I work in a gun shop and get this all the time.
What should I buy my wife?
The answer is "what SHE wants." Within your agreed upon budget, of course.
If possible, take her to a bike shop that has female employees (the local TREK store has a female manager, the local Performance Bike, a female runs the repair department.), leave her there, and go get a cup of coffee. It has been my experience that if you can get the testosterone out of the room, the discussion takes on a much different tone.
Just my two cents...
As far as department store bikes... I bought one, rode it two months, and gave it away. Then spent mondo on a Specialized. Buy once, cry once.
Last edited by IamAlan; 04-03-17 at 08:42 AM.