Entry-level road bike for my non-biking husband
 

OK, I'm the wife and I'm the bike nut in this family. I would like to get hubby back in the saddle to A) lose a few lbs and help his heart and general overall health; B) accompany me on some easier rides; C) have fun!

Right now he has a really old and heavy mountain bike that he got free from a friend who's six-foot-three. My husband is five-eight. On a tall day. I've told him this bike doesn't fit him, but he smiles and hops on anyway, for 20-30 minutes. In baggy shorts and a baseball cap. What a guy. I love him.

So, we could do some paved paths and roads if I persuaded (OK, forced) him into an LBS. I am thinking, not a lot of money here. Like, $700 or so. Up to $800. We are not talking crouched over racing position and zillion-dollar components. He is 52. Not real limber. We need comfort position, but not a cruiser bike.

I am thinking, Giant Sequoia? Some kind of Trek? A Jamis flat-bar? You all are mostly guys in his age range. Whaddaya think?

In the Trek bikes you might check out their hybrid or fitness lines. The fitness category is similar to the hybrids but lighter. They still have the upright riding position.

If you're looking for a relatively non-agressive road bike, how about a Trek 1000? Oh, and BTW, good for you- props for your efforts (and his)!

I have a 7500FX from 2003. I added an adjustable stem and bar ends.
I liked the forks on the fitness bikes better than the shock absorber front forks on some hybrids.

I really like the Jamis Coda line, and I am quite sure there are versions within your stated budget. That being said, I picked up a Kona Dew Deluxe last year ($600) and have been delighted with it. It hangs on the wall of the family room and is always luring me away from cutting the grass, painting, and other stuff I am supposed to be doing! Just have him test ride a few different bikes and pick the one he likes the best.

Pete

Get him a Lemond Buenos Aires. He'll be hooked forever.

Seriouly, I personally wouldn't get him a Trek 1000. It's not a geezer friendly bike.

If there is any chance he'll get into roadbiking, I'd get him a Lemond Reno. Great bike for the bucks. Several members of the old goat's forum ride them and love them. They handle a whole lot better than a Trek 1000, IMHO.

Crouched over racing position and zillion dollar components often go hand in hand with being 52. We like our toys. I know a lot of people in their early 50s and older, that ride bikes with fairly aggressive geometry and zillion dollar components. The components on my latest bike only cost 1/2 a zillion. What kind of bike are you riding? If I was your husband, I wouldn't want to be tooling around on a comfort bike if you are in a crouched over racing position. I would recommend you go with something like a Trek 1000 or Giant OCR, that can start out with a fairly conservative setup and then be adjusted as he gets more comfortable. Another alternative would be a cyclo-cross bike like a Bianchi Volpe or a Kona Jake. A touring bike like a Surly LHT might be a good choice. These bikes all look like something a younger person might ride, but are very comfortable.
Personally I am hoping for an IF Crown Jewel for Father's Day, but I think I am getting a coffee cup:)

The Jamis Coda is steel and has a flat bar and I think it goes for $500 or $600. You wont believe how smooth it is, good luck.

I think he'd be embarrassed to get aboard a totally upright geezer bike where he can plant his feet flat on the ground while he's in the saddle. Not ready for that. (Not that those aren't fun, too, as I used to have one before I became a biking addict and upgraded). He has a 25-year-old broken-in Brooks saddle and knows Campagnolo. From the old days. It's just that, well, he's a desk jockey and hasn't ridden much in probably 20 years. Now I'm looking at Giant OCR.

+1 on the Jamis line of bikes.

Buy him a Coda in the right frame size and stand by for him to love it. Nice components, steel frame, and an adjustable stem that can move with him as he needs it. I like mine a lot. But I did change bars, I did not like the flat bar that came on the bike. The rest of the bike was really what I wanted though and that is an easy change out. You will not find a comparably priced steel framed bike anywhere.

Jamis is looking pretty good.....

Do it TWOgether! Get a used tandem!!!

Hwy 40 Blue,
A wild idea ... how about a recumbent. Cycle Genius has a mix of prices and styles ... it doesn't cost anything to look at the website. There are numerous manufacturers of recumbents and various styles. Most are light, quick and have great components. He may even be able to give you a run for your money on one of these bikes.
Tandem Edge
PS - I'm your husband height and six years older and my wife and I ride a tandem - Trek 2000. That may be another idea. You never have to wait for him and you can fly on a tandem. My single is a Trek 5700 carbon fiber .... a real "geezer" bike.

Brilliant idea - Let him pick. If he's not into the idea enough to enthusiastically select his own new toy then you are barking up the wrong tree. Maybe he likes to toodle around on the free bike he's riding now. Some of us older guys are like that, we happily enjoy the crap we get free, especially if we think the endeavor isn't worth much expense. That's me and fishing.

If you don't like my answer then I side with CardiacKid - $5000, Moots road bike with Record.

"We need comfort position, but not a cruiser bike": Get him to test ride a Bianchi Milano (Cafe Racer). Its well within your budget & that brooks saddle will look great on Celeste! Don

Jamis does make a great bike for the money.

Take a look at a Trek 7.3 FX or 7.5 FX and see how he likes that. They are fast for an upright bike and a good value too.

Chris

If you are looking for relaxed drop bar bikes take a look at the Trek Pilot 1.2 or Specialized Sequoia also Cannondale makes a bike like that but I can't remember the model R500 maybe.

Yep, I stand corrected, assuming that the Geezer Quotient is high. The Reno's a good choice. So too would the Trek Pilot (which is what I actually mean to suggest through my antihistamine-induced haze :rolleyes:)

I think a road bike with drops is going to be a stretch for a guy that doesn't want anymore than a mtb that doesn't fit. There are way too many road bikes hanging indefinitely from the rafters in people's garages.

Get a reasonably priced hybrid. If he likes it and starts to get into it, sell the hybrid on CL and buy a road bike.

Since you're in Golden, you're probably aware of craigslist. Might be an option too. I see decent hybrids pretty regularly. Here's an excellent hybrid still available in Evergreen for $125. It's probably early 90s, but it'll be more comfortable than the aluminum hybrids. Similar to a Jamis for 1/4 the cost. Spend a little $ to replace the saddle and tune it up and you're off to the races. Excellent Miyata quality:

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/348719024.html

Jamis Quest. A few more bucks than what you stated but a good buy. Good geometry for a new roadie. It is one of (4) road bikes I own and the least expensive. I STILL go back to it often because I do love the comfort. Ive owned it for 6 years and not one moment of trouble. This is just one opinion, of course there are many other selections that would fit the bill. Good Luck!! You may not remember, but we ran into one another at last year's Sante Fe century.

I'm on a Trek 7.5fx, it's OK but not great. My wife has a Trek 7300 that she hates, but loves her Opus flat bar roadie. It combines an 12-25 cog set with a triple chain ring with a 52T bigie, unlike both Treks that have an 11-32 and a 48T big chain ring

Very similar to the Specialized Sirrus, but better

Chipcom reminded me of another great suggestion. Bianchi Strada. And you're lucky, you can steal one at Bicycle Village as they have a bunch of last year's model they are blowing out. Boulder had 5 or 6 a few weeks ago, and the Denver (Aurora?) store has a few. Call for sizes. They have the 06s marked down to either $549 or $499. Excellent bike. Good looking. Steel.

This is a hybrid that's just waiting to be converted to a road bike when and if your husband desires. All it will require is drop bars and brifters.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_strada.html

My biking wife loves her trek 7.5. She also loved the look, but not the riding, of a trek pilot - even though the frame and componentry are similar to the fx and the pilot is a less extreme riding position than a more conventional road bike, she was far more immediately at home on the 7.5 fx. And she's a bit quick on it too!

We got it and my older steel road specialised boxed up this afternoon, ready for a trip from London to Copenhagen. I'm counting the minutes - whee!

Best wishes for whatever you purchase. If you know what's what in bikes, why not take the responsibility away and choose one (even if it comes out of the joint account!). Most blokes hate decisions and love presents (or is that just me?);)

Nothing better than a gift that doesn't fit...wife is still ticked that the jacket she bought me had to be exchanged...