The Best Bikes For Seniors And Adult On The Market [With Review]

You might never forget how to ride a bike, but as you get older, you might discover that you need a different kind of bike than you did in your youth. Fortunately, there are plenty of models of bikes that accommodate the needs of Seniors. 

We’ll discuss some of the best options for Seniors in this article. We’ve also provided a short buying guide so you can see the criteria we’ve used for picking the best bikes, and to help you decide which one is right for you. 

Let’s get started! 

Review of the best Seniors Bikes In 2020

1. Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women – Best Overall 

Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women

This hybrid combines some of the most important features for Seniors. It’s a lightweight bike, with a taller profile than your typical road bike. That taller profile means that it’s more comfortable for most riders, and puts less stress on your back. 

As a hybrid bike, it’s designed to work well in town and out on trails. It handles hills relatively well and offers a lot of grip and stability for the rider. Braking is easy and doesn’t require a lot of pressure. 

That makes this a good choice for seniors with previous hand and arm injuries who might not have very strong hands. 

It’s suitable for men and women both, with a reasonably comfortable and well-padded saddle design. 

The bike is also equipped with a good suspension system. It includes the same suspension you’d expect from a comfort bike, making it easier on your joints. The suspension also gives you a smoother ride, which means you can ride for longer without muscle and bone fatigue from jostling. 

Schwinn is also great for iconic looking bikes, and this is no exception. While the bike doesn’t look particularly retro, it does have classic lines and interesting spokes, which add to the curb appeal of the bike. 

The 28-inch tires give you plenty of power transfer and maneuverability. Combined with 21 gears and grippy, durable tires, you can go as fast or slow as you want. Changing speeds takes minimal effort, and changing gears is smoother than most bikes. 

2. Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women’s Step-Through Hybrid Alloy Beach Cruiser – Best for Women

Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women's Step-Through Hybrid Alloy Beach Cruiser

Bikes specialized for women tend to have slightly different proportions as well as a different saddle design. This bike offers both, meaning that it can’t be turned into a unisex bike by changing the saddle. However, that also means that this bike is especially comfortable for Senior women. 

The classical lines on this bike also give the ride a much more upright position than most bikes. The handlebars are positioned so that most users will be able to sit up straight, without leaning forward at the hip. 

That makes this a good choice for seniors with back, shoulder, or hip issues. It is also friendlier for seniors who have had a joint replacement, of any sort. 

Foot forward pedals aren’t as ergonomically powerful, you’ll need a little more strength for the same speed and power with this design. However, it does mean that you’ll be able to comfortably rest your feet on the ground while stopped, preventing joint and back strain. 

The bike is available in a wide variety of colors for added customizability. It also comes with a bike rack and grippy tires in 24 and 26-inch sizes. 

3. Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle – Best Three Wheel

Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle

Most people think of tricycles as something meant for little kids to use, but this more stable design is almost as energy efficient as a bicycle, but significantly more stable. 

Just like motorcycle three-wheelers are becoming more popular, so are three-wheel bicycles making a comeback in popularity and design. 

This design is ergonomic as well as attractive. It’s also a hauler, with a relatively large back basket built into the tricycle between the back two tires. That makes this a good choice for seniors who don’t own a car, or who don’t want to use their car for 100% of their errands. 

This is also a good option for grandparents who like taking their grandchildren on picnics and other outdoor adventures. Set off with their bicycles and tricycles, and pack everything you need for the trip into the built-in basket. 

More importantly, this is a good option for cyclists who have some stability problems or occasional dizziness. It’s exceedingly difficult to turn over a tricycle, so it adds quite a bit of additional safety to your cycling. 

Available in the stylish dark blue and maroon red, the tricycle is stylish and modern-looking, while still maintaining classic lines that feel very American. 

4. Sixthreezero Ride in The Park Men’s Touring City Road Bicycle – Best Low Profile

Sixthreezero Ride in The Park Men's Touring City Road Bicycle

This bike is a nicely slimmed down and lightweight road bike, with some comfort adaptations that make it a better fit for Seniors than your average road bike. 

At only 30 lbs, this bike isn’t difficult to get moving. It’s lightweight design also means that it’s more responsive to the front and rear handbrakes. 

The combination means that you’ll have superb control, but don’t need as much leg or hand strength to safely operate the bike. 

It’s also a slightly lower profile than your average road bike. That doesn’t mean that this is a short bike. Instead, you should be able to put your foot on the ground while riding or at rest. It’s easy-on easy-off, which means no small jumps to properly mount the bike. 

Those adaptations make this a better option for seniors who need to take care of their knees, ankles, and hips. 

The men’s saddle is reasonably comfortable, as are the proportions from the saddle to pedals and saddle to the handlebar. 

5. Sixthreezero Body Ease Women’s Comfort Bicycle – Best For Your Joints

Sixthreezero Body Ease Women's Comfort Bicycle

This bicycle features some of the adaptations we’ve talked about on other bikes, like a higher riding profile, lightweight overall design, and sensitive braking. 

It’s also got an ergonomic pedal to seat design, meant to be comfortable for most women in a reasonably wide range of heights and proportions. 

In addition to those features, the Body Ease is also designed with vibration suspension. The suspension system doesn’t absorb the worst bumps, so you’ll still want to avoid highly texture paths and potholes. But the vibration control creates an especially smooth ride on pavement and evens out the bumpiness of some types of terrain. 

Vibration is one of the most fatiguing parts of a bike ride, especially for Seniors. It can also cause next-day soreness that doesn’t seem to have another cause. 

This bike is available in several different speed configurations and colors, making it one of the most customizable options on our list. However, the proportions are such that this is not a bike you can turn into a unisex or men’s bike by changing out the saddle. 

It’s also worth noting that this comfort bike comes with road bike tires. That means that they are thinner and have less grip than other tire styles, limiting where you can take the bike. 

6. Retrospec Venus Dutch Step-Thru City Comfort Hybrid Bike – Best Hybrid

Retrospec Venus Dutch Step-Thru City Comfort Hybrid Bike

This one-speed bike is both one of the more affordable options on this list and a good unisex hybrid. 

It’s designed with a higher handlebar and low seat profile that both lets you sit more upright on the bike and make getting on and off the bike much easier. 

In addition to the height adaptations, the frame has an easy step-through design. That saves on hip and low back stress since you don’t have to kick your leg up nearly as high to comfortably mount this bike. 

It’s also the lightest bike on this list. A lightweight bike is easier to control, easier to get up to speed, and easier to brake and stop. All that combined makes this a good choice for less experienced cyclists as well as seniors who are worried about having the muscle strength for biking. 

The bike also comes with a useful front light that can make evening rides a lot easier on the eyes. The light also increases your visibility in iffy light as a cyclist. 

The unisex bike is available in two colors, a sleek black, and an attention-getting coral. 

However, as a single-speed bike, while easier to use overall, this isn’t a bike that will work very well in hilly areas. 

It also doesn’t have as much suspension as some of the other bikes on this list. That makes it a better choice for shorter rides and well-paved smooth areas. 

Buying Guide

Frame

Bikes for seniors need a slightly different frame than competitive bikes, or even most mountain and road bikes offer. You want something that’s lightweight. Aluminum is likely the best choice for a senior bike frame. 

Look for bikes that minimize weight and have step-through mounting, ergonomic pedal positions (especially forward pedals), and suspension. 

Suspension adds to the cost of the bike but also minimizes vibration and jolting. You don’t need full suspension in most cases unless you want to hit mountain bike trails, but some level of cushioning will make riding your bicycle more comfortable. 

Saddle

The saddle that comes with your bike might be a good option, and many of the bikes on this list come with a saddle that’s more comfortable than average. However, you still may want to upgrade. Check Brooks England B17 Steel Saddle Review

Seniors generally do best with a thicker more padded saddle that absorbs a little more of the action from the bike. Looks for ergonomic designs, and generally stick to saddles designed for your sex. 

Unisex saddles are good in other circumstances, but often don’t offer the comfort and support of a gendered saddle. For seniors, the small differences in the saddle can make a huge difference in soreness and stiffness after a ride. Check Selle Royal Respiro Moderate Bicycle Saddle Review

Handlebars

Handlebars might not seem like a very important detail, but the position of your handlebars largely determines your position on the bike as well as how much leverage you have to steer. 

Seniors should look for high handlebars that let them sit in an upright or neutral position on the bike. Wider handlebars offer more leverage but can also be more cumbersome in storage and crowded spaces. 

You may also want to look for handlebars with a larger rubber or padded grip area. The larger size can cut down on hand-fatigue if you grip the bars, and when using handbrakes. Rubberized grips also make it harder for your grip to slip, giving you more control. 

Riding Position

The riding position goes along with the handlebars. Most seniors will benefit from an upright or neutral riding position. 

Your riding position is a combination of saddle placement, pedal placement, and handlebar distance and height. 

If possible, always try the fit of a new bike while you can still return it if necessary. An upright bike with all the right positioning can still cause problems if the distance between the saddle and handlebars is too great. 

Other details like the saddle height and sometimes the handlebar height, can be adjusted at need. 

However, there’s only so much tweaking you can do in most bike designs. You should already have relatively high handlebars for an upright or neutral seat. Forward pedals can also help since they help you rock back and maintain an upright position on the saddle. 

Avoid road bikes and competition bikes that force a compact, low, or bent position. While these bikes are designed with power and aerodynamic efficiency in mind, they aren’t as comfortable or joint-friendly. 

Suspension

The suspension on your bike determines how much vibration and jolting the bike absorbed vs how much it passes along to the rider. High suspension bikes can create a smooth ride even over gravel or rough terrain, while low suspension bikes will pass along the impact of a loose pebble on the pavement. 

Most seniors will benefit from at least some suspension but probably won’t need the more advanced and complete suspension systems on the market. 

Look for bikes that are labeled ‘comfort’. These generally have a moderate level of suspension along with some other comfort-enhancing adaptations. Vibration-resistant is another good descriptor for the kind of bike you want. 

A total suspension system refers to systems that cover both the front and back wheel of the bike. These are good but more expensive. They also come in a range of effectiveness. Again, you probably don’t need the best suspension, but a mild to moderate system will work well. 

The front-wheel suspension is also available and is a good option for seniors in more urban areas or who want a grippier more controlled riding experience. 

What kind of bike is easiest to ride?

This is largely a matter of preference between several types of bikes. Avoid road bikes, mountain bikes, and Hardtail bike. Both are designed for very specific uses, and unless you need them for your neighborhood, they won’t be as comfortable or easy to use. 

Three-wheel tricycles are probably the easiest to balance, but can often be more difficult to pedal and steer. 

Comfort hybrids combine the best of all bicycle styles and are probably the easiest to ride barring the balance advantage of tricycles. 

Cruisers are also comfortable and easy to use, with fewer specialized design details than a road or mountain bike. 

What safety measures you need to take before you ride?

At a minimum, you should plan on wearing a commuter helmet before you ride. Consider addition padding or braces for any joints that have caused trouble in the past, knee and elbow braces are popular. If you have any grip issues, consider a set of bike gloves or grippy work gloves with a close fit. 

Check your tire pressure, especially if it’s been a while. You should also check to see if the chain needs grease if it’s been a while since you greased or since you last rode. 

Keep your head up and forward while riding, and plan ahead if you want to ride in a group. 

Check your brakes before mounting the bike. They should be responsive and have good contact points. Test them again to make sure they are working at a slow speed before you get very far from home. 

Conclusion

We’ve gone over some of the best bikes for seniors and old adults in this article. Hopefully, reading through each review gave you a better sense of what features matter most, and what kinds of bike work best for seniors. 

In addition to the reviews, the buying guide also explains what kinds of features and adaptations work best for seniors. 

These bikes are also great choices for adults with pre-existing injuries or anyone who wants a more comfortable, easy-going kind of bike ride.