Need Help! Womens Entry Road Bike
05-03-09, 04:03 AM
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Need Help! Womens Entry Road Bike
my gf wants a road bike. i do not think she will be going over 50-60 miles ever.
more likely the max will be 40ish.
two college kids on a budget (actually, i bought my road at performance on sale for 900 and then i bought a folder).
anything over 400 is too much.
much help is needed. i am entry road myself.
singlespeed? comfort? cross? help!
more likely the max will be 40ish.
two college kids on a budget (actually, i bought my road at performance on sale for 900 and then i bought a folder).
anything over 400 is too much.
much help is needed. i am entry road myself.
singlespeed? comfort? cross? help!
05-03-09, 08:42 AM
#2
Lanky Lass
Is she going to be riding strictly on roads? Does she want to commute? Run errands?
East Hill
East Hill
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05-03-09, 10:49 AM
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In that price bracket you will not find a good new bike. The good news is that you can get a fantastic used vintage bike.
I would look for Trek/Miyata/Centurion/Fuji/Univega.
In the late 80's-early 90's components were evolved to a really good level of quality. Look for a 4130 chromoly or better frame. Stay away from the high tensile steel frames labled 1020 or carbolite. They aren't fancy.
A basic chromoly frame with a Shimano 600 group is probably the best place to start for a lasting love affair with quality on a budget. Good luck. You'll find it...Just be patient.
I would look for Trek/Miyata/Centurion/Fuji/Univega.
In the late 80's-early 90's components were evolved to a really good level of quality. Look for a 4130 chromoly or better frame. Stay away from the high tensile steel frames labled 1020 or carbolite. They aren't fancy.
A basic chromoly frame with a Shimano 600 group is probably the best place to start for a lasting love affair with quality on a budget. Good luck. You'll find it...Just be patient.
05-03-09, 01:49 PM
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Also check out Jamis. They also go to down a 48-49 if she's short.
05-03-09, 03:34 PM
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Just make sure it fits. Best recipe for never riding a bike is to buy one that isn't comfortable.
(Apologies for stating the obvious)
(Apologies for stating the obvious)
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05-03-09, 07:34 PM
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I got my GF an old 12 speed Centurion from the late 80s. Steel frame, Shimano components. 25 pound bike. It cost 125. I would keep an eye on CLs.
I cleaned up the frame, spent about 30 bucks on new tires, bar tape, and cables. Works good.
I cleaned up the frame, spent about 30 bucks on new tires, bar tape, and cables. Works good.
05-04-09, 08:15 AM
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If she is of average height for a woman (around 5'3"), a 49 for the men's version is going to be too tall. A 46 cm bike is better for an average sized woman and something much smaller is needed if she is shorter than that. That's going to be the problem with older bikes also. Many of them were made in sizes which just don't fit women that well.
However Jamis does make a women's line which is better proportioned for women. The Ventura Sport Femme' would be a good inexpensive choice. If she doesn't want to go with a dropped bar road bike, abstractform20, look at the Specialized Vita or any of the Trek WSD bikes. Be prepared to spend just a bit more than $400, however.
However Jamis does make a women's line which is better proportioned for women. The Ventura Sport Femme' would be a good inexpensive choice. If she doesn't want to go with a dropped bar road bike, abstractform20, look at the Specialized Vita or any of the Trek WSD bikes. Be prepared to spend just a bit more than $400, however.
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
