Dear Savvy Senior,

I saw your Today show segment last month on popular bicycles for baby boomers and wanted to find out where I can find the list of bikes you talked about. Also, what makes a good bike for boomers?

Easy Rider

Dear Easy:

Fun, fitness and easy on the joints are the reasons more and more baby boomers are turning to cycling than ever before. But what makes a good bike for boomers? While there are lots of hardcore, 50-plus cyclists out there, most older riders are more interested in a leisurely ride on the comfy side. Here's what you should know.

Comfort Bikes

Ask many bike owners why their bicycles are gathering dust in the garage and they'll tell you the bikes are uncomfortable to ride. Who wouldn't be turned off by a contraption that routinely bruises your bottom side, causes carpal tunnel syndrome and leads to neck and back pain? That's why manufacturers such as Schwinn, Electra, Sun, Raleigh, GT, Giant, and Trek are making a line of "comfort" bikes that are feel-good alternatives to high-performance road bikes and nubbytired mountain bikes.

Comfort bikes let you sit upright, which eases lower-back strain; they come with bigger tires that ensure a smooth ride; have raised, swept-back handlebars to reduce pressure on the wrists and hands, and offer oversize seats to eliminate saddle soreness.

Some comfort bikes also come with suspension (shock absorbing) seat posts and/or forks connecting to the front tire to help ease your ride. Some offer unique design features like an ultra low step-over bar that makes getting on and off easy for people with limited flexibility (see the Biria EZ Board, www.biria.com) or the "flatfoot" design offered by many manufacturers that lets you literally put your feet down flat while seated- a great safety feature for older riders. And Trek, Raleigh and Giant all offer bikes with the Shimano Coasting system, an automatic threespeed shifter that changes the gears for you- ideal for boomers who haven't ridden in a while. Costs will range between $400 to $800, or more, depending on a given bike's features.

Keep in mind, though, that what you gain in ease when you ride a comfort or cruise bike you lose in performance. The upright position is not exactly aerodynamic or ideal when it comes to getting the most leverage from your legs. So forget about these bikes if you have a need for speed or if you want to do some off-road riding on a bumpy mountain path. Comfort bikes are for pleasure/fitness rides around town, running errands and generally having fun.

Other Options

If the comfort bikes don't strike your fancy, some other boomer-friendly bike types you might want to consider include:

• Recumbent. These are the odd-looking, low-to-the-ground, stretched-out-frame bikes that allow you to recline with your legs positioned in front of you. Recumbents are very comfy, easy on the back and aerodynamic, which makes them ideal for long rides and touring (see www.sunbicycles.com for a nice variety). The disadvantages arise because they are low to the ground, making them harder to balance and maneuver, and they are more difficult for other vehicles to see. See www.day6bicycles.com for a fantastic semi-recumbent bike.

• Trike. If you worry about falling or want more stability when you ride, get a trike (threewheel bicycle). Recumbents also come in threewheel versions.

• Tandem. If you plan to ride primarily with your spouse or another partner, consider purchasing a tandem bike that both riders pedal at the same rate.

• Folding. For boomers who like to travel, folding bikes have become very popular. Dahon (www.dahon.com) offers the best variety, including the user-friendly Ciao 8, which offers a variety of ergonomic features. including a low stepthrough frame.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to "The NBC Today Show" and author of The Savvy Senior books.

The Gazette does not endorse the contents of The Savvy Senior. Check with professionals about the contents of this column.