Adjustable Bike for Sharing?

[anne]

Hi Friends,

MMM and you all have inspired my husband and I to try to work more locally. We've each arranged some days of local work, and so we are thinking of buying a bike to share, since we would be using it on different days.

However, we are very different sizes. I am 5'0 and he is 5'10. Is this do-able?

At first I thought maybe we could get something with an adjustable seat. However, years ago I had a bike with a quick-release seat and the seat was stolen, so I'd prefer to avoid that.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks so much!

Anne

[the fixer]

I don't think that's really doable. The necessary frame geometry between the two of you, such as handlebar height and how far the handlebars are from the seat, is going to be too different. Either you won't really be able to ride the bike at all, he'll feel hunched over, or a combination of the two.

[phred]

I don't believe it's doable either.  Shop for a couple of used bikes to get started; try Freecycle, charity thrift, note on bulletin board at grocery...

[Jamesqf]

Plus I don't think you're likely to find a decent bike these days that doesn't have a quick release seat (and wheels).

[the fixer]

Plus I don't think you're likely to find a decent bike these days that doesn't have a quick release seat (and wheels).

You can replace the seat post clamp on any bike with a quick-release seat if you don't like it. They are also made to be tightened with an allen bolt.

I think there are also non-quick release skewers you can buy for wheels, but I have not personally seen them. The better thing to do for wheels is to just lock the bike correctly so that a wheel cannot be stolen.

[mjb]

You could do it if you bought a bike with step-through ("women's") or mixte frame, and a long enough seat post. Something that looks like this: http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/staff15.htm

The bikes used in Chicago's bike-share system (which are the same as used in NYC [Citi Bike], DC, Boston, etc) are step-through and have extra-long seat posts, which allow most everyone to use the bikes. You can see them here: https://divvybikes.com/

These bikes are NOT going to be racy, and if your commute has a lot of hills you might get frustrated, but speed isn't everything.

I'd suggest getting an older lugged steel bike with modern-enough component sizing. Think mid-80's Panasonic, Miyata, or Bianchi -- NOT a Peugot or other old French bikes. That will make finding the longer seat post and other components far easier.

If you have a community bike shop in your city, that could be a great resource for a project like this. In Chicago, we have Working Bikes Cooperative and West Town Bikes. Austin has the Yellow Bike Project.

You could also go nuts like Anthony here: http://longleafbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/01/tired-of-looking-at-beautiful-bicycles.html

[anne]

Aha! Thanks for the responses all, and mjb for the advice. I thought it must be possible... otherwise how would city-wide bike shares work? Will definitely test before purchasing though.
Danke.