Bike for the wife
TCottle
Posts: 65
I'm going to buy a new bike for the wife.
At the minute she has some god awful Trek hardtail with v-brakes, a crappy fork and it weighs an absolute tonne.
I've probs got around a £500 budget. I would be intending to immediately convert it to a 1x drive-train for simplicity, as she seemed to struggle with having two sets of shifters... (I know, bless 'er)
Intended riding will be canal paths, gentle forest rides and very light trails. More than likely we will be out with our ~1 year old daughter riding in a bike seat. So, pretty tame stuff.
Having said that, I'd still like her to have something decent... I wish she would just let me buy her a Voodoo Bizango and be done with it, but she fears the 29'' wheels will be too big for her. She's about 5'7'' and stronger than she thinks.
She did point at the Voodoo Hoodoo ("Oooh, that's a nice blue")
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-hoodoo-mountain-bike
But I'm not sure I can bring myself to buy it over the Bizango... (£80 difference is well worth the better components I reckons)
Bizango has the Raidon Air fork over the Raidon Coil, and a better quality 10 speed drive train - which I think would help with some additional range over the 9 speed on the Hoodoo if I'm going down the 1x route. PLUS its a whole kilo lighter, despite being bigger in general.
I doubt she would notice much difference between the Raidon Air/Coil... and I'm sure I can get a wider range cassette for a 1x9.
Buy the Hoodoo that she likes the look of or somehow persuade her to go Bizango like we all know she should!?
TLDR; Wife wants a light bike that's pretty to look at and easy to use. I want to buy her the Bizango, but she doesn't fancy a 29'er. Suggestions?
At the minute she has some god awful Trek hardtail with v-brakes, a crappy fork and it weighs an absolute tonne.
I've probs got around a £500 budget. I would be intending to immediately convert it to a 1x drive-train for simplicity, as she seemed to struggle with having two sets of shifters... (I know, bless 'er)
Intended riding will be canal paths, gentle forest rides and very light trails. More than likely we will be out with our ~1 year old daughter riding in a bike seat. So, pretty tame stuff.
Having said that, I'd still like her to have something decent... I wish she would just let me buy her a Voodoo Bizango and be done with it, but she fears the 29'' wheels will be too big for her. She's about 5'7'' and stronger than she thinks.
She did point at the Voodoo Hoodoo ("Oooh, that's a nice blue")
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-hoodoo-mountain-bike
But I'm not sure I can bring myself to buy it over the Bizango... (£80 difference is well worth the better components I reckons)
Bizango has the Raidon Air fork over the Raidon Coil, and a better quality 10 speed drive train - which I think would help with some additional range over the 9 speed on the Hoodoo if I'm going down the 1x route. PLUS its a whole kilo lighter, despite being bigger in general.
I doubt she would notice much difference between the Raidon Air/Coil... and I'm sure I can get a wider range cassette for a 1x9.
Buy the Hoodoo that she likes the look of or somehow persuade her to go Bizango like we all know she should!?
TLDR; Wife wants a light bike that's pretty to look at and easy to use. I want to buy her the Bizango, but she doesn't fancy a 29'er. Suggestions?
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Comments
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Get the Bizango - glue a daisy to the bars and sprinkle some glitter on the bike.
Tell her size matters.
Stand back while she looks at you and sniggers.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Awesome reply, I'll show her that later - cheers!
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Wheel size has got nothing to do with the relative positions of pedals, grips and saddle, I know two women of 5'4" who ride 29ers.....
Emily Batty looks just fine on one to (or off......).
The 29er wheel will make it more comfortable and faster for the sort of usage you describe as well.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
More seriously, I bought a 29er a month or so back. It's easier, faster, trundles over lumps and roots easier, and feels little different to my random (dozen or so) 26ers on twisty stuff.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Based on my experience find a big bike shop get her to try a few in and around your budget and see what she prefers. If you are lucky like I was she preferred the well spec'ed bike in the sale at the time. It was over the planned budget but a very good buy and she enjoys riding it.
Trying to force your great leader onto a well spec'ed bike, at a good price that she is not keen on is a recipe for disaster. Best within reason to buy the bike she likes and makes her want to ride. I have been lucky twice so far this way.0
