I'll riding my age tomorrow. I feel so fortunate that I have opportunity to decide between seriously spinning 67 miles on the fast bike, or taking along some goodies and stopping to enjoy a few of my favorite local spots on the tourer on a day trip.

I guess I'll know by morning.

Jus' keep amovin'

Hello, OldFellas:

Love Catweazle's story about Dear Ol' Dad!

I'm off for the summer adventure tomorrow (or am I just attempting to escape the Texas heat? - it'll reach 105 F tomorrow here). I'll be walking the Camino de Santiago during the month of July, then retrieving my bike in the south of France and riding to Ireland in August. Hope to take in the Megalithic stones at Carnac, the Normandy beaches, Mont St. Michel, the Bayeux tapestry, the Channel Isles and Scilly Isles, and the west coast of Ireland (Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, etc.). I'll try to keep you guys up to date and post some pictures. I'd like to average a third of my age walking and 100% of my age on the bike, but that's tough with all the sights to see in Europe. Unlike Artmo, I love to camp (sleep better on the ground than I do in a bed!), so I hope to keep my costs down below $40/day (i.e. well below my Soc.Sec. payouts!!), but it will be tough in France, the campingest nation in the world,

Lerpwll

Neat thread, hope I can find it again.. Well here I am at a fairly fit 66 with many of my friends 6' under already. Always looking for new friends especially bicyclists.

Welcome!!

Hi. Newbie here! I'm seventy-one and about to dive into cycling....I think. My full background is in the introduction section. In the past two years I've gotten my weight FINALLY! down from 220 to around 190. I'm shooting for 180 but it's going slowly. I went to a few bike stores here in northern VA. and it's gotten more and more confusing. It looks like I need a hybrid. The Trek FX series seems to be the most promising but the Cannondale quick seems promising. I have lots of questions.

Hi Rich and thanks for posting. Welcome to the 50+ amd 65+ thread.

Congratulations on the weight loss.

I am 73 >> 74, riding about 100 miles per week. I swim and walk and do heavy resistance exercises, also, along with targeted stretching.

I would really strongly suggest you read these two threads:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/899275-I-am-looking-for-some-suggestions

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/438160-For-the-50-newbie-rider

They will give you good insight.

FYI, almost any well known brand (Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Jamis and many others) will be a good product. What you really need is a good local bike store - LBS. Look around and find one that listens to you and takes time to develop a bike that meets what you want, and is not simply something that they want to sell. "Fit" on a bike is REALLY important. Your LBS can help here - that is likely their most important job.

Keep posting, and ask your questions in the general 50+ forum as there are MANY extremely helpful folks there.

Yes, a 71 yo can ride a bike. I ride a couple of road bikes and a mtn bike.

Good luck and have fun.

I bought a Trek FX 7.4 (27 speed) 4 days ago...put 90 miles on it so far...overall, i really like the bike, 23.4 lbs. without any accessories...but there's a few things that I don't like...

1. After 25 miles on the bike I had saddle sores...for me, the stock saddle was cruel & unusual punishment!...i switched to a Walmart (Bell brand) memory foam seat w/springs - much better.
2. On the left hand, big sprocket shifting, there's no micro adjustment in between sprockets like I had on my GT Timberline mountain bike...so you get chain rattle in a lot of the gears.
3. We live close to Lake Perry in Eastern Kansas...some of the hills are pretty "Ozark-like" (not as high but just as steep)...i need a lower gear on the big, steep ones...

I plan on visiting my LBS tomorrow to see about changing the gearing...

(I turned 65 in March)

Welcome, Rich! I think that hybrids are an excellent choice for our demographic when considering casual bike riding. My only additional recommendation to the ones offered already is to note that most of these models come in 3 or 4 different "levels" of equipment, and assuming that cost is not a big factor, you should consider going a level higher than you think you need. Otherwise you might soon find out that you'd like the additional gearing, better shifters, brakes, etc. and will feel that you've quickly outgrown your starter bike. It's happened to me a couple of times.

I bought my 13 y/o grandson a Trek 7.2FX last year. He loves it.

You say you're "thinking" about getting into cycling. I want to know what took you so long to get here? ;)

Probably the concern over making a big mistake. I hesitated buying my first full-frame Nikon, the D-3 at $5000. I eventually bought it and had fun with it. Probably losing the final 20# and watching the Tour de France were the final prompts.

Very helpful. I do have concerns about the seat, but I know it will have to take a while to sort that one out. I used a Life Fitness upright exercise bike for years and when I rode after about 40 minutes my primary male reproductive organ :rolleyes: would go numb. I switched to a recumbent and wondered years later if that might have affected certain functioning. No matter.

I do want to reach a little higher than 'good enough' and set my budget at around $1200. I posted a question in the 'fitting your bike' forum about choices. I think I'd like the disc brakes but I'm not sure which models have that. Some other confusing features were the gear controls, gears and sprockets. While looking at the bikes it seemed that each model of both the Trek and Cannondale lines had differing model controls...why? Surely they aren't that much different that each model needs a differing device? Another thing, I see that Trek has changed the front sprocket from the conventional three to two compressed discs. In my seventy plus years of experience every time a company reduces functionality it most assuredly isn't because of wanting a better product for the consumer..they're reducing costs to maintain profit levels. A lot of comments I read are very critical of this. Another question is about the derailleurs; again so many different combinations. One source says the Shimano Deore is crap and others say '105' (whatever that means) is the way to go. I read a number of reviews that the pedals are defective...really? What makes them deficient and whta should they be replaced with?

This is a confusing as digital photography!
:)

My FX 7.4 with tax and a Bontrager computer was just over $900...but I'm sure I'll end up with at least $1200 in it by the time I get the gearing, etc. the way I want it!!!...I test rode an FX with the 2 front discs and didn't like it! I'm used to 24 speeds and didn't want to adjust to fewer gears...I know there's duplication of gear ratios with 27 gears, but imo, you get a different feel - depending on which front sprocket you're using to obtain the same gear ratio! (I'm sure gearing is a personal preference.)

I think bicycles are more confusing than digital photography!!!...i settled for a Rebel T2i and the Canon 100-400mm zoom...just over $2,000 for the pair...sounds like your budget is a little higher than mine, so maybe someone on here has a better idea than the Trek FX series.

Okay. :o I've done some reading and it's beginning to make sense. One explanation I read in another site put it into place. The 'bike' manufacturers are basically (mostly) Taiwanese frame companies which hang on third party hardware to meet price points. This would explain the different models of various running gear. Doh! I picked that up from looking at Trek's spec sheet...almost every part on the bike was built by some other manufacturer. The light bulb comes on. I also see from visiting the Shimano site that on the Trek FX series uses mountain trail bike MTB running gear. So it appears that, like Nikon vs. Sigma vs. Tamron lenses there are very different opinions and passions for particular models ("Doere is for holiday riders"....."105 is for serious bikers" etc.)

So, if I bought, for example, a Trek FX 7.4 I could ultimately put on any combination of running gear (..assuming that the mounting points are standard).

Question about seats, and tires. Where do you start with seats? It looks like there is a mind boggling variety of brands/types. I don't ever plan on racing or other competitive events however we have some trails in northern VA which are gravel and small stones. Certainly I will not go though muddy bogs, but I'm looking for a tire which will avoid a jarring ride on pavement bu which can handle the occasional hard packed (dry) dirt trail

Thanks for the quick responses!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=328285Wonderful Ride yesterday!!

Rich, you might want to post your questions as a thread in the general 50+ forum. There are a lot of options (and about as many opinions), but you'll probably get a lot more responses that way. These are all issues that many of us here have wrestled with!

Well, I think I'm starting to learn about this bike stuff...after a trip yesterday to my LBS...

The front sprocket shifter on my new FX 7.4 is Shimano Acera...3rd from the bottom in the Shimano model hierarchy...they told me i can upgrade to Shimano's most expensive & I still won't have the micro adjustment that I have on my 2001 GT Timberline...said their shifters havn't had that for years...went the way of the Edsel, I guess!

So, they tightened the cable & that took care of 98% of my chain rattle!...and showed me how to adjust it when it comes back!...they changed the rear...they changed the rear sprockets to give me 2 more teeth on the lowest gear to help up those steep hills (they called it a "cassette", but that's a tape recording in my old geezer vocabulary)...

I delayed my ride until 11:00 pm last night to beat the 105 degree Kansas heat (it was still 87 when i finished the 16.6 mile ride at midnight)...results? - almost no chain rattle, correct gearing (for me), and a smooth ride!!!...i now have $940 in my new FX 7.4 and Bontrager computer...love it...i'm a happy camper!

Thanks! Lots of overlap here.

Rich; because it took me awhile to figure it out and others have had the same challenge I'd like to offer a definition for the word "better" as used in the bicycling business. The LBS folks or another rider when asked why I should buy that more expensive component would say: "Because it is better". Most of the time what they are really saying is that it is lighter. Some people will go to almost any lengths to save a few grams in running gear; while they are carrying more than a few extra pounds on their body.

I started being a cyclist in my 70's. The first bike was a Hybrid that the LBS sold me because I hadn't a clue what I wanted. Less than a year later I bought a road bike. This time I started riding bikes, starting from the cheapest and going up, until I found one that was comfortable, or at least as comfortable as a road bike can be, on the roads I ride. Maybe that would work for you too?

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Gaining from others' experience has always been my choice. I'm about to pull the trigger on the Trek FX 7.6. It seems the optimum compromise for my needs.

Rich

Just looking, thanks! Interesting place.
Still got a year and a half before I am allowed to hang out here.

Haven't the foggiest about all the different models of the different manufacturers. All I know is whether I like a specific bike or not. Wants and needs change over time. Right now I'm having to consider selling the road bikes I have and getting something with a longer wheelbase that will better accommodate my "new" body. Thankfully, I don't have so much in either bike that I couldn't give someone a good deal and we both walk away with a smile. That was a criteria when I bought the things.

Best of fortune to you. As you get along please don't forget to report back so I can learn from you.

Rich - I think you're really going to like your new FX...whichever FX you choose!...i went with the 7.4 because my legs aren't the strongest and i'm used to 24 gears...so i really like the 27 gear setup on the 7.4!...plus, the 7.4 tires are a little bit wider for a bit smoother ride...

You're probably a little more athletic than me & should love the 7.6!

I'm not sure about how much more of an athletic man I am. I feel great after my daily ride on the elliptic, but when I try and get up after doing something on the floor it's agony! Anyway, I bought a Trek FX 7.6 with 32mm tires. I'm procrastinating about the saddle though. That's a tough decision since it's like shoes; everyone's butt is slightly different.

I'm looking at recumbants and will probably buy either a 2 wheeler or trike. They have real nice ones in Grand Rapids and I'll be taking a trip down to take a look at their 24 and 27 speed trikes (They are manufactured in the USA, BTW). I'm switching from road bikes altogether since they gave me a fibrotic scar in the saddle area. The recumbants will eliminate this because of the flat seat.

You do realize that you'll have to grow a beard to ride a recumbent, don't you? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I've also taken second looks at some of those bikes and wondered if they're somewhere in my future. One issue I can see is that they are a bit hard to find (few dealers stock them), so it's difficult to test-ride and compare them. Since there is such a wide variety of architectures, it makes it difficult to commit to one vs. another. The other issue would be transport. I've got a lot of nice local places to ride, but also enjoy traveling to try other trails around the state (such as the White Pine, which is about 3 hours away).

Road Runner,
OK, I'll grow a beard. Hormones can do anything. Actually, I have several female friends who do ride recumbants, so both genders do it.
Fortunately, I have a truck, so transport is not an issue. I just will run it up the loading ramps and put it in the back and go.
I am having trouble choosing between the different architectures, but I will find one that will work for me. Changing to a recumbant is a necessity for me since cycling is my major choice for keeping health and fit. My doctor suggested I find another aerobic activity. I have looked, but other sports just don't appeal to me and resemble work (like gym in high school or P.T. in the military) and I'll end up not doing it. If I get up in the morning and say, "I must go work out." It becomes a forced activity and I won't do it. I want a sport that I can go out and play and just have a lot of fun. So, the recumbant is the sensible way to go.

Sandy,

If possible you should check out the mid-west recumbent rally which I believe is coming up in August in WI. There will be a lot of them for you to try.

Something I did was to look at my physical problems verses seat positions. I have neck (nerve) problems and the closer my chin is to my chest the more discomfort I get in my neck either at the time or later on. We have upright bents, where I can hold my head up and like them a lot. They are Sun EZ-sports.


Also think about where your weight will be on your back. I didn't want a C-shaped seat with the weight on my tailbone. Your weight position will also change as your feet go up in the air higher (away from the ground).


Warning: When you first get on one it will feel "odd" and it takes a few rides to get used to them. It is not like changing DF's. It is a much bigger difference.


Go for it!

More thoughts!

There is a lot of good general information at rbr.info ; bicycleman ; bent rider online. Three different sites.

Congrats on your new bike purchase!...ride & enjoy!...let us know how it goes... (I went with Memory Foam & springs for the seat...it took the pain out of riding)...

What is the brand name and model...in case this one isn't the answer.

Thanks!