Ladies Specific MTB or Adapted Mens?

[tjdixon911]

On the look out for a bargain MTB for my other half, she's 5ft 4 so looking for a small / 16" I imagine.

I've been looking for ladies specific bikes but they're fairly rare on the 2nd hand market, had a few slip away recently on eBay...

Is there really much difference between men's and women's bikes?

Anyone know of any bargains out there?

Budget is £400, may have a bit of creep to £500, ok, budget is £500 but not £600 and would prefer to spend £400... Will consider 2nd hand but would prefer new, I know the Voodoo bikes get good reviews are these worth a look at?

Its probably going to be used on the road more than anything initially but will be used for fire roads, canal paths and maybe (as she progresses) some proper off road - I don't know if a 29er may be more suitable for this...

Any help much appreciated.

[aka_kerrly]

I gave a friend of mine one of my hold jump bikes as a first bike - she is similar size to your mrs and we found my 14inch hard tail with a 3inch front shock gives a good geometry and size.

All she has done is fit a womens spec saddle.

[rhinochopig]

Some older womens bikes do use men's frames and the componentry is adjusted for fit. WSD frames can be better but it really depends on your wife's shape. Some women tend to have more manly proportions in terms of torso and arm lengths.

At that price range I'd look at the Kona-lisa range as kona have horrendous depreciation so can be picked up for a bargain. I bought my wife a Kona Lisa full sus frame new for only £199 at CRC a couple of years ago. Now they're basically a re-badged male frame, but with smart use of componentry I have tailored it exactly for my OH and it's proved a real bargain. The newer ones are true WSD though.

[rhinochopig]

Some older womens bikes do use men's frames and the componentry is adjusted for fit. WSD frames can be better but it really depends on your wife's shape. Some women tend to have more manly proportions in terms of torso and arm lengths.

At that price range I'd look at the Kona-lisa range as kona have horrendous depreciation so can be picked up for a bargain. I bought my wife a Kona Lisa full sus frame new for only £199 at CRC a couple of years ago. Now they're basically a re-badged male frame, but with smart use of componentry I have tailored it exactly for my OH and it's proved a real bargain. The newer ones are true WSD though.

[schmunk]

aka_kerrly said:

I gave a friend of mine one (...) - she is similar size to your mrs and we found my 14inch hard tail with a 3inch front shock gives a good geometry and size.

Fnar!

[aka_kerrly]

schmunk said:

aka_kerrly said:

I gave a friend of mine one (...) - she is similar size to your mrs and we found my 14inch hard tail with a 3inch front shock gives a good geometry and size.

Fnar!

haha she has told me it's a great ride but left her a bit sore after a while - i tried not to snigger - and suggested it's because she's fighting it and needs to relax more in order to accept the rough stuff!