Hi -

While an on-and-off rider throughout my life, I am interested in specifications of a bike for the first time. I am interested in getting my wife a bike and she has seen this (http://www.target.com/Ladies%E2%80%99-Schwinn-700C-Trail-Hybrid/dp/B000KZ4MI6/qid=1209482517/ref=br_1_6/601-7787214-4321713?ie=UTF8&node=16259321&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=16259321&rank=manufactrank&rh=&page=5) one at Target that catches her eye.

I know that department store bikes are hardly the best-built machines out there, but at the same time my wife hasn't done a lot of riding and I'd prefer not to spend too much if it ends up sitting in the garage. Given these conditions, would this be a good starter bike for her? Why or why not? Thanks for the help.

There's that delicate balance of not spending too much in case it winds up sitting in the garage, vs the self-fulfilling prophecy of getting a bike that does not inspire the rider and then winds up sitting in the garage.

TARGET NO!!!!

I got my wife into cycling at last a BIT and if i would have gone to x-mart it would have failed entirely. Is she going to ride it if it doesnt fit her? or if it doesnt shift properly? and if she doesnt ride it are you saving any money at all?
you can get a bike that will not let you down when getting a family sprt together. for about 300.

I got my wife a trek 7100. she is NOT a cycelist but at least goes on rides now. It fits her. It works. its fast. for the budget go with a 7000 or a 820.

Other makes Giant Simple 7 Sedona Cypress
GT Vantera Passage

Think of it a mothers day present.


Editied:

OMG
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/16/qview/stars-4._V31509467_.gifNice, can't keep it, September 29, 2007
Reviewer: Beachbum, Indian Rocks Beach, FL - See all my reviews (http://www.target.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews.html/ref=cm_cr_auth/601-6756933-1032917?ie=UTF8&customerID=AUS2TOYDA7MXB) http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/16/misc/transparent-pixel._V42752373_.gifIt's a nice bike. Love the wheels, and the height. My husband and I each bought one. Unfortunately, they have to go back because the handlebars do not adjust in height.

A great way to spend 200 and not do any riding.

You can get a low-end bike from an LBS for not a lot more...and they come in different sizes, so you can get one that fits.

Some decent jamis bikes too:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08citizen1f.html

Fit is most important. If the bike doesn't fit, it will be uncomfortable and she won't want to ride it. She should get a bike that she likes. She'll be more likely to ride it.

Thank you all, a lot of things to consider. She has said that she likes the Schwinn but you can't really test it out in a department store. I've suggested looking at the LBS and see if we find anything there.

My wife recently got a K2 Crosswind at REI. It seems pretty good to me for a starter bike, and she loves it.

http://www.k2bikes.com/index.php?brand=T9&series=PAVEMENT&type=NONE&model=CROSSWIND&2007=false

The fit is one of the most important things for long term use of the bike. In my opinion 300-400 dollars spent on a Giant or Specialized or other quality brand that offers good value at the lower price point is well worth it. Plus if you go to a good local bike shop you can look at different kinds of bikes like, hybrids, comfort bikes or a mountain bike and you can test ride them. If you are serious about your wife riding with you it would be smart. Also, don't underestimate that extra 5-10 pounds that the cheaper bike will weigh. And if your wife ends up wanting a better bike you end up spending more anyway. If she never rides it you can sell it for more than 25 dollars on the used market. Which is about all that a department bike will fetch.

A good bike you might sale used for 50% of new value if in good condition but you'd be lucky to get 25% value for a department store bike in the same condition.

craigslist.org (http://www.craigslist.org/)

Plenty of good used bikes out there that aren't used up.

Hi -

While an on-and-off rider throughout my life, I am interested in specifications of a bike for the first time. I am interested in getting my wife a bike and she has seen this (http://www.target.com/Ladies%E2%80%99-Schwinn-700C-Trail-Hybrid/dp/B000KZ4MI6/qid=1209482517/ref=br_1_6/601-7787214-4321713?ie=UTF8&node=16259321&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=16259321&rank=manufactrank&rh=&page=5) one at Target that catches her eye.

I know that department store bikes are hardly the best-built machines out there, but at the same time my wife hasn't done a lot of riding and I'd prefer not to spend too much if it ends up sitting in the garage. Given these conditions, would this be a good starter bike for her? Why or why not? Thanks for the help.

It's not bad for the price point. Keep in mind that you will have to get the wheels trued/spoke tensioned and make minor brake and deraileur adjustments (or have an LBS do it for you) before the bike is ready for reliable daily riding. So if wheel truing and spoke tensioning is all that's needed (assuming you can do the rest yourself), expect to add another $30-40 to the cost. A bike bought at a local LBS should have all this done beforehand and thus the higher cost...plus you can take it back to have free adjustments as the cables will stretch over the next few months. Also an LBS may have different frame sizes to fit your wife better and some of the components may be better.

I got my wife a Specialized, like the one on this link:

http://orangecycleorlando.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=34&id=6506

My wife went with me and we got a bike that's the correct size and fits her great. She couldn't do more than 2 miles on my old MTB but now with the new bike she has gone with me on 35mile trips without problems... not even saddle issues. Getting a bike that fits makes all the difference and that's where the local bike shop beats the department store. She's now doing 10 miles almost daily on the nearby bike trail and sometimes even hauls the kids along on a baby trailer. I couldn't be happier.

Size is really important, like everyone is saying. I started out looking at a bike like this at Target, but couldn't test ride it. Went to a Trek dealer and then a Giant dealer for test rides and ended up spending in the $300-350 range with no regrets. My Giant is great, I ride it constantly, it fits like a glove, and after almost a year, my LBS still does adjustments & bike checks for free. Of course I try to buy things occasionally like a rack, lights, etc. because they are so nice.

For that price, you should be able to get a better bike at your LBS. I'd check there for sure.