New bike advice

Woodland_rider

I'm looking to get back in to riding again which I haven't done since I was a teenager! Long time ago :oops: It will be all woodland/off road tracks and no roads so I'm looking at a hardtail (due to budget) with a price tag of £300 to £500 (at a push).

I've swung back and forth between getting a men's or women's bike but (I think!) I've settled on a women's one. The choice is so much more restricted but I got on well with a woman's bike all those years ago and I have quite a small (ahem, if rather overweight!) body frame.

So far I've looked online only but phoned round about half a dozen bike shops today with a view to trying some. I'm a bit shocked at their lack of stock when it comes to women's bikes! :roll: So, I'd like to narrow my list down a bit to avoid travelling to loads of shops!

My shortlist so far ..
Specialized Myka http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56076/Specia ... -Bike.aspx
Giant Revel http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56296/Giant- ... ?ss=604278
Marin Coast Trail (or Wildcat Trail at a push as it has the disc brakes) but I can't find these stocked anywhere http://www.marin.co.uk/2013/bikepage.php?ModNo=13CT

Also was advised by several places about the Trek Cali but that's rather too high for my budget and with 29" wheels I just think it will be out of proportion to me .. I'm only 5' 2" :-)

Any advice about what I should be looking for/avoiding would be useful :-) I'm not looking for a top spec flash bike, just something which will happily keep me riding maybe twice/three times a week, woodland tracks, nothing too mad, just a decent ride to improve fitness and weight loss.

Thanks in advance for any advice .. oh, and *hello* :-)

Kate_Guyana

Hello!

I have recently been in the same situation and done lots of research. As I'm 5'8" I had the advantage of going for a men's bike which meant a lot greater choice and better deals. At your height though (n offence) I think you should definitely go with a women's bike.

marin is sopping bike shops selling thier products online, so you can only buy in store now. Might be worth phoning around a few bike shops in your area and seeing if thy stock them.

I don't know an awful lot about bikes, but I did do a huge amount of research and realised that at £300-500 you aren't going to get an awful lot for your money. This would be especially true for you as many of the decent 'budget' bikes that are always recommended only come in mens (e.g. Voodoo HooDoo).

It may be better going for a 2012 model as they are always discounted now as the 2013 ones are out.

I know it's a little over your budget, but how about this http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s163p3629/ ... OMENS-2011. They have really good reviews and you may find the petite size fits you.

One thing i will say is that before buying anything, post in the Buying Advice forum and get people's opinions.

supersonic

There is no reason why a small or XS mans would not fit - that siad the above Cannondale is very good for the money.

The three you list are all compromised by poor forks as none of them have any damping in them which controls the fork movement.

Woodland_rider

Thanks for the advice :-) I love the look of the Cannondale but couldn't increase my budget at all ... and would hate to buy something online without trying it. Lovely bike though!

I went to one LBS yesterday and they had *one* women's bike :-/ The Trek Cali 29er which I tried and it was quite nice but £700 :shock: :shock: :shock: so politely declined!

Went to another shop today and they didn't really have *any* women's bikes! :evil: So, I gave up and tried a man's bike .. decided to go with it :-) Giant Revel 1 http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... /#overview

I'm sure some will maybe pick faults with the spec but equally, it's an awful lot of money for me to pay and pretty much the top of my budget. If in a few years, I'm still really, reall yinto MTB, I'll upgrade it but I think it's certainyl fine for beginning :-)

Just can't wait to get out on it now!!!