Possible commuter for my Dad
 

My Dad has mentioned a few times he would like to ride a bike to work. Its less than 2 miles, but I there are plenty of hills between here and there. I was thinking of finding him something easy to get on and pedal and I was hoping to find a good deal on one of those townie bikes or something similar with a step through frame. My dad is past 60 and has had some health issues in the past so speed isn't what he would care about just getting there. He walks a couple miles a day so he gets some exercise and is generally active. Do you think my plan is solid? I may have found a great bike on Craigslist this morning all decked out with fenders rack panniers etc and ready to go for $160. I already emailed the seller to check it out. Thoughts?

http://lincoln.craigslist.org/bik/2262538233.html

This is the link to the correct specs for the bike.

http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...e+21&Type=bike

I think you should ask your Dad.

Definitely get your dad's input like 10 wheels suggests.

If you do want to surprise him though make sure you can fit the bike just in case he doesn't like it and you want to claim it for yourself. Or is that the plan all along and your using your dad as an excuse to fool your wife because she doesn't want you getting any more bikes. Pretty slick thinking there monsterpile.

I actually just talked to my parents to confirm my Dad was still interested in riding a bike. I would guess my Dad hasn't ridden a bike in 15 years at least. If I asked him what he thought about this specific bike I am almost positive he would say something like "Whatever you think you are the bicycle expert." He lives about an hour away so I don't think I can have him come check this bike out or it would be gone. After considering all the accessories on it and there is no way I could build a bike cheaper than that so I plan to buy it if it hasn't been sold already. Its not a a plan to get it for myself, but I could see my wife trying to claim it if Dad doesn't like though. =)

A bike with fenders and panniers is a plus. If that is a seat post-mounted rack, there could be issues with heavy loads.
Would he have issues with a step-through frame? Or, is he man enough to ride whatever works?

2 miles? He should walk. Seriously, cycling <4 miles a day isn't much exercise, but the walk would be pretty close to recommended daily exercise (10,000 steps - or is that out of date now?)

I was too slow they sold it to the first person that responded.

I think he wants to get there faster than walking and doesn't want to carry anything on the walk. I think if he rode the bike he might also come home for lunch and walking would take to long to do that.

I don't think my dad cares abotu the step through frame issue. The bike he rode when I was a kid (I think it was what he had as a teenager which he still has) was step through frame. Someday I will fix up my parents old cruisers, but it won't be for them to ride. There is just too many hills in Omaha for an old single speed cruiser viable for them to be able to use.

I think something similar to a 'dutch' bike would be an ideal frame, or any similar step-through or low standover diamond frame. Low gears would be useful, since you mentioned hills and he may need them as he gets older. A rack and fenders are always good to look for, but most frames suitable for commuting can be fitted with aftermarket ones anyway.

without complicating the issue too much, i found that what i needed in a bike versus what my older uncle (he was 65 when he bought the bike - now he is 69) needed were different.

we were looking at bikes a the LBS, and i gravitated to the bikes i liked - light, dropbars, expensive. he went to the cruisers, he told me he did not like to be tip toe at a stop, and another factor he appreciated was an internal gear hub - not having to worry about being wrong geared at an intersection was very important to him, and so when he discovered the internal gear he plopped his money down.

my aunt - never rides... but waits at the next coffee stop in the van just in case my uncle needs that lift home... :)