Hi
Currently a touring roadie, a female friend of mine wants to try mountain biking and would like some advice on what bike to go for:
Budget: around £500
Vitals: 5' 2" ish, fairly light build.
Type of terrain: at first just Fun/XC, trails (nothing too extreme)
Sus: I would think no more than 120 would be needed, 80-100 proabably ok.
I have looked into a few options (boardman seems good VFM as do Kona (2010)) but it seems that the female specific bikes on other brands like Giant, Marin for instance have a rather stingy spec for the money. So presumably it would be best to stick to the non female specific? Does this really make any difference?
I would very much appreciate any advice you can offer from your own experience or indeed that of any WAG's.
Thanks!
Flebby.

