bike for my wife

[dryfly]

looking for a bike for my wife. i ride patapsco, but she is just starting out. would like a xc bike with front susp., and maybe some insight on a good trail to start her on.

Thanks

[drtnsnw]

Check out the Gary Fisher Marlin with the GeneSister geo. Decent ride, only $500.00.

[lynngym]

I loved my Trek 4500 WSD (women's specific design) bought at Bike Lane as my first bike a couple years ago.They fit me with the computer system they have--a beautiful thing! Never an ache pain, broken part, problem of any kind.
Lynn

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[paulg]

I loved my Trek 4500 WSD (women's specific design) bought at Bike Lane as my first bike a couple years ago.They fit me with the computer system they have--a beautiful thing! Never an ache pain, broken part, problem of any kind.
Lynn

Thanks[/QUOTE]

I'd agree with the Trek 4500 WSD comments. We have had two 4500's in the family (one was stolen) and the fit is excellent for a 5'4" woman (16 inch size). Other companies such as specialized do Women's specific designs too.

Most important is the fit of the bike. Don't get the super specced bike on sale if it doesn't fit right coz it won't get ridden. Getting a good fit comes from going to a good local bike shop. Make sure someone watches you riding up and down in the parking lot.

My two favourite trails for taking beginners are Rosaryville and Cedarville. Cedarville is pretty flat and the easiest of the two but may be a bit of a drive for you if Potapsco is your usual haunt. Rville is a bit closer and has more hills and is more fun in my opinion.

Go here for directions and other trails:

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Good luck

[Mrs. Outlaw]

I'd also recommend a WSD, but have her try out several bikes and get the one that she feels most comfortable with. My first mtb was something my husband built up for me until he was sure I really liked it. Then I moved up to a Cannondale F400 WSD, which I'm still riding.

Right next to Patapsco's Avalon area is Rockburn Park. There's not a lot of mileage there but it's perfectly suited for a beginner. That's where RiderX took me when I was first learning. Rosaryville and Cedarville would also be great places.

And I'd highly recommend that she join up with one of the Ride Like a Girl rides when they start back up!

Julie

[jed]

I built a Salsa Ala Carte for my wife for Xmas using parts I had lying around. She's 5'6" and the 15.5" size fits her pretty well, as Salsas seem to have short top tubes. Depending on your wife's size and proportions, she might be able to ride a small men's bike, which improves your chances of finding something used if you desire.

My wife typically rides Schaeffers and Rosaryville; those are good places to learn. She's ready to try Patapsco once it dries out in the spring. Some of the easier trails at Patapsco like the Rockburn Branch trails are god places to learn too. However, that stuff stays pretty wet in the winter, unfortunately.

[riderx]

I built a Salsa Ala Carte for my wife for Xmas using parts I had lying around. She's 5'6" and the 15.5" size fits her pretty well, as Salsas seem to have short top tubes. Depending on your wife's size and proportions, she might be able to ride a small men's bike, which improves your chances of finding something used if you desire.Jed makes a good point. The taller your wife is (generally speaking), the better chance you will have fitting her to a "men's" bike. Top tube lenghth is more important than seat tube, but most frame manufacturers measure by the seat tube. Go figure. A good shop can help you get fitted properly if you are not experienced enough to do it yourself. Women's proportions are generally different than men, so don't just go by the rules you are used to.

That said, it would be nice to see more manufacturer's doing women specific stuff. It's gotten better over the years, but still has a way to go (kind of like 29er tire selection) Brake levers for small hands are a big area that is lacking for one.

[TBLGirl]

WSD bikes are a great option for many women. Not only do they have a shorter top tube but many have adjusted the shocks for a lighter weight rider. They also come with narrower handlebars, smaller grips, shorter reach brakes, shorter cranks, and a women's saddle. Shortening the top tube brings the handle bars closer to the saddle. This allows for the rider to be positioned differently to accommodate for anatomical differences of a woman’s' pelvis ('cause in case you didn't know we are different). Instead of putting the pedaling force behind the pedal she should be positioned more on top of the pedal. This gives her more pedaling force and also helps make the bike more comfortable.

I personally like the Gary Fisher Genesister and Trek WSD line- but I am bias :)

But as said already the MOST important consideration in buying a bike is that it fits.

[dryfly]

I'll try those recommendations( Genesister or Trek wsd) I assume WSD means Woman Specific Design? When do you guys start up the ride like a girl back up? I'll probably take her out a few times myself to get her comfortable on one. She's always complaining we don't do enough together, so I figured this is a good remedy. I deal strictly with Donald at Fleet Street so I'll ask him about fitting her up.

[liznotter]

I assume WSD means Woman Specific Design? Yes. And Specialized uses DFW (Design for Women). (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=07D4WMTB) They have eight women's models, including my own awesome 07 Epic :) .

When do you guys start up the ride like a girl back up?We're working on a January 28 ride, led by Anne M, out at Fountainhead. Then I'm thinking about Greenbriar on 2/3 or 2/10. Unfortunately, the beginner-friendly trails don't hold up so well in winter weather, we've been staying on rocks.

I'll second Mrs. Outlaw about Rockburn, we held some beginner clinics and rides out there last summer, worked very well. And most of Patapsco works too, if you take it slow.

Liz

[jed]

Not to hijack the thread, but do any of you ladies have saddle recommendations? I know it's a personal thing, but saddle is one problem I have to solve for my wife's bike, as she's not so comfortable on a Bontrager seat that was comfy for me. She has a Terry saddle on her old bike, but it seems a bit wide and does not seem like a true MTB seat; she complains that it is wide enough to interfere somewhat with getting behind it on the descents.

I was thinking of a Specialized Body Geometry female-specific saddle, do any of you know how to measure to determine the correct width? I have been riding the men's version of those on 3 of my bikes, because they came stock and happened to be comfortable, so I figured that would be a good choice for her if I could determine the correct width.

[liznotter]

Not to hijack the thread, but do any of you ladies have saddle recommendations? I was thinking of a Specialized Body Geometry female-specific saddle, do any of you know how to measure to determine the correct width? I have been riding the men's version of those on 3 of my bikes, because they came stock and happened to be comfortable, so I figured that would be a good choice for her if I could determine the correct width. I have the Specialized BG saddle on my FS bike and I love it. I've also used Terry saddles, specifically the Butterfly Tri Gel (http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?c=Saddles&sc=Women%27s+Best+All-Around&item_no=2164300) on road, mtb, and touring bikes. I got it for use on long-distance rides, but kept switching it back to my mtb bike b/c it was so comfortable.

To get the right size, she should go into a shop and have them fit her. I know Princeton Sports (http://www.princetonsports.com) does it, they have a special seat, I'm sure other specialty bike shops do too.

[mjbrox]

I think 99% of women love the Terry Butterfly seat


Not to hijack the thread, but do any of you ladies have saddle recommendations? I know it's a personal thing, but saddle is one problem I have to solve for my wife's bike, as she's not so comfortable on a Bontrager seat that was comfy for me. She has a Terry saddle on her old bike, but it seems a bit wide and does not seem like a true MTB seat; she complains that it is wide enough to interfere somewhat with getting behind it on the descents.

I was thinking of a Specialized Body Geometry female-specific saddle, do any of you know how to measure to determine the correct width? I have been riding the men's version of those on 3 of my bikes, because they came stock and happened to be comfortable, so I figured that would be a good choice for her if I could determine the correct width.

[ogjerry]

Speaking from experience I would strongly suggest a WSD bike. I started with a men's MTB and found a big difference with bike handling when I got a Specialized WSD. There was less bike to maneuver and I was able to climb and get over obstacles much more easily. My riding has improved as a result.

Rockburn is a great place to start as it offers challenge without a lot of technical spots. In addition to the Ride LIke a Girl events, Princeton Sports in Columbia sponsors FEMME, a women's only group that has occasional beginner rides in Patapsco. Becky Bafford is the leader and does a great job of offering rides that are beginner focused. The rides are casual and are very supportive for new riders. Their next ride is January 13, 10am which takes off from the Landing Road parking area.

Amy

[heidi]

I have a WTB Speed She and I love it!

[jed]

Thanks for the recommendations. Those all seem like good options.

[triscuit]

I think 99% of women love the Terry Butterfly seat


Not true at all. I am one who found it very painful and sold it. I used the WTB speed she for awhile until I tried the specialized BG saddles, which is now on all my bikes. I have a women's (Jett) on my road bike and then mens on my commuter and FS mtb.

To measure, you sit on a little memory foam thing and when you get up there are two indents from your sit bones, then it tells you what size you need based on the distance between your sit bones. You want something a little wider for road and a little narrower for mtb if you are kind on the border between two sizes.

As for bikes, have her try a lot of them. When I bought my second mtb in 2002 I picked a GF Tass WSD. I loved it, it was a great bike to learn on, and only cost $600. I now have a 2006 Specialized Epic. In 06 they did not have DFW, so it is a unisex design, but fits me perfectly. If you go with a bike labeled "WSD" just make sure you are getting comparable parts to the men's version of the same bike.

[TBLGirl]

I use the Terry Damselfly for mountain biking. It is easy to maneuver on and you can easily get off the back of the saddle. That being said it is an individual preference due to body geometry. She may have to try a couple different models and styles before she gets the perfect one. Many shops have a demo policy on saddles. You can try them for a ride or two and if you are unhappy you can trade it for another.

[starcitymtb]

Thanks for the recommendations. Those all seem like good options.

Last year, I bought my wife a Trek 4500 WSD. She also tried out one of the GF Genisisters bikes, Specialized Women's Rockhopper, and a Santa Cruz Juliana. When she did try out 'boy' bikes, she noticed the difference right away. She definitely didn't like being raked out and felt more comfortable in an upright position.

While the Juliana is an incredible bike and full suspension too, it was $1500.00. If you have the money and want her by your side on all day rides, that is an nice bike to check out. But like most of the other people that posted on here, the best for her was the 4500 WSD. She loves it. It is a lot of fun riding the trails with your wife. Good luck!

Oh yeah, change the saddle to a more female specific one. The stock one on the 4500 comes on most Trek's and is terribly stiff and unfomortable.

[dryfly]

I think I'll get her the 4500 wsd, it's seems like (from you guys) it's the best choice. I ride Patapsco all the time but never actually ridin up to Rockburn Park. Can someone tell me exactly where to put in, so I don't frustrate her trying to find a place to ride.

Thanks.

[liznotter]

This thread (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5438) has directions to Rockburn Park.

[dryfly]

Thanks, I rode Rockburn this weekend ( walked most it was wet). really liked it, very beginner freindly. Only bad thing is the trail markings are a little confusing, maybe it's me, but the arrows got me lost. Thanks a lot though I'll try to ride it a couple times before I take her out.