Ladies full suss

What sort of budget range are you considering? If you do Cannock Chase, she might want to consider asking Swinnertons if she can demo a couple of bikes, like the women's specific Trek Fuels, Giant Anthems/Trance and the Orange Diva (if you're feeling flush). I think you can demo Specialized bikes for a couple of days from the concept store in Birmingham

It costs a bit demoing bikes (unless you can find free demo days), but given the amount of money you're spending, it's definitely worthwhile. I'd say that your girlfriend is probably limited to women's bikes - I'm 5ft 2, and even small bloke's bikes tend to be too big for me. However, she might drop lucky - if you look at bloke's bikes, look for rear-shocks that aren't placed vertically (as it tends to increase the height of the frame).

I think quite a few magazines out at the moment have reviews of women-specific bikes, which is a useful starting point for research - bear in mind that they tend to bundle them all together though, regardless of the style of riding they're designed for.

Heh, not a fan of Konas myself, I think they tend to be over-priced for what you get.

As for Specialized, I'm still a bit cross at them for their marketing of the '08 women's Myka FSRs. Compare the spiel for the FSRxc:

Specialized's marketing department wrote:

SLIMMED DOWN SUSPENSION In production for a decade, the FSRxc™ features our time-tested, fully-active FSR suspension in a minimalist package that is fast, light, efficient and easy-to-maintain.

...to the blurb for the women's equivalent:

Specialized's marketing department wrote:

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU! Hitting the trails may be just one pastime among the many that you love, but when fire roads and singletrack are calling your name, the Myka™ FSR backs you up with a complete package of trail-tuned efficiency, control and value.

Fire roads? Fire roads? Why on earth would I want to buy a full suspension...for fire roads? And is it just me, or does the main bulk of the Myka's blurb fail to make any sense whatsoever?

That said, the Specialized women's bikes tend to be decent value, and they genuinely do make an effort in making women's bikes suitable for women (other than pretty paint jobs) - thinner tubes to make it lighter, softer forks, etc. Trek are also very good in that department. I'd recommend demoing a Trek from Swinnertons, and a Myka from the concept store, and just seeing how she gets on with them.

You might also want to consider the Scott Contessa FX 15/25 as another option - they're just above £1000, although I've seen the 25 for under £1000 (large frame, alas). I have no idea what kind of reviews they get, but they do have a lovely paint job!

Much as the drivel that comes out of marketing departments usually sets my teeth on edge, that Specialized blurb does say "fire roads and singletrack" (my italics), so they're just talking about off road riding in general.

Besides, I can think of at least one fire road round here where suspension isn't essential, but if you want to go flat out it's very nice to have.

Don't limit it to women's specific designs - it's mainly reach that's important. If a bike has enough top tube clearance & is the right reach to the bars it fits. Some small mens bikes may well do the job, which gives you a bit more choice. Make sure you have a quick test ride on whatever bikes you like the look of - that's the only way to be sure.

sarah75 wrote:

switchback18 wrote:

Don't limit it to women's specific designs - it's mainly reach that's important. If a bike has enough top tube clearance & is the right reach to the bars it fits. Some small mens bikes may well do the job, which gives you a bit more choice. Make sure you have a quick test ride on whatever bikes you like the look of - that's the only way to be sure.

I agree with this. I'm a petite 5ft 4 and i've got a 17" frame (mens) Santa Cruz superlight which is perfect for me. It's exactly the right size for me and hasn't let me down yet!! I also like the look of it - I personally don't go much on all the flowery saddle tosh you get with ladies bikes... My bike looks perfect in it's natural state - slightly battered and covered in mud

Hmmm, thought I replied to this, must have closed the window before I submitted (either that, or there's a random post about women's bikes in another thread...)

I'd agree that it's just a matter of trying stuff out - when hiring bikes out, I've found that 16" men's Treks and Konas are too long for me, and a small Meta is also too big.

Although it's nice to keep your options open, I do think that, at 5ft, the original poster's girlfriend will have even a tougher time of finding a small enough bloke's bike. It's the same at both ends of the scale - my husband is 6ft 7, and also has his choice restricted as quite a few companies don't produce big enough frames.

I wonder, is there a list anywhere of makes/models of guy's bikes that are available in 14"/15"/XS? Might be worth compiling one and getting it stickied.