My girlfriend has expressed an interest in riding together from time to time, and that she would like a hybrid style bike.

Now I don’t want to spend a lot at first incase after a while she decides its not her thing and doesn’t use it much, but then I don’t want to buy a bike shaped object that isn’t fit for much.

Looking at the bottom end of the tree models from GIANT.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/roam.w/9707/52882/

It comes with pretty much all branded Shimano gear, not Deore, but for only light use how bad can it be, as long as it shifts gears ok and they don’t lose adjustment… Good V-Brakes do work quite effectively, and I can’t see us going out in the rain where they tend to lose efficiency.

The XR-W which is the model up comes with full Deore and Shimano Hydraulics, but then it is twice the price and I’m not sure if its worth it.

I had a look at Trek, but they seemed a little meh.

Any other suggestions?

Can you persuade her towards a mtb? I’ve seen many hybrids which are made out of the worst parts, you could build a starter HT for less that performs better.

I built my Mrs a Giant Arete (womens xtc hardtail) and sourced the parts from my spares and teh interwebz. It’s got a Tora, x5, BB5 brakes (maybe not for much longer, they annoy me) the wheels from my long gone Meta and some of my surplus tyres. I think it came in at about £300ish

Parts aside, the BB being really low is the biggest issue for me, as I’ve known a lot of Giant bikes to be. Not compatible if she tries to tip the bike round bends whilst pedalling offroad on bumpy ground with roots/rocks sticking out. I used to get fed up of being thrown off two Giant’s I owned due to this issue (and replacing smashed pedals and cranks where the square taper turned round under the impact stress)

We went around the bike shops today, she had a look in town yesterday but found being a woman and not being 100% sure of what they wanted, she was treated like she was dumb, one place resorting to asking what colour she liked best.

Ended up buying a Specialised Crosstrail Sport Disc from a really good bike shop, they took the time to explain everything to her, put it on the turbo trainer and made sure the fit was right and really couldn’t be more helpful.

It has a basic fork, with lockout which was quite important as we have a few hills here and she likes to stand up and pedal on those. Basic disc brakes, big improvement over her old bike which had 15 year old V brakes, not so powerful she will front flip over the bars though!

The components are OK, I had a ride around on it at home even though the frame is about 5″ too small and it rides quite well. Can always upgrade the components at a later date if required or when they wear out.

Matching helmet and a pair of gloves, looks the part so no excuses now!