Cheap bike for GF

supermonkey
supermonkey Posts: 315
edited April 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hi, looking for a cheap bike for my other half for light, "tag along with me" off road use. She doesn't want or need anything too flash just something that looks quite nice and won't hinder her too much.

Had a look in the sticky at the Summer Skye which is about the amount I want to spend but she doesn't really like the look of it. Are there any other alternatives for similar money that are as good? She likes the look of the Scott Contessa range but it would have to be either the 50:

http://www.pedalscyclecentre.co.uk/prod ... 1b1s24p867

Or 55:

http://www.pedalscyclecentre.co.uk/prod ... 1b1s24p868

Would I regret getting her one of these over the Summer? Any other suggestions for an attractive bike around the £300-350 mark? Anywhere got a good stock of discounted 07/08 female bikes?

Cheers.

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Carrera Kraken, available in ladies & gents versions, £400 from halfords, very good spec for the money, damped fork, hydraulic brakes, decent frame, 27spd gears, well worth the money

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

    Far better in every way than both Scott bikes in your links.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • daverey
    daverey Posts: 49
    I'm in a similar position - the missus has just got back into exercising following a bad knee injury, and we're keen to get her a decent bike so we can go out off-road (although nothing too extreme - I've only just got into MTB).

    We're considering the following for her:


    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016018

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016017

    Will probably go for the disc version if we can get money off, unless of course anyone tells me that these are not good bikes?

    Dave
  • daverey
    daverey Posts: 49
    I'm in a similar position - the missus has just got back into exercising following a bad knee injury, and we're keen to get her a decent bike so we can go out off-road (although nothing too extreme - I've only just got into MTB).

    We're considering the following for her:


    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016018

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016017

    Will probably go for the disc version if we can get money off, unless of course anyone tells me that these are not good bikes?

    Dave
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    Get them to try some mens bikes aswell as a comparison to see if they really need womens spefic...

    Also if you want them to carry on riding with you, then as light and stable as you can go with your budget
    Meta5.5
    Duster
  • getdownmonkeyman
    getdownmonkeyman Posts: 52
    papasmurf. wrote:
    Get them to try some mens bikes aswell as a comparison to see if they really need womens spefic...

    Also if you want them to carry on riding with you, then as light and stable as you can go with your budget

    Exactly what my missus did. Went with the intention of lookingat/buying the Scott Contessa, she ended up ordering a men's Scott Aspect 55, and she is only a 5'2" tiddler. The look of horror on her face when she realised it was a mens version was priceless though!
  • daverey
    daverey Posts: 49
    Mine has tried a couple of mens bikes, and is also riding one now (albeit an old heavy one). The problem she has is with the reach - has to lean too far forward to hold the handle bars properly and it knacks her back after a while.

    As for the advice about "light and stable" - being a complete novice myself, is it possible to say whether the 2 specialized bikes in my previous post fit the bill, or are they complete no-no's? The guy at Evans cycles said the Specialized Myka bikes were massively popular and great value for money, but then this could have been a sales pitch?
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    My LBS has this for £350:

    http://www.nationalcycles.co.uk/product ... s_id=38497

    Seems to be very similar spec to the Kraken but for less money. Anyone have an opinion?
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Anyone got any input on the two Specialized bikes or Giant above?
  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    daverey wrote:
    Mine has tried a couple of mens bikes, and is also riding one now (albeit an old heavy one). The problem she has is with the reach - has to lean too far forward to hold the handle bars properly and it knacks her back after a while.

    High rise bars and a short stem sort that out, on any bike :wink:
    -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
    Mongoose Teocali
    Giant STP0

    Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Anyone?
  • hdollabbott
    hdollabbott Posts: 5
    hi there

    as a female i would recommened my bike its a gt avalance 2.0 think it was about the £350 but i love it to bits !!

    h doll

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