Womens Road Bike? £400 budget

Twelly

Hi,

I'm usually lurking on the MTB forum so please don't shoot me for coming over here!

I'm looking to get my better half her first road bike. She is currently commuting 10 miles (ish) on an old, heavy 90's MTB which I have tried to improve for her but you just can't polish a turd.

Her budget is around £400 but that doesn't mean all of it has to be spent! If there is something that will do the job for £200, happy days. The opposite also applies though - If there is a bike which is too good to turn down for say.. £500, I'm willing to find some way to push the budget up.

She is short (about 5ft 1) so this will need to be taken into account.

Just want something reliable, efficient, and comfortable for her to get rid of the old dog she is currently riding!

I know there is a buying guide at the top of this forum but bearing in mind I am specifically asking about a woman's bike, there was no mention of this in the 'What bike' thread. Obviously a small unisex bike will be fine also.

Any suggestion? All advice taken gladly!

P.s. I ride a Specialized Allez to work and I am very happy with this, something along those lines of weight and efficiency would be nice

smidsy

Don't get sucked in to the "must have a female specific bike" they tend to be no better but cost more.

You can do just as well with a 'normal' bike if the fit is right - often only need to change saddle, stem, seat post etc.

Twelly

I am aware of that trap and I have tried to avoid it but where my girlfriend is so small I'm thinking it may be difficult finding a unisex or mans bike that she can ride comfortably.

Have seen this http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-fitnes ... 88895.html Which I know is very basic and doesnt have drop bars but for the money you can't really knock it. Anyone had any experience with cheap Decathlon bikes?

itsnotarace

This would be my choice, obviously last years model. She would need an XS size frame at 5ft1 (my OH is 5ft 2 and rides a XS - she tried a load of bikes and most of the smallest sizes were still too big for her, the only other one that was close was a Specialized Dolce due to the really sloping top tube)

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... &vid=12422

Twelly

itsnotarace wrote:

This would be my choice, obviously last years model. She would need an XS size frame at 5ft1 (my OH is 5ft 2 and rides a XS - she tried a load of bikes and most of the smallest sizes were still too big for her, the only other one that was close was a Specialized Dolce due to the really sloping top tube)

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... &vid=12422

This looks ok but it is frustrating that there are so many better spec'd bikes for the same or less money but they aren't available with a small frame!

Thanks for the info though. Have narrowed my search to bikes with 42-44cm frame and there is not a lot out there! The Dolce has cropped up but it is just too much over budget really. May have to bite the bullet and shell out though I'm thinking....

Is it worth looking at childrens/junior bikes do you reckon? I would imagine a large childs bike would be similar to and XS adults?

suzyb

I'm 5ft and have been looking around for a new bike recently and I do agree she'll need a womens specific bike. I haven't been able to find any mens bikes that are small enough.

Have you thought about looking at second hand. You'll probably get more bike for your buck although it can be difficult finding a second hand bike at that size.

Twelly

suzyb wrote:

Have you thought about looking at second hand. You'll probably get more bike for your buck although it can be difficult finding a second hand bike at that size.

This is my next move I think, I have found 5 or 6 bikes which would be suitable and are available in the right size but they are all £500+ and way too over equipped for what she needs it for. If I can get one of these a year or two old for half the price it may be the best option, but you're right, it won't be easy finding second hand bikes that small.

Cheers for the help everyone

stokey1964

Im about to sell my daughters Giant OCR 2

itrs a size 2XS with 650c wheels

was looking for about £320 for it

let me know about size and if you want any pics

Simon

MaxwellBygraves

Another +1 for second hand.

My girlfriend had about that much to spend on a bike, went second hand and got a great bike. As long as you're careful, you should be able to get a good bike by going second hand.

Twelly

@MaxwellBygraves

Can I ask what bike you ended up getting and how much you paid?

bikergirl17

recommend a cannondale in 44 cm (see if you can find an older caad, say caad8). comes with 650c wheels but at her height that makes sense.

the plus for a wsd, regardless of what you hear here, is that they used to be spec-ed smaller, like the cranks and shifters:

1. 165 cm cranks (usually come 170)
2. short reach levers -- or ability to put in shims. otherwise very hard to break on the hood tops esp when cold hands.

Tim Man

Hi,

I'm just tagging onto the end of this post, hope I'm not breaking any forum rules or etiquette, let me know if I am.

I am currently looking at buying a road bike for my girlfriend, she is 5'10 which i am guessing is quite tall for women specific bikes.

Does anyone have any views on the pros and cons of a women specific bike for a taller girl? I like the idea of smaller bars and a shorter top tube and reach but I'm not sure whether my girlfriend falls slightly out of the wsd range.

Any opinions or information would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.

team47b

Tim Man wrote:

Does anyone have any views on the pros and cons of a women specific bike for a taller girl? I like the idea of smaller bars and a shorter top tube and reach but I'm not sure whether my girlfriend falls slightly out of the wsd range.

Any opinions or information would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Get a better idea of fit first...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

This makes deciding on specific sizes of bars/top tubes etc easier, less guesswork as to what bike will fit. Then you will be able make informed decisions. Warning: Measuring your girlfriend...

itsnotarace

Tim Man wrote:

HI am currently looking at buying a road bike for my girlfriend, she is 5'10 which i am guessing is quite tall for women specific bikes.

No need to go specifically for a female frame in that case, lots of taller ladies ride men's bike's fine.

Tim Man

Cheers for the info guys. I think the way forward is to take her to the shop and get her trying a range of female and male bikes. If its comfy and looks nice then she will ride it and thats the most important thing.

Again, thanks for the advice.