Entry Level Women's Hardtail?
01-09-07, 02:06 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by Nitroboy
Money's the main issue; we are saving for the wedding, houses, etc. I'd also rather go for an adequate hardtail now and not sweat the upgrade to a GOOD full suspension in a couple of years when and if she's finding the hardtail limiting, instead of buying an entry level FS bike and still likely needing an upgrade in a couple of years. I'm definitely trying to stay under $1000 CDN, but my starting point was $600. We're talking about shared money here, so if she wants to spend a little extra I'm fine with it, but we are really watching our budget. Just to be clear, snowy, I'm definitely not looking for a rigid bike (she started on one and has done very well on it; time for some front suspension at least).
I also want to make sure she's totally sold on mountain biking before jumping right in, and a hardtail will always be a decent general-purpose bike if she ends up only riding occasionally (she's done well on a rigid, but hasn't really gotten into the sport). The terrain we'll likely be riding in the forseeable future is also pretty tame (around Calgary); there are plenty of good agressive trails out-of-town around K-country and Canmore etc, but the idea of having to drive 1 1/2 hours each way to get a ride in kind of bothers me (yeah.. I'm a spoiled BC boy who likes pedalling to the trailhead). I have a feeling that weight will be a significant factor as well (which is why I don't think she'll get the Norco - 32 lbs!); maybe I'm wrong, but won't a entry-level FS be significantly heavier in general?
The last bit, and I do realize this is kind of a weak excuse, is that I've always been on a hardtail (or rigid) bike and I'm not that comfortable about buying, maintaining, or teaching her to ride a FS bike yet... plus, I'm still on a needs-to-be-replaced '97 Norco Nitro that I love and am trying to milk another couple of seasons out of. If money were no object I'd probably be shopping for two FS bikes instead of one hardtail, but that's not possible at this point.
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All this being said, I'm not opposed to the idea of getting her a FS bike, if the bike and the price were right. Any recommendations? My dad tracked down a used Giant Pistol 1 for me (in BC - a former rental bike at Silver Star) about the right size, and he's been pushing the full suspension angle. It's a possibility, but I'm not really confident buying used and would like her to have something new from a local shop in case she's having any mechanical issues.
I also want to make sure she's totally sold on mountain biking before jumping right in, and a hardtail will always be a decent general-purpose bike if she ends up only riding occasionally (she's done well on a rigid, but hasn't really gotten into the sport). The terrain we'll likely be riding in the forseeable future is also pretty tame (around Calgary); there are plenty of good agressive trails out-of-town around K-country and Canmore etc, but the idea of having to drive 1 1/2 hours each way to get a ride in kind of bothers me (yeah.. I'm a spoiled BC boy who likes pedalling to the trailhead). I have a feeling that weight will be a significant factor as well (which is why I don't think she'll get the Norco - 32 lbs!); maybe I'm wrong, but won't a entry-level FS be significantly heavier in general?
The last bit, and I do realize this is kind of a weak excuse, is that I've always been on a hardtail (or rigid) bike and I'm not that comfortable about buying, maintaining, or teaching her to ride a FS bike yet... plus, I'm still on a needs-to-be-replaced '97 Norco Nitro that I love and am trying to milk another couple of seasons out of. If money were no object I'd probably be shopping for two FS bikes instead of one hardtail, but that's not possible at this point.
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All this being said, I'm not opposed to the idea of getting her a FS bike, if the bike and the price were right. Any recommendations? My dad tracked down a used Giant Pistol 1 for me (in BC - a former rental bike at Silver Star) about the right size, and he's been pushing the full suspension angle. It's a possibility, but I'm not really confident buying used and would like her to have something new from a local shop in case she's having any mechanical issues.
When reading your thread I was just thinking of me. I started on a Trek 850 back in the early 90's. That was hardtail. Well I went biking with my now boyfriend who rides/races singlespeed and he suggested to me if I wanted to continue riding mountain bikes that I go full. Well I had just bought a roadbike 3 months before so I wasn't in the position to buy another bike. After months of dating and finally realizing that he had a full susp Trex Fuel 100 sitting on the bike rack gaining dust I asked if I could ride it. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!
Anyhoo, I guess what I am saying is that I didn't think at first I was going to be riding mountain bikes as much as my road. I entered my first mountain bike race lastyear and came in 3rd!!! I eventually told my boyfriend that I wanted to ride more mountain but I wanted a few things done to the Trex. He did all those things and still ended up getting me a new Giant.
Your right she may not be able to tell the difference and in few years you can up grade her, but if you both are willing to spend a few more hundred then get her something good now.
I do understand the money issue. I do hope that she loves and enjoys the mountain bike and I'm sure whatever you both decide you will be happy with.
Its great to have more girls out there riding.
Oh I forgot to say too that my bike weighs about 26-27lbs. So not as heavy as you may be thinking.
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Last edited by snowy; 01-09-07 at 04:26 PM.
01-09-07, 05:16 PM
#27
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Thanks for the input!
And 26 - 27 lbs is pretty good weightwise. I'm still shocked that the Charger is listed at 32 lbs (Norco site)!
Speaking of Giant, there's a Trance 4 listed at a shop in town for $1,049.95.... no ideas on sizes etc, but it might be worth checking out. I've heard that there are many Trance riders about.
And 26 - 27 lbs is pretty good weightwise. I'm still shocked that the Charger is listed at 32 lbs (Norco site)!
Speaking of Giant, there's a Trance 4 listed at a shop in town for $1,049.95.... no ideas on sizes etc, but it might be worth checking out. I've heard that there are many Trance riders about.
Last edited by Nitroboy; 01-09-07 at 05:26 PM.
01-11-07, 09:33 AM
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Well.... change of plan. She got a raise yesterday, so now we'll be looking for a full suspension bike in the $1000 - $1500 area. 
Now looking for options... so far we're looking at the Giant Trance 3 (06 and 07's) and a 06 Trek Fuel EX7 WSD.
Now looking for options... so far we're looking at the Giant Trance 3 (06 and 07's) and a 06 Trek Fuel EX7 WSD.
Last edited by Nitroboy; 01-12-07 at 10:32 AM.
01-17-07, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by snowy
Can I ask why you want rigid?? Why not full susp?? If your going to buy her a 2006 I think its worth you spending your money on full-susp. I have a Giant Anthem. Its a very nice bike. Also the reason I suggest full-susp is cause she is somewhat new to riding.
For noobies I would always suggest this. The riding will be smoother for her and she won't bounce around as much.
This just comes from first hand experience with myself and a girlfriend of mine. She didn't realize hardtail until someone pointed out to her. We ride alot together now and she really would like to have a full-susp.
Just my 2cents.
For noobies I would always suggest this. The riding will be smoother for her and she won't bounce around as much.
This just comes from first hand experience with myself and a girlfriend of mine. She didn't realize hardtail until someone pointed out to her. We ride alot together now and she really would like to have a full-susp.
Just my 2cents.
01-18-07, 12:10 AM
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Originally Posted by jimx200
FS bikes are substantially heavier than ht's...A hardtail handles better due to less weight.
01-18-07, 07:16 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by jimx200
....... A hardtail handles better due to less weight.
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01-18-07, 11:22 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Nitroboy
Picked up that Fuel EX 7 for her. See you on the trails!
Now you have to post pics when you both go riding.
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01-18-07, 05:08 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by jimx200
FS bikes are substantially heavier than ht's and a decent, entry level fs bike runs $1200. and up... Ht's with good component groups can be had for half. A hardtail handles better due to less weight.
I used to be an old-school steel hardtail nut (still am riding one), and wouldn't even switch to riser bars for years, but I'm planning on going FS on my next bike. That'll be whenever I move back to BC, or when she starts whupping me on the downhills, whichever comes first.
The old excuses for avoiding FS (weight, inefficiency, price) don't have the same validity they did even 5 years ago (I really can't believe the price of steel hardtails these days, and always said that I wouldn't go aluminum unless it's FS).
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Just prayin' for a chinook soon, so I can persuade her to get out for a pedal. Well, that and making it up to my bike for last year's general neglect.
01-18-07, 07:00 PM
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Nitro, sounds like she's getting a damn fine bike. I'm for what ever kind of bike gets people on the trails. My comment on weight was from when I rode a friends Marin f/s. It was heavier (and felt it), did not handle as well, but had a nice plush ride. Maybe with all the new technology and metals, a good way to go. Maybe I'll test trail ride a f/s and see if it makes my bones less achy after 3-4 hours on trails (then again, it's probably due to my age). Ride safe and congratulations on finding a woman who rides...it makes choosing vacation locations much easier if you are both into riding.
01-18-07, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Nitroboy
I really can't believe the price of steel hardtails these days,
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01-18-07, 11:20 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by jimx200
Nitro, sounds like she's getting a damn fine bike. I'm for what ever kind of bike gets people on the trails. My comment on weight was from when I rode a friends Marin f/s. It was heavier (and felt it), did not handle as well, but had a nice plush ride. Maybe with all the new technology and metals, a good way to go. Maybe I'll test trail ride a f/s and see if it makes my bones less achy after 3-4 hours on trails (then again, it's probably due to my age). Ride safe and congratulations on finding a woman who rides...it makes choosing vacation locations much easier if you are both into riding.
Now, I'd rather be the first one at the top of a climb than at the bottom of a descent, but I'm starting to think that I'm a good enough climber to get a BIG advantage on the faster stuff by switching to FS. I took Dad's bike out on Spanky's (Silver Star foothills) a few years back, and was amazed at how effortless it was to clean obstacles that I wouldn't even consider on my HT. It's a big part of the reason I'm glad we ended up buying a FS bike for my fiancee', since she's just getting into the sport seriously. Maybe I'm selfish... this way I'll get her on the trails I want to ride faster.
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Originally Posted by mx_599
what about the price? too expensive? too cheap?
) it seems like most framebuilders switched over to Al across the board. Just my impression and opinion, and maybe it's mostly inflation. Hardtails seem to have gone up in price, but the FS technology you get for the money these days is getting pretty reasonable.
