trider

My wife is 59 and hasn't ridden a bike in over 40 years and neither have I at 62. For Christmas I bought her a Trek 7100 woman's bike, in a pretty blue. Has leather seat and hand grips. She is 5'2" and 119lbs.
Are there any other women out there who own this bike and would like to give there review? I would appreciate it very much. I paid $399.00 out the door. I probably could have found it at a lower price on line, but I wanted to deal with the great guys at the local bike shop. I know they will be there if I need them. Any comments would be appreciated. I guess I'm looking for validation.

Thanks
Terry

stapfam

Bit worried about the colour.

Other than that it should be a bike to get the wife riding but watch out. Riding with the youngsters is hard work.

Tom Bombadil

You did right by buying it from your LBS. Otherwise you might have saved something like $50 and would have had some assembly to do when it arrived. Probably would have given up a free tuneup and some adjustments too.

I see a lot of people riding the 7100 and 7200 Treks on the bike paths. They are good, solid bikes. Your wife will have to find out if she finds the seat comfortable. It has a decent hybrid bike seat. But a lot of path riders like to put extra padding on them, in the form of gel pads that you can get at bike shops and Wal-Mart/Target. Not everyone needs them though.

If she gets serious about riding, you might find that while the 7100 is good for her right now, that she might want something with more performance after a few months. But many people ride hybrids for years, and do so on long'ish rides. Last year I met 6 women who were riding a rail trail as a group. They were all on Trek hybrids and were doing a 46 mile ride. Said they got together and rode it every month.

BluesDawg

If she rides it and enjoys it enough to want to keep riding it, that's all the validation you need.

leob1

What are you going to ride? It's nicer to ride together than alone. A warm summer morning, nice easy ride to the local coffee shop/bakery. Nice easy ride home. A nice refreshing shower(for two of course). Can't think of a better way to start the day.

trider

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I have an old 12 speed thats in pretty decent shape that I bought at a yard sale. A neighbor who works on bikes just put a new derailler on the bike. It needs a new seat. I am thinking of taking it to the local bike shop and ask him what he can do for under $100.00, like maybe new tires and seat. Tires are pretty worn.

trider

**********

Hey BluesDawg, you said it well. Thanks.

DnvrFox

Tell your wife that my wife, now 71 years old, didn't start riding until she was about 62 years old.

She has done 30-40 mile rides, and loves bicycling.

She rides a Trek hybrid, also, and a mtn bike. She loves her Trek hybrid - similar to your wife's.

trider

*****

I'll tell her, indeed I will. Cheers to your wife. Thats a great brag.

alentric

you did the right thing by buying at your LBS..I purchased my bike a year ago and
my wife's Specialized hybrid last summer from my LBS..and I don't regret it for one second..
we both love our bikes and I have been back many times for beginner type questions and service.
it was money well spent and my wife loves her bike-it is similar to your wife's Trek in style and cost

trider

Yeah, my wife seems to really like her new Trek 7100. We rode about 2 miles last night (with our bike headlights and tail lights), her on her Trek and me on my Citizens folder. Nice short night ride. Not many cars or trucks in our neighborhood. Hooray for country living.

Now I am wrestling with what $400 bike to buy me for Christmas. Thinking of something good for the street and good for trails.

Wanderer

Specialized Crosstrail! https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...=38464&eid=125 A hybrid that goes fast!

BluesDawg

Now we get into the fun part. This crowd loves to make recommendations.

Before I weigh in with some suggestions, it would help to have a little more information to help decide what type of bike would be best.

- What do you mean by "trails"? Are you talking about very smooth paths with dirt or gravel surface or are you talking about something a littel rougher with some ruts and rocks and roots?

- What brands of bike does your local bike shop carry? Just Trek, or are there some other brands there as well?

- What kind of riding do you think you will be doing? Are you mostly interested in being comfortable and riding 10-15 miles or less at time or do you see yourself doing longer rides and being interested in speed and performance?

trider

Thanks for your interest and suggestions, however about 30 min. ago I took delivery on a 2006 (still new) Gary Fisher Advance $299.00. The local BS owner suggested this over the Trek 7100 (better components he stated and better tires). Silver color. He tuned it up and delivered it to my office. No tax. No delivery charge. Good guy this shop owner. On first impressions the bike fits me real well and really appears to be solid. Components do seem superior to my wife's Trek 7100 I just bought her.
So now I am ready to ride. Hopefully the rain will stop by the end of the work day.

Thanks again,
Terry

BluesDawg

That's a good price on a good entry level hardtail mountain bike. Both of my sons had GF Tarpons (the next lower model) a few years back and they were good bikes that could take a lot of abuse. One was stolen, but the other is still in frequent use by the son of a friend from my bike club who bought it last year for Christmas. He uses it both on and offroad, just swapping tires depending on whether he needs road speed or offroad traction. The frame is worthy of even better components should you wear anything out or feel the urge to upgrade later on. Enjoy.

trider

Thanks for your comments BluesDawg. Because of heavy rain, I didn't get a chance to ride it after I got home last night. Hopefully I can ride a couple of miles tonight.
Milledgeville huh.
Albany yeah.