Bike for the Mrs

[Mark2802]

Hi all,
I'm buying a new bike for my wife. It's a surprise so trying them out is a no-no.
At the moment she's on a giant avail 2. I'm sending myself mad with a shortlist and need help/advice. We're in our 40's so don't want to be folded in half.
My shortlist consists of the Trek Silque SL C with ultegra or the cannondale synapse women's with part ultegra. Also wiggle have a Colnago CLD in White/silver with 105, but it's a good price meaning I can use leftover budget to put 6800 ultegra groupset on it if I wanted, or nicer wheels. My main concern with the Silque is it might be too upright, and I'm worried the CLD might be too racy, although it's marketed for sportives. HELP

 

[ScotiaLass]

TBH, even though it's a surprise you really need her to try a few out!
The sizing may be similar on bikes but as I found out, some are more suitable/comfortable than others!

 

[vickster]

If she's happy on the avail seek to replicate the geometry. I parked next to a sparky blue and white silique yesterday, lovely looking bike

That said, I agree with @ScotiaLass

Surprise her with a hand made gift voucher or similar and then take her shopping followed by coffee and cake

 

[vickster]

Where are you based? Go to a large shop with higher end bikes and multiple brands. If in London say, sigma at Kingston would be a good start

 

[Mo1959]

As above. Whilst it would make a lovely surprise if you were fortunate enough to choose one that she liked and fitted well, if it was me getting a bike at that quality, I would definitely prefer to see and try them out.

 

[Saluki]

+1 on the sparkly gift voucher. 'IOU one shiney new bike' sort of thing. I was much more excited about the prospect of a new bike, when I knew that I was having one than if Hubster had presented me with a new bike and said 'here you go then'.

 

[Dave7]

When I saw the thread title I thought "what a good idea..........I wonder if I can swap my wife for a new bike".
The suggestions re' gift vouchers seem like the solution.

 

[Mark2802]

Problem is LBS don't stock cannondale. They only stock cheaper trek and specislized alluminium women's bikes. In fairness I've bought 3 bikes online and all were great. And brands like canyon do big business selling online only. Im always wary of a LBS steering you towards what they're trying to shift as well. I live in Colchester and Evans of Chelmsford doesn't look like it has much in stock in her size so will probably be a wasted journey. By coincidence we saw the synapse today and she loved the look of it. Gets wicked reviews and has nearly the same geometry as her current bike. job done!

 

[vickster]

I was going to add there's a carbon avail advanced with ultegra. Just saw in giant store. £1600 though

Last years http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-avail-composite-1-2014

This year with disc brakes
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-Liv-avail-advanced-1-2015