Advice on buying a new woman's bike

[vickster]

The mountain biking club is a very good idea! At the moment he mostly plays tennis and I cycle, but if he wants to join me cycling I'm happier on roads and easy trails and paths, not the gung ho stuff!

Thanks for the thoughts on size, and on getting what I really want. Everyone in here has been so helpful!

I'm sure I've seen leaflets in Fudges about mountain bike groups who hit the Surrey Hills, otherwise Mark who owns wheel power in Worcester Park is a very keen MTBer, I'm sure he'd know of groups too

 

[fairyhedgehog]

I'm sure I've seen leaflets in Fudges about mountain bike groups who hit the Surrey Hills, otherwise Mark who owns wheel power in Worcester Park is a very keen MTBer, I'm sure he'd know of groups too

Thanks! I'll pass this on to Neil.

 

[vickster]

Thanks! I'll pass this on to Neil.

I think it was probably these guys http://www.singletrackschool.co.uk/...dventures/leith-hill-singletrack-explorer.php

 

[fairyhedgehog]

Maybe look at a hybrid bike with fat tyres and suspension, something like a Specialized Ariel, also with disc brakes

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/specialized-ariel-disc-6189.html

And today I got one of these from Pearson's in Sutton for my birthday this month!

We ended up at Pearson's because Fudge's couldn't get one of these in unless I committed to buy, whereas Pearson's were able to give me a no-strings-attached test ride.

And they were very helpful with setting it up so it was absolutely perfect for the ride home to Epsom.

All except the saddle, which was clearly modelled on a medieval torture device. So I've swapped it for my old saddle which was a £10 impulse buy from TK Maxx and the most comfortable one I've ever sat on. It's a pity I dropped the allen key on the bike while changing the saddle and chipped the paint already (!) but it's worth it to ride without pain.

It has very nice gears, with much lower gears than my old bike. Great for the hills round here.

Now I just need to learn to change inner tubes and do basic maintenance.

Thank you all so much for your help in here!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I have a Ridgeback World Voyage, which is technically a mens bike but it really is very comfy. Especially with me Brooks saddle on it xxx

 

[MichaelW2]

If you are finding and MTB uncomfortable, you can do a lot to make it fit you. MTB riding positions vary from very low and racy to quite upright.
You can change the stem height/length and bars style to suit. Look at different brands and models, and measure one with the shortest top tube (shown in geometry charts).
Most MTBs now "feature" larger wheels(27." and 29", which, for smaller and less strong rider makes the bike more of a handfull to manage than the old 26" standard.
Suspension forks are found on all MTBs, so keep an eye on weight.

 

[Douggie954]

The wife's bike

• Douggie954
• 6 Mar 2016

This probably isn't what you are after because it only has eight gears but my wife loves her Giant.