Good on you for getting your wife out there. My hubby and boys let me tag along now but I have to do my "apprenticeship" on a hardtail both XC and DH. But they are thinking my life may be easier on a dually.
But being of the shorter stature( 5'2") I found I was fitted wrong for my first bike. I am short in the legs but longer in the arms and torso - something a lady rider in the bike shop pointed out to me when purchasing my Merida 17 inch Matts 400 (replacing a Giant - and I still didn't feel right on different models) so test riding first is an idea. I still find my stand over a struggle and have copped the seat in my back/backside on a few stacks and have altered my stem length for comfort. All things that are a natural progression. Apparently I need better forks - but I'm just happy to be out there participating.
Also I have been riding with more experienced women riders on several occasions both XC and DH and their explanations are so much easier than "You just do it like this mum." It gives you so much more confidence to try things.
I hope she enjoys it.
But being of the shorter stature( 5'2") I found I was fitted wrong for my first bike. I am short in the legs but longer in the arms and torso - something a lady rider in the bike shop pointed out to me when purchasing my Merida 17 inch Matts 400 (replacing a Giant - and I still didn't feel right on different models) so test riding first is an idea. I still find my stand over a struggle and have copped the seat in my back/backside on a few stacks and have altered my stem length for comfort. All things that are a natural progression. Apparently I need better forks - but I'm just happy to be out there participating.
Also I have been riding with more experienced women riders on several occasions both XC and DH and their explanations are so much easier than "You just do it like this mum." It gives you so much more confidence to try things.
I hope she enjoys it.