A good mountain bike for a woman

[Medellon]

My mom needs to upgrade her mountain bike and is looking for a new bike that is in the $500-$700 range. I have a Giant Rainier that I love so she may be leaning towards that brand. Any suggestions?

 

[Sukhoi]

Go to a good local bike shop and talk to the salespeople there.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Trek
Specialized
Lower end Gary Fisher
Kona

 

[brunswickite]

wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

 

[Medellon]

Kona's look cool but are overpriced with the components you get.

 

[Medellon]

Originally posted by: brunswickite
wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

The men's have the top frame bar going straight across(go figure) and the women's bar is slanted down.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: brunswickite
wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

They have a slightly different geometry. I keep forgetting but I think it has to do with the length of the head tube realive to to the other main tubes. I think they are shorter. Men and Women has different proportions.
Anyone care to back me up on this?

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: brunswickite
wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

They have a slightly different geometry. I keep forgetting but I think it has to do with the length of the head tube realive to to the other main tubes. I think they are shorter. Men and Women has different proportions.
Anyone care to back me up on this?

Pretty much. Additionally, make sure you get a comfy seat that is anatomically fit for women if possible. If it's just for casual riding then it's not a big deal but if your mom is considering riding longer distances/treks/epics then you should consider something like a Terry ...

I'm not saying that Terry is the end all be all but it's a good site for women specific bike info. Good luck.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Medellon

Originally posted by: brunswickite
wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

The men's have the top frame bar going straight across(go figure) and the women's bar is slanted down.

Having that bar is dumb... originally it was to accomodate women that wore dresses, but who the heck wears a dress when biking anyways? If anything, the bar shouldn't be there for the guys... i know when i was a kid, i had my fair share of nut crunching due to that bar.

 

[LS20]

just configure one from the gary fisher website

 

[tkdkid]

I think trek has a WSD (women's specific design) line. Try them.

http://www.trekbikes.com

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: Medellon

Originally posted by: brunswickite
wahts the differance between men's bike and woman's bike?
i never really understood

The men's have the top frame bar going straight across(go figure) and the women's bar is slanted down.

Having that bar is dumb... originally it was to accomodate women that wore dresses, but who the heck wears a dress when biking anyways? If anything, the bar shouldn't be there for the guys... i know when i was a kid, i had my fair share of nut crunching due to that bar.

While I agree the bar shouldn't be there, in theory it should be low enough from the ground that you can stand over that tube and not make contact. Most parents/kids I knew ignored that fact, but, that was the general rule.

Nowadays you can get a frame that doesn't have a top bar so it's a moot point.

 

[Brutuskend]

If she want's a bike made for women, have her check out TERRY bikes.

They aren't "Womens" frames either, they are just made to properly fit a womens body. (Longer legs / shorter torso)

 

[Rapidskies]

Just get a men's bike. There is no good reason to have men's and women's bikes, seats maybe (they have special men's seats with a slot for "the boys"), but the only difference in mens and womens bikes is the crossbar direction. As for brands, Trek Specialized, Iboc, are all good ones. Funny thing is even Walmart carries some nice bikes now, last time I was in there I noticed a nice Iboc with shimano shifters/derailers with Judy shocks. If you want some questions answered though, hit your local bike shop. Take care.