What would you do? I could add plastic fenders and rack w/ big folding wire basket, city tires w/ reflective sidewalls to the MTB, inexpensive clip-on lights that could be replaced cheaply after they are stolen, rubber platform pedals, and stick on plenty of reflective tape. I could replace the geared drivetrains with single speed.
FTFY
You would end up with a great campus rider. Just get one of the $20 single speed conversion kits if she could/would do SS.
I would pick a different starting point. Think Craig................as in list.
I wish I still made my Atlanta/Sacramento/Portland/Tacoma/AnywhereSouth loop. Right now I've got two girls MTBs in great shape, one still has the thingies on the tires, that you could have your pick of for $35. You'd save a lot of bucks and I'd double my investment.
There's a starter bike.
