I’m struggling to work out what sort of bike I should be buying for my wife. She was previously using an old Kona Cindercone of mine until I butchered it for its parts. So I owe her a bike.

Her riding is 90% on the road, with 10% on a smooth trail. She has no intention of doing any proper off-road.

I was leaning towards a hybrid, but something capable of going on trails. But it looks like most hybrid bikes these days are now called ‘urban’ or ‘commuter’ bikes, and really not the sort of thing you’d want to take on anything other than tarmac. They also have a long top tube, and she didn’t like that.

So what’s out there up to £600?

Given that she isn’t going to be looking to go a) as fast as she possibly can on tarmac, or b) hitting some gnarly stuff offroad, I’d recommend an own brand bike from the likes of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative or Decathlon. For her needs you don’t need anything flasher and you’ll get a hell of a lot better spec than you would on a “brand bike” at the same price point.

This model Decathlpon looks like a pretty good buy with X7, Deore and A Recon fork, all for £549 and their hardtail bikes get uniformly good reviews:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81-mountain-bike-grey-id_8168918.html

one of the Carerra Subways? plus soome knobbly tyres for the odd off-road bimble.

Kona have got some really nice commuter / hybrid bikes out – might be worth looking at. Some good deals on 2013 models around.

Second hand short travel FS MTB?

If your missus is anything like mine you need to focus on colour and mudguards rather than function and classification.

Edit: I ended up building up a 2004 Stumpy FSR frame in the correct colour with some parts from the garage and stuff from the classifieds here (also in the correct colour). Would most likely have come in around £5-600

We went into Edinburgh Bike Co-Op but came out with nothing. The hybrid bike was too racey and the cheap mountain bike was really heavy.

The Carerra Subway ‘looks’ heavy, which worries me. Is it?

Missnotax – which Kona’s did you have in mind? I had a look, but couldn’t see anything.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/ht-27/core-10

Kona Dew or Dr Good (commuters), or one of their entry level MTB’s (lots in at under £600)?

I have the missus’ medium Specialized WSD Era full sus potentially for sale in immaculate condition. I bought it for her a couple of years ago but sadly she is sticking with road biking as mountain biking is “too scary.” I would be willing to let it go for £6-700 if you’re interested. I think it sold for £1500 new. For sizing she is 5’4.5″ tall with a 34″ inside leg.

I built this up for my wonderful lady.

2nd hand Decade Virtue (now Versa) frame, with everything else taken from my retired FS. Like yours, 90% on road commute and the rest on gentle off road stuff. She adores it! 8)

Ah I didn’t see the “no intention to do proper off-road cycling” bit. Unfortunately your missus seems to share the same characteristics as mine!

MrsT has a Specialised Myka disc with skinny tyres 😆
Grand daughter will inherit soon 😆