Girlfriends Bike

[Zane Hechter]

Hi Guys,

 

some advice please. My GF wants to get into riding. She has been offered a GT avalanche 2.0 Disc. Its a 2011. All seems fine except that the fork is a Rock Shox Dart 2 coil system. Is this going to hinder her riding. he is just below 60kg and should take to teh sport quite quickly.

 

The offer for the bike is R3500. Is it worth buying and putting on a different fork or just going with that fork?

 

Any advice appreciated.

[Odinson]

Save a bit more and buy higher up. There's no point in buying an expensive fork and putting it on a 2nd hand 2011 GT.

 

Rather try and buy a bike that she can ride for at least a year without having to do major upgrades. 

[Zane Hechter]

OK cool thanks

[watsonr]

My wife and I bought entry level bikes last year June. Being ignorant and not knowing much, the salesman advised a 26er hardtail for my wife because of her height (1.6m). Cut a long story short, in May this year we ended up buying a 2nd hand Dual Sus Giant Anthem XW 29er (R15k) for her off the hub and the difference it made to her enjoyment on the trails was incredible. It was not so much the Dual Sus that made a difference but more the 29er wheels being able to tackle certain sections far more easily than the 26er. If we knew then what we know now, I would not have waisted my time with buying the entry level bike for R5k. Basically had to end up giving it away for free.

[MTBc]

For R5k you can pick up a decent bike if you keep your eyes on the classifieds.

 

Got this for my missus last year: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/65085-sold-volcan-xc1-26inch-hardtail-size-small/

 

The nice thing about a well-priced deal is that if it doesn't work out / don't enjoy it, you can always sell it for at or close to the price you bought it in a few months. But that doesn't happen that often.

 

"It's as addictive as drugs. Just more expensive" - thehubsa.co.za

 

[Ratty]

Whichever bike you get, make sure its the right size.  If the bike is too big for her she will struggle which takes away some of the fun.

[popcorn_skollie]

For R5k you can pick up a decent bike if you keep your eyes on the classifieds.

 

Got this for my missus last year: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/65085-sold-volcan-xc1-26inch-hardtail-size-small/

 

The nice thing about a well-priced deal is that if it doesn't work out / don't enjoy it, you can always sell it for at or close to the price you bought it in a few months. But that doesn't happen that often.

 

"It's as addictive as drugs. Just more expensive" - thehubsa.co.za

 

10417686_1968230439982659_3690365847291541308_n.jpg

I like how weed and drugs are two different things

[MTBc]

I like how weed and drugs are two different things

 

ya, i noticed that too. I guess it depends on whether you're in Washing / Colorado / Amsterdam or the rest of the world.

 

*edit* oh wait. "drug", not "illegal drugs". I guess you could pop alcohol under "drugs" too then.

[Zane Hechter]

Thank you I appreciate the advice

[Lurch the stalker]

Whichever bike you get, make sure its the right size.  If the bike is too big for her she will struggle which takes away some of the fun.

Definitely second making sure the fit is right.

I ride XL and when I upgraded my bike my sister took the old one and struggled like crazy, I swopped the bike for a Large with someone and her riding immediately improved.

[JXV]

Whichever bike you get, make sure its the right size. If the bike is too big for her she will struggle which takes away some of the fun.

When I first started with mtb I almost gave up after buying a XL frame 2nd hand 'cos it was a 'good deal' and it looked cool. That bike hurt me....I normally ride M or L. Correct fit is everything.

[camelman]

If you can tell us how tall she is ,we could give you better advice (especially wrt the GT). An inseam measurement would work even better, just to get a general idea what frames might fit.

[Zane Hechter]

Im not sure what her inseem measurement is...maybe if im lucky tonight I can measure it hahahaha...shes about 1.6m tall

[Fisan]

Haha my GF has a RS Tora / Coil on her bike. Its one of those where you cannot lockout the fork, but you can extend / shorten it by turning a dial....anyways, coils differ. I think RS offers 3 different coils for the entry level forks - based on rider weight. My GF had it lucky with her bike - getting a nice and plush one for her weight.

 

My point being, everyone has to start somewhere. If your budget can stretch beyond R3.5k - let it stretch! But if not, that GT is not a bad start.

 

PS I rode on a Scott hardtail with V-brakes and a RS Judy 2 (former Dart 2) for about 6 years - and it kicked ass!