Mike552

I'm trying to get the wife into cycling... I'm not sure if it will take or not.
I'm seriously considering the $195 close-out special by a LBS around here.

Here's the two bikes:

2005 Fuji Sagres
https://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=28

2005 Fuji League
https://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=14#

Thanks for any feedback guys...

merlinextraligh

How do you see her riding? Do you want to be able to ride with her? Youv'e got a nice bike in the R2000. I understand you don't want to spend a lot of money for something she may not use, but if you go too low end, she'll have trouble riding with you, you'll both be frustrated, and you'll guarantee she won't use it.

Albany-12303

I suppose the Sagres since it has the higher MSRP.

Fit will be the most important consideration for a first bike, since (I presume) you want her to enjoy cycling.

$195!!! - sweet deal!

Mike552

Thanks for the replies!

I was thinking the Sagres too. But the V-brakes and 11-32 gears made me think twice about it.
The League's downsides: downtubes (tricky for the wife), although I could slap on some Sora shifters.

These are actually a step up from what I wanted to get her (a hybrid)... and this is just for when we ride together, in which case I'll slow dow to her pace a little... but with a 52:11 gear combination, she can ride just as fast as my 53:12. I just don't know if I want to go out and buy her a C-Dale R700 or something for like $1000+, when I'm not even sure she's going to like it. Right now, her bike is a Huffy Mixte 21 speed mountain bike...and she hates cycling... I keep telling her it's really the bike she hates, not the cycling.

marqueemoon

My advice is go for the one that fits or can be made to fit best, and don't underestimate the importance of the cool factor. Everyone wants to look cool riding a bike. Beginners are no exception.

If this is going to be a surprise, consider putting some extra touches on it like bar tape or grips and tires in her favorite color. Those are some seriously drab looking bikes.

Mike552

HAHAHAHHAHA!!!! You're funny man!!
I know it's by no means a Tour de France stage winner, but I'm not sure she can tell the difference.... but I hear what you're saying. Maybe some pink tires??? I wonder where I could find a pair of those? I bet they'd look good with silver.

Nubie

I don't think they're drab, I'd prefer black or silver as opposed to this hideous Trek 2200 WSD in hot-bubble-gum-pink:

https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...id=1447003&f=3

Don't get me wrong, it's got great 105 and Ultegra components, but I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10-foot pole. WAY too girly for me. I'd feel like I was riding in cotton-candy. Ick.

As a woman, I'll tell you - if I don't like it, I won't ride it. Period. I won't wear an ugly helmet, I won't wear an ugly jersey, and I won't wear those hideous silver robot shoes. Yes, maybe I'm vain, but there's no reason a good bike can't be cool-looking either. Both those Fuji's are very nice - but pink tires would be really bad. I read a review about the League that was really positive, and maybe she'd get used to the downtube shifters. The Sagres is really nice, but I don't like those handlebars. Not enough hand-position options, and that's bad for the ulnar neuropathy.

*edited because I meant League, but typed Ace instead. Idiot.*

brianappleby

I own a sagres. It was the first bike before the cabon fiber obsession. All i can say is "it works" I rode it for about 400 miles before i bought a real road bike, but it was great.

I broke a spoke last week learning to trackstand, but i weigh 195lbs., and I had previously knocked that wheel out of true with a rut in the road stunt.

The sagres is still my commuter/city bike. I think it's great. The gearing is great, although honestly i never leave the middle ring, and just shift through the cogs. The wifey might appreciate the granny on long steep climbs, but the big ring seems pretty useless to me...

When i was just starting out, downtube shifters made me feel pretty unstable. Any newbie will really appreciate the trigger things on the sagres, or real brifters...

The league may be better if she'll only be riding with you on flat open roads, clear of immediate danger. But if she's just getting started, i'd be willing to bet that the convenience of stable, accessable shifting will outweigh the convenience of a few extra hand positions
just my slightly inebriated $0.02

Serpico

for 195$ you really can't go wrong, if she ends up enjoying it you can always buy a different bike later--if she doesn't, at least you aren't out a ton of dough

somebody is riding these bikes, and the majority of cyclists aren't riding bikes that cost several thousand dollars and posting on bikeforums--like the guy above said, it might "just work"

good luck

Pedal Wench

Team Estrogen has pink Schwalbe tires, and you can get Conti GP3000's in the T-Mobile pink. (How do I know? I bought both of them!) The scary thing is that the tires will cost almost as much as the complete bike!
That being said, get the bike that is most comfortable now. With an initial investment of $195, you can get it, see if she likes riding, get her completely hooked and then upgrade to a serious bike. The way I see, spending $195 now + $1500 for a nice bike once she's hooked is better than spending $1000 on a bike she might never ride.

paulbridges02

i would say to go with the Sagres. I find that someone that doesnt ride often is more comfortable and therefore has a more enjoyable time on a mountain bike type setup. This is what I have seen from my step mom and girlfriend anyways. Both never rode much and both cringed (sp?) at the road bike option when they were picking out bikes.

marqueemoon

This is the point I was trying to make. As a male, I agree with these statements 100%.

Everyone's taste and concept of cool is different. I just think taking some steps to customize the bike will go a long way and make it a more personal gift.

caligurl

i'd wait before adding pink tires.. i love pink... but not on a road bike! (ruby red is the closest you'll get me to pink!! i actually wanted a flat black road bike! not your typical female.. and off the bike i'm very gurlie!) and none of that pink chris king stuff either!

on the other hand... i would love to have a pink mountain bike.. go figure! lol! something about pink on the dirty trails

hmmmmmm i wouldn't surprise her.... i went to pick out my own first bike... and it's a personal, emotional thing... "i don't like that one" why? just cuz!

definitely get a bike that FITS! and definitely customize it! but make sure its something SHE'll like and not just cuz you think that other women may like it!!

squeegy200

Good advice. I originally got my wife a Performance Hybrid which ended up getting chucked. She was frustrated as how difficult it was to keep up with everyone else.

I finally bought her a descently equipped Specialized Allez which at the time was a full on entry level road bike but with lower grade components. She eventually began riding and I upgraded components as necessary.

caligurl

yep.. good advice there from both of you! when i went looking at first.. i wanted a mtb or hybrid.. again.. hubby stepped in and told me "no... you want a road bike"

since he was the rider in the family... i listened to him (for once... well.. and a second time when he told me i coudln't have the cuter mountain bike shoes vice the stiffer... albeit uglier road shoes!)

i probably spent more on my starter bike than i should have... not knowing if i would take to cycling.. fortunately it paid off! (phew!)

i hope she enjoys it and you have MANY MANY miles together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ovoleg

you guys are all spoiled.

Be ashamed of yourselves!

caligurl

me****************************** spoiled******************************?? no way!!!!!!!!!!!!


















ok... yes.. VERY!

ovoleg

Girls that want to get into cycling get these nice fansy shmansy bikes!



Now I want you guys to go and give $20 to the next homeless person you see, and let them ride your $2k bike so they can experience some joy.

Then I want you to go and work at the shelter for Christmas.

Thank you for being so rich and selfish

roadfix

My wife's first 'serious' bike was a Santana tandem. My decision and it was a good one while it lasted....

roadfix

Hey watch out ovoleg...... You and Caligurl will be riding together next month up Palomar.....

caligurl

*GASP* i won't even let hubby ride my ruby.. and you want me to let some strange homeless person ride it**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************????

NO... ain't gonna happen!

caligurl

i'll be waiting to meet you ovoleg!

Nubie

LOL!

There's no way in hell or God's green earth that I'd ever let my sister ride my Fuji road bike, much less the homeless guys that live under the heating vent on the side of my building. I bring them cookies and apple pie from my own oven, but no one is touching the bike! I know that, they know that. We get along.

ovoleg

You can spot me in the bright red jersey and red LeMond

caligurl