Ok, my girlfriend is going to buy a bicycle in the next month or so for some fitness riding around town. She has left me in charge of picking something out!
She wants something that is entry level, something to get her around town, but something that she could “keep up” with me on maybe a half hour to hour ride. I have done some research for the past hour and here is what I have found from the major dealers:
Trek:
7200FX $360
7300FX $420
1000C WSD $720
1000 WSD $630
CANNONDALE:
Sport Road 500 and 800
Road Warrior 400 and 800
R500 Feminine
GIANT:
OCR3 $600
FCR4 $440
One question I have is regarding the Feminine and WSD bikes. I know they are built specifically for women, but I am wondering is the bikes made by Giant that aren’t specific to women will really matter?
Any input is appreciated. I really don’t think I could get her to pay more than $500, so I might have to buy used (which isn’t really a problem). I just need to get an idea of what I am looking for, and of course, size her.
Thanks for any input you can give. I know with these entry level bikes it probably doesn’t matter which bike I go with, but I wanna do my girlfriend right!
Do yourself a favor and find *one *person who’s opinion you trust. Take their advice and never look back.
You have set yourself up for a tempest of conflicting opinions, “experienced” advice that has no experience behind it and the never ending ending banter of the local “exp[ert” who has zero accountability for “expertise” once you take it.
Well Tom, we all trust you (whether that is reasonable or not, I dunno
You da man, what bike do you pick?
Personally I’m willing to look after his girlfriend while he goes bike shopping. Or maybe it would be better if he stayed home with her and I took his credit card for a bike store holiday
When my wife and I set out to buy her a bike to replace her 20 yr. old Schwinn. It was amazing the options in that price range.
First thing, size tires 26" or 700. She hated the narrow tires of the schwinn. Wanted be able to ride some off road – across park ect. Choose a wide 700 – with some input and I think the wanted to keep up would push you there.
Trigger shifters or grip shift. She road each on a few different bikes, did not take but a few seconds to decide trigger shifters. (This really narrowed down the field).
After riding a fixed front fork, and a suspension she liked the suspension.
Gary Fisher – Nirvana S about $420. about 3 months later and she LOVES it.
The Treks you listed are grip shift, definetly figure out which kind she wants. Most of the trek/fisher ect… Come with fixed or suspension. Trek has suspension and adds fx for fixe, Fisher is fixed and as S for suspension.
Oh definately want a trigger shifters, probably fixed fork, 700cc tires, and MAYBE even some “skinny” tires…
She has no bike now (cept for like a heavy recreational bike), and I think might like going “fast” after riding a bit. That is why I am leaning toward more of a “roadie” style bike as opposed to a MTB rec type.
Yeah I just spoke with her. Her goal is to use the bike to replace an expensive membership to the gym, meaning she is goin to wanna use the bike to workout, not just to stroll around town.
My GF bought a Felt, I can’t remember the exact one but what clinched it for her was that it had brakes on the top of the bars, like a cyclocross bike along with the normal drop brakes. I think it was $600 to $700.
OK guys, I have been searching for some time on the internet. Most of the entry level bikes are equipped with Shimano Sora, and have rinky dink wheels, brakes, etc. Most have some sort of alloy fork. This bike has all of the above, but a carbon fork. Plus instead of running 6-700 bucks, it is only $500. Check it out and tell me what you think. Remember, this is not for racing, simply rides for fitness not exceeding 60-90 minutes.
Lots of woman like the Giant OCR 3 for a bike to get them started in either cycling or tri’s. A key is to get a woman’s specific saddle, good shorts and to make sure that it is sized right, take time to get the last bit right. This is based on working in a bike shop for the last three years- admittedly we are almost exclusively Giant oriented in our road bikes, narrowing choice.
A better indication of the “appropriateness” of the OCR 3 is that my wife who hadn’t ridden a bike in close to ten years bought one, and found it really good. Her intentions for buying it were to do some social races and tri’s, plus general fitness. She has found it comfy and easy to ride (once we got a womans saddle and shorts).
Any decent bike shop ought to be happy to change saddles, and stems etc to ensure a comfy ride at the time of purchase.
Ever think about something used off eBay? If you get something 3-4 years old you could probably get your best bang for the buck if you are patient. Saw from your profile you are/were at USNA. Do you know Major Hatala? Did he ever work out with you guys? Just curious. Go Navy
I found my wife a 3 year old giant ocr1 for 300 bucks. she loves it . she was riding a giant hybird, being convinced the flat bars and squishy seat MUST be more comfortable.
For a general purpose bike consider a flat handlebar bike like the Felt SR91 or SR81 or the Specialized Sirrus (4 models) (I think the Road Warrior fits that description too, right). Cheaper and many find them more comfortable and easier to control if they don’t care to ever look like a roadie. If 1/2 hour rides are her max then this might be a good idea.
"Buy this tandem. It rrrrocks!** 
** And so does my food supplying unit!"