Which bike for the missus ?

[Goobs]

My wife thought she'd try cycling with me last year and I bought her a Pinnacle Stratus 1.0 from Evans to see how she got on.

She nows go out with me on most rides but complains that she spins out when going downhills when I still have 2 or 3 gears to move up to. I ride a Ridgeback Flight 01 2010 with max 52 on the front and 12 on the rear cogs weighing in at a claimed 11KG. Here Pinnacle has 48 and 14 and weighs around 13.5KG.
Instead of messing around replacing gears we would like to get a new bike that has similar gearing to mine and also a similar weight.
Can anyone recommend a ladies bike that would suit ?
Our budget is max £400.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

 

[stu1903]

You should take a look at the Cube range. Excellent bikes and a lot of kit for your money. Found this one albiet £99 over your budget. http://www.freeflowbikes.com/bikes/hardtail-mountain-bikes/cube-bikes/2012-cube-access-wls.html

 

[Goobs]

Hi Stu - thanks for that. Saw the 2011 model on Hargrovescycles for £360.

She is really looking for something lighter than what she has now and the gearing on the Cube looks more likely to spin out at 44t on the front.

Ideally we want a hybrid or road bike with flat bars, gearing at 50 or 52 on front and 12 at back with a weight around 11 to 11.5Kg.
I fell lucky with my Flight 01 2010 weighing 11.1Kg and great gearing but it was a shop clearance offer so a one off.
It does not have to be a WSD frame either.

Any suggestions ?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

There aren't that many hybrids weighing 11kg ime, most are 12.5kg or over, including most (though not all) of the Ridgeback Rapide series hybrids.

Chance is you need a hybrid that derives from a road bike, rather than mtb. Of those the Boardman Hybrid is a prime example, well within your weight target and with 50/34x11/26 actually has a higher high gear than your Ridgeback. You might want to get her to try that and perhaps one of the top end Rapides, such as the Element.

Unfortunately they are likely a little beyond your budget, but light bikes are never cheap, and you might be able to negotiate a good deal.

 

[Goobs]

To be honest it need not be a hybrid - probably prefer a road bike with flat bars.

Seen the following reduced to £400 but cannot get a try before order nearby

Specialised Vita Elite 2011 model

Ridgeback Flight 01 2011 womens model

Apart from not being able to try them out first I am not too sure if the fork recall would still be an issue with the spesh.
You would expect the vendor to have sorted that out by now since the recall was last September.

Anyone have the above bikes and like to comment ?

 

[Goobs]

I bought a Specilaized 2012 Vita Elite in the end.

Got it from Dales Cycles reduced from £600 to £450.

It's basically a light road bike with a triple, 28c tyres and flat bars.

Just what was wanted plus no problems with the forks this year so all is good.

 

[Dave7]

Which Bike For the Missus..erm!

I would consider any bike a good swap for my missus