Confused dot com - help wanted

sarah01

Hey everyone.....
I'm sure you've probably had this question asked a billion times but I'm gonna ask again! I've just read your 'what bike' which was really helpful and have spent the last few weeks trawling round local bikes shops and the web for various reviews ..... but ... I'm still in a muddle :?
Im lookin for two hardtail MTB's, one ladies(for myself) and one blokes(for my b'friend) so far we've narrowed it down to;
Cannondale F6 (cant find any review on this :? )
Trek 4500
Specialized Hardrock/Myka
Does anyone have any info on any of the above or perhaps someone has alternative ideas that we could look at????? Also the womens section seems somewhat limited with some excellent colour schemes ha! would I be okay with a blokes bike or is this not realy the thing to do???
Thanks for reading and I hope someone can help me
Sarah x

supersonic

For normal off road trails, and XC? All the bikes you mention are good, so I'd find a dealer and test them out.

The Trek is the lightest, and sports a great drivetrain and forks for the money. May also want to look at the Gt Avalanche 2.0 if like the idea of hydraulic disc brakes.

Mrs Toast

I have Trek 4500 WSD, and I can't fault it really. Out of all the bikes I looked at it that price range, it seemed to have the best spec for the money, and also has scope for future upgrades (such as disc brakes). I've had it for about a year now, and it's been more than fine on the trails that I do. It also has a really cool green and black paint job, ahem...

If you can, don't dismiss bloke's bikes. I personally have trouble finding them suitable, as I'm a) a shortarse, and b) I find their forks to be completely immobile - although on pricer bikes with adjustable forks, that's not so much of a problem. A lot of women get on fine with them though, they generally just need the saddle changing - it certainly gives you a lot more choice! The only way to tell really is to try them out.

nonnac85

yes it doesnt matter if its a blokes bike. I have a Spesh Hardrock and its fine for me. Just try the different sizes (I ended up with a medium because the small was too cramped). Just ask the shop to change the spring in the fork if it wont compress.
I have been on some training courses and out trail riding and in the womens group only one person actually has a womens bike.

sarah01

Morning Everyone!!!
Thnkas for the advice so far. Supersonic are offroad and cross country different??? (I told you a was totally new to this lol) Have seen the GT avalanche in a few places but was thinking for that price the brakes wouldnt be that great???
Mrs Toast i totally get what you saying in very small print bout the ladies paint jobs theyre certainly interesting!!! Having said that the Trek appears to be one of the better ones!
Im 5"6 so not to much of a short arse...... have only sat on a specialized hardrock and test ridden a giant rincon both seemed fine but the bike shop men keep stearing me back to the ladies section lol
Nonna thanks for the advice on the compression in my muddle i hadnt even thought bout that ... good job you said
Thanks again
Sarah x

supersonic

Different and the same! Some people ride a lot heavier stuff so ned a burlier bike, whilst others may be better with a hybrid if it is just country paths and canal side rides. But I guess you fall into the middle, cross country, woods and moors, in which case you are in the right ball park with your suggestions.

Blokes bikes tend to have longer top tubes, steeper angles, wider bars, thicker grips, stiffer springs and that most important of comfort items, a mans saddle! So while a woman's bike is more likely to suit your body shape, not all do, so sitting on a few different ones is important.

The GT has the best brakes of any £400 bike, rare to see dual hydraulic discs at this price. It makes a great entry level, easy to ride bike. The Trek (one of my favourites) sticks with the perfectly adequate V brakes, but puts the money into a lighter frame and slicker 9spd groupset. At a couple of pounds less, a great option.