A bike for the wife

[middleagecyclist]

My wife wants a new bike. She has a totally crap BSO from around 1990. It weighs a ton and handles like a pig. She cycles rarely but wants to do more with me and the Golden Child, primarily on nice easy trails and the like. She is just under 5" tall, wants a step thru frame and hates derailleur gears. I am looking for a light(ish) weight bike with an upright riding position, flattish/swept bars, mudguards and hub gears. I am struggling finding anything to fit such criteria with a small enough frame. Can anyone help?

 

[Sandra6]

At the risk of getting shot for yet again mentioning Halfords, I have the apollo metis but it may be too heavy for what your wife wants, the etienne is lighter. Giant do a really nice ladies step through but I don't know the name and can't seem to find it on line although I drool over it in my local bike shop window occasionally.
Or what about a Pashley??

 

[Hicky]

Dawes Cambridge mixte, or dutchess...both nice bikes, dont know the weight but lovely steel frame though.

 

[DCLane]

A couple of options:

Velocampus in Leeds uses Ridgeback Aveneida bikes: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/avenida-7

My wife (who's 5' 3") has a Specialized Globe Daily 2 Step-thru in Small. That's decent enough. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-globe-daily-2-step-through-12

 

[fossyant]

Worth checking out Pinnacle bikes (Evan's own brand). My wife has a Stratus 3.0 and loves it. She's 5' 3" and has the small frame. Down side for the OP is it has gears - has she tried a new bike with trigger shifters though ? Piece of cake to use. My wife has been fine with hers and she still admits she doesn't understand them !

 

[Sandra6]

my specialized vita has a sort-of step through, not sure how small a frame they come in though.

 

[PK99]

Sounds like a good deal, when can you collect her?

 

[MrJamie]

Im thinking that hub geared bikes are probably more city than trail orientated. Like Fossyant im wondering if she doesnt like the number of gears or has had a cheap bike with poor/no indexing, trigger shifters are so nice and easy to use and a bigger range of gears would presumably help with hills.

Only had a second to look but maybe something like, http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-7-id_8160123.html

 

[smutchin]

There seems to be a real gap in the market for a bike that fits the OP's criteria - all the suggestions so far have derailleur gears and/or weigh a ton.

The Charge Mandoline (5spd) or Decanter (3spd) look interesting possibilities.
http://chargebikes.com/bikes/mandoline/
http://chargebikes.com/bikes/decanter/

No info on weight on the website - probably not especially light but maybe lighter than a Pashley.

d.

 

[smutchin]

Only had a second to look but maybe something like, http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-7-id_8160123.html

Nice but weighs 21kg!

"City" bikes should be fine for light trails - they should have the clearance for decent rugged tyres.

d.

 

[ushills]

My wife wants a new bike. She has a totally crap BSO from around 1990. It weighs a ton and handles like a pig. She cycles rarely but wants to do more with me and the Golden Child, primarily on nice easy trails and the like. She is just under 5" tall, wants a step thru frame and hates derailleur gears. I am looking for a light(ish) weight bike with an upright riding position, flattish/swept bars, mudguards and hub gears. I am struggling finding anything to fit such criteria with a small enough frame. Can anyone help?

You didn't mention how much you wanted to pay but have a look a the options at rosebikes, they have a brilliant range of city bikes etc but they are pricey.

 

[middleagecyclist]

A couple of options:

Velocampus in Leeds uses Ridgeback Aveneida bikes: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/avenida-7

My wife (who's 5' 3") has a Specialized Globe Daily 2 Step-thru in Small. That's decent enough. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-globe-daily-2-step-through-12

I like both of these, particulalry the Ridgeback. It's just if a 15" frame is going to be small enough. Will have a look though. Thanks

 

[middleagecyclist]

Im thinking that hub geared bikes are probably more city than trail orientated. Like Fossyant im wondering if she doesnt like the number of gears or has had a cheap bike with poor/no indexing, trigger shifters are so nice and easy to use and a bigger range of gears would presumably help with hills.

Only had a second to look but maybe something like, http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-7-id_8160123.html

Available in one size of 26". Too big and heavy. Thanks though.

 

[srw]

No step-through option, but Islabikes have a very good rep for bikes for the smaller person.

 

[middleagecyclist]

You didn't mention how much you wanted to pay but have a look a the options at rosebikes, they have a brilliant range of city bikes etc but they are pricey.

Too pricey for the missus. She would really object to that kind of money on a bike for her good self. And nothing really to suit her either. Thanks though.