First bike for the wife, up to £300, any ideas?

ElliotR

Hi All,

Having been biking myself for years my wife would now like to get involved but as this will be her first go at off road riding I didn't want to spend loads incase she doesnt take to it.

I've set the budget at £300 max and from what I've seen so far the Carrera Vengence @ halfords, (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499) for £279 seems to be the best I'll get for that budget.

If anyone has any opinions on the bike or alternatives I'd love to hear them.

Cheers

Elliot

miss notax

Yes, buy something second hand

This has 2 advantages, firstly you'll be able to get a 'better' bike (poss more suspension, lighter, better components etc) and secondly if she doesn't like it you'll be able to get your money back on it. You won't get anywhere near your money back on a new bike.

If I had a pound for every couple I have seen at trail centres where the chap zips past on a nice plush bike and his poor wife / girlfriend pootles along behind on some heavy old thing with a face like thunder or (more often) in tears Makes me sad as biking needs more girlies - why make it difficult? I probably wouldn't have stayed with it if I hadn't been on a nice light, comfy bike (incidentally a full susser bought on Ebay for £700, ridden for 2 years and sold for the same price).

So. If you would like your other half to enjoy biking with you, I would honestly suggest buying second hand

Oh, and take her somewhere nice for her first ride. My then partner took me to Cwmcarn for my first mtb ride. It was not successful :?

The Rookie

+1 She won't enjoy it on a clunker so get something used but much better used, second hadn Voodoo or Fury or Rockrider 8.1 for example (not a hardrock or 'hopper as they won't be much better than the vengeance! - I'll get my coat).

97th choice

ElliotR wrote:

If anyone has any opinions on the bike or alternatives I'd love to hear them.

Cheers

Elliot

Either follow the advice of Miss Notax or up your budget, the specialized myka has a decent frame that is upgradable if she likes the sport, and it will sell easily if she doesn't. The lower models are poverty spec. and even the higher end will need a fork upgrade before too long, but the frame is well thought of.

idiotdogbrain

I (and my OH) will echo what's been said above - go used, up the budget, buy her something decent that she'll enjoy riding.

miss notax

I am keeping an eye out for a bike for a friend and stumbled across this - ok, so this is a bit racey, but it's certainly light, a capable little bike and would (probably!) re-sell ok if needs be

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardman-Comp ... 3ccd30a164

You get my point anyway!

70\ʹspenguin

The Beginner wrote:

She won't enjoy it on a clunker

Ohhhh i dunno......depends if shes ever clunked before......

ElliotR

Thanks for all the advice, I’ll start scouring ebay…

ElliotR

ok, after quite a bit of sifting about for a good 2nd used bike, I've found two possibles that would be great to get some feedback on.

The first and main choice at the moment is a Specialized Rock Hopper with Tora Forks, Avid Juicy 3 Breaks, LX Mechs and Shimano deore shifters and chainset. at £300, from seeing the pics it's got slight scratching on the forks but nothing major.
The second Im looking at is a Specialized Myka Elite 2011 in mint condition but its going for £450, but id make a lower offer as they arent far off this at Evans in the sale at the moment.

Baring in mind this will be a first bike for my wife, do you think the extra cost for the Myka would be worth while?

Any advice and opinions would be great....

Cheers

97th choice

Can I offer some friendly advice that you keep to one thread rather than opening up new topics for related questions that you are asking in here?

ElliotR

97th choice wrote:

Can I offer some friendly advice that you keep to one thread rather than opening up new topics for related questions that you are asking in here?

Fair point, I created a new post though as this one seemed to turn into banter between posters, which has subsequently now been removed getting it back on track...cheers

chez_m356

ElliotR wrote:

97th choice wrote:

Can I offer some friendly advice that you keep to one thread rather than opening up new topics for related questions that you are asking in here?

Fair point, I created a new post though as this one seemed to turn into banter between posters, which has subsequently now been removed getting it back on track...cheers