Speaking to the wife today, she fancies getting a Mountian bike.

Now normal ladies ones may well not apply as she's slightly taller than me @ 6ft 😯

Also she really wants a pink bike and for it not to cost alot 😆

I've seen the On-one 456 in bright pink pretty reasonable price really, but the rest of the kit required will bump the price up, there's also the frame builder kit for £330'ish and then "all" i'd need is drive train, brakes and wheels.

Any other clues, preferably coming in at under £500

buy a decent 2nd hand complete steel bike and get it powdercoated?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s24p0

richc -> no pink bikes on there, and womens bikes for a 6ft bird?

Aye powder coating can usually be done for less than £50. Get an On-one or similar cheapish steel steed. Plenty 18" 456 frames and full bikes come up on ebay for well less than £500.