I want to surprise my dad with a new bike. Little background. My dad got me into cycling. He was always a big cyclist and rode his bike to work for 30+ years. He was literally known in our small town as the bike guy. He got me into riding as a kid and I want to pay him back. He had some health problems that took him off the bike for a while, and in the time his old bike got broken (let somebody borrow it because he couldn’t ride) and being the nice person he is, wouldn’t let them pay to replace it because he couldn’t ride. So now he’s seeing me get back into cycling and start racing, I feel like he wants to start riding again. He’s been cleared by his doctor and just never got around to buying a new bike. My parents are not well off. This is where I come in. I’m now in a very comfortable spot in life where I can afford the nicer things. So I want to buy a new bike for him. Just not sure what to get him.
I let him ride my wife’s bike (basically gave it to him since she doesn’t ever ride it) and his complaint was that he wishes it was a little more upright. I don’t think he wants a full on town bike. My wife was on a Liv Avail. I was thinking of an endurance bike, something like a Domane or Roubaix with the added comfort features. And they’re pretty tall. I’m not super familiar with endurance bikes. Or maybe a gravel bike solely for the bigger tires he can put on and mounting points for fenders or a rear rack. Any suggestions?
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I like what you’re thinking. I bought an aluminum Canyon Grail with 40mm tires for similar reasons as you. I have a Giant Revolt and think it could fit really well for your dad because it can handle a wide range of tires, has very pro-endurance geometry, and has good number of mounting points at a wide range of price points.
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Good tip I’ll take a look.
Lots of good choices. I rode a Roubaix for years before getting my Tarmac. Depending on his health issues, it is an endurance bike and also has the shock absorbing tech in the handlebars.
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I bought a Cannondale Topstone that is pretty comfortable. But maybe even a hartail mountain bike with sweep on the bars? I think it is very cool what you are doing. Maybe start with the conversation about where he thinks he would ride or what type of riding would he do (if you can bring it up without dropping a clue).
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The Domane is a great bike for riders who are looking for a more relaxed position. It typically comes with a pretty high-offset seatpost and has a really short reach and tall stack to help keep the riders weight back over the saddle and more upright.
They can also clear 38c (most 40mm) tires with lots of room to spare.
This latest version is also a lot more user-friendly in terms of frame complexity as well which I really like.
The mkiii SL5 was my first real road bike, and I’d buy another one for sure!
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Yea I was trying to get some hints without being too obvious.
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I’d go for a gravel bike:
- They tend to have a more relaxed geometry.
- You can put wider tires in them. I’d choose 40–45 mm slicks for a very comfy ride.
- They have easier gearing, which helps.
A second option would be an ebike. This way you could enjoy rides with your dad, and he doesn’t necessarily need a TrainerRoad subscription to keep up with you! 
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