New women mountain bike advice please...

[jcocker]

Older daughter has outgrown her current bike and it is now time for new ones.

Requirements:

- She is 160cm tall (with long legs), and is not likely to grow beyond 165-170cm (at a push)
- Needs to be mountain bike as we only ride off-road, but nothing too rough, just along unpaved/bumpy roads/paths.
- Disk brakes would be a bonus, but not a must (all the other bikes in the family don't have them, and we manage just fine).
- Light in weight (need to be able to lift to roof carrier.
- Budget: £200-£300 (closer to £200 as possible). We don't tend to use our bikes more than approx 10 times a year, covering around 15-20 miles at the time.

Any recommendation as to brand, model, size, etc to look for?

Any advice will be much appreciated. I am a total novice when it comes to bike as you have probably gathered by now...

 

[MichaelW2]

Decathlon Rockrider 500 is good value.
It uses 26" wheels, not 27.5(650b), which is a good thing for smaller riders.
Available in s and xs, s is probably correct size.
You can switch the stem to a shorter one to fit .

 

[jcocker]

Thanks a lot - I'll pay them a visit tomorrow to have a look.

 

[Cyclist33]

Wouldn't bother with a mountain bike for that type of ride. Waste of spend on crap suspension.

Fixed fork hybrid with fat tyres.

 

[jcocker]

Well, the roads/paths that we use are very bumpy actually... ;-)

 

[Cyclist33]

Well, the roads/paths that we use are very bumpy actually... ;-)

Regardless, a cheap bike's suspension will be useless and heavy, and even on bumpy paths you get a better ride from using the tyres and your body to absorb any shock. Riding softly with elbows and knees flexing readily is the way.

But, you wouldn't be the first person who knows what they want and doesn't listen to advice that would help them!!

 

[jcocker]

How does the Decathlon one compare against this one:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vengeance-womens-mountain-bike-2015

- The Carrera one is nearly 3kg lighter
- Didn't recognise any of the parts on the Decathlon bike (i.e. not Shimano)
- etc

 

[Pale Rider]

How does the Decathlon one compare against this one:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vengeance-womens-mountain-bike-2015

- The Carrera one is nearly 3kg lighter
- Didn't recognise any of the parts on the Decathlon bike (i.e. not Shimano)
- etc

I would be surprised if the Carrera is really under 12kg - that's £850+ mountain bike territory.

The next Carrera model up is nearer 15kg, which is about what I would expect for the money, and a similar weight to the Decathlon.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...re=banner-_-cycling+Pages-_-tradeuppromo#tab2

 

[Hugh Manatee]

I'm going to look at one of these for my daughter:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/addy-27-17-2015-womens-mountain-bike-ec110057#features

Failing that, I'll get her a non specific bike and change the saddle. She is tall for her age and will more than likely end up taller than me.

 

[Drago]

I'd avoid anything with suspension for 300 quid. It'll be sprung like Victoria sponge and weighted like a mediaeval anvil. If it fits her properly that Fuji is about as cheap asSyou want to go with suspension.