£500 bike for wife. Please help to choose :)

Zheka

Hi guys. Please help me to choose a bike for my wife.
The choice at the moment is:
Specialized Hardrock Pro £500
Marin Bobcat Trail £490
May be Genesis CORE 00 £490

She said she will be happy with £300-400 bike, but my main concern is she wants to go riding with me on South Downs and I want to cry when I see some unidentified fork on £300 bike...

The bikes above is the only choice at the moment as we would like to buy the bike from one of the local shops.
Thank you.

BlackSpur

The Marin is woefully specced - decent frame but the rest is crap. I would discount that straight away. The other two are similar. IT would be best to test, or at least sit on, the bikes you are considering - having a bike that feels right is really important.

supersonic

Can she try them out?

I would avoid the Bobcat unless it is the only one that she likes the riding position on. While it gets hydro brakes and a decent frame, it is let down by what makes a big diffrence - the terrible fork it has.

The Hardrock is lighht for the money, decent fork and parts, but on the value and spec front I really do like that Genesis. Good fork with rebound adjustment, hydro brakes, decent tyres and wheelset.

Don't forget to ask about womens specific saddles and possibly lighter fork springs.

Zheka

Thank you very much guys. Much appreciated.
She did try Marin and Specialized and both felt ok. She doesnt know what to look for as it is her first bike and she doesn't know what is the right feel, horewer she did dissmised Scott womens one straight away, didn't feel right and was too heavy.
Genesis is not in store at the moment and will need to be ordered... I will check tomorrow.
Another question. Is the £100 difference worth it specs wise between Genesis Core 00 and Core 10?

Thank you!

supersonic

The main difference is the 9 speed drivetrain and the fork. I am not sure about the fork - the drivetrain a little better, is 9 speed bit lighter.

If it feels right it is right! The sales staff should help in set up changes in postions. It is important to get a good size and good spec.

KnightofCydonia

I do think for marins the frames come first, especially at lower costs, so you do lose out elsewhere which is a shame

toasty

I envy you, mine wants a Lapierre Zesty 514L for a whopping £2399!

thewaiter

my wife just been through a similar choice... eventually opting for a Specialized Myka expert from Evans http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/myka-expert-2008-womens-mountain-bike-ec001465?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle 2008 model @ 449

gcwebbyuk

We bought a Giant Arete 2 from JE James - worth £700 - bought for £460:

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-ar ... 39871.html



She is very happy