Biker2022

I'm going to be as brief as possible I believe.

My Mongoose Switchback (of 2001) has given me good if not great service for twenty years, but I'm getting older and would like a bike that I can "exit" more gracefully from.

Feel free to give any suggestions that you might have on buying a new bike of similar if not the same quality as the Mongoose Switchback. I live in the U.S.A. near two reputable dealers where I have already looked at several "girls style bicycles." My only objections to them included their looks and their handle-type gear shifter. (These are almost "deal breakers" for me because I have carpal tunnel syndrome and want to have the "smoothest shifter" feasible.) (I think a lower bar would be satisfactory to make my exit "more graceful.")

alcjphil

not quite sure what you mean by "handle-type gear shifter" unless you are referring to twist grip shifters. If that is what you mean you probably haven't been looking at high quality bikes

Milton Keynes

I think you'll find that just about everyone here will be in agreement that just about anything will be better than a Mongoose bike. What you want to look for is anything not sold at Walmart. But in order to get a good recommendation you should describe what kind of riding it is you do or want to do.

70sSanO

The pics of your 2001 Mongoose shows that is it equipped with twist shifters. By handlebar shifters, I'm guessing they are trigger shifters.

I understand the arthritic issue and I use a vintage thumb shifter for the left (front) shifter because my left thumb won't last using a left trigger shifter. The shifter almost fits in the palm of my hand, but for a 2X it is a pretty no-brainer shift, which suits my current mental capacity.

The issue you will generally face is that "most" twist shifters are found on low end bikes. I think SRAM still makes higher end twist shifters for 9,10 and 11 speed. I can't speak for the ease of use with Microshift twist shifters. I had problems with using a twist shifter, but if your current setup works for you, you just need to replicate it.

You might have to test out some or get good feedback on their ease of use. You may have to do a shifter and RD swap after you find the bike and can't get it with the shifter you want.

Unless you are going to need really wide gearing a 1x might be a good direction to go as there will be no left shifter involved.

John

Pratt

My Pinion gearbox has a twist shifter and shifts very easily, of course, my other bike has bar end shifters and also shifts easily.

Fredo76

The Trek FX line, namely the Stagger versions, interests me, due to hip replacements, in my case.

Welcome to BF!

Biker2022

I ride mostly on city streets that are pretty much level but sometimes go on the berm (the grassy, uneven side of the road) when traffic comes in the opposite direction. This is when I have to downshift in order to "stay vertical." (Sometimes the streets are pretty (very?) bumpy.)

freeranger

Get a bike with a "dropped" top tube--they have lost the "stigma" of being a girl's bike, as many have issues getting on and off a bike. Think you'll find trigger shifters--either indexed or friction--will be easier to shift. Please DO NOT get a bike from a "big box" store. Go to a bike shop and get a quality bike. May be more costly at first, but in terms of longevity, serviceability, functionality, weight, etc., it will pay off in the long run. Again, don't let the looks of a "girl's bike" be of concern. Many are finding them better suited and I see more men riding them lately.
You can fall over getting on and off, or get over it and buy what works.

Biker2022

<<You can fall over getting on and off, or get over it and buy what works.>>

LOL

freeranger

Maybe better put: you're more likely to be noticed falling getting on or off the bike, than being seen riding a bike with a step-thru frame. Hope you did find it funny--wasn't meant to be "mean".

dcagibbs

Have fun shopping for bikes.

Biker2022

<<Maybe better put: you're more likely to be noticed falling getting on or off the bike, than being seen riding a bike with a step-thru frame. Hope you did find it funny--wasn't meant to be "mean".>>

No problem. I mentioned my age, and it helps me keep my perspective.

In the long term, the woman's bike (the girl's bike) may be more "practical" in the sense that my arthritis may have improvements, but it doesn't go away (not yet, anyway). The "higher-style handlebars," and the "step-through design" may prove to be a "blessing" in the future.

70sSanO

I imagine the “girl’s bike” stigma may one day evolve into the “old man’s bike” stigma.

Regardless, you just need to find a comfortable bike that you are able to shift. If you can rent a bike for a day, it will go a long way to knowing what will and will not work.

For me even a slight amount of pain was an indication that things would get worse with more use. It took me trial and error to come up with a solution.

John

Biker2022

I believe you're talking about change, and, if the moderator will allow an aside, I'll quote a portion of a lyric by Cole Porter:

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos

(courtesy of google.com)

63rickert

Easiest bike to mount and dismount is the Biria Easy Boarding.

https://biria.com

They are good bikes. Dunno about shifters, that can all be changed out. As odd as the bike looks they are very normal to work on. First versions, like fifteen or twenty years ago, had lots of QC problems and bad publicity. I've worked on and ridden a few in recent years and the quality is notably high.

You will know if this suggestion is good for you. If not, continue to next comment.

Herzlos

My first thought was the Specialized Sirrus 2 Step-Through fitness bike: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/sh...irrus/c/sirrus

There are a few variants, but all have trigger shifts. It may be easier to get a shop to change them to more suitable shifters if needed, though.

XxHaimBondxX

My 80+ year old neighbor had a similar issue, purchased a "girl style" Trek with a neutral color and is very happy. He even sold his 90s Trek for a decent amount.