Forum menu
Now son #2 is scooting along happily on his bike, the wife wants to start cycling with us.
She doesn't want to spend much (ideally around £150) and all she's bothered about is it having a very spongy saddle. She's not going to be riding on anything other than tow paths and bumpy country lanes so suspension is not required.
Are there any bargains out there at the moment, ideally just want something reliable that will last her a few years of pootling about
Ebay. Pick up a 5 - 10 year old £1000+ bike for that money virtually unused.
I'm a bit surprised at that.Ebay. Pick up a 5 - 10 year old £1000+ bike for that money virtually unused.
I'd suggest you get something light weight and with well maintained gears so she's not struggling with mechanical issues or, as possibly the slowest member of the family with the heaviest bike either. Likewise with tyre choice.She doesn't want to spend much (ideally around £150) and all she's bothered about is it having a very spongy saddle. She's not going to be riding on anything other than tow paths and bumpy country lanes so suspension is not required.
On the saddle front, I'm told its not all about the sponginess - and one that fits the shape of her ass will be more comfortable than a cheap but very padded one. There may be personal taste in it - but every woman who's tried my wife's Specialized Woman Specific saddle has commented on the comfort.
Decathlon. Proper cheap bikes in the £100-£150 range rather than the Bike Shaped Objects you get [s]at Halfords[/s] elsewhere.
or carrera subway from halfords.
As for the saddle, try the Charge Spoon ladies version.
Spongy saddle = bulky = chafing after a few miles.
Ploy's right, get something lightweight and well-balanced with good gears, try buying 2nd hand and locally so you can test the bike first.
+1 for something like a Carrera Subway.
ref the saddle Mrs beanz has a spec bg on all 3 bikes and very comfy and light for the money . saw this on fleabay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-BG-Alias-Saddle-143-Black-Carbon-/220754560333?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3365ff454d
avoid the stitched Alias - all the stitching wears out quite quickly and the sewn on bit comes off, starts to soak up water, and gets quite uncomfortable. I had two, both were replaced under warranty by specialized.
.
I think that she should definately try before buying.
Mrs FD uses my Klein Attitude. She finds the top tube too long so struggles with steering, even with a short stem.
So go and look at bikes that will fit her rather than just pot luck off ebay.
I built my Wife a nice little 15" Spesh hardrock. She's ridden it once.
So I'd say dont go overboard. I put a womens Spesh body geometry saddle on it, & the wife reckoned it was very comfy. I'm toying with selling it. Its not like I can ride two bikes at the same time, so if I stick a smaller stem on she can ride my FS.
Poly, plenty of bikes to be had on Ebay, cheaply. Where's the market in 10 year old bikes? Certainly the majority of "serious" cyclist wouldn't want them so there's no real market, unless it's niche. If you look at the Treks, Giants and Specialized that people bought to get fit on or for a midlife crisis 10 years ago and promptly hung up in the garage, you can find plenty still sporting reflectors and tyre mould marks. A couple of my friends have recently picked up some absolute bargains. They are out there.