What to look for in a bike for my newbie wife

[T-Rex]

I am looking for female perspective on a bike for my wife, to introduce her initially to causal trail riding, and hopefully build her up over time to the point she would be able to do a 24 hour in a family team.

This is a very ambitious undertaking on my part. Her one experience on a trail, a partial lap of Manly Dam a few years ago, didn’t end well. She has only agreed to try again because I have agreed to have a go at her sport, which is ice dancing. (I can’t dance and can barely skate, but that’s another story – shows you how committed I am!).

She’s 5’ 2”, 44, about 57 kg, has reasonably strong legs from skating but not much aerobic fitness. She is a decent skier, but not aggressive and would never hit a jump or drop on skis, so I can’t see her ever deliberately jumping a bike.

I have just purchased myself a new duallie, and my old duallie has heaps of good quality lightweight parts on it, so my current thinking is to buy a frame and build her something with the parts from my old bike. I expect I would get very little value out of selling my old bike, and don’t want to spend the necessary $2k + to get her a decent bike in case she doesn’t stick with it, but I don’t want to put her on a clunker. My old frame is a medium, which is too big for her.

So, what features should I be considering for her bike? I think it should be as light as possible, and she would have to start out on flat pedals, but I have not gone much beyond that.

BTW, the whole process of getting her actually trained up and out on the trail is out of scope for this thread, no doubt there will be another thread on this topic. I’m just looking for input on the bike itself.

Thanks for your help.

 

[chica]

saddle

must have a good saddle to save her and your intimate relatonship! finding the right saddle can take a while but a good bike shop will let you try out and return it if not the right fit/comfort. I personally prefer Specialized female specific (Ariel), i have tried a bunch of others but this is my fav, i've even got a spare in case they stop making them!
even if she starts out on a gel saddle to get comfortable and once she is addicted then look for a narrower, mtb specific saddle.

if she is starting off with just normal pedals make sure they are good platform pedals that have grip and that she wears shoes that have a good tread - nothing worse then having crap pedals that cause your feet to move around and result in injury.

 

[pinkbike]

A bike that fits is a must, although that doesn't necessarily mean a female specific bike these may be worth a look. At that size she's most likely an extra small frame size, something light is worthwhile as she's not big herself so a really heavy bike will kill the fun.

Hard tail or dually depends on the type of riding and $$ range, even trails a smaller travel dually can just give more traction and make general riding a bit smoother. I ride a women's anthem and it's a great bike, but I also started on a hard tail and there were no issues with that either. I know a lot of women ride the cypher/trance as well which has a bit more travel.

Things to change on the bike once you get it:
Saddle - definitely a must to have a comfy saddle, and it'll be a women's specific most likely it can be an expensive and long process find the best saddle but if you have the wrong one then she definitely won't like riding
Tyres - really grippy tyres can increase beginner confidence, grip over speed for beginners

Go to nice trails, manly damn has rocks and can be intimidating. Consider a trip to somewhere a bit less technical, more flowy. Sparrow Hill, Awaba, parts of Ourimbah... having to walk a lot is frustrating for beginners so picking a trail that they can ride makes a big difference.

 

[scblack]

I first read this as: "What to look for in a new wife." Ahem, I shall move on now.


What my wife finds a little difficult can be reaching for brakes. Female fingers can be short, and make braking hard if they have to reach. Make sure the brake levers are good for smaller fingers.

 

[Riding Hoares]

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?212453-Giant-boulder-2006 if your interested PM me

 

[T-Rex]

Thanks to everyone for their feedback, there is some good advice in here and things that I had not thought of.

if she is starting off with just normal pedals make sure they are good platform pedals that have grip and that she wears shoes that have a good tread.

Good point about the quality of footware - has anyone got any idea if 510's would be any good for XC?

Saddle - definitely a must to have a comfy saddle, and it'll be a women's specific most likely it can be an expensive and long process find the best saddle but if you have the wrong one then she definitely won't like riding
Tyres - really grippy tyres can increase beginner confidence, grip over speed for beginners.

Good thought about the saddle (you too Chicka, thanks), a sore backside can be a real turn off. But geez those comfortable saddles are heavy.....

And I hadn't thought about grip quality, might put some super tacky High Rollers on and run slightly low pressure until she gets some confidence.

What my wife finds a little difficult can be reaching for brakes.

My wife has quite small hands, so I can see her having this problem as well. I will build her bike with Juicy 7's and I can crank the reach adjustment right in for her. This has prompted me to realise I will also have to fit the skinniest grips I can find, probably ODI Ruffians.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[CRIK]

Well, I'm not going to be much help to you other than to agree with the comfy seat (well as comfortable as possible anyway) and also that I think a great way to start is some of the easy tracks at Stromlo, which I think are great to build up confidence. Being a newbie myself.

Just one other thing, I can't wait for my invite in the mail for your first ice dancing performance

 

[T-Rex]

Well, I'm not going to be much help to you other than to agree with the comfy seat (well as comfortable as possible anyway) and also that I think a great way to start is some of the easy tracks at Stromlo, which I think are great to build up confidence. Being a newbie myself.

Just one other thing, I can't wait for my invite in the mail for your first ice dancing performance

How about an invite for a ride with my wife??

 

[CRIK]

How about an invite for a ride with my wife??

Would be happy to do that any time. Would be way more fun than riding XC with my boys, they go one way and I go the other (easy) way.

 

[pinkbike]

Good thought about the saddle (you too Chicka, thanks), a sore backside can be a real turn off. But geez those comfortable saddles are heavy.....

Haha not just the backside, get the wrong saddle and you won't be getting any action in the sack because bits are too sore Just make sure it's not too much of a sofa seat or she won't be able to get her weight back behind it which stops skill development.

Tip is measure the width of her sit bones, now before you get ideas get out a closed cell foam mat something else that will make indents. Get her to sit on it with her knees and hips bent at around 90 degrees each. Then when she stands up roll two ball bearings into the indents and measure. Maybe repeat once or twice then write mm measurement down. Basically you're then looking for a saddle that will allow the sit bones to take weight - so one maybe 20mm wider than the measurement.

After that it's about trying lots out. Some have a flat profile, some cut outs etc etc. I had a really cushy saddle for the first 6 months or so of riding, then upgraded to something with less padding but more serious looking. So don't worry if it's heavy to start with if she sticks with riding a lighter saddle can come later.

Check out the http://www.avantiplus.com.au/shop/parts/saddles/womens for some cheap saddles at the moment. Personally I love my Jett 143 and with the test saddles selling out at $30 at the moment it's worth a try! The Sonoma saddles seem a cushier ride...

 

[MrsH]

Good point about the quality of footware - has anyone got any idea if 510's would be any good for XC?

I've not tried 5-10s but I can recommend Shimano AM40 shoes. I have these with Wellgo pedals and they work well.. (am backandforwarding between these and Specialized Riata with spd pedals at the moment..)

 

[T-Rex]

Would be happy to do that any time. Would be way more fun than riding XC with my boys, they go one way and I go the other (easy) way.

That sounds like a good plan. Mums and boys shouldn't ride together, mums and mums a much better idea!!

 

[T-Rex]

Haha not just the backside, get the wrong saddle and you won't be getting any action in the sack because bits are too sore Just make sure it's not too much of a sofa seat or she won't be able to get her weight back behind it which stops skill development.

Tip is measure the width of her sit bones, now before you get ideas get out a closed cell foam mat something else that will make indents. Get her to sit on it with her knees and hips bent at around 90 degrees each. Then when she stands up roll two ball bearings into the indents and measure. Maybe repeat once or twice then write mm measurement down. Basically you're then looking for a saddle that will allow the sit bones to take weight - so one maybe 20mm wider than the measurement.

After that it's about trying lots out. Some have a flat profile, some cut outs etc etc. I had a really cushy saddle for the first 6 months or so of riding, then upgraded to something with less padding but more serious looking. So don't worry if it's heavy to start with if she sticks with riding a lighter saddle can come later.

Check out the http://www.avantiplus.com.au/shop/parts/saddles/womens for some cheap saddles at the moment. Personally I love my Jett 143 and with the test saddles selling out at $30 at the moment it's worth a try! The Sonoma saddles seem a cushier ride...

Now we are getting detailed!! I've never heard of that method for sizing a saddle, but it makes perfect sense, I'll give it a go. And it's a good point about saddle width, I nearly killed myself once with an OTB experience on a borrowed bike with a wide saddle, went off a drop and couldn't get my weight back, my thighs got caught on the wide bits of the saddle.

I'll check out the Jett 143, it's certainly the right money. My wife is a size 10 in the ..ehem.... undercarrage, how do you think she will go on the Jett 143? (And that's NOT an indirect method of me asking you for any of your personal dimensions!!!)

 

[T-Rex]

I've not tried 5-10s but I can recommend Shimano AM40 shoes. I have these with Wellgo pedals and they work well.. (am backandforwarding between these and Specialized Riata with spd pedals at the moment..)

The AM40s look all right, cheaper than 5-10s. Do the white bits on yours still look OK?

 

[enduroexplorer.com]

Other Saddle Option

I was having heaps of trouble with a saddle and a few months back I read a review on the Selle Italia Diva. I was desperate so I ordered one from Wiggle. It has been excellent, at $100 it is a little expensive, but believe me it has been worth it.

Linda
www.EnduroExplorer.com

 

[pinkbike]

I'll check out the Jett 143, it's certainly the right money. My wife is a size 10 in the ..ehem.... undercarrage, how do you think she will go on the Jett 143? (And that's NOT an indirect method of me asking you for any of your personal dimensions!!!)

Unfortunately body size is not really an accurate estimate of sit bone width but I would think the 143mm is a pretty good width unless she's at either extreme in terms of sit bone width. I am a similar size and my sit bones are about 125mm apart. Specialized have a chart (attached about sit bone width and saddle width).

It's not as cushioned as a cheaper sofa seat, but it's definitely got more cushioning than my road saddle. She'll probably want to combine it with padded knicks for longer rides. But I'd definitely recommend it as a saddle, but saddles are quite individual so it's hard to know.

 

[MrsH]

The AM40s look all right, cheaper than 5-10s. Do the white bits on yours still look OK?

Yes, they clean up well, bit of spray & white helps if they get too bad

WRT to seats I have a Fizik Vitesse which I really like but I think for $30 the Specialised test saddle is worth a go!

 

[pinkbike]

Yes, they clean up well, bit of spray & white helps if they get too bad

WRT to seats I have a Fizik Vitesse which I really like but I think for $30 the Specialised test saddle is worth a go!

I'm selling a Vitesse at the moment - came stock on my bike and didn't suit me. Just shows - different saddles different people! Happy to sell it super cheap if anyone is keen it's the in the trading area.

 

[chica]

re picking the right saddle width, Specialized dealers should have a gadget that is designed to measure which seat width you need - similar to what pinkbike said, it is a gel/foam device that you sit on a for a few minutes and when you get up there are indents that show where your bones sit, they then measure this and pick the right width saddle.
I have the Specialized Ariel, i have tried a few saddles but this for me is the best, i could ride all day and not have any sore bits after it. I've recently purchased another Ariel just in case they stop making them!
I don't ride Specialized bikes but honestly their accessories are good quality and well designed - i wear their Gel long fingered gloves they breathe well and have good padding (onto my 2nd pair in 4 years), and their Moto-diva shoes (also have a pair of the Tahoe)

 

[pinkbike]

re picking the right saddle width, Specialized dealers should have a gadget that is designed to measure which seat width you need - similar to what pinkbike said, it is a gel/foam device that you sit on a for a few minutes and when you get up there are indents that show where your bones sit, they then measure this and pick the right width saddle.
I have the Specialized Ariel, i have tried a few saddles but this for me is the best, i could ride all day and not have any sore bits after it. I've recently purchased another Ariel just in case they stop making them!
I don't ride Specialized bikes but honestly their accessories are good quality and well designed - i wear their Gel long fingered gloves they breathe well and have good padding (onto my 2nd pair in 4 years), and their Moto-diva shoes (also have a pair of the Tahoe)

Re saddle measurer - I'm just not sure if AvantiPlus still have theirs seeing as they are no longer Specialized dealers and are selling off everything. But you're right - it worth ringing your local AvantiPlus and asking if they still have their specialized arsometer. If not use the ghetto home version instructions I gave above.