Seeking ladies mountain/hybrid bike advice...

[Alistair]

Hi

Mrs F is the most reluctant cyclist in the world and doesn't have a bike - however is willing to get a bike and try it again for the kids sake

We're looking to buy a bike (most likely second hand) but not spend a lot in case she doesn't use it that much, hoping for £100-£150 or so (budget can be increased if unrealistic). Main requirement is for it to be as light as possible I think but seeking guidance?

Usage is likely to be paths and trails mostly. She has visited a shop to get sized and will apparently fit a 16" frame.

Any advice on manufacturer or style and places to try much appreciated. Have tried gumtree but there's not much info on the bikes spec/weight etc.

Ta in advance

Alistair

[point n squirt]

Were in exactly the same boat planning on checking out the Halfords sale on now.

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Don't bother about getting suspension, all it will do at that sort of budget is make the bike heavier. Go for 700 tyres of at least 30mm width.
Have a look in your local bike shop, or Gumtree


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[Alistair]

Don't bother about getting suspension, all it will do at that sort of budget is make the bike heavier. Go for 700 tyres of at least 30mm width.
Have a look in your local bike shop, or Gumtree


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Thanks - good advice.

Just missed out on a Ridgeback mx2 ladies that was ex-display selling online for £150 (original price somewhere between £200 and £300) - thought about it for too long and someone snapped it up. Site was http://www.ukbikesdepot.com so will keep a look out on there - think it would've been perfect - no suspension, only 12.5kg.

The search continues

Cheers

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Try Wheelies.co.uk They had some ex-display stock.


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[Alistair]

Will take a look - and if nothing just now keep them on a weekly check.

Ta!

[pete]

If it was me I'd buy a good quality hardtail. Make sure it's a comfy fit first and foremost then light. You can go for country rides and a front fork will make it a bit more stable.
New is good as you get to try the size and make sure of a decent fit but if that's why you are buying new then you want ot go to a local bike shop, you're wasting your time at Halfords unless you have something specific in mind and don't need advice. (Yes there will be exceptions to that but I still hear a lot of horror stories and see new bikes not set up properly all the time.).
If you are looking online to get a bargain (which is fine) you might end up with something that doesn't fit, that she'll never ride.
Why doesn't she like cycling?
Always make sure your rides end with a cafe and a playpark as an absolute minimum would be my advice...

[Corranga]

Possibly a little against the grain as I know there are a lot of cyclists here, but an entry level or maybe 1 up the range decent brand hard tail would be my choice.

A hybrid with 700c wheels will be quick, but if you're cycling with kids, do you need quick? What sort of use?
No point in skinny road tyres if you are going to be losing the bikes into the car and cycling trails through forests or using on grass in local parks.. A hard tail is a bit more versatile.

I ride a 2005 Giant Rincon 12 miles a day (ok, today was my 8th day commuting on the bike this year, and I made maybe 50 days last year, but my point is the bike is taking it so far with no issues other than needing a service..), with no changes from new other than some road tyres. My wife did similar on a same age Giant Boulder ladies bike until we had a baby 2 years back.

[Alistair]

Great advice chaps thanks.

Pete - not so sure she doesn't like cycling as such - more the thought of it She's naturally a little nervous of "new" things but I think once she gets in the saddle she will enjoy it - hence me being keen to get the right machine to maximise that chance. Great tip about finishing at a cafe and a play-park - genius!! Advice re Halfords heeded - a useful place if you know what you're going for, but often I've been advised badly in there in the past - I'm sure it has it's good and bad eggs like other larger stores.

Corranga - usage is likely to be light trails, canal tow paths that kind of thing - so you're right fast isn't a requirement. It'll all be with the kids too I'd think. Stability at low speed and ability to deal with grass and a light forest trail is a must too - so hard tail does sound like a good shout from that point of view.

I'm still hunting - but have got a little time to be patient. Will try and pop in and see the local bike shop in Linlithgow some time too over the next few days.

Cheers

Alistair

[pete]

I absolutely agree with Corranga. When we started cycling we had a 2005 Trek 4300 and a 1991 Trek 930 and they were perfect. We only replaced them as we got more serious (the 930 has no suspension) or as it wore out!

That 4300 has done everything from pootling round town, to the red trails at various trail centres to 60 miles in a day road trips... best 300 quid we ever spent.

Oh and saddle is important and accept the first one you buy might not be the right one however it WILL hurt for the first few times. You've just got to put up with it.

[jason]

You will get more quality for your money if you stick with fully rigid, and your description suggests bouncy forks aren't necessary.

Seeking ladies mountain/hybrid bike advice...

First off, don't limit the search to the half-truth marketing myth of a 'lady-specific' MTB. There will be lots of 'non-sexed' bikes that also fit her perfectly well.

She has visited a shop to get sized and will apparently fit a 16" frame.

Not all 16" frames are the same size for all manner of reasons, depending on how the manufacturer measures then, whether MTB or hybrid, and reflecting the type of riding the bike is designed for - in simplified terms, the reach to handlebars can significantly vary. Reach/length (and bar height) is essentially what governs a bike's fit without getting overly technical. So don't be fixed on that frame size number, throw her legs over any bike that's tempting and assess comfort.

Happy shopping

[tonyg]

While there is truth to the fact that you shouldn't be limiting yourself to a "ladies" bike it does make sense to start there.

Women (in general) have a shorter torso in relation to their leg length than men, so a ladies bike will have a shorter top tube in relation to it's size than a mans bike.
Also the saddle should be designed to suit their different pelvis shape from a males.

[jason]

While there is truth to the fact that you shouldn't be limiting yourself to a "ladies" bike it does make sense to start there.

Women (in general) have a shorter torso in relation to their leg length than men, so a ladies bike will have a shorter top tube in relation to it's size than a mans bike.
Also the saddle should be designed to suit their different pelvis shape from a males.

You've fallen for the marketing scam to sell pink/purple bikes "cos that's what ladies 'want' innit", Tony

You're right about the saddle but that would inevitably be changed regardless of its intentions to suit owner's preference/need …and saddle type should not be what governs a choice of bike! As for fitting, reach/stack of frame is easily addressed by going down a non-sexed size.

Look at ALL bikes

[pete]

You're right about the saddle but that would inevitably be changed regardless of its intentions to suit owner's preference/need …and saddle type should not be what governs a choice of bike! As for fitting, reach/stack of frame is easily addressed by going down a non-sexed size.

Look at ALL bikes

You can over think these things but I'd agree. None of Mrs Pete's current steeds are girls' bikes. Nor now I think of it are any of little Miss Pete's. They're just bikes and I change the stems and saddles until they are comfy.

[tonyg]

While there is truth to the fact that you shouldn't be limiting yourself to a "ladies" bike it does make sense to start there.

Women (in general) have a shorter torso in relation to their leg length than men, so a ladies bike will have a shorter top tube in relation to it's size than a mans bike.
Also the saddle should be designed to suit their different pelvis shape from a males.

You've fallen for the marketing scam to sell pink/purple bikes "cos that's what ladies 'want' innit", Tony

You're right about the saddle but that would inevitably be changed regardless of its intentions to suit owner's preference/need …and saddle type should not be what governs a choice of bike! As for fitting, reach/stack of frame is easily addressed by going down a non-sexed size.

Look at ALL bikes

Nope just passing on information I learned from a former Olympic cyclist