The better half has a steel '99 Rockhopper with some old Marzocchi Z4s on it, and 'nobbly tyres'.
Very rarely gets used - maybe 2/3 a year, if that.
She's not into off-roading anymore and TBH has probably never been a perfect bike for her - it was an insurance replacement 16 years ago - people and their biking preferences change a lot over that period of time as you know 😉
She informed me yesterday she'd like a different bike as it's no longer comfortable.
Anything that gets here enthused and out on a bike will be great.
Consequently I'm after some advice on what to look for.
Something with a good comfortable upright position - not a roadie or even a mountainbike necessarily.
Something that could be ridden around something like Rutland Water or Carsington Water - gravel trails/bridleway type things on well as a work commute - 2.5 miles each way.
Not sure what the craic is with wheel sizes is here - guessing 26" is pretty much dead here too.
New or well looked after used.
Anyone had to fulfill a similar brief for their good lady/daughter? Any pointers appreciated.
I suppose we need to know the issues with the current bike, if it's in decent nick, locking the suspension out or setting it very stiff, putting some slicker tyres on it, lowering the seat post and possibly a more favorable stem may solve all the issues for less ttha buying a new bike?
It probably weighs a ton?
Flat barred cx?
It was merely a suggestion to save money, the issue of weight wasn't suggested, the issue of comfort was which suggests it's badly adjusted and is running tyres that are not suitable.
It isn't that heavy TBH.
Ultimately it's gents bike - this was in the days before they knew (generally) ladies require different geometry etc - she's 5' 2". It's got a cheapo suspension post and a sofa (for 3) seat...it did have my old red anodised X-Lite risers on it but that meant she was stretched out and too low...so I put some steel BMX bars (really heavy) on it which means its REALLY high at the front and it looks a bit daft. She's never really got on with the V-brakes either as she has small hands.
It can probably be sorted but by the time the bars, seat, stem (and maybe tyres) are changed the brakes will still not be right for her - might almost be worth starting with a clean slate.
Shame as it's a tidy little bike.
She likes the look of the Pendleton Somerby - think of that position.
I have a shitty old Apollo from a garage clearance with the X-lite bars on - it's the most basic crappy thing ever but that sit-up-and-beg position is really comfy 😉
Bump for the bored Friday morning crowd 😉
My wife bought this one back in July [url= http://whyte.bike/gb/models/all-terrain/c7-all-terrain-series/fairfield-ladies/ ]Whyte Fairfield Ladies Bike[/url]
Great looking, light (lighter than my 29er alu HT...), comfy and pretty responsive bike! I wouldn't mind having one to be honest - I rode it few times and it felt really good (even though it is "a bit" too small for me).
It goes over gravelly tracks like a rocket (tested on the Green in Haldon, and loads of French cycle paths few weeks ago)!
Recommended.
I got a cheap (£25!) ancient Giant hybrid a few months ago and it's great for pottering on, nice and comfy and with the rack on the back it means it's great for doing a shop on with a pannier fitted.
But if she likes the look of the Pendleton, what about... the Pendleton?
rascal - Member
... (generally) ladies require different geometry etc
They generally don't, at least not because of body proportions. They're just as random an assortment of arms and legs of all lengths and wot not as men are.
- she's 5' 2".
Then she'll almost certainly benefit from shorter cranks. As a rough guide the 'thorn' 150's from SJS cycles would be a lot more comfortable than the 170ish the bike she has now probably has fitted.
(It's not the length on the extension that's the problem, but 20mm longer cranks means an extra 40mm 'over the top'. So her saddle can be both too high and too low at the same time)
Dug the Rockhopper out tonight.
Fiddled with moving bar position - she wanted to go and have a look over Go Outdoors & Halfords.
At the mo it's a straight shootout between Pendleton Somerby (£250....for a WHOLE bike!) and Viking Belgravia at GO for £200.
She instantly preferred both to her current bike - have swept bars, step through frame and helps.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/viking-belgravia-6-speed-p298795
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/pendleton-somerby-hybrid-bike-mint
Pendleton charge extra for stand, basket (£40!) which come as standard on Viking.
My only concern is the very limited gear choice - a whopping 6 or 7!
All this has confirmed is that the days of the Rockhopper are numbered!
Viking frames look like they are made by the blind ,really badly put together
[url= http://www.bobbinbikes.co.uk/ ]Bobbin?[/url]
Keep Pedalling in Manchester stock them - look fine for the cash.
Claud Butler Cambridge seems to be popular with the ladies at work.