Womens bike recommendation
 

Ladies,
My wife recently told me she wanted to get a bike so she could start riding with me. I am excited to get her out on the road with me but I need to figure out the best bike for her. I ride road and mountain but she would be road only but I don't think she is wanting a full on road bike. That being said what would you recommend for a female that is approx. 200 lbs? Also, what type of saddle recommendations as she has complained about pain while riding other bikes?

Thanks!

I just got my wife a Jamis Citizen. She loves it! Jamis Citizen 1 Step-Through - Women's - Bicycles Etc. | Naperville & Lisle, IL

If she does not want a full on road bike, any of the flat bar road bike options should work well and they usually will fit wider tires making for a more comfortable ride.

I would just take her to your favorite local shop and have her test ride a couple bikes and go with what feels the most comfortable. She could even buy a 29" wheeled mountain bike and put road tires on it for a more comfortable ride and the option to ride off road in the future with just a tire swap.

For saddles, that is a tough one to make suggestions for but a lot of shops have a selection of demo saddles so she can try a few and go with what feels best.

Saddle recommendations depend on riding position.

What sort of riding will you all do. I have a Soma Beuna Vista setup as a city bike. The geometry is sports touring. The handles bars are set up a little above the seat. This makes it semi upright and comfortable.

I also have a wider leather saddle which works for my riding position. If she doesn't want to be leaned over look for upright bars. I find flat bars uncomfortable and prefer swept back ones with a neutral wrist position.

I just got this bike for the wife a month ago and she loves it, has no problem with the seat and pain free, she was 192# and lost 10# in the month she's rode.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-city...nture-4-womens

Take here to a few lbs and let her ride and few and get the one that feels best to her. It is not always the one we think they ought to have, but they will actually ride one they like.

All good recommendation but frankly... it is just best to have your wife visit with you to your local bike shops and just ride bikes... especially if she is a newbie. Don't push her to ride something she is uncomfortable on... and as to saddles, depends on the bike. If she wants a hybrid/sports style bike the saddle will be wider.If she prefers a real road or mountain bike, the saddle will be and should be narrower. A wider saddle can actually be very uncomfortable. But sometime it takes riding awhile to realize that.

Obed7's advice is right on... While I don't particular like Trek, the company, they make a full line of bikes that appeal to women riders... for instance the Domane WSD bikes are something to check out.... I have three friends that I helped get into cycling and each like the Domane... for the money, bike (depending on level/price point) comes with good components)... when you purchase a bike, I suggest adding in a different saddle as part of your negotiation... alot of women like the Terry Butterfly. I won't ride anything else...

As Pamestique mentioned the Trek Domane is a great choice. I put my wife on one and she went from short rides to riding with a local cycling club on their Saturday rides. I highly recommend the Domane. In fact after getting her one, I ended up getting one for myself. :)

Thanks for the recommendations! I am planning to take her to my favorite LBS to try a few to see what will work for her. I think she will be more comfortable with a more upright position but she keeps telling me she wants a full road bike. I bet that changes after she tries a few but we will see.

Look for a road bike that will allow the handlebars to be set up even with the seat or even a tiny bit higher, instead of inches below the seat. Then move it down as she gets adjusted.

Well we ended up with a full road bike. I took her to the LBS and she rode 4 different bikes and she felt the most confident on the road bike. She got a new specialized Dolce Sport with full 105 components. Now she is complaining about the seat so it will be a work in progress with minor adjustments until she finds a saddle that works for her. I'm just happy to have her out with me. Cheers!

She can have a full on road bike, and she can have a more upright position. The trick will be to have the bike shop perform a bike fit. In my case we went from the 110 degree stem to a 125 degree stem to get me more upright on the bike.

At her weight she really can ride any bike her heart desires. I would have her look at the Orbea, The Bianchi, the Giant, or the Raleigh branded bikes.

As to the saddle that will depend much on her sit bones. Too wide andshe will notice hip pain; too narrow and she may feel like she is riding an ass hatchet (she will have to try a few saddles).

Glad she found her bike with your help. Remember that she'll need time to break in her "sit bones" as well as the stock saddle. She and I are about the same weight, and it took me a few weeks of building up mileage before I felt like I was comfortable on the stock saddle on my Specialized Vita (a flat-bar road bike I'd recommend to anyone not ready for drop handlebars).

i damaged the sides of my saddle toppling over on both sides on a charity ride; when I replace it I'll probably go with the same saddle, or a model up. But I may take the opportunity when I go in for a full-on fitting to try some nicer saddles. I agree that getting a fit is a good next step.

We went riding this afternoon and went 10 miles. I'm impressed at how quickly she is adding mileage. She started at 2 miles earlier last week. She did tell me that her butt didn't hurt as bad now so hopefully that means she is getting the saddle broken in. I am soooooo excited to have her out riding with me and I cant wait for her to pick up her pace a bit. Average 12 mph when I typically average 16 ish but I am being patient as I know she will be there soon.:)