My wife is looking to replace an ageing hybrid with a shiny new road bike mainly for leisure rides but also for the occasional commute to work (about 8 miles round trip) Their doesn't seem to be a huge selection when it comes to ladies road bikes and the prices are on the steep side. She is 5 foot 2 inches tall which also reduces the options. Any recommendations please?
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Road bike recommendations for my wife
(11 posts)- Started 14 years ago by Numptie
- Latest reply from Rabid Hamster
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Posted 14 years ago #
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What sort of price are you looking / willing to pay?
Posted 14 years ago # -
"doesn't seem to be a huge selection when it comes to ladies road bikes"
Presume you don't mean 'ladies frame'
Must say I thought there was much more choice of smaller bikes these days - is it just MTBs then?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Posted 14 years ago #
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The only drop-bar road bike that EBC list on their site in their "womens" bicycle section is Specialized Dolce Sport
However there's no reason why you couldn't get away with a small-framed "man's" road bike. At an entry level, with frame geometry offering a more relaxed riding position with less need to reach, the difference between the 2 is often subjective and more to do witht he paintjob - in my most humble of opinions.
In that case, they also have a Giant Defy 4 in "Extra Small" (whatever that means) or their own brand Revolution Continental Sportin a 48 cm frame.
Cycling Plus magazine has a good section every month that lists the majority of bikes available on the open market in the UK, by manufacturer, and allows you to compare componentry, cost etc.
Best advice would be to take a few hours, make a trip round the bike shops and talk it over, sit on a few things and see what feels "right". A lot of it will depend on the length of your wife's arms and legs (and how much bending over double she's willing to do in the saddle!)
Posted 14 years ago # -
You could try getting her properly fitted at the tricentre then you can look for a geometry that matches her rather than just looking for a ladies bike.
Posted 14 years ago # -
The Bicycle Chain also do fitting
Posted 14 years ago # -
I really like my Specialized Vita Elite.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Steveo,
the tricentre is probably the best way to go as she has been through a back operation less than a year ago but is keen to get back to cycling. Better safe than sorry.
Posted 14 years ago # -
You might want to consider a flat-barred road bike numptie (like Kirsts') if she's had a history with her back. You can always substitute dropped bars at some point in the future.
Posted 14 years ago # -
If the back operation is still a niggle and sitting upright on a saddle is a pain, then consider a recumbent bike or trike. Ask 'Laid Back' for advice on this and shop local!
It's an experience like being in charge at the Spanish Inquisition whilst undergoing the Soft Armchair treatment (Python quote, ugh sorry, sorry! didn't mean to!), and you get mega-respect from the traffic and very little dissing from the nerdys and WVM (White Van Men)! Bobbing along covertly under the radar, with a little yellow flag waving at every car's door window like a cruising shark, can un-nerve many a previously cocky tin-box driver! Minto St at 59kph is a comfort and joy as long as the lights don't change!Go to link at right side of this page for browsing 'Laid Back's' website...
Posted 14 years ago #
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