Which MTB for my girlfriend?

Escher303

I want to get my girlfriend a mountain bike, happy to know what to buy for myself but not for her!

- nothing too technical or gnarly, it will be for bridal ways, towpaths, mountain tracks, Pennine way, remote pennine moorland that type of thing. Not trail centres
- she's not particularly quick or strong so as light as possible for the money would best
- low gearing, probably a triple would be best
- wont get a massive amount of use so between 500-1000 pounds would be good, the lower the better obviously!
- happy to fit the bike for her myself, swap stems and bars etc. so thinking men/unisex bike as more choice just in a small size.
- She'll want to sit on it but not necessarily test ride. Have an Evans, Leisure Lakes, Wheelbase, Decathlon, halfords plus other independents nearby
- something stable, neutral handling, she's not the most confident, Lightweight for good climbing, shes 5'4" so probably not a 29er, just a 26er
- the normal candidates Voodo hoodoo, or Decathlon seem more trail bikes and too heavy and robust, same with rock hopper etc
- thinking a x-country hard tail with short travel suspension, Something like a Cube and as light as possible

Can anyone give me pointers?

Cheers

The Rookie

Rockrider 8.1, very XC (not Trail!), best spec and one of the lightest in that price range.

miss notax

I always seem to be saying this, but I would recommend buying something second hand off Ebay / classifieds etc.

That way you'll get more for your money (ie lighter) and if your gf decides she doesn't like it (or indeed wants a better bike!) you'll probably get your money back on it. If you buy new you will not get anything like your money back....

Ebay etc is always full of 'one careful lady owner' bikes that have hardly ever been ridden (unless it's one of mine ), so it always seems a shame not to take advantage of that and snap them up!!

And definitely not a 29er if she's 5ft 4 - that's the same height as me and I just don't get how they are possible for someone my height.... A 14-16" frame will be your starting point.

viewtopic.php?f=40089&t=12913242 - a 1 second look on classifieds....!

The Rookie

+1 for 'pre-loved'......

I ride with a women of 5'4" who rides a 29er, an on-one small (14" frame)...looks perfectly OK!

chez_m356

or if you want something with a touch of pink on it http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499 £585 at the mo

bartimaeus

Just get the right size... there should be a reasonable choice either new like the Boardman, or 2nd hand if you look for things like Myka's or Rockhoppers.

Levi_501

Find out her favorite colour, then buy one that colour; it works!

Escher303

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. She wanted new and why not! She's now the proud owner of a Rockrider 8.1, picked it up last night. Have to say despite having more premium brands myself I'm very impressed with the Decathlon bikes. She rides on the road a lot so I'm sure this'll get a lot of use. She likes the colour too ;-)