamestique 

PS I ride a Lemond Zurich road and I have two mountain bikes, a Santa Cruz Superlight (full suspension) and a Specialize Stumpjumper M4 hardtail. Just because I'm big doesn't mean I can't ride a road or mountain bike. I truly believe you buy the bike for the type of riding you plan on doing. If you only want to do bike paths or residential streets, a sport bike will be fine. If you really want to do trails, consider a full suspension montain bike. The suspension takes the bumps out of the road.

Oldnewbie

I got a Trek 1.2 for my bd in Aug. my wife wanted a bike so she could ride with me (shes 5'5 about 280#) I had a hybrid picked out for her it was purple like she wanted. Took her to the lbs she decided on a Raleigh Retroglide because she liked how the style of handle bars it had. She wanted a 3 speed but just didnt like the color scheme on the treks the store had. Now we get to ride together and I just adjust my gearing until I'm peddaling at the same speed she is. Anyway my advice for what its worth is to take her to the bike shop(s) let her decide on what she wants to ride rather than trying to get her chose between different bikes that you want her to ride.

MathMomma

Thank you, everyone, for all your help. We went to the bike shop to get Wade's bike worked on, and I tried one out. I fell in LOVE!!! I didn't even want to try any others! I got a Trek Navigator 3.0 WSD 13.5". It's awesome!!! I love it!!! I've even ridden three times: 2, 2.25, and 2.5 miles!!! Here's what my bike looks like!

cyclokitty 

Lovely bike, Valerie. Congrats on the rides. When I started I was amazed at how quickly I went from around the block to commuting 18km round trip. Cycling is waaaay too much fun, and it's great to have another Athena on the roads.