need to buy my wife a bike

[Blueberry]

V - How does it hold up in rain? Any special treatment required?? It is purty

[Veronica]

I haven't done anything to it. And it has been rained on - 130 miles of rain on my last double. It still looks great.

V.

[sgtiger]

impressive, Obiwan aka BiaK!

So considerate. I wish other men would get this point.

Believe me, ladies, tact and sensitivity are not always his strong suits. However, he tries and that - in my book - counts for a lot. Also, there are lessons that have been learned the hard way - for BOTH of us. It helps that he understands who his main audience here is and that he's able to switch gears based on that.

SGtiger: I want to have a beer with you(with my wifes permission of course), must be kindred spirits, thanks for your support.

I'd be up for that if we're ever in your neck of the woods or you're in ours. Why don't you bring your wife along? And I'll bring my SO - BoyInAKilt aka Mr. Sgtiger aka Mr. KilTiger BTW(in case any of ya'll haven't picked up on that yet). I believe the reason I'm able to get your brand of humor is that DH's isn't that far off from yours. You guys should get along great! Then your wife and I can talk about the challenges of being a SAHM and trying to find balance between that and making time for ourselves.

[sgtiger]

2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings

Sheesh.... Have I taught you nothing?

China - A girl can't be on a bike ALL her time, now can she? She's gotta eat, right? How about some plates that are bicycle themed? Maybe racers chasing each other around the rim. Or a coffee mug with Campy or Park Tools logo on it. Better yet, go to one of those pottery cafe places and make her a tile or dish embedded with a cog(or other bike part - make sure it's something that'll survive the firing) that she's worn out! Oh! And a girls gotta bathe too, right? She'll appreciate a nice soak after her long rides in a new clawfoot tub. Aaaah! It's enameled with some ceramic substance which is close enough to china, that it practically IS china!!!

Cotton - Greens, baby! No, no, not those greens. Sure, they'll provide her with the phyto-nutrients and minerals she'll need to sustain her on a long ride(Not to mention: Keep her insides cleansed). These greens. That's right, I'm talking cold, hard CA$H! It's printed on a paper made with <gasp> COTTON!!! The most versatile gift of all! It let's her choose any bike accessory she wants. Whether it's a new piece of bling for her bike or a whole nother bike! She could even spend it on the cycling vacation of her dream$. Boosting her favorite racer up the mountain on the next Giro d'Italia(Ooh, what a tight toosh!). Experiencing bicycling utopia. Riding through the Pyrenees. She's only limited by her imagination and the $ize of the gift(Hopefully lots)!

~Sg"If you're going to dream, dream BIG, I say!"tiger

[steelynorm]

Thought I would give you an update.

She has road tested 4 bikes so far
Trek 4.5WSD
Trek 2.3 WSD
Specialized Ruby
and a Felt FW 15

The winner so far suprisingly is the most inexpensive, Trek 2.3 WSD, she said it was the stiffest. and most solid feeling so far.

If you have any other suggestions, I really want to purchase her a bike soon.


Thanks for all your help

[alpinerabbit]

The two treks seem to have almost the same componentry - my most basic advice is go no lower than 105.

How do these compare in weight - does the perceived solidity of the 2.3 come from its weight?

[tulip]

If she likes it, why keep looking? Sometimes you just know.

[sgtiger]

The winner so far suprisingly is the most inexpensive, Trek 2.3 WSD, she said it was the stiffest. and most solid feeling so far.

If she's not positively sure this is the one, maybe she can ask the LBS if they'll let her take it out for a day. The worse they can say is "no."

A couple of the LBS's here will let you take a bike for a day or two for a fee (and take down a CC# in case, ya know, the borrower doesn't return). Usually some part of the fee can be applied towards the purchase of that bike.

If this is an option, remember to have her take her own saddle and pedals and have the LBS switch them out for the stock stuff.

[kelownagirl]

Which Ruby? (Comp / Expert / Pro?)