Which Mountain bike - present for Wifey
Discussion
Peasant forum. I mean Pedal forum... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/forum.asp?h=0...
RacerMDR said:
Wifey's bday - wants a mountainbike
any recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs b
ks
Not sure you can get a Dogs bany recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs b
ksks any more (classic 90s bike) 
You might find more info in the Pedal Powered section: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...
One that fits. This is absolutely crucial, and don't just trust it to getting a "women specific geometry" model and trusting it to luck.
Find a good bike shop, one that will properly assess fit and swap over things like stems as necessary, and get one that's right from the off. Otherwise it'll just sit in the shed unused until everything seizes up and it ends up in landfill.
Find a good bike shop, one that will properly assess fit and swap over things like stems as necessary, and get one that's right from the off. Otherwise it'll just sit in the shed unused until everything seizes up and it ends up in landfill.
in before the move to the MTB section.
i'd say one of the cheaper bikes from Specialised, cannondale, Orange or trek.
poss best to get her to try a couple out - certainly specialised and trek do womens specific frames - but they dont suit all women, so a test ride of a few bikes would help find out the correct frame size for her.
if its not a womens specific frame.. certainly get the bike shop to swap the saddle for a womens saddle - or she'll definatly never ride it. Terrys do excellent womens saddles, or else there are a few other makes. peronal choice tho in alot of cases.
i'd say one of the cheaper bikes from Specialised, cannondale, Orange or trek.
poss best to get her to try a couple out - certainly specialised and trek do womens specific frames - but they dont suit all women, so a test ride of a few bikes would help find out the correct frame size for her.
if its not a womens specific frame.. certainly get the bike shop to swap the saddle for a womens saddle - or she'll definatly never ride it. Terrys do excellent womens saddles, or else there are a few other makes. peronal choice tho in alot of cases.
ewenm said:
RacerMDR said:
Wifey's bday - wants a mountainbike
any recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs bks
Not sure you can get a Dogs bany recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs b
ksks any more (classic 90s bike) Had mine for 7 years, still going strong.
As for a new bike. Specialized Hardrock, very good introduction to bikes.
ewenm said:
RacerMDR said:
Wifey's bday - wants a mountainbike
any recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs bks
Not sure you can get a Dogs bany recommendations?
she is a beginner - so it doesn't need to be the dogs b
ksks any more (classic 90s bike) Had mine for 7 years, still going strong.
As for a new bike. Specialized Hardrock, very good introduction to bikes.
ok so makes are not as important as fit - ok got it
I'm thinking under 500 squids, but under 400 would work too
I hadn't realised - i guess now the important thing is finding the right shop that will look after her........
This weekend i'll be mostly in the Guildford area.....any recommendations?
MODs - feel free to move to pedal forum - i hadn't realised there was one!
I'm thinking under 500 squids, but under 400 would work too
I hadn't realised - i guess now the important thing is finding the right shop that will look after her........
This weekend i'll be mostly in the Guildford area.....any recommendations?
MODs - feel free to move to pedal forum - i hadn't realised there was one!
Firstly, great idea.
Secondly, don't do this as a surprise. Take her along to try out a few different bikes.
Evans might be your best bet in this instance because they carry a lot of the big manufacturers. All the big manufacturers do women specific bikes now. If she's 5'4" or shorter then a women specific bike is where to start. If she's 5'5" or taller then a man's bike may be the better fit.
Buying new you should be able to get the stem swapped out for a different length to help with getting the fit right and a discount on accessories (helmet, gloves et..) too.
Secondly, don't do this as a surprise. Take her along to try out a few different bikes.
Evans might be your best bet in this instance because they carry a lot of the big manufacturers. All the big manufacturers do women specific bikes now. If she's 5'4" or shorter then a women specific bike is where to start. If she's 5'5" or taller then a man's bike may be the better fit.
Buying new you should be able to get the stem swapped out for a different length to help with getting the fit right and a discount on accessories (helmet, gloves et..) too.
It's not just height that you should be looking at with regard to women's bikes. If she's 'leggy' for her height, then a women's bike would be a good option. If her height is based on more even leg and torso measurements then a man's bike will be absolutely fine for the frame.
As someone else has pointed out, get a lady's saddle, and possibly a shorter stem and narrower bars for her from the shop. A good shop should be able to help with this, if they can't then it's probably not the most helpful of environments.
In terms of manufacturers, I would add Giant to the list as they do great bikes for the money.
Finally, the lighter the bike the better for a lady, particularly if she's small. Specialized hardrock is a good beginner bike, but is very heavy in comparison with some others. Just try and lift a few when you're in the shop and see what suits.
As someone else has pointed out, get a lady's saddle, and possibly a shorter stem and narrower bars for her from the shop. A good shop should be able to help with this, if they can't then it's probably not the most helpful of environments.
In terms of manufacturers, I would add Giant to the list as they do great bikes for the money.
Finally, the lighter the bike the better for a lady, particularly if she's small. Specialized hardrock is a good beginner bike, but is very heavy in comparison with some others. Just try and lift a few when you're in the shop and see what suits.
As per everyone else's questions, how tall is she?
Bought my GF at the time the ladies version of this back in January... http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
Very impressed with the bike for the specification... Was as good, if not better than a WSD Trek that was £400, betyter frame, 9 speed etc... Only slight downer was the heavy wheels (well, tyres really)... Lighter tyres and inner tubes makes the world of difference though...
Incidentally, she used it twice, didn't get on with mountain biking... Then we split up... It's a 16" (fits up to about 5ft 6 girlies apparently) and i'd take £200 for it if you were interested?
Bought my GF at the time the ladies version of this back in January... http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
Very impressed with the bike for the specification... Was as good, if not better than a WSD Trek that was £400, betyter frame, 9 speed etc... Only slight downer was the heavy wheels (well, tyres really)... Lighter tyres and inner tubes makes the world of difference though...
Incidentally, she used it twice, didn't get on with mountain biking... Then we split up... It's a 16" (fits up to about 5ft 6 girlies apparently) and i'd take £200 for it if you were interested?
RacerMDR said:
thanks MrMarky - wifey is 5'6'' and about 8 stone
unfortunately buying her a new one, from the shop etc is part of the prezzie. Good luck selling it though!
No worries mate, not a problem...unfortunately buying her a new one, from the shop etc is part of the prezzie. Good luck selling it though!
Check out Specialized, Trek and Cannondale's Women's specific range if you get the chance...
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