Reccomend a bike for my wife

[benb]

OK, my wife has started cycling in with me (we work at the same place, but not, thankfully, the same department) a couple of times a week, which is great. It was always odd me cycling and her driving!

Her current bike is a MTB. It's a good solid bike, but not very well suited for a commuting bike.
It's her birthday soon so I thought I'd treat her to a new one.

I haven't got the first idea what to suggest. It should be easy to ride and comfortable. Mudguards would be handy. Tough enough for rough paths, but doesn't need to do anything more than light offroad.

Budget is £600, or could go higher for something perfect.

Suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just bought Mrs FF a Boardman Hybrid and she loves it.

Fairly light, pretty agile to ride and get's better the faster you ride it! Easily capable on rough paths and tracks and very sprightly on-road.
Chose it because it seemed a good-enough all-rounder to get her back into cycling after a longish lay-off (next-step ... Road-bike )

Discs, 28c tyres, the Alu fork is amazingly springy and forgiving, sensible gearing with a wide ratio rear and decent compact chainset (First time I've found a good compact set-up).SRAM works nicely.
It'll take rack and full guards.
Just changed the saddle to a Charge Ladle as the standard offering was not to Mrs FF's liking (no she didn't ride it at that angle ).

There was a lady on our freewheeling ride had the standard Black (male) version a few years old and was very happy and kept-up well on a spirited 27 miler having just completed a 10 miler with another group!
They may still be on special offer.

 

[benb]

Fab, that does indeed look, er, fab.
Definitely on the list.

 

[Mad at urage]

Who is going to maintain it? Hub gears need far less maintenance that derailleurs, so I'd go for a hub-geared hybrid:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/soho-2010-hybrid-bike-ec018403

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/geneva-2011-hybrid-bike-ec022683

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sub-35-2011-hybrid-bike-ec025447

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/avenida-7-2011-hybrid-bike-ec025103

 

[benb]

Who is going to maintain it? Hub gears need far less maintenance that derailleurs, so I'd go for a hub-geared hybrid:

http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec018403

http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec022683

http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec025447

http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec025103

I'll do some maintenance myself, and bung it into the LBS for a yearly service and anything complicated.
Those all look great - I worry that the fewer gears mean she would struggle on the hills, but she would certainly like the gear changes wit hub gears.

 

[benb]

Er, yes, thanks for that. I'd never see her again though, which I wouldn't like.

 

[benb]

This looks lovely, and purple is her favourite colour
http://www.cremecycles.com/caferacer_lady_doppio_plum.html

 

[Fab Foodie]

That certainly looks nice, but leisurely. Not a bad thing if that's what you/she wants. Stylish though, very stylish. I like it!

 

[benb]

That certainly looks nice, but leisurely. Not a bad thing if that's what you/she wants. Stylish though, very stylish. I like it!

It makes me want to be a girl, so I can ride it!

 

[BearPear]

I have the Trek 7.2fx WSD, it is a couple of years old now but has been perfect in every way! I think it cost around £470