Age is 86; I am 6'2" tall and weigh between 175 and 180 pounds.

I presently ride a Brompton C line Explorer, a folding bike with 16" wheels and 6 speeds. I ride only in fair weather: not in the rain, or snow, or under 40° F, or when there is a "bad air" alert.

Distances: frequent 3 mile R/T to the gym; weekly 4 mile R/T to a senior men's coffee, every third day, I do a 35 mile ride on a paved bike trail at an average speed of 12 mph. I go from an altitude of 295 feet above sea level to the Potomac River at 12 feet. It's 12 miles each loop and I do three of them. Average heart rate on the ride is 94bpm.

I have just decided to keep the Brompton for the gym and coffee rides [because I can fold it and bring it inside], but to get a road bike, one with a more upright riding position for the 35 mile rides. the Trek Verve 3, Gen 5 is on the top of my list but I have just begun looking...and would welcome suggestions.

I have definitely slowed down. At 75, I would do the occasional Century ride, but I don't think I could do one now. However, if things work out with a full-sized bike, I will be tempted to try one.

I began biking when I lived in Belgium, in 1979, and have biked, off and on, in the US, Belgium, and Beijing, I had a bad fall [no broken bones] at age 75 and the doc told me to get off the bike and do something safer so I took up indoor rowing. I borrowed a bike at age 85, discovered how much I loved to bike, and promised my wife I would bike only on that paved bike trail. My mileage last year was just shy of 3,000 miles.

I take a few vitamins, nothing special.

My goal is to exercise every day but I often skip a day. Weather permitting, day one is a 90' session at the gym with core exercises, dumbbells, the cable machine, and three leg machines. Day two is a 35 mile bike ride. Day three is a 7 mile walk. If the weather is bad on the bike day, I hit the gym again and do 90' on the rowing machine & average heart rate on the rower is about 100bpm.

If I ever get a tattoo, it will say 'Move or die"

Reporting back on my new Verge. What I finally purchased was a 2021 Trek Verve 3 Disc: Equipped with a 2x9 drivetrain, featuring a double chainring (46/30T). On sale it was USD$450. A very decent price.

My first beef: It is an XL frame. Trek says those frames fit a rider 6'2" to 6'6". Well the frame may, but the seatpost does not!

am 6'2" and when I stop at the safety line on the seat post, my legs are not extended to the proper length. Riding carefully so as not to stress the seat post, I pulled it up a full 2.5" above the safety line. So it's back to the dealer tomorrow. Bontrager has one that is 100mm longer than the one on the bike and I am hoping I can do a straight swap or not have to pay full price $25.

Stay tuned.

Bike store took the short seatpost back and gave me a $40 one for $25, so that's ok.

Next problem is that the seat post appears to have been lubricated and kept sliding into the seat tube no matter how tight I snugged it. So after the first 45 mile ride I used bike degreaser to clean the seat post and as far down into the seat tube as I could reach. That improved things but the post still slides into the tube, just at a slower rate. Anyone have any good ideas on how to prevent this? Is there some sort of collar, like a drill-stop collar, that one might affix to the post to prevent it from sliding down into the seat tuve?

Anything you could spray on both the seat post and tube make them less slippery?

Thanks for any advice.

What size is the seat post? (It'll be marked on the post, near the minimum insertion line: 27.2, 26.8, etc.)

Look up the correct size. If a simple search using the model and year doesn't turn up the number, call or email the brand's national headquarters.

Calling might be better. If it turns out you were given the wrong size (very possible), explain the situation to the person at the headquarters and ask for advice on how to proceed.

If it turns out you were given an undersized post, tightening the seat post binder bolt on the smaller post can result in damage to the bike frame. You don't want that. Here's hoping there's been no damage yet.

Thanks for replying Trakhak,

The diameter of the replacement seatpost is stamped on the bottom: 27.2mm. My search for the inner dimension of the seat tube for a Trek Verve 3 turned up 27.2 mm.

"If it turns out you were given an undersized post, tightening the seat post binder bolt on the smaller post can result in damage to the bike frame. You don't want that. Here's hoping there's been no damage yet."

Knowing what stripping those threads would mean, I have been extra careful not to over-tightening that bolt.

There is just no logical reason why this should happen unless the either the seat tube or the seat post are not to specs. I thought that removing that grease/preservative from the tube and post would do the trick but it has not. And at 180 lbs, I am nowhere close to the maximum weight for a rider, according to the bike's specs.

Back to the bike shop again this weekend. Let you know what the outcome is.

The bike shop needs to make this right, for sure.

Went back to the bike shop today and explained my problem. They brought out their bike mechanic and I explained that the seatpost clamp seemed very tight to me but nonetheless the seatpost was still slipping into the seat tube. He adjusted it (tightened it) REALLY tight, which I was afraid to do for fear of breaking something. This is the fourth bike I have had in my life and none of them required the level of pressure to close that "hasp" on the seatpost clamp. If it broke, I wanted it to be on their hook, not mine. Took the bike for a 37-mile ride on the local paved bike trail and the seatpost did not budge.

Looks like I have a very decent bike for less than $500, which amazes me since my Brompton C 6-speed cost my just shy of $2,000. The new Brompson with 20" wheels is well north of $3,000 which I think is terribly overpriced but apparently they can't make them fast enough.

There are friction friction pastes available for this post slipping problem. Google "seat post friction paste." Normally used for carbon posts.

Thanks, Artmo. That was going to be my next step had the bike shop been unable to resolve my problem. It was simply a matter of tightening it to a level that was uncomfortable for me to do on my own for fear of breaking something. Never had to exert that much pressure to lock a seatpost in place before.

BTW, took my little Brompton folder on a great 30-mile ride yesterday on that portion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath that has been surfaced with crushed limestone, making for a very smooth ride. Took the Brompton because it is so easy to fold it and stick in the back of the Outback.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65fc1b7eff.jpg
Potomac River below White's Ferry

51yrs
1. Ridley Carbon Gravel
2. I don't like supplements, but I do drink Pedialite sometimes.
3. I feel I've slowed quite a bit.
4. Biked for a few years and have had an 11-year stoppage since then.
5. Currently scenic and aiming for longer rides over time.
6. Sporadic right now but improving. Not a year yet, but I'll update when I get one under the belt.

Trek Verve 3, 2020: stem adjustment advice
 

This is a pic of the adjustable stem of my 2020 Trek Verve 3.

To adjust the angle of the stem, what do I do?

I tried loosening the bolt to which the yellow arrow point: no joy. I could not change the angle.

I then found the bolt to which the red arrow points, but was unable to budge it. It was so tight that I stopped for fear of stripping it.

Anyone know what's the trick? Thanks if you can help.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0831df3b05.jpg

Based on this page, it looks like the bolt at the yellow arrow is the one you want to loosen. I'm not sure why you couldn't change the angle when you loosened it.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/owners-manual/stems/

Thank you for that link. Not your fault that the Trek diagram and instructions did not show or reference the bolt to which my red arrow pointed.


Forgive me for being less than clear in my original post. What I should have said was when I inserted an Allen wrench into the bolt to which the red arrow points, I was unable to get that bold to move despite exerting considerable pressure so I gave up lest I strip it.


The Trek site said:


******

Adjusting a quill stem

To adjust the angle of the handlebar


1. Loosen the handlebar clamp bolt(s) on the stem just enough so the handlebar can be rotated in the stem.

2. Position the handlebar to the desired angle, making sure it is centered in the stem.

3. Tighten the clamp bolts to the value printed on the stem or check the torque specifications.


Note: Make sure to tighten the clamp bolts evenly for the best fit.

******

Loosening the handlebar clamp bolts only allows you to rotate the handlebars, not to change the angle of the stem, so that's no help.


And the Trek diagram did not even show or make reference to the bolt to which the red arrow pointed.


I am going to take the bike back to the LBS and ask them so show me how it's done. Promise to report back.

Conversely, this video says that if there's a bolt on the underside of the stem then that's the bolt you need to loosen:

To avoid stripping the bolt, spray some penetrating oil on it the night before you work on it and let it sink in. Then make sure you've got the hex key that fits the bolt best. Maybe you've got a couple hex keys in the right size, but some are more worn than others, or some were just made to tighter tolerances. Try all you have and use the one that fits best.

WOW! What a terrific site that it. Thanks so very much.

I’m 70 years old.
I ride a Verve 3
I drink lemon lime liquid IV during my rides and water
I've been riding for about 3 years regularly
I ride at least 5 miles a day. Before I broke my big toe I was riding over 10 miles a day.
I like to get back to riding over 10+ miles a day and get my mph over 12

What time of the day do you bike in FL. to avoid the heat and humidity in the summer?

I ride just after sunup. I avoid the winds, and the worst of the heat but not the humidity. That’s a constant in the summer. I drink plenty of fluids too. Seems like I sweat out what I drink!

Hello, I'm quite well into being appropriate for this thread...

Please tell us your age.
62

1.What type of bikes do 60+ folks ride?
1986 Fuji Sagres, although I noticed a Fuji Crosstown 2.0 on CL today for a good price so maybe that, too

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No, or not yet

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Compared to 1986? For sure, but on a scale of 1-10, from then as I am now... probably 7ish

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Gonna go with "new" since it's been so long since I rode regularly, which I did do in school but not since then

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
Will start with very short rides and work up to longer rides if possible although traffic may prove to be an issue

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
If all goes well with this old Fuji (kind of a barn find that I'm slowly getting fixed up), then as often as I can if the weather cooperates

No idea about what mileage I may end up doing, sort of thinking that it doesn't really matter?

Please tell us your age.
53

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I suffer from the n+1 ailment with bicycles. Right now I currently trade off between the two bikes that are roadworthy.

1998 Cannondale Multisport 1000
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02ef489c43.jpg

1993 Cannondale M700
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ecb3e4f40.jpg

I'm currently working on a "few" other bikes in the garage. Mostly bikes that I wanted back in the day, but could never afford, but also a few from those teen years.
The next two projects are a 1989 Klein Quantum (that I built in high school) and a 1997 Klein Pulse Pro. I just enjoy spending time in the garage bringing life back to these bikes.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I just take a multivitamin for 50+ men.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I'm currently on a weight loss journey. I was 420 lbs at my heaviest, now at 260 lbs, and my goal is about 40 lbs from here. That being said, yes, I have slowed down. I was an avid rider when I was in high school (when I was less than 200), but right now I'm just happy to be back in the saddle. I'm enjoying every mile, probably more than the teenage me did back then.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
As I mentioned above, I was an avid rider in my teen years, but college, commuting, job, etc. left little time to ride. I got out of the habit and I returned to semi-regular riding last year.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
Right now my rides are short in town rides (10-15 miles). I'm still getting comfortable, and I'm having to navigate riding in an area that I never rode in before. Not many bike trails up here. I am mworking on getting one of my mtn bikes running again so I can start doing some local dirt trails.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I am trying to ride as often as I can at this point, barring weather, work, or family commitments. I think last year I averaged about 100 miles/month.

Wow. "Chapeau" to you from getting to 260 from 120. An amazing feat!!

I was able to get from 207 to 175, on diet alone (before Ozempic, and attention to diet plus biking and indoor rowing help me to keep to that weight. At age 53 you are presumably still working which makes it still more difficult to control your weight. 86 YOA here, long retired, but still paying attention to that what my bluetooth scale reports every morning.

Thank you bikerbob38 ! It has taken a long time to get to where I'm at right now. Many set backs and so many regains that I eventually learned what works for me and my body. For the last year, I've been at a plateau, so I am confident that I will be able to maintain when I get to my goal weight.

I am still in the working force and it keeps me moving. When the time comes and I can retire, I look forward to having the time to do everything I want to! .

57 years old

1. Type of bike I ride?
   1. Sorry - not a clue, it was from a freebie offer from FB. Had to replace the chain, but surprisingly otherwise in good condition.
2. Supplements?
   1. Hell yeah! I'm T2D so in addition to diabetes medication I take: Vitamin B, C and D, Iron (I eat very little meat, so my ferritin/iron is usually pretty low -- checked for cancer, none), Chia Seed Oil, Omega 3 Oil, Fibre, Collagen, Protein Power (not regularly), Creatine (regularly).
3. Slowed down?
   1. Yes - after any particularly long walk (I try and to 15km - 20km monthly and 5km - 10km every other day then strength training in between with one or two day break) BUT I was never particularly interested in outdoor activities until I saw people in their 70s look like they are 40.
4. How long?
   1. In my mid 20's I'd ride occasionally, but stopped and just picked it up this year (mid 2025).
5. Type of biking?
   1. Long rides on weekends (nothing on weekdays).
6. How often?
   1. 2-3 days per week (Friday/Saturday/Sunday).

I am trying to get down to 160 - 180 (currently 235). I've got a pretty disciplined regiment (after 25 years of eating crap) but weight loss has stalled for the last 3-4 months.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?Road bikes only
I have a ready row of seven bikes ready to go at any time varying from 70s to my latest custom from 2018 out of the 24 I keep.
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? Yes
I live with osteoarthritis so with the usual vitamins, etc. I take Microlactin which has been very helpful in avoiding too many steroid shots and keeping me riding.
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Oh ya.
4. How long have you been biking?
On two wheels 72 years on three 73 years as I also have a trike for bad arthritis days.
5. What type of biking do you do?
Mostly since my retirement I can handle 20 to 30 miles rides 3 or 4 day as week, more than that I risk an arthritis flair up.
6. How often do you bike?
3 or 4 rides a week to manage the arthritis of 20+ but no more than 30 miles or I may have to pay a price so annually about under 4,000 miles.

Updating

Age 65

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Carbon Trek Domane randonneuring and sport riding bike.


Soma Fog Cutter relegated to foul weather randonneuring, occasional gravel with alt 650b wheelset.


Fixie for commuting, jra, monthly 100k ride.


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Not anymore


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Finish times on brevets have shown no decline over the last 15 years. I'm definitely slower, but wiser on how to use what I have.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Since I was 8.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.

Randonneuring is still my focus; I do a 200 km or longer every month, a full SR series every year. I try to have a grand brevet to focus on for each year - that's 1200km or longer.Shorter recreational rides,

0-50 miles or so, between the rando rides.


Commute 4x per week.

Quit the cx, MTB, crits. Not my thing.


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

6x per week

5k miles per year.