This is a "which bike" question so maybe I should ask it in a different forum, but I think you need some age to understand the question completely.

I used to ride about 120 miles a week on a road bike, and I had a mountain bike also. I also had a few other types like comfort, hybrid, and maybe more. I am 77 now and about to buy a new bike. I won't bore you with the details but I went through a series of health issues and have not ridden for the last two years. I am ready to ride again but not on my current Trek Verve 2. I can ride it OK, but I can't get on or off safely due to a variety of leg and hip problems. I am going to trade in my Trek on a new bike, but I no longer am current on the latest makes, models and features of bikes.

I will be riding less than 10 miles a day and it will be at a slow pace. I know I need a small step thru bike and hope to find one in a color not blatantly girly, but the truth is I need a little girl bike. I have no desire to spend a lot of money on a bike that will see such limited use. I have been looking online and identified a few bikes that might do the trick for me. I would greatly appreciate any comments any of you may have on any of these bikes. They are:
1. Jamis Citizen
2. Jamis Allegro A3
3. Jamis Boss Cruiser 7
4. Sun Retro CB
5. Any other bike you might recommend.

Thank you for any help on this.

I myself just turned 77 and I never, ever rode 120 miles in a week in my life before making a return with recreational bicycling in 2023.

Even then I've only come close a couple of weeks in the years since, probably because I also ride on a trainer during the off-season months where I live.

I can't make a recommendation as to which bike you should acquire, my knowledge is scant compared to many (most?) others here.

All I can offer you is encouragement in overcoming what's kept you from bicycling since you had to take a break. You're an inspiration to the older cohort who still enjoys the benefits of cycling despite some of the compromises we have to make.

I'm only 51, so I probably don't have enough age to answer your question.

However, I would suggest reframing a couple of your thoughts. First off, you don't need the latest makes, models, and features to do limited riding. You are a candidate for cheap and simple, or used. You could buy features that are familiar to you without any learning curve. On the other hand, if you've got the money at your age, why not get a nice bike? It all really come down to how much you want to spend. On the low end, bikesdirect could hook you up with a step through in a manly color for under $400.

I have been using for winter bike riding for the last 20 years this Calvin bike that I bought new in Germany for about €500 for my daughter in 2000 or 2001. The easy on/easy off frame ( I am 79 with age appropriate arthritic joints and 3 previous back surgeries) as well as the all weather 100% reliability of the 3 speed coaster brake Sachs hub makes it a safe fun bike to use all winter.


My wife's Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed was bought used for about $20 over 20 years ago and works just fine for her slow pace relaxed riding around town.



I have a spare 3 speed AMF Hercules I keep on hand just in the unlikely case the above 2 are no longer reliable. I think I bought this for $5 at a garage sale in about 1997. Don't ride it often but it still works just fine for relaxed easy riding.




The real truth is that there is no need to spend lots of money at an LBS for a new bike that has features that may have been suitable for your needs and physical condition back in the day but no longer meet your current and future requirements. Step thru frames are a feature that older men can appreciate, especially if they ever have to make an unplanned quick dismount.

I like your collection I-Like-To-Bike and I like your advice. However, if @Spinconn doesn't have the experience with replacing old cables, changing tires and adjusting derailleurs and has a budget for a new bike, I like the Jamis Allegro A3. But that is what I'd get given this list. I like the 700c tires and know if I were to chose to do more trail riding, I could get wider and/or tires with more tread depth. By the way I ride trails with 32mm tires and do just fine. The tires sink a little in some sandy spots that it is acceptable at least on the trails I encounter. It's an aluminum frame as are the others and it is new so there is nothing to adjust. I also think linear pull brakes work great. I don't think there is a need for disk brakes or suspension fork. But this is what I would get. Your needs and tastes may be different. The Citizen is more comfort oriented. it features a Suspension fork, has a sprung seatpost and an upright position.

Have to you been to the bike dealer? Did you try stepping over any of these bikes yet? Any preferences? Did you learn anything from the experience?

Just be sure that you are ok with the stepover height and remember that we sometimes want to mount the bike with the bike completely upright, but give yourself the best chance and lean the bike over so your step over height is lower.

One more note: I'm glad to hear the step through frames are getting popular with men. Share bikes helped with this. With the strength of aluminum frames, especially like this Allegro, it should be plenty strong and resist flexing. If I'm able to live long enough or get arthritis, a step-thru frame is in my plans as well.

When my dad couldn't get his legs over the top tube, we got him a Breezer. It was similar to the current model called the Downtown. But my dads was a 7 speed internal gear bike. I was very impressed with the quality and even used it to follow my brother on a MTB ride.
https://www.breezerbikes.com/products/downtown-ex-st-25

Not sure where you are, but I would advise looking at some bikes in person and seeing how different designs are for mounting/dismounting. If you can decide what frame type works best for you, that will narrow down the options.

Also don't know where you are, but here in the Colorado Springs/Denver area there are bike co-ops and local bike shops that feature, reconditioned, ready-to-ride bikes at substantial savings. Many come with a return policy.

If you are riding slow, then you don't want a hybrid or a road bike IMO. The Sun Retro CB seems the right frame with the better style of bars that have a large sweepback. But the one I looked at didn't have gearing. Regardless of flat or hilly, I wouldn't ride a bike with out at least 3 speeds help with even the modest of changes in surface conditions. Whether that is grade or or brief times you might have a softer surface to ride.

All those bikes are going to be heavy. So if you are in rolling terrain or mountainous terrain, you'll get tired very quickly.

You might even want to consider a e-bike. That might let you ride and keep up with some friends that are still more active. Or at least let you ride further for longer and get the longer amount of cardio exercise you need.

Also, I assume you are looking at the step through versions of those bikes. Realize you might be able to just lean more normal looking bike over enough to get your leg over the saddle or top tube. Even on my road bike today, I'm usually sitting in my saddle at stop lights with one foot on the ground, the bike leaned and the other foot on the crank ready to go. And my saddle is very high.

I've grown fond of mixtes in my old age. It's not really a step through frame, not without some body english, although I think that was the original intent. Not "easy" but "easier" I guess. There were a couple of Japanese versions that came with halfway decent tubing. So they are light-ish sort of and have a ride that's both sporty and super comfy once you set em up how you like. I scored an old Nishiki for about $50 and shoulda never sold it, that was a great bike. Have my eye out for a Centurion. Currently riding a new Soma Buena Vista, which is a beast of a bike. A lot of the big names imported them (Peugeot, which was the first I believe; Raleigh made some pretty ones) but I generally prefer Japanese steel to keep the weight down to something manageable.

Reach on those things tends to be a smidge longer than road bikes of the era so I would suggest losing the drops, get a short stem and even consider going down a size from what you're used to. I have not had to resort to cruiser bars yet, I found moustache bars and similar (eg Soma Sparrow) to work for me. But you can put North Road bars on em if that's your fancy.

I was never an athlete and I dang sure ain't one now, but I like having a nice bike and I kind of get that feeling from a good mixte a little bit. Not a racer by any means but not a dog either, not if you buy a nice one. Something about that Nishiki really worked, I could ride the thing all day, felt effortless but still surprisingly nimble. Cool bike. OK well "cool" is a strong word. But definitely a bike.

Trek Verve, Specialized Roll, and Cannondale Treadwell are additional options to consider.

I'm 74 and ride 5 miles every day, I ride a fat tire bike. Doctor recommended I exercise, 2016 I purchased my bike and just last weekend I reached 16,000 miles. I ride neighborhood streets or sometimes a local park. I do all my maintenance and installed highrise handlebars to sit straight.

16,000 miles since 4/16

If you enjoyed your Verve they do make them with a step-thru design. On the Trek site you can buy used Verves that have been reconditioned (if you do not want to buy new). I have seen several men riding them because of the ease of getting on them.

For $349 shipped, there is this:



8 Speed Haven Harbor Aluminum Cruiser V Brake Aluminum Mens or Ladies Cruiser bikes Online On Sale Bladed Forks, Cruiser Bikes - MicroShift 8 Speed

Here is the old mixte I own. Currently on loan to my daughter, but coming home soon as her kids now ride their own. It's for when I get old - only 74 at present.

Thanks gents, I appreciate the input. I went to a few bike shops and took test rides. Good thing I did because what I was thinking based on internet shopping didn't work out so well on the pavement. Anyway, I found something I had never heard of called a Batch. It felt great on the test ride and I bought it. I have 3 rides of 4 to 5 miles on it and it feels good. I am very slow compared to my previous bikes but I have no trouble mounting and dismounting. It feels really good to be riding again, even slowly. Can't wait to get out and do some miles today.

r.e. bold -- Never heard of it so looked them up and very interesting. Just wondering if yo chose the cool looking Batch Sb.1?

Enjoy your new bike and ride-Ride - RIDE

YUP.

I'm not entirely sure exactly what you are looking for, but whichever bike you get, your experience with it will educate you and you will have a much clearer idea that you want a bike that is lighter, stiffer, has higher gears, has lower gears, is red, etc. So you can't really make a mistake, or you can't avoid making a mistake, because the bike that is perfect for you now, will be lacking in something as you change.
In any case, welcome back to riding, and good luck.