need to buy my wife a bike

[Starfish]

I'd want to buy something at a shop where I used their services... a spare blinky or something.

Good idea. I'll make a little list of stuff I am going to need and spread it around when trying out bikes.

[GLC1968]

Norm - Speaking from experience, I agree that buying a smaller size bike used IS difficult. There just aren't that many out there at any given time. I do agree that SHE needs to try out the bike for fit, but if you aren't adverse to buying off ebay or craigslist and then reselling it if it doesn't fit (my DH's favorite past-time!), then it's a great place to 'shop around'. Patience is a virture though.

The other thing to consider is how the geometries of all the different brands affect effective top tube length and how this compares to your wife's measurements. Once you know what works best for her in terms of the major dimensions of the bike (height, TT, seat angle, etc), it's easier to buy a used bike with a bit more confidence and improve your chances of getting a decent fit that can be dialed in. Of course, this doesn't take a lot of other comfort factors into consideration, but again...it's a start.

Good luck with it!

[steelynorm]

Too all those (sensible) women out there who posted constructive information thank you very very much. My wife and I appreciate it.

Firstly, I will not lay down any money until she does a test ride. Unfortunately, my first post did not explain that well enough(sorry).

The reason for the original posting was to gather information on the types of bikes that members of this forum have had luck with. Bikes spec'd out with Shimano 105 components or better, should put my potential anniversary gift in a price range of 1500-2500 dollars.

Whether it be Giant, Trek, Specialized, Felt, Orbea, Kestrel etc etc. I was looking for some information to go to my LBS looking for models recommended via the forum. Hoping however unlikely that there could be a consensus on a few models.

If you have any specific models you have ridden and have any additional feedback whether positive or negative would still be greatly appreciated.

... [edit by moderator] ...

I work very hard so that my wife can stay home to raise our children, because we believe that we can offer better care to our children than some stranger at an institution who collects a monthly stipend from us.

My wife gave up her career, because she loves children and we are trying what seems like in vain at times to raise children with both strong morals and character.

My wife works part time from home, manages to keep the house clean while our children try constantly to undermine her efforts.

I encouraged her over a year and half ago to do the Wildflower, because I believe that she needed something that was hers, not mine or our kids but was something that she owned. I do not want her to become lost as a person and have a midlife crisis. I believe that if she is a triathlete, not just a mom and a wife she can be a better/happier mom and wife.

We do not have a lot of money and my wife did not even know how to switch gears, so I bought her a used bike for Xmas 2006. The Cannondale(R500?), it was both too long and too short and stretched her out too much, but it was better than the alternative mtb for the olympic distance at Wildflower.

Fast Forward to the present: I love my wife, she does not care about the specifics, she doesn't know ultegra from dura ace. She does not know carbon fiber from titanium. She does however like to ride bicycles now, and i want to buy her a bicycle, she would never want me to buy her a bicycle of this level even if it is for our anniversary.

If I offended you, lighten up.

I know that there are some people out there who have malicious intentions or massive insecurities and get a rise out of screwing with innocent people on forums like this. I am not one of them. I came to this forum looking for advice from what i thought was a friendly community to help me make an informed decision on a bike purchase for my wife.

I was just using the internet as it was originally intended, to share ideas and information freely amongst people from all over our world.

Thanks,

Norm

[kelownagirl]

Norm - I love my Giant OCR1 (2006). It was an entry-level road bike but came with ultegra components for the same price that others might pay for 105. It is a WSD and fits me well. I am 5-3 and I think my bike is an extra small (maybe a small). Anyway, it would be a great buy as a used bike if you happened to come across one.

[Blueberry]

Norm-

Any chance you could get her in for a bike fit, without letting her know what you're intending (ie, buying a new bike). Maybe just have it be an "evaluation of her fit on the current bike."

Most bike fitters can then recommend which stock frames work best for a person.

Just a thought

[shootingstar]

Steelynorm:

Your wife is more than welcome to register herself and join in the discussion this forum directly. It will benefit her..immediately.

Be like Mr. Silver....he and Mrs. Silver are here on this forum as 2 separate but relatedcycling individuals.

[VeloVT]

I read a very favorable review of this women's specific Felt in Bicycling a while back:

http://www.feltracing.com/08/product...,1508&pid=8688

It's a good price for Dura Ace too, although the two models below it are good as well (FW25 with Ultegra and FW35 with 105).

I started riding on a Felt and they are fast bikes at a good value.

Definitely make sure you look at the geometry tab on on that Felt page though. The frame sizes seem misleading to me -- the virtual TT on the 45cm frame is the same -- 51.5 cm -- as the virtual TT on the 49cm bike I just bought.

Trek, Cannondale, Specialized etc are all making smaller women's frames now. I don't have experience with most of them but my BF bought a 2007 Trek Madone which I really like (he likes it too ). The Madone 4.5 is in your price range and it is carbon (though Trek's TCT carbon is a little wooden feeling -- OCLV is much livelier if you can swing the price difference).

Bianchi also makes a lot of smaller women's bikes. I have no experience with their WSD bikes (I'm 5'6" and Bianchi ONLY makes WSD bikes in smaller sizes), but I have a Bianchi cyclocross bike which is very comfy and quick-handling, and I've tested a few others that I liked.

Good luck!!!

[Wahine]

Crtical correction, seat tube angle is a huge compenent of reach. A 1 cm diff. in STA translates a ~ a 1 cm diff. in reach. So a bike with a 73 STA angle and 50 cm top tube will have 2 cm shorter reach than a bike with a 75 STA and 50 cm top tube, because the saddle will need to be placed 2 cm further back on the bike with the steeper STA to get the same KOP position. This is huge.

Absolutely correct. I over simplified. And this is even more important if she has long legs, which it sounds like she does.

Given your last post, I would strongly recommend checking out Specialized, Terry (if you can, it's harder to find dealers) and Giant in the WSD models. Terry and Specialized tend to be a little shorter through the top tube. Giant and Specialized are good bang for your buck in terms of componentry. As mentioned previusly, if you can get an '07 model, better yet.

[Veronica]

Steelynorm:

Your wife is more than welcome to register herself and join in the discussion this forum directly. It will benefit her..immediately.

Be like Mr. Silver....he and Mrs. Silver are here on this forum as 2 separate but relatedcycling individuals.

Maybe she doesn't want to join. I have lots of female cycling friends who don't "get" why I spend any time here. Stop beating up on the dude.

V.

[smilingcat]

hi norm,

I've read your firs post and the newer post. And I have a few questions. She is doing half ironman... not necessaily a tri specific... looking for a triple... 105 groupo... like a beter bike for her... somewhere aound $1500?? was it???

As far as frames go, do check out Trek, Giant, Specialized, Quintana Roo, Jamis. Go to several LBS. Each shop will carry differen brands of bike. Go on the web and search and read each model. This takes time but I think you'll be much happier knowing what is out there and what is available. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. some of it is purely emotional.

since you wife is doing a half ironman, does her bike have a clip on? or would you want to upgrade her bike to a 105? upgrade the saddle? a comfy saddle goes a long long way.

If I were married, I would be much happier if my hubby would take me around and have me fit on several bikes. Being able to pick my own bike would be so much better than a suprise present. Maybe your wife is different. Half the fun is being able to pick my own thing. that is why we luv to window shop. The other half is to enjoy your new toy. Wouldn't it be the same for you? Ask her if she wants to window shop or be suprised? I'm sure you can phrase is so that you can keep it more or less a "suprise".

smilingcat

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Maybe she doesn't want to join. I have lots of female cycling friends who don't "get" why I spend any time here. Stop beating up on the dude.

V.

Yeah, +1. I wish folks would stop dictating other people's behavior.

Norm, I think if your wife had any trouble with a 'too long' bike, and if she has long legs and not so long arms....she probably would do well on a women's specific design bike. I second the recommendation of Specialized WSD bikes and any Terry bike (all of which are women-specific geometry). Most Terry bike owners absolutely rave about their comfort and quality.
As to components...Shimano 105 level is more than adequate for a semi-casual rider. It's what I have been riding for the past 6 thousand miles, no complaints at all.

I don't see how Norm can take his wife to try out bikes without her knowing what he's up to though.

Norm writes: Get some help, exercise your demons.

And after they are sufficiently exercised, then hopefully you can exorcize them as well!

[sgtiger]

Hee! Hee! I logged back on to say that I thought Steelynorm's post was legit and that he was probably just using humor to acknowledge that this is a predominately female space.

It looks like he beat me to it. Good going, Steelynorm!

As for his wife logging in or not, that's her business. She may not want to. This forum is not necessarily for everyone who posesses XX chromosomes. Perhaps she already is a forum member, but doesn't feel the need to come to her husband's rescue(Him being a grown-a$$ man and all). I know if it was DH, I'd sit back and see how he gets himself out of such a pickle all the while ROTFLMAO.

If she doesn't know you're shopping around for the bike yet, maybe you can present her with an accessory for her bike(like a bike computer or something?) and a note that says it's for her new bike.

[boy in a kilt]

Norm,

I understand where you are coming from.

Here's my advice.

Encourage your wife to participate in the forum and ask the sorts of questions you are. She will be more satisfied with the whole experience.

Also, when my wife bought her bike, I acted as a technical consultant only. There were issues that weren't my place to solve, but there were also issues where I could provide useful feedback. For example, she'd never liked the way the Shimano STI shifters felt (neither did I). A few months before she bought her bike, I'd built mine up with Campy. She agreed to give Campy a shot so I worked with the guys at the shop picking out components.That's about it.

Here are the take-home points.

Find a good shop first. A good shop will work with your wife to find a model that she likes and will make minor adjustments to improve the fit. They may charge for things like swapping out stems but in the long term, it's worth the money. Also, once a good shop learns the bike is for your wife, they will pretty much ignore you.

Second, encourage your wife to choose a bike that she wants but don't get too involved with the actual process. It's her bike. Be supportive but your two cents shouldn't extend beyond telling her that a bike she likes and is comfortable for her is your only concern.

Finally, if she says something doesn't feel right, believe her and encourage her to explore options until things are right. This particularly applies to saddles. You may have to spend some money to find a saddle she likes, but the money is well spent.

[MM_QFC!]

impressive, Obiwan aka BiaK!

[Zen]

My oven mitts are getting worn out.