Looking for my wife

[Bjazzman]

My wife wants a bike since i got one. She wont really need a road bike or anything like over $500. In fact im looking at spending 2-300 tops. She also doesen't like the cruiser style. Are there any straight or regular cross bar type bikes out there that aren't mountain bikes in this range?

[rugerben]

Do yourself a favor and let HER figure it out. Show her the websites for Giant, Trek, Schwinn, and Specialized and let HER pick it out.

Guys see a bike as a tool. Women see it like a fashion accessory. If you pick out a bike and buy it for her, she might not like it, and you'll NEVER get her to ride.
You let her pick it out, and you'll have a riding partner.

Sorry I couldn't give more help.

Edit to add:
That being said, given the $300 max on the price range, I'd say the Giant Cypress ST (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/women/1269/29334/) is a solid performer. I'd also recommend checking CraigsList and other places where you might find a nice used bike. In the $200-300 range, you can find a REALLY NICE used bike where you'd only be getting an entry level new bike. Just a thought.

[bab2000]

Do yourself a favor and let HER figure it out. Show her the websites for Giant, Trek, Schwinn, and Specialized and let HER pick it out.
+5.

I made this mistake back in 1980, and did not make it right until last spring for m Mother's Day gift, letting her select her own bike.

She choose a Specialized Sport, womans version and has been most happy, logging miles even when I was away from home on business, she would ride the route we did together, and made great progress and improvement since.

It is very important to allow her to pick a bike she will ride. I would allow a little more price range, it may pay bigger returns than either can imagine today.

[Bjazzman]

she said she's willing to pay 600 for everything setup. what styles should we look at for moderate hills but not distance? maybe a 3 speed?

[rugerben]

Sounds like you might lead her towards hybrids and the upright/flat bar road bikes like Trek FX, and Giant FCR.
The only 3 speeds I know of are cruisers and you said she's nixed those.

[DnvrFox]

If you pick it out, you set yourself up for the blame game.

If she picks it out, she has no one to blame but herself.

[Angy]

I'd asy search online and find some examples of bikes she might like and email them to her. Give her a good selection to chose from. Don't make the sole decision, but help her out!

[cooker]

I took my daughter shopping a couple of years ago and she picked a Trek 7000 series rigid (no suspension) hybrid. Skinny enough tires to ride at a reasonable pace on the road and a ridiculously low lowest gear (see megadrive rear sprocket) suitable for any hill.

Similar to this: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/7000_series/7000/

[jaxgtr]

Visit a couple of LBS's in your area and let her try some bikes out and go from there. I would also check the Craig's List in your area as well.

[RonH]

My wife wants a bike since i got one.
Are there any straight or regular cross bar type bikes out there that aren't mountain bikes in this range?
Spend a few more $$$ and get her a Jamis Coda (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08coda.html).

[SoulDad]

Looking for my wife

i saw her a few miles back

[Tom Bombadil]

she said she's willing to pay 600 for everything setup. what styles should we look at for moderate hills but not distance? maybe a 3 speed?

Hard to say as just about any bike could fit this spec.

Many hybrids and comfort bikes are built on frames which are similar to mountain bike frames. Or at least traditional, lower-end mountain bike frames. Nearly all of them have easy gearing which facilitates climbing hills with less effort.

There are dozens upon dozens of bikes in these categories. As this is one of the best selling line of bikes out there, nearly every bike shop is well experienced in assisting customers on these bikes.

A 3-speed can go up hills, and is very simple to operate, but it will not give you very many gearing options and over a varied terrain, may be lacking gears that you would find useful. If you are trying to keep shifting simple and will be riding on hills, then you may want to check out 7-speed bikes too.

If you think she can handle more complex shifting, with options to shift both the front sprockets and the rear, then you can look at 24-27 speed options. These are wasted with my wife as she doesn't want to deal with this many shifting options.

If you go to a Trek store, the Trek Pure Lowstep is available in either a 3-speed or a 7-speed. Their Trek Navigator is popular as a 21- or 24-speed. The Giant Suede is a comfortable bike available as a 3, 7, or 21-speed. There are many others out there.

If she's looking for more performance than these, then there are likewise dozens of options that the bike shops can show to you.

[Andy_K]

Have her check out K2's T:Nine line.

http://k2bikes.com/index.php?brand=T9&section=T9Team

My wife loved them. She got a Crosswinds, which I think is a pretty decent bike for the price (~$400).

[bbattle]

she said she's willing to pay 600 for everything setup. what styles should we look at for moderate hills but not distance? maybe a 3 speed?

Just like everyone else, Trek FX, Giant FCR or something similar. My wife had a hybrid but it was slow and the front suspension did nothing for her. Neither did the suspension seatpost. She loves her 7.5FX and the Terry Butterfly saddle was a worthwhile upgrade over the stock one. I added barends to give her another hand position. Triple chainring and granny gear in the back lets her climb whatever she's willing to tackle. A fast bike on the road, you can swap the road tires for fatter ones with tread and hit the trails.

Bikes with internal hubs usually are more for cruising than climbing. Bianchi makes a nice upright cafe racer style with a 7 speed hub that's fun to ride. The Milano.

Specialized has some nice women's models as well.

Take her bike shopping and let her test ride a lot of bikes.

[donnamb]

Bjazzman, where do you live? I would take her to a shop that sells a fair amount of bikes to women. Women salespeople tend to be a good sign. Bring a magazine, have a seat, and let her find something for herself. Be there to answer questions. :)

[yellowbee]

This is the bike my wife just got a few weeks ago. She is more than happy with it and loves riding with me. It's even her idea to go riding about half the time. It is a very nice bike and rides very good (I have ridden it but I go really fast so nobody can see the butterflies). It also comes in red. We picked it up for about $580 including tax.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34180

[ken cummings]

:love: Offer to have it repainted in a color she likes.

[donnamb]

Yay for you, Jose! :beer: She will figure out the basket thing for herself when she realizes she would prefer to have her cell phone and the contents of her purse close by. :)

[deburn]

do you really want her to ride? If the answer to the 2nd question is yes, then you may want to consider spending more money on a "good" bike upfront whihc will make it more likely that she'll like it and hence stay with it. My 2 cents

My wife wants a bike since i got one. She wont really need a road bike or anything like over $500. In fact im looking at spending 2-300 tops. She also doesen't like the cruiser style. Are there any straight or regular cross bar type bikes out there that aren't mountain bikes in this range?

[bbattle]

do you really want her to ride? If the answer to the 2nd question is yes, then you may want to consider spending more money on a "good" bike upfront whihc will make it more likely that she'll like it and hence stay with it. My 2 cents

+1

I'd let her test ride and pick out whatever she wants, even if it costs more than your bike. If it gets her riding, it'll be money well spent.

[Pathfinder1]

Specialized Myka Sport... My wife loves hers @ $385.

Pathfinder