Ladies Bikes

[Ironman502]

My wife has expressed interest in road biking and may be doing a short relay tri with her friends. Does anyone have any suggestions for a beginner bike for a gal in moderate physical condition?

Also, we are looking for a spin DVD for training this winter, what do you like?

[bvfrompc]

Define moderate. Here in CO that could mean quite a range.

I got my wife a Felt F85 just a month ago because I wanted something decent so she would enjoy it. For me that a meant of minimum of 105 components. At $1,100 msrp, its a great deal, many others at this price point. We did a 3 hour ride together for her second ride, she did mention that she was a bit sore in her, well, you know. She does love it. Now if I can get her to swim......she's already a vet of many half marathons.

We watch the news each morning together, 5:30-6:30, trading out the treadmill and exercise bike.

[Ironman502]

Thanks for the reply. We will certainly take a look at that bike. There are others we have looked at and we have consulted with the Bike shops in the area, just looking for other opinions and advice at this point. There are many choices and wish to make the best informed decision. There is a new, I guess new, women’s specific model for road bikes, do you have any insight on this or is it a marketing thing?

My wife and I also are working out in the morning together, yoga. Helps to keep the muscles stretched and time spent together without the kids.

[bvfrompc]

My problem with the many of the Women's specific bikes, is many come with triples, which just confuses them just having so many options, not to mention worse shifting, more upkeap to keep the front in line etc. The amount of cross chaining would drive me nuts riding with her : ) The Felt F85 comes with a compact which has enough low for my wife to spin up the mountains without the cons of a triple. The pros of a women specific are the shorter top tubes and many will come women's reach shifters to accomadate smaller hands. We had them put on little adjuster thingies for her shifters, costs about $5.

That, and at 5'10, she needed a 56, many of the women's specifc bikes top at out smaller.

We do the yoga together as well, great stretching and quiet time before the kiddy onslaught. This morning both the 3 and 5 joined us for the last 15 minutes of our workouts, they usually bring their blankies down and curl up near us, half watching the news and half trying to have a conversation with Daddy and wondering why he can't speak when finishing up one of his 8 minute intervals sessions.....

[Ironman502]

Thanks for the insite. I got a chuckle out of your last part of the post, thanks for that. My crumb snatchers are a bit older, but still want to spend time with Dad. That will change all to soon, enjoy them while we can.