Best buy women's bike (or men's that fits) for approx £350?

[robotron]

Hi all,
I've been a member here for a while but don't really say much, anyways, I'd appreciate some advice for a new bike purchase.

I have a couple of bikes, a Ribble road bike and a decent Trek hardtail mountain bike. They both get used regularly so I'm sorted but my Mrs is looking to get a bike for fitness riding, nothing major but probably up to 20 ish miles on cycle paths (Preston Guild Wheel for example, or the Leeds Liverpool Canal).

We're looking to spend up to about £350 on a bike for her, and so far the Decathlon Rockrider 520 seems to be a good deal, even though it's a man's bike. It's a decent spec, has kit that won't go out of line every mile like some of the cheaper bikes.

Women's specific bikes seem to be a case of "paint it purple, and charge more". Is this really the case?

Can anyone recommend other bikes of this nature/price that we should look at? Hardtail MTBs and decent hybrids are the only choices, she really doesn't want a road bike.

MTBs seem a bit better spec for the money for some reason but either way is good.

I have some skinny hybrid type tyres that I could put on an MTB if we get one. As I mentioned, it's likely to be used on more canal path/dedicated cycle paths/woodland paths rather than road and proper MTB tracks.

Any advice welcome, especially any decent end of 2014 range bargains that anyone knows of. (Size M bike preferred!).

Thanks in advance

 

[vickster]

Too purple? L rather than M so may be too big depending on the geometry

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s163p4957/SCOTT-CONTESSA-650-2013

Medium but perhaps too expensive?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s163p5252/CANNONDALE-TRAIL-SL-5-WOMENS-2013

 

[robotron]

Should have also added, I'll be responsible for servicing it and I'm happy with having to look after relatively cheap hydraulic brakes, like the Rockrider 520 (AURIGA Comp).

Also, do Decathlon have a big sale that reduces their bike prices? I know the Halfords Carerra Kraken is worth keeping an eye on for big discounts.

 

[robotron]

Too purple? L rather than M so may be too big depending on the geometry

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s163p4957/SCOTT-CONTESSA-650-2013

Medium but perhaps too expensive?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s163p5252/CANNONDALE-TRAIL-SL-5-WOMENS-2013

No such thing as too purple! Too large though I would say, she's 5' 7" so I'm guessing at a size M. We'll obviously take a look at any serious contenders before buying though.

As for the other, yes, it's just a bit too much. Especially as it's very similar spec to the Decathlon one I mentioned. Thanks anyway, appreciate the very quick response!

 

[vickster]

A M MTB might even be too big at 5'7, I am 5'10 and had an 18" which was right

 

[Learnincurve]

Evans stock Ridgeback which are my go to recommendation for all hybrid bikes (I own 2 myself) at 5ft 5 and I am a 19" (just) best thing is evans are clearing out shop stock right now http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/ex-demo-soiled-bikes/f/ridgeback#! don't be fooled by the price, they are a shimano owned and subsidised company, and are the same quality and specs as name brands like specialized or giant without an additional £100 for the name tag.

 

[robotron]

A M MTB might even be too big at 5'7, I am 5'10 and had an 18" which was right

Fair point, I think I should arrange a few visits to bike shops. For her benefit of course, not mine. Honest...

I was going off the Decathlon BTwin sizing chart, it reckons 5'7" is smack in the middle of their M sizes.

 

[vickster]

Fair enough. B twin make good value for money bikes, they just look a bit dull in terms of their styling IMO

 

[robotron]

Fair enough. B twin make good value for money bikes, they just look a bit dull in terms of their styling IMO

True, but my thoughts are that a stylish bike that weights the same as a small car and falls apart as soon as you look at it is less likely to get ridden more than once or twice.
We're not expecting a sub 10kg bike with top end kit that's as comfy as a Jaguar for this money. As long as it's reasonably comfy and fairly reliable it has more chance of seeing daylight rather than just collecting cobwebs in the garage!

Thanks for the comments so far by the way. Hopefully this time of year will see some decent 2014 model bargains.

 

[jefmcg]

(Is a Jaguar comfy?)

I'd definitely try some. I'm 168cm (5'6") and small is the right size for me in Giant road bikes. And decathlon bikes are usually good value.

 

[Janine]

Hi robotron,
All I can say is I am a woman, all my bikes costed no more than £250 (I have a fourth and fifth), none of them was pink (one was half silver half purple) and never had any problems. I've been commuting to work every day for the past nine years plus some weekend short rides for pleasure. Oh, and I'm 1.57 (5'2'' I believe).