Buying a bicycle for my wife...
05-24-18, 06:10 AM
#26
Jedi Master
I went bike shopping with my wife last fall. We probably visited a dozen shops and she sat on several at each shop and test rode a few that she liked the best. She learned a lot about bikes in the process and came up with a list of requirements. We narrowed it down to three bikes, and she picked the one that was the best value. It took a while, but it was fun for us to do together and she ended up with a bike that she likes. Fast-forward to this spring. Here it is almost the end of May and we have been on three rides of about 45 miles total together. Turns out she only likes to go out if it's warm and sunny, and 15 miles is about her limit. Maybe we'll get out more when it warms up this summer. I've learned on the couple of rides we have been on that I really prefer riding with her on our tandem. Our fitness levels are so different that it's really hard for us to stay together when she's on her own bike, especially if there are any hills at all.
05-24-18, 01:36 PM
#27
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, thanks, to everyone who has responded. I've been married to this beautiful woman for 39 years in July. She is a rare jewel - always happy, and it doesn't take much to make her satisfied. (She's married to me, I rest my case... 
)
We have ONE bike store in our town. There is exactly ONE bike in that store that fits her, the 2018 Specialized Dolce that he will sell me for $650. She has ridden it and "it is fine". She is satisfied to buy it and ride it, Claris components and all.
The 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD I've found is much more bike for the same money. Carbon frame, Ultegra rear derailleur and crank, 105 front derailleur and brifters. Why was it upgraded? Because the husband is an avid cyclist and it was important to him... lol
So I'm off to go pick it up on Sat. morning. If it's not as advertised, I won't buy it. However the seller has been great with pics and communication, so I feel confident about everything.
I told my wife about this thread and the advice to let her make the decision, and she started laughing. "They don't know me!", she said. "I'm gonna be happy with anything that is my size and rides good! Besides, I hate making decisions!"
Wish me luck - ha! Nahhh, it's all gonna be good. :-)
Gary
)We have ONE bike store in our town. There is exactly ONE bike in that store that fits her, the 2018 Specialized Dolce that he will sell me for $650. She has ridden it and "it is fine". She is satisfied to buy it and ride it, Claris components and all.
The 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD I've found is much more bike for the same money. Carbon frame, Ultegra rear derailleur and crank, 105 front derailleur and brifters. Why was it upgraded? Because the husband is an avid cyclist and it was important to him... lol
So I'm off to go pick it up on Sat. morning. If it's not as advertised, I won't buy it. However the seller has been great with pics and communication, so I feel confident about everything.
I told my wife about this thread and the advice to let her make the decision, and she started laughing. "They don't know me!", she said. "I'm gonna be happy with anything that is my size and rides good! Besides, I hate making decisions!"
Wish me luck - ha! Nahhh, it's all gonna be good. :-)
Gary
05-24-18, 01:39 PM
#28
SuperGimp
Off you go! Sounds like you'll be in good shape.
Keep in touch with the seller for the next inevitable upgrade.
Keep in touch with the seller for the next inevitable upgrade.
05-24-18, 05:47 PM
#29
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If you're at all interested..you should be able to find the geometry chart for each bike. You could compare the Madone to the Dolce she's ridden to ID what differences you might encounter. Effective top tube length would be of interest..
05-25-18, 08:23 AM
#30
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Gary
05-26-18, 06:50 AM
#31
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What makes her different than you? Like you, she needs to experiment on the type of riding she likes to do, or even if she likes riding at all. Then that first bike may not be the last bike, like you. If she likes riding, she might even stumble on that Georgina Terry You Tube.
Unlike you, she may have different preferences, the hierarchy of what's important to her.
Unlike you, she may have different preferences, the hierarchy of what's important to her.
05-26-18, 09:55 AM
#32
For The Fun of It
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Thanks, thanks, to everyone who has responded. I've been married to this beautiful woman for 39 years in July. She is a rare jewel - always happy, and it doesn't take much to make her satisfied. (She's married to me, I rest my case... )
We have ONE bike store in our town. There is exactly ONE bike in that store that fits her, the 2018 Specialized Dolce that he will sell me for $650. She has ridden it and "it is fine". She is satisfied to buy it and ride it, Claris components and all.
The 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD I've found is much more bike for the same money. Carbon frame, Ultegra rear derailleur and crank, 105 front derailleur and brifters. Why was it upgraded? Because the husband is an avid cyclist and it was important to him... lol
So I'm off to go pick it up on Sat. morning. If it's not as advertised, I won't buy it. However the seller has been great with pics and communication, so I feel confident about everything.
I told my wife about this thread and the advice to let her make the decision, and she started laughing. "They don't know me!", she said. "I'm gonna be happy with anything that is my size and rides good! Besides, I hate making decisions!"
Wish me luck - ha! Nahhh, it's all gonna be good. :-)
Gary
)We have ONE bike store in our town. There is exactly ONE bike in that store that fits her, the 2018 Specialized Dolce that he will sell me for $650. She has ridden it and "it is fine". She is satisfied to buy it and ride it, Claris components and all.
The 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD I've found is much more bike for the same money. Carbon frame, Ultegra rear derailleur and crank, 105 front derailleur and brifters. Why was it upgraded? Because the husband is an avid cyclist and it was important to him... lol
So I'm off to go pick it up on Sat. morning. If it's not as advertised, I won't buy it. However the seller has been great with pics and communication, so I feel confident about everything.
I told my wife about this thread and the advice to let her make the decision, and she started laughing. "They don't know me!", she said. "I'm gonna be happy with anything that is my size and rides good! Besides, I hate making decisions!"
Wish me luck - ha! Nahhh, it's all gonna be good. :-)
Gary
05-26-18, 04:17 PM
#33
Senior Member
Most importantly as it's mainly guys in here and he's asking for his wife, what would you look for / your preferences be for a bike any idea or are you a relative newbie as you haven't many posts on here?
If so and you're looking for some advice why not start a thread What Bike Should I Get outlining the type of cycling you're looking to do and your budget ... there are a lot of helpful people on here that can probably help steer you in the right direction??
If so and you're looking for some advice why not start a thread What Bike Should I Get outlining the type of cycling you're looking to do and your budget ... there are a lot of helpful people on here that can probably help steer you in the right direction??
05-26-18, 08:23 PM
#34
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, Paul.
Everything went great today. The 2011 Trek doesn’t look like it’s been ridden more than 50 miles! My wife rode it for a couple of miles after i got home (450 mile round trip!) and said she *loves* the bike! Only thing bothering her is the seat, which I will swap out for her this week. Evidently the seller’s wife wanted the woman’s seat so he replaced it for the sale with a brand new Bontrager Paradigm Race seat... pretty sure it’s a men’s seat.
Attached here is a quick pic I took when I picked it up in Atlanta this morning. Thanks for all the good suggestions!
Gary
05-27-18, 05:11 AM
#35
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Gary, that was indeed a very good score.
will be very pleased with that!!
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