Something for the little lady ? (suitable MTB Q)
Discussion
Yes it can be done. She won't need (or want) FS. I suspect this would be perfectly adequate with some reasonable kit. Also join British Cycling for 10% off.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...
Investigate Cycle2Work to see if thats an option. Either a £1000 bike becomes much cheaper, or something more expensive becomes possible in the £1000 price point.
Stock availability will probably be the biggest consideration at the moment.
Personally I would want to go a bit north of £1000 before entering the full suspension world, but the entry level Boardman full sus from Halfords at £1,350 would be a decent shout, especially if you managed to get it on C2W.
Obviously a full suspension bike will weigh more, but the comfort level will also be more.
Stock availability will probably be the biggest consideration at the moment.
Personally I would want to go a bit north of £1000 before entering the full suspension world, but the entry level Boardman full sus from Halfords at £1,350 would be a decent shout, especially if you managed to get it on C2W.
Obviously a full suspension bike will weigh more, but the comfort level will also be more.
Had a similar query a few weeks ago with my girlfriend. Our local bike park leans towards rocky DH trails and I can’t be bothered with t he faff of buying a HT that will need to be upgraded in due course, so picked up an absolutely immaculate 2017 Commencal Meta TR for a grand. It’s been perfect for her except when I came home with my Yeti SB and she was extremely envious of the colour 
My partner made the same noises back in January...
Things to consider:
1. Get the sizing right - height and leg length. Be honest... Use the online calculators from the brands.
2. Look for Womens' specific bikes especially if partner is petite. Better geometry (slightly shorter reach, etc), properly sized components eg 27.5 inch wheels rather that 29 on the small / extra small sizes. Shorter cranks are often fitted to ladies bicycles.
3. If you're asking about full suspension and disc brakes then I would suggest that you probably don't need full suspension. All new bikes have disc brakes as standard now. Go for hydraulics if budget allows.
4. I don't know how your wife 'processes' information but a a women's specific bike and the branding that goes around it may foster encouragement to the sport and to get out there and pedal.
5. What sort of riding do you realistically think she'll do? Towpaths/trails/knarly downhills? Is your vision the same as hers?
6. Relatively lightweight hardtail, women's specific, hydraulic brakes, air fork - should get her off to a good start.
Long story short, I parted with some silver and got one of these:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/tempt-0-2021
I'd not heard of LIV as a brand before but the website was really good and 'inclusive'.
She's been really happy with it!!
Things to consider:
1. Get the sizing right - height and leg length. Be honest... Use the online calculators from the brands.
2. Look for Womens' specific bikes especially if partner is petite. Better geometry (slightly shorter reach, etc), properly sized components eg 27.5 inch wheels rather that 29 on the small / extra small sizes. Shorter cranks are often fitted to ladies bicycles.
3. If you're asking about full suspension and disc brakes then I would suggest that you probably don't need full suspension. All new bikes have disc brakes as standard now. Go for hydraulics if budget allows.
4. I don't know how your wife 'processes' information but a a women's specific bike and the branding that goes around it may foster encouragement to the sport and to get out there and pedal.
5. What sort of riding do you realistically think she'll do? Towpaths/trails/knarly downhills? Is your vision the same as hers?
6. Relatively lightweight hardtail, women's specific, hydraulic brakes, air fork - should get her off to a good start.
Long story short, I parted with some silver and got one of these:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/tempt-0-2021
I'd not heard of LIV as a brand before but the website was really good and 'inclusive'.
She's been really happy with it!!
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Quick search but more out there:https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carr...
Twice the price but still a chunk under £1k
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...
'Bigger' brand if that's your bag:
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/hardtail-m...
Clearly the carrera is spec'd for the price but it would still work for a beginner. Stock availability is still an issue. Your funds obviously but personally I would go for something more basic with a view to upgrading if bitten by the bug. I know this is an unpopular view on PH!
Ian-27xza said:
Long story short, I parted with some silver and got one of these:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/tempt-0-2021
I'd not heard of LIV as a brand before but the website was really good and 'inclusive'.
Liv is Giant's label for their women's bikes.https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/tempt-0-2021
I'd not heard of LIV as a brand before but the website was really good and 'inclusive'.
Ian-27xza said:
I was surprised I hadn't heard of LIV but instantly realised they were part of Giant once I saw the website.
Sadly the LIV was £850 not £950 until 2 weeks ago. It's got a quality drive train and seems like it's really well put together bike.
My wife started with a second hand one of these https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/intrigue-2-2016 for £700 around four years ago, we collected one of these https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/intrigue-x-eplus-2-... on Tuesday...so prepare yourself for escalation; the Liv bikes are really nice things Sadly the LIV was £850 not £950 until 2 weeks ago. It's got a quality drive train and seems like it's really well put together bike.
Edited by trails on Thursday 25th February 11:29
Terra1 said:
Typical Pistonheads, £1k bike for a beginner! You can get away with spending around half of that particularly if you don't know if they will continue or get bored with it.
Typical PH; she doesn't need a new bike, but full-sus will make riding more accessible and if she doesn't like it you will be able to sell it on without too much loss OP, keep your eye out for something like this; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Liv-Full-Suspensi...
Terra1 said:
Typical Pistonheads, £1k bike for a beginner! You can get away with spending around half of that particularly if you don't know if they will continue or get bored with it.
Typical pistonheads, the moment anyone mentions money someone chimes in that it’s unnecessary and gets all but hurt without actually knowing the circumstances..My take on it - spend an amount that means you guarantee getting a bike that will be enjoyable (as well as that fits your budget).
Scenario A:
Here you are love, picked up this old carrera for 300 quid. It’s pretty heavy and the brakes aren’t great but it goes when you pedal. We’ll get you something better if you like it in a few months. Enjoy!
Then also faced with having to sell an even more used old cheap bike.
Scenario B:
I’d ride this myself, it’s a cracking bike that will be everything you need for a long time to come unless you fancy changing the grips etc.
It’ll also be easy to sell if need be.
Anyway, different strokes for different folks.
I bought a Liv Langma for my sister as a first foray into cycling. Ironically that was a bit over a grand as well, but it was half price. Same theory - get something that will be a pleasure to ride and then if she doesn’t enjoy it, no problem. Flog it.
keith2.2 said:
Typical pistonheads, the moment anyone mentions money someone chimes in that it’s unnecessary and gets all but hurt without actually knowing the circumstances..
My take on it - spend an amount that means you guarantee getting a bike that will be enjoyable (as well as that fits your budget).
Scenario A:
Here you are love, picked up this old carrera for 300 quid. It’s pretty heavy and the brakes aren’t great but it goes when you pedal. We’ll get you something better if you like it in a few months. Enjoy!
Then also faced with having to sell an even more used old cheap bike.
Scenario B:
I’d ride this myself, it’s a cracking bike that will be everything you need for a long time to come unless you fancy changing the grips etc.
It’ll also be easy to sell if need be.
Anyway, different strokes for different folks.
I bought a Liv Langma for my sister as a first foray into cycling. Ironically that was a bit over a grand as well, but it was half price. Same theory - get something that will be a pleasure to ride and then if she doesn’t enjoy it, no problem. Flog it.
Oh yes, quite definitely hurt My take on it - spend an amount that means you guarantee getting a bike that will be enjoyable (as well as that fits your budget).
Scenario A:
Here you are love, picked up this old carrera for 300 quid. It’s pretty heavy and the brakes aren’t great but it goes when you pedal. We’ll get you something better if you like it in a few months. Enjoy!
Then also faced with having to sell an even more used old cheap bike.
Scenario B:
I’d ride this myself, it’s a cracking bike that will be everything you need for a long time to come unless you fancy changing the grips etc.
It’ll also be easy to sell if need be.
Anyway, different strokes for different folks.
I bought a Liv Langma for my sister as a first foray into cycling. Ironically that was a bit over a grand as well, but it was half price. Same theory - get something that will be a pleasure to ride and then if she doesn’t enjoy it, no problem. Flog it.
Clearly you know the OP's circumstances intimately! I offered a different, clearly unpopular viewpoint that you might not actually need to drop a reasonable amount of money on something that 'may' not get used again.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
If she is looking at trails and stuff (especially if you're riding too), then I think FS would make a huge difference - but isn't happening at your budget unless second hand (and even then)... Whatever you get, grab a helitape kit for it to protect the paint!
My wife's 2016 Liv seems to has a pretty robust paint job, with no significant chips...I've purchased one of these https://www.dyedbro.com/ for her new ebike though.
My 2p worth, my fiancé is 5'1" and I got her an entry level Saracen as a birthday present 18 months ago, it was a boys bike with a small or extra small frame and I don't think it's holding her back. We do Bedgebury (not exactly extreme I know) regularly and would happily take her to Swinley on it. I don't think women need women's bikes, (see Veronique Sandler) I got her a women's saddle and she's happy on it, she borrowed my mates Capra in Morz this year and was fine on it, she was actually trying to buy it off him at the end of the holiday. I think geo and frame shape is more important.
Regarding budget, my only regret is I spend £400 and not £1,000 as she's gotten into it and a £1,000 hardtail will do all she needs in the UK. If Surrey Hills is you local it's worth getting something with decent suspension that actually does more than just go up and down. Was there a few weeks ago on my hardtail and would say it's fairly beat up at the moment. Certainly appreciated my Pike Ultimate's!
Regarding budget, my only regret is I spend £400 and not £1,000 as she's gotten into it and a £1,000 hardtail will do all she needs in the UK. If Surrey Hills is you local it's worth getting something with decent suspension that actually does more than just go up and down. Was there a few weeks ago on my hardtail and would say it's fairly beat up at the moment. Certainly appreciated my Pike Ultimate's!
Terra1 said:
Oh yes, quite definitely hurt
Clearly you know the OP's circumstances intimately! I offered a different, clearly unpopular viewpoint that you might not actually need to drop a reasonable amount of money on something that 'may' not get used again.
You opened it with ‘typical PH..’, which sounds butthurt. Rather than ‘offering an opinion’ you opened by deriding the input of others.Clearly you know the OP's circumstances intimately! I offered a different, clearly unpopular viewpoint that you might not actually need to drop a reasonable amount of money on something that 'may' not get used again.
The OP said up to a grand. So yes a pretty good sense of what he’s after.
I didn’t recommend spending that, I offered my experience of doing so.
keith2.2 said:
You opened it with ‘typical PH..’, which sounds butthurt. Rather than ‘offering an opinion’ you opened by deriding the input of others.
The OP said up to a grand. So yes a pretty good sense of what he’s after.
I didn’t recommend spending that, I offered my experience of doing so.
Butthurt, quality put down! Clearly you don't understand what offering an opinion is. I suggested it could be more sensible to spend half the amount then, when asked, offered some quick examples at lower price points. Not my money but in my opinion spending £1k on a starter bike is a lot! Appreciate the 'higher resale on better bike' argument but resale is strong on most bikes at the minute so it's less of a big deal. The OP said up to a grand. So yes a pretty good sense of what he’s after.
I didn’t recommend spending that, I offered my experience of doing so.
Tonker - would be good to hear what you chose and how she gets on.
Edited by Terra1 on Sunday 28th February 20:42
Terra1 said:
Butthurt, quality put down! Clearly you don't understand what offering an opinion is. I suggested it could be more sensible to spend half the amount then, when asked, offered some quick examples at lower price points. Not my money but in my opinion spending £1k on a starter bike is a lot! Appreciate the 'higher resale on better bike' argument but resale is strong on most bikes at the minute so it's less of a big deal.
Tonker - would be good to hear what you chose and how she gets on.
You preceded offering your opinion by bemoaning that of others Tonker - would be good to hear what you chose and how she gets on.
Edited by Terra1 on Sunday 28th February 20:42
have a word. It IS a lot, you’re quite right, and there are reasons for and against spending that or any other amount. But again, it’s the amount initially mentioned by the OP as what he’s comfortable spending up to. So anyone offering experience of anything up to that is offering something relevant.
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