Suggestions/Ideas for bike wanted
Discussion
Folks,
I'm after a bike for Mrs. Kinky.
Budget is approx £100 for the bike itself (accessories/helmet/etc are seperate and certainly not skimping on helmet budget).
I'd class her as a Novice, height is about 5ft 4 and would be light useage, over light terrain - certainly NOT hardcore MTB style.
No idea really on where is an honest/reliable palce to go - either shops or on-line. We popped into Halfords today - they had 1 ladies bike reduced to £120 - but no-one was interested in talking to us, so we voted with our feet!
Not interested/no need in the hi-tec/hi-spec stuff like disk brakes or fancy front/rear suspension. A stock bike would suffice.
Can be new or 2nd-hand ... if new, then I guess an '06 bike would be where the offers are.
Any advice or suggestions on what might be a good decent buy? Also, any advice or suggestions on where to go? Online or shop .... local towns are Camberley, Staines, Bracknell, Windsor and Slough.
Many thanks in advance,
K
I'm after a bike for Mrs. Kinky.
Budget is approx £100 for the bike itself (accessories/helmet/etc are seperate and certainly not skimping on helmet budget).
I'd class her as a Novice, height is about 5ft 4 and would be light useage, over light terrain - certainly NOT hardcore MTB style.
No idea really on where is an honest/reliable palce to go - either shops or on-line. We popped into Halfords today - they had 1 ladies bike reduced to £120 - but no-one was interested in talking to us, so we voted with our feet!
Not interested/no need in the hi-tec/hi-spec stuff like disk brakes or fancy front/rear suspension. A stock bike would suffice.
Can be new or 2nd-hand ... if new, then I guess an '06 bike would be where the offers are.
Any advice or suggestions on what might be a good decent buy? Also, any advice or suggestions on where to go? Online or shop .... local towns are Camberley, Staines, Bracknell, Windsor and Slough.
Many thanks in advance,
K
Yep, something like a Specialized Hardrock would fit the bill, I had a ~6 year old one that I bought off a housemate about 3 years ago for £120 and flogged it a month ago for £90. Your wife may be better off on a womens specific bike though, most girls have different body/leg length ratios so some mens bikes don't really fit them but you can only really work that out by trying them.
Whatever you do though buy a decent brand and don't spend £100 on a new "fake" full suspension bike, they are ridiculously heavy and will fall to bits at first sign of a bridleway if the poor rider hasnt lost the will to live by that time and gone home
Whatever you do though buy a decent brand and don't spend £100 on a new "fake" full suspension bike, they are ridiculously heavy and will fall to bits at first sign of a bridleway if the poor rider hasnt lost the will to live by that time and gone home
Kinky said:
Hummmm ... Mountain Trax are pretty local to me ... and used to be owned by my ex-BiB partner (he sold it off a few years ago) ..... I might pop down to them.
K
K
I wouldnt bother with mountain trax I would go to berkshire cycles in crowthorne high street or I-Bike opposite crowthorne station.
(which owner of M-trax did you know? i knew mark and clare very well)
What will she be using the bike for? Fitness? Fun? Commuting?
Will she be on teh road 100% of the time or off road? Or abit of both? If a bit of both will it be country lanes or country parks?
The type of bike and to a lesser extent the budget will be decided upon answering those questions.
Generally £100 is going to buy you a £100 of trouble. It will be very heavy have ineffectual brakes, poor riding position, be uncomfortable and hard work, poor gears and will be a waste of money.
£200 is the bare minimum for anew bike. Buy it from a proper bike shop where you will get good advice and the correct size. Which is the most important consideration of all.
Dont both with any suspension at these prices and you'll probably find a hybrid represents the best compromise of speed comfort and on off road ability with a comfortable riding position and gears and brakes that work.
Hope you find something she likes.
Will she be on teh road 100% of the time or off road? Or abit of both? If a bit of both will it be country lanes or country parks?
The type of bike and to a lesser extent the budget will be decided upon answering those questions.
Generally £100 is going to buy you a £100 of trouble. It will be very heavy have ineffectual brakes, poor riding position, be uncomfortable and hard work, poor gears and will be a waste of money.
£200 is the bare minimum for anew bike. Buy it from a proper bike shop where you will get good advice and the correct size. Which is the most important consideration of all.
Dont both with any suspension at these prices and you'll probably find a hybrid represents the best compromise of speed comfort and on off road ability with a comfortable riding position and gears and brakes that work.
Hope you find something she likes.
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