Best bike design for getting old

[buddybikes]

Yes I am getting old, and have had 4 back surgeries as well as knee. I have just gone through loss of my beloved parrot, Buddy 28 years old. Week later and I still glance into his corner. Great bird that was friendly to everyone. Anyways, why not, let's get a nice bike made that will handle me into my 70s. Main concern with current Alchemy custom e-Ronin is feeling "high" on the bike rather than close to the road. Also drives like a truck, nimble is not what it is. I am riding 100% pavement, if I lived closer to some pack gravel probably be doing that but unless we move or get a second home (our daughter moved to Ft Collins so guess that would be possibility).

I put my deposit with who I know and trust, three horsemen at Firefly. (yes I know they have few more but these are "the" guys.

Kevin will certainly dial me in, but as I start to think suggestions for my next dream machine? It will use the newest/lightest/smallest Bosch drive. I want to feel safer on it, not pound my wrists, shoulders and neck. (thinking of suspension stem or a light front suspension).

[Retinadoc]

Back cycling after 10 years. After one friend killed, and another seriously injured in bike vs car accidents. I decided at the time the risk/reward just was not worth it.

Now back on my 20 y.o Spectrum Ti. When Tom Kellogg designed the geometry he told me it would be near future proof, and he was right. Despite being heavier, and certainly slower the joy of cycling came rushing back.

The hardware has certainly changed, as I left off when electronic shifting was in its infancy, SRAM had just started, disc brakes had not happened, and gravel bikes were CX bikes. I was shocked to see that Campy had lost so much market share and no longer even major a racing team sponsor.

Now that Rip Van Winkle has awoken, I am wondering about the next decade and beyond. The needs of a cyclist from age 60-75 are going to be very different than a 30 y.o. Flexibility and muscle mass changes will accelerate in the next two decades, that is inevitable.

This seems to be a very good use case for customized geometry, as if you put most 60 y.o's on a pro level Tarmac they would be a pretzel in 15 minutes of riding.

So finally my question to the collective. What changes have you made (components, geometry, accessories etc) that have maximized the pleasure of being a senior cyclist?

[AngryScientist]

Hey Steve, I can't help with the bike but wanted to offer my sincere condolences on the parrot.

Our family really got into birds this year. We have a couple of little guys, and we just love them. Such personalities. I totally understand how attached you get to each other and it must be crushing to lose a pal of that many years.

Our neighbor (and his wife and daughter) is actually an avian vet and he has a 45 year old parrot who is just a majestic friendly little dude. His daughter has that parrots three babies, who are all in their 30's now! They are so cool.

If you feel up to it, I'd love to see a photo of Buddy.

Georgie says hi and sorry for your loss. (King George the Bird)

(Sorry for the non bike related post....)

[Likes2ridefar]

I can only pass on observations of my father who has ridden into and through his retirement and is now approaching 80. He rides the same titanium Serotta skinny tire rim brake road bike he bought when he decided to start riding again, and also has a 29er carbon mtb from right when Trek took on Gary Fisher’s bikes. He hasn’t changed his setup at all but also hasn’t required surgeries. I think it is dependent on the individual and there is no best design.

If smoothness is of essence perhaps outside the box thinking for the bike could be useful. My XC full suspension mtb with fast tires barely loses speed to my gravel bike and is obviously much smoother to ride. The bike is very efficient and I don’t bother to lock out the suspension even on the road. Im thinking about getting a full suspension e mtb that can go 28mph to commute to work since it is over wavy, remote, multi-use paths with lots of cracks that can be jarring.

[Ken Robb]

Grant Petersen of Rivendell has written many articles on bike fit that are aimed at "non-racer" cyclists. I recommend reading them on the Riv website for "guys like us". My Riv Rambouillet is the last "road" bike that I have kept. You could probably find a Riv model that would ride just right and feetl low enough for you. Some folks can't get past how "un-racy" they look.

[eddief]

My Turbo Creo looks ridiculous but boy is it comfortable and rides great. Good thing about Creos is the cables and brake lines do run through the frame but no proprietary stuff gets in the way of adding a steerer extension or whatever stem you choose. I did have to change out and lengthen the brake lines and did change out Di2 for AXS = less wires.

I added this: https://origin8.bike/products/x-tra-lift-stem-risers

and these: https://redshiftsports.com/products/...ndlebar-system

I am now flying high with great control, comfort, and even riding in the raised up drops half the time.

[rwsaunders]

Regardless of the drivetrain and engine, any bike that I plan to accompany me into retirement and beyond will have at least 28mm tires, fenders and a front bag. I want to give Mother Nature limited opportunity to impact my ride, and the bag helps in taking time to smell the proverbial roses...snacks, camera, tools, outerwear, etc. Good luck on your hunt and keep us posted.

[Fat Cat]

I'm pushing 82 now and have had three spine surgeries as well. Over the past 20 years the only adjustments I've made are migrating to smaller frames and threadless stem conversions to lift the bars a bit. Otherwise just the same old steel kinda things. Tho I have been eyeing an older Ti beauty to add a new flavor.
Old, fat, beat-up, slow, and stoopid but I still have the bikes as part of my life.
I'd post a couple pix but I don't know how to get the ones on my computer up. No url

[biker72]

Now 86 I'm trying out a 2025 Trek Domane+ SLR 6. Has the Di2 105 group that is run off the main bike battery.

I thought for sure I'd have to change out the stem and saddle. Nope. Stock 58cm bike that keeps me in a more upright position. The range is 75 miles if kept in ECO mode.

[RWL2222]

It’s inspiring to see here the number of upper age range riders—gives us all a lot to look forward to. As a doctor told me at a recent appointment (for some minor foot pain): “Motion is lotion. Don’t stop moving, ‘cuz that’s when they catch you.”

[Kirk007]

The trend I always see is higher bars and maybe less reach but other than that it seems the rules of well designed bikes still apply.

Over the past three years (63-66 y.o.), I've gone from 8 cm saddle to bar drop to preferring 5-6 cm; time will tell if it goes even less.

I've sure Kevin and Firefly can get you what you need; that said I wouldn't discount the ebikes from Specialized and Trek if an electric roadish bike is the goal.

I recently decided to try a Specialized Creo 2 as a winter bike and training aid as I've been off the bike for quite awhile and moved to the top of a damn hill to get up at the end of every ride. I've dumped a bunch of the stock parts - seatpost, wheels, tires, unnecessary mullet drivetrain - but now have it to where it feels like a decent road bike and the electric assist does flatten out the steep slopes at the end of the day. The Domane is more roadish by design and I know there are a few of us aging cyclists here that enjoy it.

And yes condolences on the birds - been there.

[19wisconsin64]

Here's what I've used to smooth out the ride:
1. A frame that can take much wider tires, preferably up to 50 mm. Yes, 50 mm. Lower pressure, eats up the bumps, easy on your joints.
2. A 3 D printed saddle that absorbs road vibration better.
3. A wheelset that has a wider internal rim width, at least 25mm.
4. A great bike fitting (of course!)
5. Disc brakes-much easier to stop with much less hand strength.
6. Padded bar tape.
This all adds to what the others have said. I'm a convert to wider tires, total game changer. Start with 32 or 35 on a wider rim wheelset for the road, totally different cycling experience.

[Retinadoc]

This was really interesting about GP and Rivendell:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...taking-it-slow

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by Retinadoc

This was really interesting about GP and Rivendell:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...taking-it-slow

And the Riv site has links to years of "Blahgs" and other articles about riding comfortably. One of Grant's favorite things is a threaded fork with a stem that is easily adjusted with an Allen wrench. I have had a few long-ish rides where I decided to raise my bars later in the day because my neck was hurting.

[Plum Hill]

buddybikes: we corresponded some time ago about e-bikes. I got a Domane+ in early ‘23. The geometry was almost dead-on with my Serottas [one custom, two performance geometry (what is now considered endurance geometry)]. All are shorter TT and taller HT. Ashley Burchfield set me up on the custom with a riser stem. Shortly before my first back surgery in ‘12, I flipped the stem to a 6cm drop. Dramatically more comfortable ride (my theory is the more upright position was pounding my vertebrae).

The Domane+ has become my principle bike but I long for the good old days.
I take the Serottas out from time to time, and always appreciate them and come home happy. It’s like driving a sports car after driving a truck. I flaunt them. I toss them around. I stand up (precariously) to climb. I like the light weight.
I may not go as far or as fast as on the e-bike but the ride is always enjoyable.

Before a switch in general mood, I was ready to order a ‘manual’ Domane. I’d like to see what modern technology is like in a lighter bike. But that’s on the back burner for now.
It’s warm, sunny, and windy today. I’ll take the e-bike, but if we didn’t have 20mph winds I’d grab the Colorado or HSG and really enjoy the day.

Bottom line: keep the e-Ronin and get a hot rod for the good days.