Hello !

[f/64]

Hello all !

This may sound odd but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try to drop in here & ask around for some bike/frameset recommendations for my other half (yes, I'm a guy)

Planning on getting her more into riding and a new bike (first roadie)..

I've been looking all over ebay/craigslist & all the bikes that I've found/thought of would be a bit too much to start off with such as..
Bianchi 1885
Ebay chinese carbon framesets
Calfee Luna

Any recommendations ?
Not too familiar w/ women specific geometry yet would it be a rough ride with a compact geometry ?

Cheers

[redrhodie]

She may or may not need women's specific geometry, even if she's small. You should take her to test ride some bikes, see what she likes, what fits, and go from there. Have her try some different materials. Lots of us still love steel (and carbon, and aluminum). The best deal will probably be a complete bike, unless you already have a bunch of parts that will work for her. Remember, she may need lower gears than you do if you've been riding a long time, and shorter reach brake levers and shallower handlebars if she's small. Also, some shops sell used bikes, so that may be a more affordable option.

Hope she chimes in. There's a lot of good info on this forum. Good luck!

ETA: It could take years to find the right saddle, so don't expect the one you use will work for her. It could hurt her.

[f/64]

So I ended up getting her a Colnago Master X Light w/ Campy Record 9sp.. She seems to love it yet the the saddle is a bit rough ! ( & I need another stem )

Any other suggestions ? Currently using a Terry Butterfly yet, haven't measured her sitbones yet.. not too familiar w/ women specific saddles.
Any brands/models I can look at with a wide-range of widths ?

[zoom-zoom]

Specialized

Yep. That's what I've found to cause my tushie the least amount of anger.

[zoom-zoom]

BTW...f/64, do you use large-format cameras? I miss mine...I sold mine to buy my first digital SLR...I couldn't afford to actually use it, anyhow.

[malkin]

Send her here to read all the gory girly details about how we each found our saddles!

[Catrin]

Send her here to read all the gory girly details about how we each found our saddles!

Yes, this would really be the best approach!

[f/64]

BTW...f/64, do you use large-format cameras? I miss mine...I sold mine to buy my first digital SLR...I couldn't afford to actually use it, anyhow.

Will check out the Specialized saddles & wow ! Never came across anyone on a forum that's familiar with my handlename. I used a Large-format yet it got too pricey so I stuck to medium formats.. Sold my Hasselblad & now sticking to my 35 Nikon

I remind her occasionally but not to a point where I'm bugging to check out the forums & I guess she keeps forgetting ! Still trying..

Here are some quick pictures I took of the bike (Excuse the cellphone quality)



Planning on replacing the stem, cutting the steerer (Still trying to find the perfect fit for her), saddle (Specialized), Seatpost (Need a 0 setback), & a shorter length/ compact crankset.

[azfiddle]

You sound like a thoughtful guy! Hope she appreciates you and yes, send her here to meet us

[Catrin]

Personally I love the Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow (LDY) - but she may not need the cut-out. It really will help her to come here and check out the saddle fit threads herself - so much of saddle fit is subjective and depends on so many different factors. The width of our sit-bones is part of it, but is far from being the only thing. Our butts like what they like!

[zoom-zoom]

The SI Lady is quite similar to the Terry Butterfly. Possible if she doesn't like the Butterfly, the the Lady Flo be about the same.

I think they are, in fact, actually the same saddle with different branding. The Lady Gel Flow was a bad saddle for me...too wide, to squishy, and too pear-shaped.

[Catrin]

I think they are, in fact, actually the same saddle with different branding. The Lady Gel Flow was a bad saddle for me...too wide, to squishy, and too pear-shaped.

Interesting, it doesn't seem very wide to me... now the Diva Gel flow, that one is much wider, especially the cut-out It doesn't seem squishy either...like Goldilocks it seems just right - for me at least

It really is interesting to read how each of us perceive & describe different saddles. It just serves to prove that it really does change from person to person and there is no "one size fits all".