Ladies Specific Bikes

[walker]

Not quite a beginner myself but posting for my partner.

I've recently got my Girlfriend invloved in cycling using my old bike.

She now want's her own bike but I've looked around the web and all ladies bikes come with 8 speed gear sets. the budget we have is around £500 but would like to get at least 9 speed if possible (Shimano).

She is 5'10, are we better off getting a mens bike with a shorter stem?

 

[slow down]

I think you'd be better with the women's specific bike. Parts can be upgraded over time if she really gets the bug.

 

[slow down]

Sorry - meant to add - if you put a short stem on a man's bike it may affect the handling, plus you'll never get the same fit as a WSD. I know that women managed for years riding men's bikes, but maybe that's why not many used to get into it properly - I wouldn't like to ride a bike that deosn't fit me propoerly.

 

[walker]

Ok SD, I'll get her a Ladies bike, anyone got any recommendations?

 

[GrahamG]

I recommend checking that the parts compliment the WS frame - when I was looking for my girlfriend I noticed that some manufacturers just did the frame and didn't bother with more compact handlebars/brake levers etc. which is a major thing for small handed lady comfort. Giant and Specialized came up good and I only went with the former as that what the LBS deals with.

 

[walker]

I have noticed a reasonable giant in the ladies range for around £350.

 

[slow down]

This looks good VFM if they have your size. Primera's service is also excellent I've found.

http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Template.aspx?prodID=1721

 

[walker]

very good SD, I've posted the link to the Mrs and see what she say's. She will moan about the colour no doubt

 

[slow down]

Tell her Black's good, because it will go with anything

 

[slow down]

If she prefer's Blue, there's always this but no discount (but if you don't ask, you don't get):

http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Template.aspx?prodID=2267

Has room for full size guards and a rack if needed.

 

[GrahamG]

Giant SCR 3W - nice girly white and baby blue.

 

[Cathryn]

White makes you look fat...don't go for white. Black's the way forward.

 

[Nicko]

Managed to get a 2007 Specialized Dolce Elite for my wife reduced from £799 to £500. Worth shopping around.

 

[buggi]

i've got a man's bike and had a shorter stem put on. can't say i noticed it handled differently. i think the main thing is to get her to try it out, whether it be a man's or woman's design. i'm 6ft so i'm only 2 inches taller than your lady, and i'm looking for a new bike. the guys in the shop reckon i might not notice all that difference in the women's specific bikes and said they'd rather sit me on both the women's and then the men's with a shorter stem to see what i find more comfortable.

 

[kyuss]

I've always been a bit sceptical of these women specific bikes and I reckon they are as much an exercise in marketing as they are in proper bike fitting. Like GrahamG says they rarely come with proper women specific components and unless your partner is tiny (which at 5" 10' isn't the case) there is no reason that in this day and age of compact frames a woman couldn't buy a so called 'mans' bike with the right top tube/stem length and adjust the seatpost accordingly and still have a perfectly comfortable bike.