A friend of mine wants to start riding so she asked me to go with her to pick out a bike. I just want to get her something comfortable to ride so she sticks with it. Having only ridden road bikes, I’m not familiar with a lot of the other bikes out there. We’re heading to the LBS this weekend. Some backround - she is in her early 40’s, about sixty or eighty pounds overweight, and probably hasn’t exercised a lot over the past 10 years or so. She can afford to get something nice. Thanks for any suggestions.
I think that the first question that needs to be asked is what her goals are. Does she want to use this bike to get back into shape, to cruise around town, ride trails, or put in a place of honor in her home.
If she is just starting to get off of her duff and start losing the extra weight, she should get a comfort type bike and move on to a more serious bike later. If she intends to have this purchase force her off the couch and back into shape, point her to the road bikes - the investment may keep her motivated even when her butt is being broken in.
Good luck to you and your friend!