Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start
for her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and
forth to work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails.
Any suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Thanks!

Dan

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On Jun 12, 3:52*pm, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. *She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. *I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start
for her. *She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and
forth to work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails.
Any suggestions of specific makes/models? *She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Whichever 400 buck hybrid the local shop has in stock will work, if
it's set up right. We'd probably put her on a Jamis Commuter 1 or an
Allegro 1. Brand's not all that important. Just get her comfortable
now. Don't buy a bike to grow into. If she wants a super upright
hybrid with sus fork and a tractor seat--set her up on that, she can
always get something different later and relegate the first bike to
utility status.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On 12/06/10 1:52 PM, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start for
her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and forth to
work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails. Any
suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Jamis Explorer 2.0. Not sure about the price in Canada, but in the U.S.
it usually sells for right around USD $400 before tax.

"http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/sportcomfort/explorer/10_explorer2.html".

The riding position is very adjustable due to the threaded headset and
adjustable quill stem. There's a step through model if she prefers that.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On 6/13/2010 9:27 PM, SMS wrote:
On 12/06/10 1:52 PM, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start for
her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and forth to
work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails. Any
suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Jamis Explorer 2.0. Not sure about the price in Canada, but in the U.S.
it usually sells for right around USD $400 before tax.

"http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/sportcomfort/explorer/10_explorer2.html".


The riding position is very adjustable due to the threaded headset and
adjustable quill stem. There's a step through model if she prefers that.

Thanks Landotter & SMS, the Jamis line looks like a good possibility,
I'll pass them on to her.

Dan

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On Jun 14, 4:07*am, Dan wrote:
On 6/13/2010 9:27 PM, SMS wrote:



On 12/06/10 1:52 PM, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start for
her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and forth to
work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails. Any
suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Jamis Explorer 2.0. Not sure about the price in Canada, but in the U.S.
it usually sells for right around USD $400 before tax.

"http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/sportcomfort/explorer/10_explo....".

The riding position is very adjustable due to the threaded headset and
adjustable quill stem. There's a step through model if she prefers that..

Thanks Landotter & SMS, the Jamis line looks like a good possibility,
I'll pass them on to her.


My buddy D. was pushing the big 30 and got himself an Explorer 2, not
having ridden since he was a kid. Worked out great for him. He's doing
all sorts of neighborhood riding--and the design of the bike prevents
the stuff that new riders get discouraged by--sore hands, back, and
bottom. Of course it's not a hillclimbing bike, and you don't want to
spin on it, but it's not set up a lot differently than your average
omafiets either--he can keep it for errands if or when he gets a
zootier ride.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On 12/06/10 5:52 PM, landotter wrote:
On Jun 12, 3:52 pm, wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start
for her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and
forth to work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails.
Any suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Whichever 400 buck hybrid the local shop has in stock will work, if
it's set up right.

True, but I think it's better to buy one that can be "set up right"
without resorting to kludges that can be avoided if the right model is
purchased in the first place.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On Jun 14, 6:33*am, landotter wrote:
On Jun 14, 4:07*am, Dan wrote:





On 6/13/2010 9:27 PM, SMS wrote:

On 12/06/10 1:52 PM, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start for
her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and forth to
work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails. Any
suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Jamis Explorer 2.0. Not sure about the price in Canada, but in the U.S.
it usually sells for right around USD $400 before tax.

"http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/sportcomfort/explorer/10_explo...".

The riding position is very adjustable due to the threaded headset and
adjustable quill stem. There's a step through model if she prefers that.

Thanks Landotter & SMS, the Jamis line looks like a good possibility,
I'll pass them on to her.

My buddy D. was pushing the big 30 and got himself an Explorer 2, not
having ridden since he was a kid. Worked out great for him. He's doing
all sorts of neighborhood riding--and the design of the bike prevents
the stuff that new riders get discouraged by--sore hands, back, and
bottom. Of course it's not a hillclimbing bike, and you don't want to
spin on it, but it's not set up a lot differently than your average
omafiets either--he can keep it for errands if or when he gets a
zootier ride.- Hide quoted text -

My only concern is that in that price range, the shock post and fork
are crap. After not too many miles, the fork will get sloppy and the
bike will ride like a hobby horse. I think the Kona Dew is probably
more reliable in the long run, although it is not as cushy. -- Jay
Beattie.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

On Jun 14, 7:00*pm, Jay Beattie wrote:
On Jun 14, 6:33*am, landotter wrote:



On Jun 14, 4:07*am, Dan wrote:

On 6/13/2010 9:27 PM, SMS wrote:

On 12/06/10 1:52 PM, Dan wrote:
I have a woman friend who is slightly on the heavy side, and is thinking
of getting into biking. She is about 30 years old, and while she has
biked a bit in the past, it was limited then, and it's been a number
years. I'm thinking a hybrid or "comfort" bike would be a good start for
her. She would likely be riding primarily in the city, back and forth to
work and perhaps light shopping, and maybe on paved trails. Any
suggestions of specific makes/models? She lives in Canada, and is
looking to spend about $400.

Jamis Explorer 2.0. Not sure about the price in Canada, but in the U.S.
it usually sells for right around USD $400 before tax.

"http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/sportcomfort/explorer/10_explo...".

The riding position is very adjustable due to the threaded headset and
adjustable quill stem. There's a step through model if she prefers that.

Thanks Landotter & SMS, the Jamis line looks like a good possibility,
I'll pass them on to her.

My buddy D. was pushing the big 30 and got himself an Explorer 2, not
having ridden since he was a kid. Worked out great for him. He's doing
all sorts of neighborhood riding--and the design of the bike prevents
the stuff that new riders get discouraged by--sore hands, back, and
bottom. Of course it's not a hillclimbing bike, and you don't want to
spin on it, but it's not set up a lot differently than your average
omafiets either--he can keep it for errands if or when he gets a
zootier ride.- Hide quoted text -

My only concern is that in that price range, the shock post and fork
are crap. *After not too many miles, the fork will get sloppy and the
bike will ride like a hobby horse. I think the Kona Dew is probably
more reliable in the long run, although it is not as cushy. -- Jay
Beattie.

Thing is that some folks really really want the sus fork, like D. He
loved it. Thus he rides the snot out of it. As he's becoming a better
rider, he's learning on his own why it has limitations. The post,
that's fifteen bux to replace. If he blows up the fork--throw a
Rockshox Dart on there, and you have a fresh and doingy omafiets for
years to come.

The Dew or Jamis Allegro or any of the other number of slightly
aggressive hybrids still intimidate folks. You need to find them that
middle ground that isn't a beach cruiser, but still has 'em bolt
upright. Heck--I'd put some Wald paperboy baskets on a Jamis Explorer
and love it as a neighborhood shopping bike. It's really close to a
dutch bike in geometry.

I used to hate suspension forks on town bikes, till I saw how much
people who are new to cycling genuinely love them despite their
crapitude.

Bike recommendations for a friend, please.
 

landotter wrote:

My only concern is that in that price range, the shock post and fork
are crap. After not too many miles, the fork will get sloppy and the
bike will ride like a hobby horse. I think the Kona Dew is probably
more reliable in the long run, although it is not as cushy. -- Jay
Beattie.

Thing is that some folks really really want the sus fork, like D. He
loved it. Thus he rides the snot out of it. As he's becoming a better
rider, he's learning on his own why it has limitations. The post,
that's fifteen bux to replace. If he blows up the fork--throw a
Rockshox Dart on there, and you have a fresh and doingy omafiets for
years to come.

The Dew or Jamis Allegro or any of the other number of slightly
aggressive hybrids still intimidate folks. You need to find them that
middle ground that isn't a beach cruiser, but still has 'em bolt
upright. Heck--I'd put some Wald paperboy baskets on a Jamis Explorer
and love it as a neighborhood shopping bike. It's really close to a
dutch bike in geometry.

I used to hate suspension forks on town bikes, till I saw how much
people who are new to cycling genuinely love them despite their
crapitude.

The lower end suspension forks on the non-department store hybrids are
not abused like the suspension forks on mountain bikes, and will last a
long time.

My spousal unit liked the riding position of the beach cruisers,
including the swept back handlebars. It was difficult to find a non-
department store, non-beach cruiser, low-step-over, with those
handlebars, and adequate components and gearing (since most of the
cruisers are single speed). I'm not fond of what she wanted and got, but
she loves it.

For $400 you aren't going to get an amazing bike.

As it has been said the local bike shop will be able to recommend you a decent $400 bike for riding to work. It may not be especially suitable for trails though. You should also steer away from huge brands as they will be more expensive as you are paying for name rather than the bike.

You should probably start with a fully set up bike as you can always change the parts once you get a bit more experienced. Just aim to get a good bike frame and work up from there!