Digital Gee

I am trying to get my dad to try cycling again. He's quite active, he and my mom go ballroom dancing two or three times a week, and he still drives his car. They're doing great living on their own and looking forward to their 64th anniversary this July.

He does have a history of some heart problems and some dizzy spells, but I think he could handle a trike of some kind. He lives in a mobile home in Florida alongside a small man-made lake and there's a three mile paved road around it with very little traffic. I think he would love getting the exercise. He used to walk this road every day but he's slowed down a little.

So I'm thinking he might enjoy triking with a little basket and all that. Can someone point me to a good brand? He told me today he got some info (on a whim) from a friend but the bikes she recommended were about $5,000 which sort of soured him up right away!

Baftap

Greenspeed. https://www.greenspeed.com.au/trikes.html

Kind of expensive, but if I ever can't ride my bike I'd love to have one of these. Folds for easy transportation too.

martianone

suggest a "tadpole" trike, two wheels in the front.
wizwheel (made in michigan) has a model for about $1300,
or catrike (made in fl) has a model called pocket- i think about $1900.
a couple years ago i goated my mother (now 79) into trying a trike (she
had stopped riding due to some ortho surgery and a fear of falling),
she was smiling like a little kid about 50 yards into the demo. she now has
a bright red greenspeed gte3 (think that is the model), she got it based
upon the color and how much fun it was to ride. i think the frame folds
so it is easier to store or transport, i believe it was about $2500 at the time.
i've spun around in it a few times- a great fun ride, pretty good components,
comfortable. she does recently seem to have a little more difficulty getting
in and out of it, being fairly low to the ground and it is a heavier than some
other models.
some delta trikes (two wheels in the front) are popular- the seat is higher.
sun is a popular lower end maker and hase is higher end.

Artkansas 

Your Dad may enjoy the EZ3 recumbent trike. Easy to get on and off, and much faster and sleeker than the industrial trike and basket design. It goes for about $1995



https://www.easyracers.com/ez_3.htm

The Weak Link

If he's in good shape, why not an Electra? They make some pretty cool bikes.

ollo_ollo

If $$ are dear, Miami Sun & others still make the basic 3 wheelers with basket for $500 or less. They look just like the old Schwinn & Columbia trikes & come in single or 3 speed versions.

I've posted this before but once, as I was leaving work to commute home, a Walter Brennan look alike rode slowly past on a trike with his walker stowed in the basket! He waved as he passed & made my day.

oilman_15106

We had these at a plant I worked a so parts could be delivered out in the field. If it is not an issue, they are heavy and if any kind of hills are involved in the planned riding, ouch. Good for the flatlands only.

Hask12

What does your Dad want to do? 64 years of marrage, I'm in awe.

jm01

Why a trike?...my eye doctor rode a roadie well into his 80's...rode to work every day

ollo_ollo

"and some dizzy spells"

Beverly

64 years of marriage is fantastic. Your parents sound neat.

All types of adult trikes here. Maybe you'll see something that will fill your needs.
https://www.bikemania.biz/Adult_Tricy...nada_s/138.htm

I've always told my kids when I get old and wobbly I'm buying a trike to ride the trails I can't see ever giving up some type of biking.

Digital Gee

Thanks for all the suggestions.

To answer a couple of questions, I think a trike would be better because my dad has had dizzy spells, sometimes when there's no one around. I am not sure how good his balance is any more.

He's sort of warmed up to this idea, but my mom is not. She's reluctant to let him ride a bike out of sight, even on the paved road in their mobile home park that goes around a small man made lake. So we'll see.

My dad's chief objection is that trikes are, as he says, "for old people." My parents have NEVER seen themselves as their own age -- they always see themselves as much younger. They had trouble joining their first senior center years ago because "those are all old people!"

Anyway, thanks for the links and suggestions. It's a little hard trying to pull this off from 3,000 miles away, but we'll see. Maybe there's a Craigslist for Melbourne Florida?