Beginners Bike For Girlie

[snatcher]

Howsit All, my Girlie wants to get into MTB Riding. She is completely new to the game and we looking around for a bike to get things started. We've been to Cajees East Rand and they have shown us the Giant Ovation for R2500 we looking around that price area. Is this a descent bike, should we try something else somewhere else? We live in the East (yes by choice, love it there)

Appreciate the advice.

Edited November 23, 2010 by snatcher

[1hill@aTime]

nothing wrong with the eastrand,

 

sorry can't help with MTB's shout if she wants to become a roadie.

[BGS]

I just started about four months ago on a Giant Ovation which i brought brand new. Trying to sell it actually as it is 'as new' having done less than 80km before i upgraded. Nothing wrong with the bike, i loved it but now that i want to do the odd race here and there i decided to upgrade (well, my other half insisted on it actually but i aint complaining).

[covie]

If at all possible spend a little bit more, Get a bike that will keep a beginner happy for at least a year,

 

 

1. The ride quality on a bottom end bike is horrible and it wont be much fun.

2. The shocks are useless and it will be bone jarring

3. V-brakes and mechanical disks are horrid and very few people actually ride confidently with them.

 

Rather go with something like a silverback phoenix, its a very decent bike with more than decent spec for the price you pay. Though its a little more than double the price of the ovation. But at least she will fall in love with the sport and you have a riding partner

[Mackie]

If at all possible spend a little bit more, Get a bike that will keep a beginner happy for at least a year,

 

 

1. The ride quality on a bottom end bike is horrible and it wont be much fun.

2. The shocks are useless and it will be bone jarring

3. V-brakes and mechanical disks are horrid and very few people actually ride confidently with them.

 

Rather go with something like a silverback phoenix, its a very decent bike with more than decent spec for the price you pay. Though its a little more than double the price of the ovation. But at least she will fall in love with the sport and you have a riding partner

That's good advice. You will also be able to sell it in a year and get a grand or two back, the cheapies will get squat resale.

[lenneu]

That's good advice. You will also be able to sell it in a year and get a grand or two back, the cheapies will get squat resale.

 

Agree, did the same for my wife. Went to finish line cycle shop, speak to arthur or clint if they don't have stock available they will arrange

 

[1hill@aTime]

i use finish line too, Clint always there to help...

[DMD 1]

I got my wife a Silverback Ventura. Great specs and it cost R8000.00. It has mainly SLX and XT components, Rock Shock recon air fork.

 

You should spend as much as you can so that she does not have to upgrade to soon. After some research I found that Silverback offered the best bang for your buc components wize. The new bikes also look good too.

 

Good luck with the hunt and enjoy riding the wife, sorry I ment with the wife.

[BGS]

That's good advice. You will also be able to sell it in a year and get a grand or two back, the cheapies will get squat resale.

 

That is true... with my Ovation i am not bothered about selling it because it is hardly worth selling it for the money i will get for it. I may turn it into my project bike and turn it into a commuter and take it to the UK to dump at my mums place (will make walking to the shops a heap easier when i visit mum). Also by keeping it, should someone wish to borrow a bike, they can borrow that one as i am terribly territorial about my stuff and i wont let anyone on my new bike

 

If you think she may get into it and really enjoy it, spend a bit more to avoid upgrading after only four months like i did.

[MaxUmis]

Guys will disagree with me, but my girlfriend won't... Have a look at woman specific geometries.

Woman spec bikes put the rider in a slightly more upright position which to a girl starting out, will be much more comfy than a more aggressive geometry.

 

My girlfriend has a GT Avalanche 2 woman spec.

 

The other thing you can try and do is to get to a "Ride before you buy" and have her try out the bikes there. It'll give you a very clear indication of what suits the missus.

[covie]

Yeah bought my girl a Nebraska 2010 basically the 2011 Ventura, MTB is all about confidence in your equipment, regardless of fitness or skill level. Skills you can learn, fitness you will obtain, but confidence only comes with trusting your gear.

[MaxUmis]

Yeah bought my girl a Nebraska 2010 basically the 2011 Ventura, MTB is all about confidence in your equipment, regardless of fitness or skill level. Skills you can learn, fitness you will obtain, but confidence only comes with trusting your gear.

I agree. Confidence is super important. So stay away from clipless pedals until she can make a skid mark longer than yours...

 

lol, it all just went south...

[Mellow]

get one of those with the one wheel in front, then you can park it in front of the sink and ironing board

[GLuvsMtb]

I recon guys and girls are alot different on this matter. I rode a second hand 15kg Giant Boulder for over a year. I did the long route races, a 500km tour in Nam over 5 days, about 12 hours training a week on it. It was cheap to maintain and tought me a lot of good habits like early gear selection, picking good lines, how to deal with chain suck etc. I only realised what the fuss was about when I upgraded to a 10.5kg racing machine a year later. I had a good appreciation for my new bike every time I got on her.

The risk is that you girl feels pressurised to go riding because she has an expensive bike. I set myself a goal (5 day tour through Nam) and only upgraded after I reached my goal.

[Dirt*girl™]

Listen to me....Woman specific bikes is a money making scheme.

 

Let her pick her own bike is what I say.

 

[Capricorn]