How 'bout a fixer-upper? For my 50-something Mom, I found an early-80s Peugeot mixte for $15, added alloy rims, brake pads, new cables, tires, fenders, and a used Brooks Flyer. If you found such a bike, and paid a bike shop to do what I did, you could probably get it in for $500-ish. Anyway, here is the result: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiawathacyclery/4119187279/ Her previous bike was a Breezer Freedom 3sp, which was the source of numerous complaints on any ride more than 5 miles. On the "new" Peugeot, first time out, she rode 25 miles, with no complaints about the saddle, and she was able to ride at a decent speed. Those clunky "comfort" and "city" bikes marketed currently are rarely nice to ride, but a classic steel bike with decent high-pressure tires is a joy.
On Dec 2, 10:49 pm, Austin Andrews <austinfromthefoodc...@gmail.com> wrote: > All, > > My mother has a 3 speed bicycle that she rides around town on. She > gets some groceries, visits friends, rides to the gym, that sort of > thing. She's really taken to cycling and she's taken the bike on some > longer rides, probably 30 miles at the longest. She wants to do more > of this. She wants to ride up big hills, she wants to ride on groomed > dirt paths, she wants to get even more groceries, she wants to go > riding with friends; basically she wants a do it all bike that is > comfortable, user friendly and will get her up that big hill coming > up. She'd also like a mixte/step through because she is getting older > and it's much easier to mount those sorts of frames. > > The 3 speed just isn't cutting it for those longer rides. I ask you, > members of this lovely list, what sort of bicycle does this lady need? > > I know the obvious choice would be a Betty Foy but she is squeamish > about the price tag. I really think she should get one but she just > doesn't want to spend that much money on anything, be it a bike or > whatever else might cost that much. I am well aware that the bikes are > worth the money and I've told her that. She just doesn't want a bike > that nice. So, does anyone have any suggestions? > > I honestly cannot think of a single bike she could buy off the rack > that would fit the bill and look good doing it. > > Best, > > Austin -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
