Which good quality mountain bike

[Catherine197]

Admitedly I am probably asking a predominantly male audience, but what would be considered the best quality mountain bike brands, which have a ladies range.

Have looked at Specialized, Giant etc.....

[mat205125]

Why do you think you need a ladies bike, and not a mans? There are so many different sizes, types and geometries available for "mens" bikes that there should be something to suit everyone out there somewhere ..... Cove will even paint it pink for you

[pdV6]

If you're determined to have a specific "ladies'" bike, then Specialized, Trek, Gary Fisher all do women-specific versions.

In most cases, though, you can get your local bike shop to swap the necessary parts to fit the bike to your body (seat, crank arms, stem, bars etc.)

Correct fit is more important than anything else (unless you just have to have it in pink )

[Catherine197]

LoL, actually i want a white one.

Hadn't thought of a mans bike, automatically thought of a ladies.

Ok, so assuming I want a hardtail, what would you recommend. I had also been taking a look at the bottom end of the orange range.

[mat205125]

I had a P7 a few years ago, and it was a great bike. Orange really do make nice bikes.

Depends on budget really, but you can get something very good an strong for around the £500 make, especially if you can find some 2007 model year bargains about.

[pdV6]

MrsV6 has an Orange Gringo from a few years back. It's a cracking little bike. Not sure what the current equivalent in the range would be.

[JPJ]

In answer to the ladies bike/mens bike conundrum, it depends on what shape you are. If you're the manufacturers' idea of a 'lady' with long legs in proportion to your torso, then you are much better off with a lad specific design. However, if you are more normally shaped with a lesser leg length in comparison to overall height then a men's frame will fit fine.

As someone points out above, getting your shop to fit slightly narrower bars to suit your shoulder width, and a lady shaped saddle should be easy enough and probably worth doing.

In terms of bikes, I would suggest getting something light, whatever budget you have. Of course the more you pay the lighter the bike can be, but in general I would go for an aluminium frame over a steel one (which may write off the wonderful Orange P7 and similar). Disc brakes are a big improvement over rim brakes, but do add weight. You're unlikely to need anything with a rotor bigger than 160mm, and the kit on the bike can be lighter rather than indestructible. One option might be Merlin cycles based up in Lancashire, but unless you're around that way it may be difficult to get a test ride. Spec's are good bikes but the lower models tend to be heavy to make them stronger. Giant, Scott and Trek are widely available and you may find something that suits in their ranges.

Hope that helps.

[Catherine197]

Thanks JPJ, I like the look of the Scott bikes, but then they do produce one which is £5,000.

[pgtips]

Has anyone got any experience of the Boardman range from Halfords? (Sorry to hijack thread but hopefully I'm effectively asking the same question as the OP)? Had a look at the weekend and they look, albeit to the non-expert pretty reasonable. Any thoughts?

[custardkid]

Catherine,

what terrain will you be riding? if its woods or moorland or welsh hills you might find some bikes more suitable than others. as jpj said the lighter is probably better, as ladies tend not to be as strong as guys. get the shop to swop the saddle for a 'terries' ladies saddle FOC, and bars / stem etc to make sure the bike fits you.

most importantly ride the bike before buying and make sure its comfortable!

used to work in abike shop as a lad.
if your in bristol i'd be happy to assist

buy one and get :drivin: (ok they dont have a riding smilie)

Custard

Edited by custardkid on Wednesday 20th February 19:11

[Catherine197]

canal towpaths woods etc.

I do like the look of the scott contessa 10

http://www.scottusa.com/gb_en/product/245/844/cont...

[custardkid]

never riden a scott so couldn't comment.

i rate Konas as they have nippy handling, but as they tend to spend more on the frame the kit isn't as bling.

evens even have a pink one in the sale
http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=4157

or sunset have knocked aload of this:
http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_...

but what ever you get make sure you try before you buy


custard

[catso]

custardkid said:

buy one and get :drivin: (ok they dont have a riding smilie)

Doesn't look like they have a :drivin: one either

Try this;

[custardkid]

catso said:

ace

[gbbird]

Catherine197 said:

canal towpaths woods etc.

I do like the look of the scott contessa 10

http://www.scottusa.com/gb_en/product/245/844/cont...

I have a Scott Scale and i can highly rate it. very quick and nimble, good up hills, and quite light. They are made for cross country so should suit your style

[dhutch]

My sis (17) is on a ladies hardrock sport (deep purple with about three subtle silve stars) and its fair enough.
- The sport is a nice bike for the price, and she doesnt really need anything more.
- The paint job is in-offensive, i dont mind riding it, and she thinks its fine too.
- Main diffrences are the lighter front forks (hardtail) and diffrent saddle. Really.


Daniel

[gbbird]

dhutch said:

My sis (17) is on a ladies hardrock sport (deep purple with about three subtle silve stars) and its fair enough.
- The sport is a nice bike for the price, and she doesnt really need anything more.
- The paint job is in-offensive, i dont mind riding it, and she thinks its fine too.
- Main diffrences are the lighter front forks (hardtail) and diffrent saddle. Really.


Daniel

My g/f has a Hardrock Sport Ladies bike, and does her fine for what she needs it for, mainly towpath work. but with some roads and hills and tracks aswell. It does weight a ton though, and am thinking of upgrading the components on it to try to make it lighter

g

[dhutch]

What age is it? I dont think my sisters (05) is stupidly heavy.
- Depends what you after i guess, towpaths vary from chalk to cheese themselfs anyway.


Daniel

[mk1fan]

How tall are you?

'Lady' specific bikes are designed to be smaller becuase the average lady is smaller than the average man.

If you're 5'6" plus then you should fit a 'mans' bike no problems (for example Orange's P7 is available in 15-inch frame size).

As for contact points - these are important but it really does come down to personal taste and what you find comfortable. This means sitting on bikes down your local bike shop. Saddles, handlebars, stems, grips, brake levers and gear shifters can all be changed to suit.

As for weight of the bike - very few people (ie only the Pros) benefit from saving 300gms on a bike. Anything between 28 and 31lbs will be robust enough to handle the trails and light enough to ride all day. As no one on here is a Pro then I wouldn't get too caught up about the weight saving V-brakes offer over discs or an aluminium frame over a steel one (for example my Cove Stiffee (ali) is 27.5lbs with decent components and Atom111's Dialled Bikes Prince Albert (steel) is 28.5lbs with middling components both are great HT Trail bikes). Any decent LBS will be able to advise you on the pros and cons of specific components - disc vs 'V' brakes or Gripshift vs STi.

Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 21st February 15:13

[Catherine197]

I am 5'4