Commuter for girlfriend

Mark909

Hello,

I'm looking for a decent commuter around £300 for my girlfriend.

Anything decent I've seen below this price seems to be 8 speed only.

Is there anything out there for this price with a wider range of gears?

t4tomo

I'm a decent commuter, post up a pick of your girlfriend so i can assess whether the £300 is good value or not.

t4tomo

BTW nothing wrong with 8 speed for a commuter bike. it will have same or very similar range of gears to 10 speed just with an extra gap or two between the gears. 8 speed is also harder wearing / longer lasting as the chain is slightly thicker.

zx6man

t4tomo wrote:

BTW nothing wrong with 8 speed for a commuter bike. it will have same or very similar range of gears to 10 speed just with an extra gap or two between the gears. 8 speed is also harder wearing / longer lasting as the chain is slightly thicker.

+1, and some £300 pound female specific bikes from halfords are pretty good.

MichaelW

Number of gears required depends on the terrain. I use 8spd (hub gear) on gently rolling terrain and it is fine.
What is the distance/terrain of your GF commute.
Carrera Subway is probably the goto cheap commuting bike. The lack of suspension means it is lighter and more reliable and the components are all good-enough. You need to budget for mudguards (full-length bolt-on), lights, lock, luggage, helmet, repair kit.

chris_bass

I wouldnt get too hung up on getting a female specific bike, they are usualy exactly the same geometry as mens but different colours and often more expensive for the same spec.

i'd get her to try a few and see which one she likes and is most comfortable on. Around that price you could try decathlon or halfords but if i were you i'd search for second hand bikes, you'll get much more bike for your money.

Mark909

t4tomo wrote:

I'm a decent commuter, post up a pick of your girlfriend so i can assess whether the £300 is good value or not.

Fuck off nobhead.

Mark909

Thanks for all the other answers guys.

Actually im looking for something with more than 8 gears as there's a decent range of hills to climb up and bomb down.

I also want to do some cycling with her in the yorkshire dales. Seeming as the the tdf is going past my street I think she'll be up for doing part of the route.

The Rookie

Mark909 wrote:

t4tomo wrote:

I'm a decent commuter, post up a pick of your girlfriend so i can assess whether the £300 is good value or not.

fark off nobhead.

Grow up, this gets put up ever time we get a similar thread title (so you started it) you're the first to have a sense of humour failure....

You're missing the point on 8 v 9, most will have 11-32 cassettes so all the 9 does is push the gears closer together.

For £380 the fit5 from Decathlon is a really really much better bike than anything at £300, carbon forks included.

zx6man

Chris Bass wrote:

I wouldnt get too hung up on getting a female specific bike, they are usualy exactly the same geometry as mens but different colours and often more expensive for the same spec.

i'd get her to try a few and see which one she likes and is most comfortable on. Around that price you could try decathlon or halfords but if i were you i'd search for second hand bikes, you'll get much more bike for your money.

halford carrera women specific model same price,thinner tubing, narrower bars and same spec. Just been doing the same exercise with the Mrs.

crossborderreiver

I would avoid a step through type frame if the bike is used in all weathers. Because the rear brake cable has to run down the sloping 'top' tube and then back up to the brake, there tends to be a bend at the low point in the cable which traps water when very wet and which freezes in sub zero temperatures. I speak from experience of having to choose between cycling with the back brake either jammed on or disconnected :shock: