advice for a trail bike for exercise

[ontheroadagain]

I have been off a bike for two years due to knee issues. I've been told I have to give up my 1988 steel frame Mongoose Hilltopper hybrid for a lighter bike. I was biking about three times a week around 10-12 miles with occasion 25 miles rides a few times a month mostly on a paved trail, occasionally on the road with a few gradual hills. I'm considering the Trek 7.3 FX women's bike. Any suggestions or comments? I want to stay around $600.

 

[vickster]

I had one in the past, good bike, more suited to roads than anything much rougher. Assume the paved trail pretty smooth

Get out and give one a test ride

I can't see why the weight of the bike has anything to do with knee pain, that's generally down to the fit and set up of the bike or your own biomechanics

 

[Drago]

Just curious, who has ordered you off the Mongoose, and why? Hardly up to date tech, but if it's in good order it's still a decent machine to ride.

 

[ontheroadagain]

The Physical Therapist said I don't need the resistance and to get a lighter bicycle. I started noticing knee problems with the bike rides. My Mongoose weighs 33 lbs. I think the Trek is 10 lbs lighter. I was not fit professionally to the Mongoose and I'm sure that had something to do with the issues I was having.

 

[vickster]

Perhaps get a bone with a good low gear and make sure you spin the pedals in the low gear, rather than mash them. And of course ensure the seat is the right height. If you've not had a specific knee injury, seat height is more likely to be the culprit coupled with using the wrong gear what have you been diagnosed with?

 

[Drago]

That's not going to have much impact on the "resistance" you encounter when cycling off road.