Specialized women’s bikes?

[EINSIGN]

I am looking for a new bike for my daughter, so far seen the Specialized MYKA HT for £300:

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp...

I am no expert so if anyone can suggest another good model for around this price it would be appreciated. After something fairly decent to last her a couple of years. Thanks

[dubbs]

How old and what will she be using it for? Schwinn do some good bikes at a reasonable price with a fair amount of adjustment as they grow.

It all really depends if they're going to use it for any mountainbiking or just weant a rugged looking bike for riding in town/parks/etc.,

[EINSIGN]

She is 11 and quite tall for her age, and will be using mainly for weekend rides with me and the family. She is very keen on cycling and does not want a “childs” bike.

[cjs]

Why get a women's bike? I would just go for a standard bike, will give you a lot more choice and make it easier to sell or pass on later.

[CatherineJ]

You could go for a standard bike. I bought a bike last October and went for a Spec Rockhjopper rather than a ladies frame. I've always found the ladies frames to be heavier than the gents.

[EINSIGN]

Ok I agree it could be a men’s frame, what would be a good model for around £300?

[snotrag]

CatherineJ said:

I've always found the ladies frames to be heavier than the gents.

Load of rubbish.

cjs said:

Why get a women's bike?

See -

EINSIGN said:

She is very keen on cycling

I worked for a number of years selling bicycles to all tpyes of people, and many, many women.

(I no longer have any vested interest in it so take my advice as genuine, not sales patter).

Women/girls are not the same as men. For years they have 'put up' with riding bikes that are badly designed. A 'womens frame' doesnt mean 'smaller than a mens'. Nor does it mean 'dropped top tube'.

In general (there ae exceptions to every rule) women require different geometry to account for longer legs, shorter torsos, narrower shoulder, smaller feet, etc etc.

Specialized are one of the best companies out there at promoting womens cycling and have a big range covering almost as many bases as their mens bikes.

A properly sized and fitted bike (whether that means a womens specific bike or not) will mean your daughter enjoys her riding and gets the most out of it.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than fit.

As for Specialized - off the top of my head some of the things a WSD might offer are -

Corrected geometry - changes to the front centre, increased stand over height, lower bottom bracket. shortened head tube. Slackened seat angle.
Thinner gauge tubing, and different tube profiles for improved comfort. Womens specific saddles, thinner grips, narrower bars. different return springs and adjustable levers for smaller hands. Lighter weight tyres, different spoke counts. Softer sprung forks, different damper thresholds, shim stacks and tunes.

And prettier colours...

[cjs]

I have two female friends who both ride men's bikes, both Specialized Hardrocks, they have no problems and would never consider riding a girly bike.

I suggest to the OP, get down to a good bike shop and let your daughter sit on and try out a few different bikes.