Buying a bike for your partner/adult starter bike ideas.
Discussion
My OH's birthday is approaching. We're getting to the point where we can go for a ride as a family, and a visit to Center Parcs earlier in the year showed that this is enjoyable generally, but my OH is not a very confident rider as she didn't "grow up with bikes". I bike seems a decent gift idea to the unimaginative like me. However, it worries me that this is the kind of thing that most women would not value as a gift, for reasons I can't really explain.
If I do go down this route, it makes sense to me to adopt the same logic that decent manufacturers of children's bikes use; low complexity and low weight to build confidence. I expect we'll use it for local cycle routes, forestry commission trails and things like that. Things like Canyon's Commuter and Pathlite seem like decent choices to me. The Commuter appeals because the Nexus hub should make gears a bit simpler, though I worry that it will make hills hard work. The Pathlite has a bit of front travel to make things a bit more comfortable, and has a derailleur with a wider range of gears, but is heavier. If they're decent bikes, I'd be happy to spend the £1k on the Canyon models, but this is probably the top end of the budget.
Any feedback or suggestions appreciated.
If I do go down this route, it makes sense to me to adopt the same logic that decent manufacturers of children's bikes use; low complexity and low weight to build confidence. I expect we'll use it for local cycle routes, forestry commission trails and things like that. Things like Canyon's Commuter and Pathlite seem like decent choices to me. The Commuter appeals because the Nexus hub should make gears a bit simpler, though I worry that it will make hills hard work. The Pathlite has a bit of front travel to make things a bit more comfortable, and has a derailleur with a wider range of gears, but is heavier. If they're decent bikes, I'd be happy to spend the £1k on the Canyon models, but this is probably the top end of the budget.
Any feedback or suggestions appreciated.
If budget can stretch an e bike would be a great starting point as likely to have alot less cycling fitness and will struggle to keep up with you if already a keen cyclist. My wife lovers hers and it's the first time have been able to do family cycling without complaints if going to far or fast etc. Decthlon do some of the cheaper ones
If you're not planning on tackling difficult terrain, it may be worth looking at upright city bikes. Can't remember what make my wife's bike is but it's so upright it has a basket on the front...which she finds really useful as she can take a bag with her and just bung it in the basket. From a quick look at Evan's website, something like a Raleigh Willow or Pioneer.
The upright seating position is a makes them a bit slower on hills, but otherwise they're a very comfortable all-rounder. I now have a similarly styled (but without a basket) Gazelle Orange N7 which is a comfortable commuter.
The upright seating position is a makes them a bit slower on hills, but otherwise they're a very comfortable all-rounder. I now have a similarly styled (but without a basket) Gazelle Orange N7 which is a comfortable commuter.
A “Dutch town bike” type of thing (is that their official name or have I imagined that?)? Would that be any good away from a paved surface (bridleway/forest path)? I was under the impression that they’re usually built like tanks and quite heavy as a result.
The obvious way to find out is to rent a city bike, but then those really are heavy…
The obvious way to find out is to rent a city bike, but then those really are heavy…
Prawo Jazdy said:
A “Dutch town bike” type of thing (is that their official name or have I imagined that?)? Would that be any good away from a paved surface (bridleway/forest path)? I was under the impression that they’re usually built like tanks and quite heavy as a result.
The obvious way to find out is to rent a city bike, but then those really are heavy…
They're fine on smoothish hard packed paths like a tow path but less so on rougher terrain more due to the geometry than the weight. My previous Koga was fairly light, as it's my wife's Pinacle Californium ( I had go and check what it was since my last post The obvious way to find out is to rent a city bike, but then those really are heavy…
), my current Gazelle weighs a tonne though. hyphen said:
Get a 1x12 so she only has one set of gears to worry about.
Hardtail mountain bike would be good, but she may complain its heavy. If so get a hybrid which takes tyres of a decent width and put knobbly tyres on.
Have a look at female specific brands like Liv.
Best advice ever. I’ll add it it, a good light hybrid without suspension but wider (35c) tyres is a really versatile bike. He volume of air in the tyres will be great at minor bump absorbing compared to Suspension forks which can be unresponsive and add quite a weight penalty on bikes at this levelHardtail mountain bike would be good, but she may complain its heavy. If so get a hybrid which takes tyres of a decent width and put knobbly tyres on.
Have a look at female specific brands like Liv.
Something like this
women tend to really not like the saddle being higher than the stem so the geo on this looks ideal, just over 10kgs too is pretty good too
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th July 10:45
Islabike Beinn? 10.3kg, looks decent, will hold its value.
https://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/adult-beinn
https://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/adult-beinn
Some great suggestions thanks. I’d already thought of a few of them, but am coming up against the problem of no stock in useful sizes. I’ve got over a month, but I should have ordered in 2019 really, since apparently the entire world simultaneously decided they were into cycling in 2020 
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Saturday 10th July 15:47
Gazzab said:
Don’t buy a bike as a birthday present. Buy something more romantic.
I bought my girlfriend a couple of bikes as ad hoc presents. She had never cycled before but now loves her Bobbin and her Pashley.
I’d echo that.I bought my girlfriend a couple of bikes as ad hoc presents. She had never cycled before but now loves her Bobbin and her Pashley.
Or make sure she’s okay with a bike. It may seem like a great idea to you but it’s a bit like the wife buying you a set of tyres for your car.
Prawo Jazdy said:
Some great suggestions thanks. I’d already thought of a few of them, but am coming up against the problem of no stock in useful sizes. I’ve got over a month, but I should have ordered in 2019 really, since apparently the entire world simultaneously decided they were into cycling in 2020
I bought my wife a Jamis hybrid for £500-ish and she really likes it. Nice and light, carbon forks. I'd get something like that rather that something with front suspension.Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Saturday 10th July 15:47
I've got a Boardman hybrid 8.9, also with carbon forks. Cost me £1k.
There's a lady's version with hub gears.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardm...
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