I think I’m getting a bicycle, My SO rides his a lot and I’m missing out on the fun. I saw on at the local Fleet Farm (Farm stuff, hardware, lawn and garden store), and it was cheap - $129, and very pretty. But I like to shop around so I didn’t get it. I am medium sized, 5’4", and I am not planning on training for the Tour De France - just putzing around town, maybe doing 8-10 mile rides. My mom bikes, and she told me to look out for cheap bikes because they are too heavy - hard to ride any distance. Can anyone recommend a good, light, cheap women’s bike? Or good brands? I don’t want to spend too much because I might not like biking. I’d let my SO pick one out for me, but he tends to buy the really expensive stuff - and until I know I’m going to bike a lot, I’d rather keep it cheap.
Is there a specific type of frame I should look for, like aluminum? I haven’t had a bike since I was a kid, it’s been a long time.
Boscibo,
many of the larger bike manufacturers now construct bikes specifically for women. The models will be slightly smaller, and perhaps with an altered geometry to specifically fit women. I know http://www.trekbikes.com/ and http://www.cannondale.com make them. I don’t know how much you want to spend, but they are worth a look. With respect to the frame, yes aluminum is what you should be looking for (and if possible, get a carbon fibre fork; but if that’s too expensive for you, then get whatever suits your wallet).
Good luck!
Global Citizen
A department store is the worst place to buy a bike. Huffies, Columbias and the like are really crappy bikes, shoddily assembled (or not assembled at all). You can get a very nice bike for $200-300 new. If that’s a little pricey, then look at used bikes in a reputable bike store.
Keep in mind there’s quite a few extras you’ll need, more you may want.
Need: helmet($30-60), lock($10-25), water battle and cage($10).
Want (mabye): carrying rack($20-40) and bungee cords, padded gloves($10-20), speedometer/odometer($20-40).
Actually of you get into it, there’s no limit on more stuff for it. But for 10 mile weekend rides, I was trying to keep the list short.
Consumer Reports had a primer on buying bicycles in their July 2002 issue (it was not a rating of specific models), so see if you can get your hands on an issue – or go to the library and copy the article. Otherwise, this was a prior thread on bicycle recommendations, where the OP’s price target was $500.
As for accessories, read what Bicycling says about what you need right away, and what you don’t.
And, I realize this is coming completely from left field, but maybe you and your SO can both get inline skates, where $129 will get you some pretty nice models.
I can’t agree more. The same kid that pushes in your carts also builds your bike. There is a reason the bike only costs $150. I would suggest going to a bike shop and having them help you. If you live in Ohio, I’d suggest wheeliefun . The biggest reason people stop riding bikes is because they don’t fit well. An improper fit will cause your butt to hurt (it’s not the saddle!), shoulders, and neck to ache or pain in the lower back.
The bike I would suggest for you is the Raleigh SC 30 or 40. We sell them for $269 (the 30) and $320 (the 40).
Since you can’t find this bike everywhere, I’ll give you some food for thought:
Go to a bike shop. At our shop we take all our bikes apart and rebuild them as to ensure a quality build. Also, most shops will put in free labor for a year or something so when a cable breaks or something you don’t have to pay as much. In the end you’ll save more money this way.
Look for a bike where the handle bars are horizontal in shape. This will allow you to sit more up right and thus take pressure off your upper back and neck. Plus you’re hip bones will be on the saddle, so your butt wont hurt as much.
Thinner tires are easier than fatter tires. Unless you plan on taking a trip into the woods, I’d opt for skinny tires or “touring tires.” The reason is you have less rolling resistance, so you don’t have to work as hard to get the thing moving. A bike shop should have no problem switching the tires out for you.
If you live in a hilly area, look for something with a lot of gears. The Raleigh’s have 21 speeds so you should have no problem climbing hills.
Have a bike shop employee watch you ride if possible. You shouldn’t feel streatched out when going for the handle bars and when you pedal their should be a slight bend in your knee.
Helmets are good for 2 years if in the sun a lot. 3-4 if kept inside.
Go to a bike shop.
Stay away from Walmart’s Mt. Storm
Honestly, don’t expect to actually enjoy biking if you have a cheap bike and your boyfriend has an expensive one. Not because of the price, but with bikes, you truly do get what you pay for. Your mother was right on the money when she said to watch out for the cheap ones because they’re so heavy. You’re not going to enjoy it, especially if you’re working your butt off to keep up with your boyfriend gliding along and not even breathing hard.
If you truly can’t afford much, I’d start looking at used bikes. You can find great deals on used bikes, but do watch out. Take 'em to a store to be checked out before you buy used, or, even better, buy used from a store that sells both new and used.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it being made for a woman. I’m female, and I ride men’s bikes all the time, as do lots of women. Unless there’s a specific reason you need a women’s bike, just get a standard frame. It’ll do you fine.
Are you looking for a road bike, or a mountain bike?
Thanks for the great advice, everyone!
cykrider :
I mentioned this to my SO, and he said that there was one of this model (SC 30) at the local downtown bike shop (where he bought his bike), I will go check this one out, he said it was on sale for $239. I hope it’s still there. He has gotten good service from this shop, he said we can also go to a larger bike shop about 10 miles from here.
Athena :
Haha… this will happen anyway. My SO is in good shape, he bikes the 7 miles to and 7 miles from his job every day. Plus he rides for fun on the weekends, and goes to the gym. I am a lazy girl, plus I smoke. He said he’d wait for me, and he’d better! I am planning on getting a road bike, there are a lot of paved trails around here.
How important are bike shorts? For girls? My SO wears them, but me in skin tight slinky things? I don’t think so.
Don’t worry about a Spandex wardrobe. Loose, comfortable shorts are fine.
If you feel the need, you can get shorts with a padded crotch. You can also get padded bike seats, or padded bike seat-covers.
If you are a beginner and your SO is an active bike rider, it may be difficult to enjoy a ride together. Have you considered a tandem bike? You can each pedal according to your abilities and still be together. New tandem bikes are a bit expensive but there’s a huge market of used ones for obvious reasons. But I guess you’d still want a single bike for yourself as well. Have your SO buy a tandem!
I find padded pants are helpful, especially in the beginning. (I’m male but I don’t see how that makes a difference, it’s not like you put weight on your genitals.) You don’t have to wear tight lycra pants though, you can get padded liners to wear under normal shorts.
I got one! Here it is, it is a Raleigh SC 30 , a brand new one. I also got a matching helmet and some other stuff (Cyclocomputer, water bottle and holder, and a little bag so I can bring my camera on rides). Thanks for all the help, and the great advice about not buying a cheap bike. It is really lightweight, and I can’t wait to go for some long rides. 
