Newb with Questions
 

Greetings,

In a nutshell:

Elderly couple (66 and 63), physically OK (not fit, but not obese either - just need more exercise) wanting around town, 95% road, few hills (but some) hybrid/comfort bicycles.

Our budget is quite modest, but I do not want to buy junk either.

Consumer Reports gives decent reviews to the $250 Schwinn Midmoor. Is that worth a look or should I bump the budget and shy away from this model? I guess what I'm asking here is (knowing that you get what you pay for): how much must I send to get satisfactory comfort bikes for the bride and I??

We will not race, not do any long touring (for now at least), will not be off road to any degree, etc.

We just want to ride without breaking the bank of our fixed income life.....

Thanks

Fr. Jeff+

Some reviews from owners on Amazon. Generally highly rated, but some encountered small problems. I'd advise buying from a local bike shop to get bikes fitted correctly and properly adjusted and to provide service (regular maintenance as well as resolving any mechanical problems you might encounter).

Take a look at the Schwinn Trailways for men and women at Target, they are very decent bikes for the price, around 239.00 dollars each.

The mens would fit someone from around 5'6" to 6 2", I rode one for about 5000 miles with nothing more than adjustments and some flats. The guys who assemble them at Target require some Training before putting bikes together, unlike Walmart. Then make a relationship with a LBS to check it out, and keep up the maintance for you. You would have to spend around 450.00 dollars at the bike shop to get the same crank, front and rear DR's, shifters, Believe me I have looked at the parts on them. And with your riding style they should perform great. The Trailways is very adustable due to the handle bars and the low slopping top tube, my son at 5' 6"
could ride it fine, sold to a man 6' 2", and I am 5' 11". He emailed me back a couple months later and said what an awsome bike it was.
Richard

Just visited my LBS.

He carries a few different entry level bikes, Diamondback in particular.

Any major concerns I should have with that brand or a specific model?

Thanks,

ELDERLY?? I don't think so!! :) I'm sayin' middle-aged! I'm your wife's age.

I am in the market for a similar bike, just waiting for a bike shop to get one in in my size (XS). Supposedly, the bike shop brands are lots better than Schwinns, which supposedly aren't like the Schwinns of old; someone just bought the rights to use the name. I say "supposedly," because all I know is what I've read on forums, but I've read a LOT. (and driven everyone about crazy here with a zillion questions.)

You might want to also take a look at the Giant Cypress ST (700c wheels) or the Sedona ST (26" wheels) models, men's and women's (W). They are $330 list price and have been recommended to me by many posts here and on another bike forum. The bike shop may try to sell you the aluminum model with the suspension fork ($400), but the consensus here is that the cromo (steel--"ST") model is better for the kind of riding you are talking about. The suspension fork isn't needed and is low quality at this price range. This is after spending weeks reading and asking questions. I have three threads in this forum if you like reading a "book."

These are "comfort" hybrid bikes, which are suited for your (and my) plans. Hope this helps some. There may be others just as good or better; these are the ones the bike shops closest to my town sell.

Also, the bike shops I've dealt with aren't jumping through hoops to help me, but one shop has been much better than the other. Do a little research and don't let them sell you something you don't need or want just because they have it on the floor.

Good luck with your purchase no matter what you decide on!

Elderly - i'm 61 so cut it out. I got back into riding a year ago and love it and the best advise i got was the better bike you have, the more you'll enjoy riding. Like everything, you get what you pay for. Dicks sporting goods sells Diamondbacks so check prices before you buy. Good luck.

Pulled the Trigger
 

Bought the Diamondback Wildwood Classics (small and medium frame) for both wife and myself. Looked at the Giant and others, but went this way primarily on son's and others recommendation (as well as hearing nothing terribly negative here).

First ride yesterday (13 miles R/T) with break for the parade and BBQ.

No aches and pains today. :thumb:

Spending more money right now buying pump, seat bags, multi tool, etc, etc.

Love it so far. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/...b95b4b39_b.jpg

Nice looking bikes.

Awesome, and congratulations........ Those bikes will serve you and the wife well.

13 miles for your first outing is excellent! I think I did around 3.

Great looking bikes, congrats!! 13 miles sounds like a lot for the first ride. Once around my neighborhood is about 3 or 3 1/2 miles, with hills, so I'm hoping I can do that--if the bike shop ever gets in a bike for me. Best wishes for lots of happy miles--

Nice bikes! Sounds like a wonderful first ride.