Need help selecting bikes

[barts]

I would suggest the following features:

* upright seating position (much easier on older backs)
* multiple speeds w/ internal hub (less maintenance, mess)
three speeds are fine for short trips; long trips w/ wind &
hills are easier w/ more gears.
* comfortable seat, but not too soft.
* buy one at a local bicycle shop rather than a toy store

You'll spend more than you planned unless you can find these used, but
you'll be much happier.

Breezer and Electra both make nice bikes in these niches.

- Bart

[dkottum]

Tincanland, could you explain how (our) recumbents are DANGEROUS TO RIDE, HARD TO SEE IN TRAFFIC ???

Actually they are no more dangerous than any bike in traffic. We ride trails or low traffic areas, both with the recumbents and our old-fashioned bikes, for safety.

But dangerous to ride, that's a good one.

Doug

[Snowey BC]

I love love love my Electra (nothing to do with electric) 3 speed internal hub Townie . As a matter of fact just came in from a half hour ride. It's a pleasure.
It's aluminium, just like my airstream.
DH has a hybrid with a good solid frame for a good solid fellow. Trek Navigator 20.

Jackie

[Bird's Nest]

DO NOT BUY A BIG BOX STORE BIKE!!!
They are heavy, rattle, do not stay adjusted and often do not have replaceable parts.
A hybrid will be your best choice. They are like a cross between a mt bike, a road bike and a cruiser.
You sit more upright and this will be friendlier for your back. But take note, an upright position will put more weight on your seat and this will reduce the comfort level there.
As a "roadie" I can tell you that a tiny seat with a forward position is way more comfortable on your rear end than a big cushy seat on an upright bike. Low and forward puts your weight on your pedals instead of your hind end. This position is not the best for sight seeing and you have to be quite agile to feel safe. Leave the road bikes to the serious riders.
Cruisers tend to be too upright and somewhat unstable. I hate riding on resort trails with people on rented cruisers swerving all over the place. The handle bars are so wide that they take up the whole path with all their bobbing an weaving. I have been run off paths. They are very heavy and seldom have gears. They are all look and very little substance.
You can put baldies on a mountain bike. That would be my personal choice as I find the hybrid geometry less stable. A mt bike tends to put more weight on your arms than the upright hybrid.
The gearing on a hybrid will be more conducive to sight seeing. You will want gears. Single speeds are only suitable for flat coastal riding.
Front suspension is very nice and will enhance the comfort of you arms, shoulders and hands. I know it doesn't add much weight on a bike in the $500 range. I am not sure about your price range but I would check into it.
Cross bikes are an option too but they have the upright position of a road bike. They are suitable for fire roads and mild to moderate off-road trails.
Hybrids are also set up to easily add racks and packs. This makes them nice for shopping.
There are also commuter bikes which can look similar to a cruiser, hybrid or road bike. I would go that route before I'd go for a cruiser. They are very metro and appeal to city dwellers, delivery riders and espresso drinkers.

Get the best bike you can afford at a real bike shop and don't forget the helmets!!!

[mi silver]

Hi I've been riding bikes for years all different kinds,My advice is go to a bike store so you'll get a good fit ( the right height).You will get great advice too at a really good bike store.DO NOT go to a big box store they just don't care if a bike fits you or how your going to be riding.Iwould go for a geared hybrid with handle bars that allow you to sit up straight,A road bike wheels are to skinny and will kill the small of your back as you get older.Don't go cheap either like 125 dollars .You should ride a bike with smooth tires no knobbies .Knobbies really slow you down. Also look at consumers reports for bike quality and ride.But most of all find a good bike shop with lots of bike choices Good Luck and always were a helment.

[n8andm]

I'm from the #1 bike city in the country, I own 3 bikes, 1 of which I built.
The vintage beach cruiser is heavy, has coaster breaks but us great for potholes, sand and snow. The 70s French road bike is lightweight, I built it to ride upright like an English bike, very comfortable, but fixed gear. The other 70s road bike (Italian) is for touring. I never use it. If you built your Airstream you can build your own bike. It's simple.

I would recommend a vintage frame from 1970s- only French, Italian, Japanese or from Taiwan. They are all known for their bikes, all of which were very light and have stronger steel frames than what exists now. They also have ridiculous resale values, unlike American bikes. Just think about the popular bike cultures around the world (Dutch (Batavus), French (Gitane, Peugeot), Italian (Bianchi), English (Raleigh), Chinese (?) and check out what they've been riding for decades. Americans have a lot of catching up to do. I would also recommend a sprung saddle- one that has springs. Don't buy a shock absorbing seat post or fork, they just make your ride bouncier. The width of the handle bars should only be as wide as your shoulders, so your arms are directly in front of you. Wider handlebars make for off-balance, zig-zag riding. Pick your frame first and choose your wheels for specific terrain, as you would a car.
Nobody really needs knobby mountain bike tires, go for a smoother wheel, high PSI. Buy a Blackburn air pump, they have a lifetime warranty.

Sheldon Brown (R.I.P.) has been the authority on bikes on the internet for years. You will find everything you need to know about bikes on his website. Frame Materials for the Touring Cyclist,
http://sheldonbrown.com/oldbikes/index.html

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by n8andm

The other 70s road bike (Italian) is for touring. I never use it.
If you built your Airstream you can build your own bike. It's simple.

If you do not use it, what is it's purpose?

[UAPachyderm]

Barts is giving you some good advice above. I'll add ... If you are 70 and just looking for a comfortable and easy ride, I'd recommend any appropriately sized aluminum comfort bike with gears. If you are willing to spend a little bit more, the ideal bike would be an aluminum comfort bike with gears AND easy entry. Here's an example: Biria.com: About BIRIA

And as Mi Silver said ... please wear a helmet.

[n8andm]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

If you do not use it, what is it's purpose?

Some people tailers, we collect bikes. The one I did not use was a collectors bike I sold to another collector for over 5x what I paid for it.

[UAPachyderm]

n8andm, I didn't realize a sprung seat and tire choice (wider, softer tires) make such a huge difference to ride comfort. I also read that frame material may not be quite as important as I was thinking. Thank you for the information and link.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by UAPachyderm

n8andm, I didn't realize a sprung seat and tire choice (wider, softer tires) make such a huge difference to ride comfort. I also read that frame material may not be quite as important as I was thinking. Thank you for the information and link.

My bike has a shock absorber front end design and one in the seat post: both make for a much kinder ride. Also, be aware that frames are designed for people up to certain weights, so you will want to pick one of appropriate strength for your situation. A few extra dollars for comfort will make it more likely that you will actually use the bike more, and is I think, a good use of money

[dkottum]

This is the most comfortable bicycle you will ever ride, by far.

Bacchetta Bikes Touring And Commuting - Bella

The easy riding and comfort of our Giro Att recumbents have us riding distances and taking paths and tours that would be impossible with our standard bikes. We plan our trips with great bike trails and heads up sightseeing in mind.

A word about riding in auto traffic. We ride a couple thousand miles per year. There are too many people driving cars while texting, putting on makeup, reading, eating, arguing, did I mention texting, to risk sharing the road with them. You may be in the right, but you will stand no chance against a car wandering off the road, for whatever reason. Ride the designated trails, or rural roadways with wide shoulders (keep an eye on every approaching car with a good mirror). There are wonderful, scenic trails in all parts of the country.

Doug K

[Elvie]

I rediscovered bike riding only because of discovering recumbents.

Best buy I ever made.

If it's too uncomfortable to ride it doesn't get used, simple as that.

I say forget "comfort" bikes, too tough on knees.

The Bechetta shown in the post above would be a fine choice IMHO.

Enjoy the search.