Sub £500 ladies bike for legjog recommendations

[roundisland]

A friend of mine has asked my opinion on which bike for a lady doing Legjog. She has about £500 to spend and would prefer flat bars

Any ideas much appreciated.

 

[vernon]

A friend of mine has asked my opinion on which bike for a lady doing Legjog. She has about £500 to spend and would prefer flat bars

Any ideas much appreciated.

This bike from Decathlon fits the bill and leaves a comfortable amount from the budget to purchase some decent panniers. It is worth asking if the forks have a lock out function.

I purchased a Decathlon B'Twin bike in Orleans last summer when my own bike suffered from a fractured drop out. I used it for a week's touring last year and three week's worth this year.
There was nothing extra to buy for the bike the rack mudguards and lighting can add an appreciable sum to a hybrid p[urchased with touring in mind.

I've been very happy with my Decathlon touring hybrid and have sung its praises in several forums. I met a fellow Brit in Nevers this summer and when I commented upon the rarity of seeing Brits on Decathlon bikes it transpired that he bought his after reading my postings about the value for money aspect of Decathlon bikes. He was very happy with his bike and had completed a LEJOG ride on it before embarking on a EuroVelo6 tour.

 

[andym]

I met a fellow Brit in Nevers this summer and when I commented upon the rarity of seeing Brits on Decathlon bikes it transpired that he bought his after reading my postings about the value for money aspect of Decathlon bikes.

I live near their London store and it seems like every other bike in the area is from Decathlon. You can of course only buy their bikes from them - and up until very recently you couldn't buy online - both of which would have limited sales.

If you don't mind a twistgrip 21-gear setup, and don't need a dynamo, you could get a basic Rockrider MTB with rigid forks and have money for tyres, paniers, rack and saddle. SFAIK it has rack mounting fixings (but check before buying!)

 

[fixedfixer]

Wiggle =Focus Wasgo Lite City 2010. Rack, mudguards, dyno hub, flat bars mostly shimano stuff. £449.99. Well worth a look. Even got disc brakes and sus seat post. That would be my money Ladies frame size available.

 

[Fab Foodie]

By the way, don't limit ypurself to ladies bikes unless she's truly petite. A 'mans' bike will fit just as well and that gives loads more choice.
I'd go for a narrow tyred "sports hybrid" avoid suspension and disc breaks are unnecessary.

Take a look here, plenty to choose from:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/complete-bikes/hybrid-bikes

For my Money, the Trek 7.3 or 7.1 or the Specialized Sirrus sport (my fave) would be perfect for long days in the saddle, easy on the legs, swift, comfortable and a lifetimes fun.
Ladies versions if you really have the need are available but can cost more.
Check with any bike choice that full mudguards are available.

You didn't say whether you are carrying kit... I've assumed not, but both would capable of lightweight touring.

 

[dellzeqq]

I think she's daft to even think of doing LEJoG on straight bars. She'd be very well advised to spend some time trying out drops, because if she doesn't she'll find that maintaining the same body position for long periods is hard work.

And FF is entirely right. She might well find a 'man's bike entirely suitable.

 

[andym]

I think she's daft to even think of doing LEJoG on straight bars. She'd be very well advised to spend some time trying out drops, because if she doesn't she'll find that maintaining the same body position for long periods is hard work.

OK - and all those people who've done round the world tours on straight bars?

A set of bar ends would be worth considering, but it's perfectly possible to do long tours with straight bars without any problem at all.

 

[mcshroom]

I think she's daft to even think of doing LEJoG on straight bars. She'd be very well advised to spend some time trying out drops, because if she doesn't she'll find that maintaining the same body position for long periods is hard work.

I'm not sure it's daft to think of touring on flat bars. Many people do it including a lot of the round the world tourers. I would agree that it is probably more comfortable on drops. To that end I would recommend a tourer (unless its a supported tour then a road bike may be better) like a Dawes Vantage or Claud Butler Regent which fit in the range. Then again I would . I own a Vantage and it is a nice solid bike with a good range of gears and I've found it comfortable enough so far including my first century.

And FF is entirely right. She might well find a 'man's bike entirely suitable.

Definitely agree, but try any bike out before committing.

Flat bar wise there are a million and one options. Depending on how she is doing the ride (number of days amount of luggage) then either look for trekking hybrids (tend to have guards and racks as standard) or flat bar racer style bikes (quicker)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Personally I wouldn't ride further than the pub on a flat-bar bike, but many like them and they do seem to be more and more the choice of the globe-trotter.

One thing is for certain, flat bar bikes are cheaper for equivalent spec because trigger-shifters are waaaaay cheaper than STIs for drops. So for £500 you have a wide range triple chainsetted, wide gear-range of flat-bar bikes to choose from, but very few road-bikes outside of the sales.

 

[roundisland]

Thanks for all the responses. The info is really useful and it will certainly help her choose a suitable bike.

 

[P.H]

I think she's daft to even think of doing LEJoG on straight bars. She'd be very well advised to spend some time trying out drops, because if she doesn't she'll find that maintaining the same body position for long periods is hard work.

The vast majority of the worlds touring bikes are not drops.  It's a very UK/USA thing where touring bikes have never been big sellers. I use both drops and straight bars with Ergon bar ends and find each offers comfort and variety. Have a look at this touring bike gallery to see the variety of handlebars tourers use;

http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/fullyloaded

 

[P.H]

Back to the question - what's she going to use the bike for afterwards?  That should really be the defining factor.

I had a recent tour of the Hebrides, me on my two grands worth of Ti/Rohloff custom tourer, my companion on her Ebay £70 Raleigh Pioneer, it wasn't the bikes that were the limiting factor...

 

[MarkF]

Dawes Discovery 201EQ about £230 - £250.

Decent bike, alloy luggage rack, mudguards and stand, ready to go and the bike will have a decent residual value should she move it on. My good lady has the 301 with decent bar ends for comfort on long trips, very good value bikes IMO.

 

[roundisland]

Dawes Discovery 201EQ about £230 - £250.

Decent bike, alloy luggage rack, mudguards and stand, ready to go and the bike will have a decent residual value should she move it on. My good lady has the 301 with decent bar ends for comfort on long trips, very good value bikes IMO.

I like the look of the Discovery will pass that one on, I have a galaxy and love it.

 

[Muddyfox]

Secondhand i know but i dont think you'l get better than this for your £500

Clicky Link


Simon