Sharing a bike with other half?

Hinzy9

This may seem like a strange thing to do, please let me explain.

I'd like to start commuting to work (about 25 miles round trip) but would rather not use my current bike as I don't want it to get bashed about in the bike shed or even worse nicked (quite common outside my work). So I need a new bike for this purpose, however my girlfriend has recently been talking about getting a bike so she can come out with me at the weekend. Unfortunately the garden shed is only big enough for 1 more bike and there is no room in the house to keep it.

Is it possible to share a bike? She's 5ft 7" and I'm 6ft.

Obviously we would need to adjust saddle height etc. I realise it wouldnt be ideal and would be a compromise for both of us. Does anybody else have a similar set up? Is it even worth trying a few at the LBS?

I was thinking maybe a 56" frame?

ride_whenever

It is doable, I'd suggest getting a bike suitable for her and then you ride it into work with the saddle massively raised.

That way she's not put off cycling by having to ride a bike that's too big for her.

I'd go for a 54cm rather than a 56"!!!!

desweller

That's a big height difference. As RW says, you'll be able to sort the leg problem with a long seatpost, but reach to the bars/top tube length might be a bigger problem.

What about a cheapo bike for yourself that you can store outside the shed under a tarp?

Bobbinogs

Why not look for a cheap secondhand thing to commute on? I have seen a few beaten up bikes that most folks would overlook but an experienced cyclist on an audax can still put it to good use

loveaduck

1. Get a bigger house.
2. One of you sleeps outside.
3. Put bunk beds in the shed and keep the bikes inside.
4. Hang the bikes up in the house.
5. Have 12 kids and get the council to pay for a bigger house.
6. Chose which of your parents have the biggest life insurance policy.
7. Keep it in the neighbours house and take out a super injunction to stop them whinging about it.

Hinzy9

Thanks for your suggestions (even the not so helpful ones )

Think we might try a few for size and give it a trail run.

PeeDee

I ride my wife's bike in winter sometimes (when I don'twant to get either of mine dirty ) I.m 6' 2" so we have a big height difference, seems to work OK.

Get the size that fits her, you've just got to put up with it. Much like the rest of married life, now I come to think of it.

Hinzy9

cadseen wrote:

loveaduck wrote:

1. Get a bigger house.
2. One of you sleeps outside.
3. Put bunk beds in the shed and keep the bikes inside.
4. Hang the bikes up in the house.
5. Have 12 kids and get the council to pay for a bigger house.
6. Chose which of your parents have the biggest life insurance policy.
7. Keep it in the neighbours house and take out a super injunction to stop them whinging about it.

buy her a car !!!

Wouldnt really help her to take up cycling though, would it......:?

Wheelspinner

Get a second seatpost and saddle; one for you, one for her.

Put a piece of electrical tape round the post at the correct height for each rider. Buy a quick release seatpost clamp.

I'd also recommend the seatpost for your girlfriend be a zero-setback one, and yours be one with 25 or even 35mm setback. That way the frame size will "fit" better for both of you for a given (compromise) size in between what you would individually get. If she needs a 53 cm and you'd need a 57 for example, getting a 55 with zero setback post will help her and using a 35 mm setback post will help you.

ShutUpLegs

PeeDee wrote:

I ride my wife's bike in winter sometimes (when I don'twant to get either of mine dirty ) I.m 6' 2" so we have a big height difference, seems to work OK.

Get the size that fits her, you've just got to put up with it. Much like the rest of married life, now I come to think of it.

Hinzy9

Wheelspinner wrote:

Get a second seatpost and saddle; one for you, one for her.

Put a piece of electrical tape round the post at the correct height for each rider. Buy a quick release seatpost clamp.

I'd also recommend the seatpost for your girlfriend be a zero-setback one, and yours be one with 25 or even 35mm setback. That way the frame size will "fit" better for both of you for a given (compromise) size in between what you would individually get. If she needs a 53 cm and you'd need a 57 for example, getting a 55 with zero setback post will help her and using a 35 mm setback post will help you.

Thanks a lot! Very helpful.