Buying a bike for the girlfriend!

OwenB

Hi, my girlfriend is interested in taking up biking and I've decided to buy her something for Christmas, I know the ideal is that she should be trying bikes out and that some mens bikes may be more suitable that womens specific bikes, but I've seen some pretty good deals out there, one being on Pauls Cycles for this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s24p1884

I'm not familiar with Diamondback bikes so don't know how good/bad they may be, but it seems ok, would it be worth a punt for that kind of cash reduction?

supersonic

The spec looks ok, was never worth 1000 quid though. It is a very racy XC set up: may not be the best for a beginner.

OwenB

I thought that may be the case,both on the original price and for the set up.
I'd much rather take her to a local bike shop to get her sat on a few bikes, but she thinks that one's pretty!
Hope I'm not going to regret letting her look at a few online!

Is it worth looking predominantly at female bikes? Or would it be best to let her look at mens as well? Perhaps it might be easier for a lady to answer those questions though? lol!

The Northern Monkey

trying to get my girlfriend interested in riding a bike.....she doesn't care about spec/name/quality....as long as theres pink on it somewhere, she'll be happy

theres a new make of bike out, specifically for women. its called sunset or something girly like that. seen a few of their adverts in mbuk and they seem quite competitivly priced/good quality kit and more importantly women specific.

B

OwenB

I think you mean the Summer ones, I've had a look at those on the Wiggle website, not quite pretty enough though lol!

I've seen the Carerra Kraken womens one in Halfords which looks ok to me, but I know she's after something a little more expensive, she's not a total beginner though as she used to do a bit of biking previously though stopped when she had her kids and never got back into it.

supersonic

A womans bike is more likely to fit (and will have less parts need replacing like the saddle, thinner grips maybe).

I'd certainly se what the shops have to offer. Avoid budget marins, they are terrible.

Rich9

Have a look at the Trek and Marin. Both do a womens specific range. The Marin ones are bright pink too 8)

OwenB

Reckon I could stretch to about £750 with the right credit options, so will see whats on offer and get her sat on a few.

We've a decent range of dealers nearby so can get tests on all the main brands I think. Just don't necessarily get the cheapest deals

artillerydave

I got the Marin Pink one for about £475 for my wife and its a good bike for the price, great frame and well thought out components, cable discs but good ones, Rockshox dart forks, etc, but they have done a good bit of female work as it has a thinner handlebar and grips and a light sprung fork etc. Good bit of kit for the money and bright pink and very girly. And a more reputable name than Diamond Back. (no offence to DB owners!)

supersonic

To be truthful (and I certainly don't want to offend you!) I don't like that Marin. As one to upgrade it has a nice light frame, but as a package, undamped forks, 8 speed and cable discs is the realm of a 250 quid bike. Proof is in the riding, but value wise I think the Treks and Scotts are much better.

nicklouse

supersonic wrote:

To be truthful (and I certainly don't want to offend you!) I don't like that Marin. As one to upgrade it has a nice light frame, but as a package, undamped forks, 8 speed and cable discs is the realm of a 250 quid bike. Proof is in the riding, but value wise I think the Treks and Scotts are much better.

i agree with these thoughts.

OwenB

I can get one of these from the one of the local shops, if fit is decent would it be worth the money at £480?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23695

artillerydave

supersonic wrote:

To be truthful (and I certainly don't want to offend you!) I don't like that Marin. As one to upgrade it has a nice light frame, but as a package, undamped forks, 8 speed and cable discs is the realm of a 250 quid bike. Proof is in the riding, but value wise I think the Treks and Scotts are much better.

Fair comments but the base of any successful bike is the frame so best to try and get as good a one as you can, I would argue the point that a better frame with and 8 speed drivetrain and cable discs is better than a jonny no name frame with 9 speed drivetrain and hyros. and the darts are a decent fork compared to some of the tat around in that price range.
you pays your money you take your choice.

supersonic

I think nowadays you don't see bad frames in this price range. You get good frames and very good frames - the same can't be said for forks.

OwenB

Well I took her out to Wheelbase in Stavely today, she had a ride around the car park on a few non female spec bikes, Trek 6300, Marin Palisades Trail and Northside Trail in differing sizes and came out feeling that she needs something around the 18" frame size, the only thing is I'm looking at the spec on 2009 bikes (which is all they have left in Wheelbase) and I can't help but think it'd be better value going for a 2008 model.

Nearby we have Marin, Giant, Trek, Specialized and Cube dealers that I'd be happy to go to providing they can get me a good bike for the money, can anyone offer any other suggestions?

I really don't want to be paying out £700 and getting her a bike with a Dart fork.

thirty1

Have a look at the Brodie bikes clearout thread in the classifieds http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12590313 they have a 18" Brodie Kinetic, brand new for £600, reduced from £899 i think?

It comes direct from the importers so carries a full warranty. there is a full review of the bike here on bike radar http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/kinetic-08-30997

xtreem

Because you mentioned that you have Cube dealer near you, so maybe she can try these bikes:
Cube Access WLS Pro - Ladies 2009
or the men's Cube LTD Pro 2009
Both are 2009 models, but I think they have a nice spec, both have air fork.
If the lbs has the 2008 models even better.

OwenB

Xtreem wrote:

Because you mentioned that you have Cube dealer near you, so maybe she can try these bikes:
Cube Access WLS Pro - Ladies 2009
or the men's Cube LTD Pro 2009
Both are 2009 models, but I think they have a nice spec, both have air fork.
If the lbs has the 2008 models even better.

Unfortunately the only Cubes they have left are Stereos, discounted heavily but not enough to justify me getting her one.
They've said they're getting some new stock in soon of 09 Cube bikes too and if I'm honest they'd be my preferred shop to go to as they've been brilliant with me. Will see what they're getting in and get her trying them out.

Poves

Hi,

I was looking to buy a nice bike for my wife after she borrowed mine (Cube Attention) and found it so much nicer to ride than her old one. I sought advice from where I bought the Cube from and was advised that for the price, a suitable male frame might be better value. I settled for a Commencal Combi Disc - which for £450 delivered is superb. I bought it from Glasgow Cycles and they even took my wife's measurements - cut the handlebars to her size and supplied with a good female specific saddle. The bike came set up completely even the brakes lever reach was adjusted - just screw the pedals on and straighten the handlebars.
I was given superb service, great advice and very competetive prices too!
They can be contacted on 0141 632 2733 - ask for Neil They also have a website - just type in Glasgow cycles into your search engine..(and I have no connection with them except for the fact that I have bought 3 bikes from them (the 3rd being a Claud Butler Dalesman)

OwenB

Local dealer is offering the trial of a Giant XTC 3 2009 model, is this a decent bike? I've read that these bikes aren't that comfortable so am a little concerned, however she has sat on it and says it feels a lot better than all the rest she's tried so far.

This is the spec for £695:
FRAME AluxX SL aluminium, Fluid Formed
FORK Rock Shox Tora 302 AIR 100mm travel, Turnkey lock out
SHOCK N/A
HANDLEBAR Giant A5 aluminium O.S.riser
STEM Giant A5 aluminium O.S.
SEAT POST GIANT A3 aluminium
SADDLE WTB Silverado Race
PEDALS Steel with resin body and toe clips
SHIFTERS Shimano Deore 27 speed RapidFire Plus
FRONT MECH Shimano Deore
REAR MECH Shimano XT Shadow
BRAKES Giant Root hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors
BRAKE LEVER Giant Root
CASSETTE Shimano HG50 11-34
CHAIN Shimano HG73
CRANKS Shimano M442 44/32/22
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano UN26 cartridge
RIMS Alex DP-17 26"
HUBS Formula disc
SPOKES Stainless steel
TYRES Kenda Nevegal 26x2.1'' Stick-E front, DTC rear

supersonic

That is a pretty good spec for a 2009 bike. Good fork. If she likes it, I'd go for it.

brandfreak

Bought my wife a Trek Fuel EX5.5 WSD earlier this year (£900) as a first proper mtb, she loves it (has got a bit of pink in too) as it's coming to the end of season you might be able to get one of these for around £750.

Just a thought

OwenB

Finally went for the Giant XTC 3 this afternoon, she really like the feel of the bike but after riding it this lunchtime she decided that she wasn't happy with the feel of the bars, so the shop manager stuck a stem with a higher rise on for her and a ladies saddle and made the bike a whole lot comfier for her.

And when I went to pay he knocked another £30 off, so she's happy and so am I.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions folks.

Only problem is now that she has a better (more expensive) bike than mine

stevieboy

I bought my GF a Kona Kula back in 2006, light enough for her to enjoy it and lively enough for her to get a feel for proper biking.

She's now got a 08 Meta 4.2, but still enjoys the odd blast on the Kula.

Given the right bike, it could be the start of something new. I've turned a clubber/fashion type into a mud lovin biker in less than 2 years flat.

Whilst womens specific bikes are, well, specific for women my GF has never had any problems using a 'mans' bike. A guy in a shop lost a few grand once upon a time when he tried to impress a Womans bike on my GF, he actually suggested that 'mens' bikes are not for women and that she wouldnt be able to ride a 'mens' bike l- she took offence (and rightly so) and we both went elsewhere and bought two new bikes.