Bike for my father

[p nut]

About 10 years ago, I bought my father an older Gary Fisher mountain bike. A 2000 model. He’s been riding around a bit but I don’t think he feels too comfortable on it now. He’s not really a cyclist nor is he flexible. If you remember the geo from back then, you can imagine. Also, just a couple of months ago, he was riding around the neighborhood when a dog came out of nowhere and he slammed on his brakes. OTB and fractured hand.

So I’m going to send him a new bike. Most likely a step through “comfort” bike. He only rides around the neighborhood so nothing fancy needed, even though I’d like to get him something like a Cheviot or Clem L.

Most step throughs are painted in pastel colors and adorned with flowers. He thinks himself a tough guy and justifiably so as he served in the army for 3 years and also the Vietnam war. So most of those won’t work.

One bike that seems to tick all boxes is a Raleigh (Edit: Nevermind. OUT OF STOCK!)

https://www.raleighusa.com/superbe-r141

Price is right, at $400 shipped. I hope the size will work, as he is 6’. I’m thinking it’ll be ok due to the upright position.

Any others I should consider?

[charliedid]

What about a step through Townie? My dad rides one.

https://www.electrabike.com/bikes/original-7d-7d-eq?g=stepthru

[zmudshark]

I'm probably close to you dad's age. Two bikes I ride a lot are a very old Raleigh Sports 3s in MI and a Schwinn Collegiate 3s in AZ. They are both 'step through''. If I was an old guy who wanted a cool bike I would look for something like a Bianchi Milano with an internal hub. They are a nice city bikes. I have no idea what is current, but I have an older one for my wife in MI, and it's pretty cool, and Celeste.

[dustyrider]

You might look at Biria bicycles. Can’t speak to longevity, but very easy to stand up and let go of while maintaining flat foot balance.

[charliedid]

You might look at Biria bicycles. Can’t speak to longevity, but very easy to stand up and let go of while maintaining flat foot balance.

I'll chime in and say they a flat out junk.

[Ralph]

I'm a fan of the Electra "Townie" for his use. They come in several versions. And I believe some "manly" colors.

[R3awak3n]

/\ lets be hones though, any $400 new bike is going to be junky. For that budget I would look on the used market, some good deals to be had

[dustyrider]

I'll chime in and say they a flat out junk.

What makes them junk?

[Blue Jays]

Paul Sadoff at Rock Lobster has this model potentially of interest:
http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/frames/other/

[R3awak3n]

Paul Sadoff at Rock Lobster has this model potentially of interest:
http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/frames/other/

Thats sweet but $400 is maybe the paint job

[AngryScientist]

bikes direct has some interesting potential options

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/Mango/cruiser-bikes/key7-orgrd3q-21.jpg

[p nut]

Thanks folks. I like that REI carries the Electra bikes. The one I’d get is this one:

https://www.rei.com/product/148024/electra-townie-7d-bike-steel-blue

Although it’s not a step through.

I found a Specialized that might work as well. What do you think of this? In black. Fat 27.5 tires.

https://www.rei.com/product/148024/electra-townie-7d-bike-steel-blue

I like that both have local support as he’s across the country from me.

[charliedid]

What makes them junk?

That was probably rude of me, but we see them in the shop all the time and they really are very low end bikes. Cheap parts with terrible tolerances and I swear most of those frames are out of square. The wheels and brakes are especially problematic. Obviously it helps when they get built well out of the box but I imagine that is a very very low percentage.

[charliedid]

[QUOTE=AngryScientist;2650636]bikes direct has some interesting potential options

:eek:

[dustyrider]

That was probably rude of me, but we see them in the shop all the time and they really are very low end bikes. Cheap parts with terrible tolerances and I swear most of those frames are out of square. The wheels and brakes are especially problematic. Obviously it helps when they get built well out of the box but I imagine that is a very very low percentage.

Hmm. Maybe so. Seemed like a lightweight super low step through alternative when I was looking with my Dad many years back now. The part spec. Was t impressive but for his needs was sufficient. Ultimately he really liked the cat trike offerings over two wheels so we never went down that road.

[dustyrider]

Thanks folks. I like that REI carries the Electra bikes. The one I’d get is this one:

https://www.rei.com/product/148024/electra-townie-7d-bike-steel-blue

Although it’s not a step through.

I found a Specialized that might work as well. What do you think of this? In black. Fat 27.5 tires.

https://www.rei.com/product/148024/electra-townie-7d-bike-steel-blue

I like that both have local support as he’s across the country from me.

If the specialized isn’t made of lead, it could be a nice little ride!

[p nut]

If the specialized isn’t made of lead, it could be a nice little ride!

The shop said it is 29lbs. I thought it would be more like 35lbs.

I just realized I input the wrong link in my other post.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/roll--low-entry/p/171163?color=264571-171163

Last year's red is $407. This year's black is $535. Hmmmmmm.

[dustyrider]

I’d get the red one, a brown leather jacket, white scarf, and aviator goggles. But I liked messing with my old man when he was around!

[Ralph]

The "Townie's" work good for older people because they can put their feet on the ground when they stop. Better stability. The middle of the bike has about an extra 6", or BB moved forward about 6", and you pedal more forward than down. And since you are pedaling forward....almost like a recumbent, can use a wider saddle without chaffing thighs.

I like riding around on my wife's Electra Townie Go 8D E bike. Great geo for just cruising around. Parts are good enough for their purpose and should last a long time. Frame is straight, hanger in same plane with rear wheel, etc.

[zennmotion]

Something you may not have considered is one of the new e-bikes. A lot more money of course, but I think he might get a lot more enjoyable use out of it. Where a 20-30 min ride around the neighborhood on a heavy clunky townie type bike might be fun and novel for a few rides, I would predict that it would soon be gathering dust in the garage- they're not that much fun for younger fitter riders and for someone who's older I can't see much attraction. I am basing this on my 84 yo father who has been riding all his adult life but a few years ago the miles tapered off to almost nothing despite having a nice light Trek carbon fiber triple crank light touring bike that fit him well. It just became a little too much work to be fun. We got a "low end" Trek step-through Verve and he loves it- even though he called it a "girls bike" once. The amount of power assist can be varied and he can take it out for a couple of hours, tootle along at 15mph or so without an uncomfortable amount of exertion and not fear moderate hills at all- and he is not anything like an athlete, even for 84. Just go test a couple of e-bikes and see- a more expensive bike is a better investment than a cheap bike that doesn't get ridden.

[p nut]

I did think about an ebike. However, the neighborhood he lives in, is probably one of the most bike unfriendly areas. There are no bike paths/MUP. As soon as you get out of the neighborhood, the streets have no bike lanes, no sidewalks. I tried to jog around there but had to spend most of the time in the rough, avoiding cars. He will most likely be just doing loops in the neighborhood which is comprised of 4-5 streets. Probably 1.5 mile loop. So ebike isn’t necessary.

I checked out the Spec Roll today. Seems like a nice bike. Weight is more in the 32lb range. Tires are super fat (27.5x2.3” slicks). I’ll have him check out the Electras at REI as well.

[bironi]

p nut,
well wishes on whatever your dad ends up on.
follow your nose.

[classtimesailer]

I got my dad a Breezer after he broke his hip and had trouble getting on his Milano. It's a pretty neat bike. 2013 5 speed nothing fancy. On a visit, I kept up with my brother on some rather tame single track.

[Doug Fattic]

I got my dad a Breezer after he broke his hip and had trouble getting on his Milano. It's a pretty neat bike. 2013 5 speed nothing fancy. On a visit, I kept up with my brother on some rather tame single track.I have really liked my town bike with an internally geared rear hub for riding around town. A Breezer would be my pick if I wasn't already a frame builder. I like the advantage of riding in regular street clothes (because they have a chain guard). It makes the decision to go for a ride easier and more likely.

[p nut]

As a follow up, I ended up getting the Spec Roll Low Entry for him, in black. It is being shipped and assembled at his local shop. It'll be a much better bike for him and the super fat slicks will be fun as well. The local shop seems to be one of the good ones. The Bicycle Chain, for those in the NC area.

I will say, after riding one around, I thought, "hmmm..... this would be a fun bike to ride......for ME!!"

https://ciclosflorida.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/86119-74_ROLL_BASE-LOW-ENTRY-19_TARBLK-ION-BLK_HERO.jpg