Doctor says one way I can help with the arthritis in my right knee is to swim regularly or get a bicycle .
Since a pool is probably more $$ than a bike , I'm leaning toward the latter .

I looked at the want-ads and can't believe the gazillion choices . :o

I'm thinking mountain bike ( we DON'T have mountains around here ) , probably a 10 speed and around $100 used ....hopefully not stolen .

What should I look for ?

Terry

I love my Specialized Rock Hopper, 21 speed, just an all around nice rider...I also use an old Schwinn Air-dyne for my knees.

21 speeds ????/ Get outta town .

The only bike I've ever owned was a 1- speed as a teenager . You mean I need 20 more
?! ......well I guess if you have to "hop rocks "
...it sounds expensive but I'll maybe see if there is a used one . My wife mentioned looking at yard sales and they are numerous on long weekends around here .

T

A used one for $100 sounds good. A new one should be more expensive to be robust. You should have an eye on the tires. They should be a compromise between very slim racing type (fast) and very wide (comfort). Have also an eye on the weight if you have to up hills. For casual driving is 5 speed perfect. The more speed the more likely is a defect.
Drive save and have lots of fun!

Whatever kind you get T make sure it has 4 wheels, a climate controlled cab and a internal combustion engine, that way you can go anywhere you wantand in comfort ! You might want to check out <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://rhoadescar.com/">http://rhoadescar.com/</a><!-- m --> for something different.

Don't know about "mountain bikes", I never rode one. They look a bit too racy and fragile to me, but worse of all is that the seats look like they'd run up your butt when you sit on them. We had those "cruiser" types, like the old single-speed Schwinns we rode when we were kids. We bought them new at Wally World for well under $100. My wife was never happy riding hers, she said that the seat never felt comfortable, and I agree. I guess any bike seat isn't designed for the older generation with hips that snap and crack when you walk. As for me, the last time I rode mine, I was pumping up a slight incline and hit the curb. A few weeks after I straight-armed my way to the ground I had my second shoulder reconstruction. :o

I like Mike's advice, four wheels, an enclosed cab and a combustion engine since my conclusion was that old folks like us should never get on a bike, any kind of bike. We sold ours at a yard sale for about $30 each and was delighted to see them go.......... If we think we need exercise, we have a treadmill where we can walk and watch TV in an air conditioned house and not be too far from the fridge...

I used to repair old bikes to give away at Christmas to needy kids. M idea is: skinny tire bikes take hi-pressure tire, and you feel every match stick you run over. My recommendation is a 3-speed balloon tire. Softer ride and easy, simple shifting. Of course the soft ride is for mature (OOPS) senior citizens.

Lynn

21 speeds are nice. You have a wide variety of gears to allow you to pedal easily on almost any terrain. I use a Schwinn Gran Sport that's about 10 years old. I replaced the skinny seat with a real one. I ride 10-12 miles a day. To get a decent bike the entry fee is $300-400 new. You can probably pick up a used on for quite a bit less. Be sure to look for cracks in the frame. Almost any other problems can be fixed, assuming parts are available.

Tom

The mountain bike should be fine for you, since your countryside looks more like Holland than anywhere else in the province

Get some slick tires for less rolling-resistance, unless you're planning on off road adventures.

When I lived in Guelph, I had a 5 km uphill-both-ways ride to and from school... through the river valley. Those big fat tires were a pain to push up any sort of hill, so I got a hybrid - beefier frame and rims than a road bike, but taller and narrower than a mountain bike. It's been a good compromise.

That said, going from the road bike to the mountain bike was like jumping from a go-kart to an old El Dorado. The mountain bike will give you a soft, plush ride, it's just less efficient rolling on the road.

As far as new/used goes, if you're not handy and are going to pay someone to tune-up your Kijiji find, you may be better off going to a bike shop and buying a trade-in.

IIRC, Tetters is a bit of a bike-head, he may have some good advice for you.

Whatever your choice, good on you for getting out there!

Thanks for the tips guys ....thinking I'll settle on a new 21 speed mountain ( CCM brand ) for $149.95 . Anything used was in the $75 range and needed work of various types . Might as well go new .

T

Picked up my new CCM 21 speed mountain .....had to go to 2 stores , as the first store " lost " my bike after I picked it out and they kept it overnight for "adjustments" . Yep , somehow it got lost ....with my name and phone # on it . Wonderful service ....right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing .

Time to get those legs feeling better ...in 99 degree heat !??

T

Last word on the bike issue ...took my first real ride ( about 3 miles ) in 40+ years .

Conclusion : The bike , over time , will help with the arthritis as well as some needed weight loss .....that's the good news .

The bad news ?.......with that effing seat ,ouch , I'll have a permanent wedgie and sore cojones .Win some , lose some


T

Two things: 1, your fundament will adapt over time; 2, spring for a gel seat or gel seat cover. Your tukus will thank you.

...think I'll put the soothing "gel" somewhere else

T

Squidbait Wrote:...spring for a gel seat ...

A good recommendation! My wife and I use them and they are very comfortable (but your image as a racing driver will be ruined ).