I need help buying a bike for my girlfriend!

tavyabe
tavyabe Posts: 283
edited September 2009 in Women
Hi, I have been trying to get my girlfriend into mtbing with me, I bought her an old GT aggressor (which she doesn't like) but when she rode my bike (Gary Fisher Sugar 4+) she suddenly decided she likes cycling!

So basically I need to buy her a 'good' bike (so that I can get my bike back from her and sell the GT!)

My budget is around £250 and clearly I would want to buy second hand.

Any advice on what bike to look for, what to avoid etc.

Many thanks

Comments

  • ketka82
    ketka82 Posts: 63
    Get the lightest bike you can as this will help her enormously on the hills. Even if she's quite fit, new cyclists often struggle on the 'ups' and a heavy bike just makes them harder.

    A lot of the weight in entry-level bikes is in the fork. Look to up-grade this as soon as possible for a good-quality XC fork. Not only will this lighten the bike, it will lighten the front end so it will be much easier for her to lift the bike over rocks, roots etc and will inspire greater confidence. Remember that women have far less upper-body strength than men.

    Make sure that the frame isn't too big. Go for smaller rather than bigger if you're unsure. A smaller bike is easier to control.

    You don't specifically state exactly what kind of riding you're going to do with her, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that for GBP250 you won't find a 'good' bike - even on eBay. You'll probably find something that's absolutely fine for a bit of light off-road riding (tow-paths, parks, fire track etc) but if you're more into the technical stuff then you will likely have to up your budget. Also, bear in mind that most second hand bikes are in mens sizes so unless your g/f is pretty tall there'll be far less choice availabe. Less choice = less chance of a bargain.

    Finally, my rule #1, which I've stated before; don't expect your poor g/f to ride a bike that you wouldn't be prepared to ride yourself!

    Oh, and get her kitted out - padded shorts, breathable layers, waterproofs, gloves... I''ve seen too many poor women huffing it up hills in jeans! :shock:
  • Levi_501
    Levi_501 Posts: 1,105
    A word of advise from a fellow boyfriend who managed to get his girlfriend in to MTBing.

    Find out what is her favorite colour, it is so simple, but trust me it works !

    I got my girlie a silver Scott first, however I could not beg her to get on it ! Now she has a blue one and she loves it :roll:
  • ketka82
    ketka82 Posts: 63
    I must admit that I chose my bike initially because of the colour... :oops:

    Very swiftly got my b/f to pimp up all the components, though!
  • tavyabe
    tavyabe Posts: 283
    ketka82, thank you for your reply - very helpful (my g/f read it too and now tells me I must therefore buy her a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ too!!)

    I think it is going to be a case of waiting and hoping for a good deal although as you pointed out second hand is very difficult as the GT Aggressor she currently has is a 16" frame and is too large for her (although only by 1/4" or so, maybe a 15.5" would do) all the second hand bikes are mens and 16+.

    Someone else has suggested a Scott Contessa 55 - does anyone have any comments about that?

    Many thanks
  • ketka82
    ketka82 Posts: 63
    How tall is your g/f? If she is on the shorter side (which I presume she is if 16" is too big) then a women-specific frame may be the way to go. This isn't so much due to the length of the seat-post as for the angle of the seat-post and the length of the top-tube. Mens frames that come in 15.5 inch tend to be mainly jump or trials bikes, which are designed for being thrown around with a very low saddle. Even though the seat-post is shorter the rest of the dimensions are set up for average-sized blokes. These frames also tend to be slightly bulkier as all the joints are reinforced to take the impact of landing jumps.

    In general the Contessa gets pretty good reviews. What Mountain Bike has a womens bike recommendations in the back of the mag every month. You could check that out.
  • tavyabe
    tavyabe Posts: 283
    Thanks Ketka.

    Ok, I think I am going to buy the Scott Contessa 55 2009 (I have found it new for £279.00).

    Can anyone give me their opinion on the bike and any reasons why I should or should not buy it?

    Thank you all!

    The Contessa Sport line has been completed with a beautiful version of the brand new Genius carbon bike. Also, two new Spark full suspension models can be found in the Sport line, one in carbon, the other in the newly developed alloy version. Both of them will satisfy the need for even lighter full suspension bikes for women.

    SPECIFICATION

    Frame Contessa Sport 6061 Alloy, Solution geometry, Integrated headtube
    Fork Suntour XCM, softer spring setup, 80mm travel
    Headset Ritchey Logic OE integ.
    Stem Scott Comp JD-ST33 AS
    Handlebars MTB-152 600mm, black
    Brakes Shimano BR-M416, Mechanical Disc
    Shifters Shimano ST-EF50-8R EZ-fire plus
    Front Derailleur Shimano FD-TY 10 31.8mm
    Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera RD-M360, 24Speed
    Cassette Shimano CS-HG30-8l, 11-32T
    Chain KMC Z-72
    Chainset Shimano FC-M 191 w/CG, 42x34x24 T
    Pedals Xerama SP-872N
    Tyres Scott OZON, 26 x 2.0 27TPI
    Wheels Rigida Cyber 10 black, Formula & Shimano hubs 32h
    Saddle Scott Contessa VL 4135
    Seatpost Scott SCP-252 26.8mm

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