Bikes For Retired Parents......
Our camping parents are mid 60's. I've never seen them ride bikes before but my Mom recently expressed interest in riding a bike when camping and also possibly when at home. They're both not the slim...
Forum Discussion
I rode a recumbent for about 10 years and just recently sold it for a "comfort" or "City" bike depending on who you talk to. This bike is much more like a conventional bicycle but with a larger seat, more upright position, and different handlebar setup. I really loved the recumbent but got rid of it because it was too hard to transport and took too much room in the back of my truck. My present bike is comfortable but nothing like the recumbent.
The other problem with recumbents is that they are very hard to pedal when going uphill or against a stiff wind. Yes, they are more aerodynamic but you do not get the weight of your body pushing down on the pedals like a normal bike. Your leg muscles must do all the work. After a while, you build up those leg muscles but never, in my opinion, enough to compensate for the lack of weight pushing down. At my 76 years, the leg muscles just didn't want to cooperate as much anymore and I needed all the help I could get. :)
In my opinion, you should take your parents to a good bike store and let them try out different bikes. That is the only sure way to get a quality bike and one that fits them as it should.
Barney
My present bike
My former recumbent
The other problem with recumbents is that they are very hard to pedal when going uphill or against a stiff wind. Yes, they are more aerodynamic but you do not get the weight of your body pushing down on the pedals like a normal bike. Your leg muscles must do all the work. After a while, you build up those leg muscles but never, in my opinion, enough to compensate for the lack of weight pushing down. At my 76 years, the leg muscles just didn't want to cooperate as much anymore and I needed all the help I could get. :)
In my opinion, you should take your parents to a good bike store and let them try out different bikes. That is the only sure way to get a quality bike and one that fits them as it should.
Barney
My present bike
My former recumbent
