Calling out to the STW hive mind: I want to get a bicycle for my FiL to try to help him through some health problems and I just wanted to sanity check my criteria.
- He's early 70's and has some (mechanical) health problems which make it difficult for him to walk any great distance but his doctor has recommended cycling. Additionally, prolonged lockdown hasn't done wonders for his state of mind so getting him out the house would be an added bonus.
- There's every chance this idea will be a complete bust so I don't want to spend the earth: I'm thinking a total budget of £100-150 split between the bike and any parts that need replacing (I'll get him a lid too but consider that not part of the budget).
- Whilst I'm happy to do any ongoing maintenance, we don't live all that close so I'd like to keep things as simple as possible.
Based on the above and my desire not to see him on some terrible BSO that would cause him to loathe cycling slightly more on each turn of the cranks, I'm scouring fleaBay for something half decent, likely from the 90's, that has spent the intervening years either lovingly cared for or (more likely) left in a shed that wasn't too damp.
I'm looking at things like early Rockhoppers or Marin Hawk Hills etc: rigid forks, v-brakes (or brakes that can easily be replaced with v-brakes) and gears that are easy enough to convert to a poor-man's 1x up-front.
Any help/advice/suggestions thoroughly welcome.
Thanks all!
Based on the above and my desire not to see him on some terrible BSO that would cause him to loathe cycling slightly more on each turn of the cranks, I’m scouring fleaBay for something half decent, likely from the 90’s, that has spent the intervening years either lovingly cared for or (more likely) left in a shed that wasn’t too damp.
I’m looking at things like early Rockhoppers or Marin Hawk Hills etc: rigid forks, v-brakes (or brakes that can easily be replaced with v-brakes) and gears that are easy enough to convert to a poor-man’s 1x up-front.
It seems you're not aware of either retro or covid taxes...
150 isn't going to get you a lot of bike, especially if you want old (nice) and decent order at the moment.
Forget 1x unless there's a good reason he can't use 3x (or 2 or whatever else is already on the thing) it's a distraction and expense you don't need unless you're having to replace everything anyway in which case your budget will vanish on drive train alone.
Unless you're planning on actually taking him off road, look for a hybrid bike - they tend to be cheaper - or something like a higher end carrera or claud buttler or something. You're looking for working and minimal wear so repair doesn't eat your whole budget, really you're looking for a lucky steal or something which is likely to have been upper budget for someone who gave up after a month, so think £400 new a few years ago.
It seems you’re not aware of either retro or covid taxes…
I think this is spot on. Are there any of those charities near you that refurbish older bikes? Otherwise I think you're going to be reliant on some kindly mate or neighbour gifting you something.
It's worth considering whether a mixte type frame with a dropped top tube or old school step through would suit him. I know they flex more but often getting one leg over the crossbar is the biggest obstacle to cycling. My FiL cycles regularly with a CTC gang who do decent rides but to get on his bike he has to practically lie it down in the road and pick it up again as his hips are too stiff to lift a leg over the cross bar. Needless to say he won't consider the Islabikes new models with a dropped tube as they are for 'old people'.
Have a chat with the council in Swansea they run a bike recycle project where unloved bikes are taken from the tip and up cycled into a usable machine. Also the tip with us has a shop where they sell things that are donated or thrown away but have have life left in them.
Good hunting.
If it’s just road / cycle track riding then have a search for the v brakes Carrera Subway bikes. Covid probably won’t help with a bargain but you could get similar no problem for that money prior to that. It’s a low end mtb frame but with a rigid fork (the higher model I think has an alloy fork / lower has heavier steel) and more road orientated tyres.
