My mother in law still rides. She does a flat route, 15 miles, 2 or 3 times a week, and probably averages 8 or 9 mph.
When her 20+ year old bike developed some problems, my father in law roped it down hard in his trailer and drove it into the bike shop, where they found that he had wrecked both wheels and the derraileur with his enthusiastic tying down. There are no replacement parts suitable, so we are on the hunt for a replacement bike.
Now, lots of gears are going to befuddle an old person used to just 5 or 6 non-indexed gears, so forget a triple chainring with 8 or 10 at the back. Obviously it doesn't need to be very sporty! A traditional ladies frame, allowing her to step-through, is important, as is an almost upright seating position. The budget isn't an issue, but please don't suggest buying 2nd hand, as they have no idea what they are looking for. Plus, they will need a lot of support from their bike shop in buying and setting this thing up, and it will need to be delivered, to save the tying-down-in-the-trailer problem or the alternative of an 84 year old riding through Leicester traffic and out along a busy A road to Desford.
Any suggestions?
Mike
