WTB: bike for girlfriend

[Flybye]

i befriended a bike fitter at the LBS. we got fitted for free. so we have an idea of the general geometry we need. now we're just looking for cheap. me...i spend thousands on bike stuff...i've probably spent $15K in the last 8 months. she thinks i'm the dumbest person on the planet for it and refuses to spend more than $350...i figure i can get higher quality by going used on such a low budget.

Have you tried craigslist? There are generally lots of bikes for sale for pretty reasonable prices and they'd be in your area so she could give them a test ride first. I think that it is nice that you are helping her find a bike. I must have ridden 20 different bikes before I found one that I liked. Even though they all had the same basic geometry, I was amazed at how different one bike was from another. I agree with your thinking that you can get higher quality by going used. Another advantage to finding a bike on craigslist or local is that you don't have to spend some of that $$ for shipping (usually around 50+ bucks). Good luck and check the forum on a regular basis. You never know what might pop up!
I am one of those who bought the budget bike first and then found a nicer bike later. I think that overall, this is a wise choice. In my opinion, it is better to shell out a little $$ and test the waters instead of shelling out the big $$ and finding out that riding really isn't your cup of tea.

[celerystalksme]

Have you tried craigslist? There are generally lots of bikes for sale for pretty reasonable prices and they'd be in your area so she could give them a test ride first. I think that it is nice that you are helping her find a bike. I must have ridden 20 different bikes before I found one that I liked. Even though they all had the same basic geometry, I was amazed at how different one bike was from another. I agree with your thinking that you can get higher quality by going used. Another advantage to finding a bike on craigslist or local is that you don't have to spend some of that $$ for shipping (usually around 50+ bucks). Good luck and check the forum on a regular basis. You never know what might pop up!
I am one of those who bought the budget bike first and then found a nicer bike later. I think that overall, this is a wise choice. In my opinion, it is better to shell out a little $$ and test the waters instead of shelling out the big $$ and finding out that riding really isn't your cup of tea.

i take a look at craigslist every day for new postings. i actually found a 2002 marin san rafael that i thought would have been perfect for her! mint condition...right size...right style of bike. the seller was askng for $350. my gf was THIS close to going and trying the bike out...but then she did a google search and found out a brand new marin san rafael sells fo $470. she thought it was ludicrous to pay 75% of current model price for a 6 year old bike and tried to bargain with the girl selling the marin. the girl wouldn't budge. my gf wouldn't budge. so that was that. i suggested to my gf that maybe she should up her budget just a TINY bit and buy a new marin san rafael. nope. though...she is still sorta considering the 2002 marin. i think she really likes the aesthetics of that bike...she just thinks it looks so much nicer than other sub-$500 bikes she's seen.

but for now...the search continues...

[singletrackmind]

Most people look for girls for girlfriends...




(hmmm, this smartmouth button seems to be stuck...)



My 5'1" size sister lucked into her used bike through a bike shop owner's wife. The problem with used is finding one for a smaller person is very hit or miss. Every once in awhile I see some small stuff at Recycled Cycles, the local used bike shop. Still, it seems she could find something decent in her price range that fits, then replace the bits with even nicer parts if/as things wear out.