By jwilder
Cycling, for seniors, is a fun, low-impact way to enjoy the sunshine, spend time with friends, and get valuable exercise.
Shopping for a new bike, though, isn’t quite as fun - with many different types of bikes for seniors, dozens of brands, and hundreds of features to consider, where do you start?
This guide to the best bicycle brands for seniors will help you as you start to shop around- read how!
What are the Benefits of Riding a Bike for Seniors?
Cardiovascular Health
Riding a bike improves the health of both your lungs and heart, giving you more energy and even reducing your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. If you’re looking to stay in shape but are bored with walking/jogging, cycling might be the answer for you!
Cycling is Good for the Joints
As you age, the cartilage in your hips, knees, and ankles will slowly wear down; much of this damage is irreversible. Cycling doesn’t put much pressure on the knees and even builds up the muscles that support your knees, allowing you to get in shape and even lower the amount of knee pain that you feel.
Riding a Bike Improves Balance
When you ride, you have to continually shift your body weight so that you stay upright. This trains your body to better respond to sudden changes in balance or obstacles, reducing your risk of falls. Falls affect millions of seniors, and they can be avoided by investing in developing good balance through cycling!
Best Bike Brands for Seniors
1. Best 3 Wheel Bike Brand: Schwinn
If you had a bike as a kid, this brand name might be the one you’re the most familiar with. They have a 125-year history as a company that makes comfortable, long-lasting bikes for all ages, shapes, and sizes. They have a line of three-wheeled bicycles that will keep you balanced and in great shape- usually in the price range of $250-$400, a fair price for a bike that has a third wheel!
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2. Best Recumbent Bike Brands: Sole Fitness
Sole designs exercise equipment for use in fitness centers, hotels, and physical therapy centers around the world. Their stationary recumbent bikes are comfortable, easy to use, and programmed with dozens of different workouts that you can use to make every session interesting. They aren’t cheap- most models will cost at least $1,000- but the health benefits are more than worth it!
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3. Best Exercise Bike Brands: Stamina Elite
This is a brand you may not have heard of, but their products are among the best in the industry. Stamina has a line of exercise bikes, ranging from the simple to the luxurious; each has the ability to help you get in shape without ever having to leave home. If you’re on a budget, you may pleasantly surprised; while some models cost more than $900, most Stamina Elite bikes can be yours for less than $350!
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E-bikes are pretty new to the cycling world, especially considering that people have been riding bikes for more than 200 years. Blix makes several models of e-bike, each with a different purpose. One of the best things about this brand is that their bikes cost far less than other electric bike brands’ bikes. Many other brands charge up to $5,000 for a bike you’d pay $1,500 to get from Blix!
On top of that, Blix makes bikes that have a lower entry, preventing you from having to strain your hips swinging your leg over the frame. Most e-bikes have a high-entry frame; this alone makes Blix the best electric bike option for seniors.
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5. Best Comfort Bike Brand: SixThreeZero
SixThreeZero has an impressively versatile collection of comfort bikes for sale; some are designed just for a ride around the block but others are intended to be “all day, anywhere” vehicles. If you’re looking for a bike that will help you feel comfortable and avoid soreness no matter how or where you ride, look to SixThreeZero for a solution that fits you!
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In business since 1885, Italian brand Bianchi makes some of the fastest, sleekest-looking bikes in the world. Road bikes are designed for speed and performance; as such, they’re lightweight and can be uncomfortable to ride for long periods of time. If you’re in decent shape and are a senior looking for a more “sporty” cycling experience, investing the $3,500+ required to own a Bianchi is well worth it!
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Most popular for making kid’s bikes, this US-based brand also has a line of great cruiser bikes. Cruiser bikes are very easy on your body, perfect for leisurely riding and light-moderate exercise. Huffy, because they don’t make world-class racing/competition bikes, has great prices. Though they aren’t expensive, Huffy-brand bikes are still comfortable, durable, and fun to ride!
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8. Best Mountain Bike Brand: Trek
Trek is synonymous with quality and performance. They’re a premium brand that values performance over everything else; Trek mountain bikes are durable, strong, and will keep you comfortable no matter what type of trail you’re looking to conquer.
Trek is a large company, unlike many on this list; as such, they have mountain bikes available across a wide price range. You can get a Trek mountain bike for around $600 or more than $8,000- the choice is up to you! Most of their bike models are available in both men’s and women’s configurations- another big plus!
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Public is a smaller bike manufacturer that emphasizes style and comfort. If you’re looking for a bike that won’t force you to hike your leg up over the frame, step-through bikes from Public Bikes are ideal for you. Public has great prices, too- especially for a small “boutique” brand. You can expect to spend between $400 and $1,300 on a step-through bike from this brand!
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Buying Guide: Tips for Finding the Best Seniors’ Bike for Your Needs
How Much Should You Spend on a Bike?
You can get a low-quality bike for less than $100, but are the savings really worth it? The truth is, the cheaper a bike is, the more likely it is that the bike will be heavy and prone to rust/mechanical failures. If you can invest a decent amount of money into a bike, the difference in performance and comfort will be noticeable.
Generally, top-quality bikes of any variety start at around $300 and world-class models can set you back up to $8,000. If you’re getting a comfort, cruiser, or 3-wheel bike, expect to pay a price on the lower end of that spectrum. Road bikes, e-bikes, and mountain bikes are going to be on the high end of the spectrum.
What Type of Bike is Right for Me?
Where are You Riding?
One of the biggest determining factors in the type of bike you choose is the type of ground you’re riding on. If you’re primarily riding on concrete, you’ll find mountain bikes to be cumbersome and expensive. If you want to tackle a mountain trail or win a road race, though, your comfort bike will be woefully inefficient. Make sure you consider what type of cycling you want to engage in before you buy!
How Far and How Fast?
Comfort bikes are great, but they are slow. If you have a need for speed, stick with a road bike to avoid being frustrated. If you’re looking for a bike that will be perfect for hours-long rides on sunny days, it’s better to go with a cruiser bike that won’t leave you sore. Before choosing a bike, consider whether it will travel at the speed and comfort level that you desire!
Bike Sizes, Explained
24 inch? 27.5 inch? What size is right for you? While the best way to choose a bike size is dependent upon the length of your legs, not height, here is a general breakdown of height ranges that are ideal for each bike size:
Final Thoughts
The best bicycle brand for you depends on your budget and cycling desires. If you want to ride on mountain trails or road races, go with premium brands like Trek and Bianchi. If you’re a bit simpler and just want something fun and comfortable, consumer brands like Huffy and Schwinn are ideal for you. What brand of bicycle do you think you’ll choose? Leave your thoughts below!
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