First bike

[Missy]

I am new to the farkin community and don't, as yet, own my own set of wheels (SIGH). Can anyone recommend a good first bike?
I have been interested to read the different threads on girl-rider equipment and stuff - there is so much I don't know and I am so glad that there is a place to find out all about it.
I have been looking in the mags and there are so many with different specs and everything! What should I be looking for? And are there any that should be avoided at all costs (i.e. K-mart...?) :D
Thanks! Missy

[indica]

what sort of riding and what sort of budget???

my wife has a 2007 kona stinky ...shes been riding for 9 months and loves it

[DIRT ROCKS N TREES]

Theres abit of thinking before your new bike like,price range (if your rich n/a)
, wat type of riding , either cross country which is a light weight bike usely with 3 to 4 inches of travel in the suspension used for a mix of hills up and down and flat areas ranging from wide 4wd trails grrrr to neat single trail :) also theres downhill/freeride which are the heavy end of the scale with 7 to well 10 inches of suspension travel so far mainly consists of finding the eaisest way to the top and the shortest fastest way down :D as many times as possible in a day and should only be done on single track (my opinon) but both use bikes with nothing really in common oh yeah can pedal both , but totally different. Then theres all mountain which is a bike with a blend of both the previous bikes and mid to light weighted bike with about 4.5 to 6 inches of suspension so you can cover most terrain in comfort so unless you know wat your going to like ,maybe none :eek: maybe all like most of us :) id be heading towards a bike thats good at all rather than just a specific style of bike there are other styles as dirt jump ,street , 4x and salom and more but there bikes are all designed for each style but most local bike shops will help you ,maybe on here farkiners in your area can send you to the more helpful bikeshops up that way a good tip is if theres alot of road bikes on display head to the next nearest lbs

[jackwilson]

id reccomend a specialized stumpjumper comp they are a very good chicks bike a handle really good for all terrain!
thats just some advise:D

[johnny]

"Chicks bike"??!!

Please define the difference between a chick's bike and a bloke's bike and why differing sexes require differing bikes.

[chuckies_here]

"Chicks bike"??!!

Please define the difference between a chick's bike and a bloke's bike and why differing sexes require differing bikes.

I think he is getting at that bike companys such as specialized makes womans specific bikes with diffrent geo and seat but thats all tat realy changes.

EDIT::
Somthing like this.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08EraFSR

[rabatt]

i'm not sure what the diferences in the specialised range are, but i know the womens specif giants have very slightly diferent geometry, and different grips and seat, but they only have a few women specific models, all xc bikes. anything to do with dh/jumping and that its one bike for male or female.

cya

[Missy]

ok - so the riding I would be doing would be sort of trail riding in park/forest reserves and single track and stuff... but a bike that is kind of versatile so that I can play around a bit sounds good too. My husband has bought a 2007 specialised and is keen to take me out with him, and I'm looking forward to it too. Budget would be around $1500 ish (maybe?)

So the bike itself is not gender specific? Just the seat and handle bars and stuff...? I realise some of these q's are pretty basic and stuff so I thank you in advance for your patience :D
And thanks to the people who have already replied to my post - I am keen to learn as much as I can from you.

[Lizardskin]

I think the womens specific ones are good if you are super short or petite.

But I find the mens ones do the trick for me.:) Then you have more range and can usually get better components and better deals from your LBS if they are clearing out the 07 stock getting ready for 08 stuff. You can always get a shorter head stem if you think it will be too much of a stretch.

I think the colours on some of these womens specific bikes are terrible. :eek: But lately they are getting better.

Check out the Giants, Scott and Trek. You can probably pick up something that will be ok for starting out for $1500. Have a think about if you want to get a hard tail or a duallie.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_au/bikes/models/zooms/2008/anthem_womens%20copy.jpg

http://scottusa.com/service/files/images/products/products/photos/wJp98f5s3tY0aSLPs872Dy77bsBSgXN0.jpg

http://scottusa.com/service/files/images/products/products/photos/43whNX17YQ6DOEihDJtx3xsVapZ68CIi.jpg

[Missy]

Well, I stand roughly at 5'10" and from what I have read in the posts by other tall girl riders - the mens bikes sound like they might be the go.
I have seen a few bikes by Trek and Giant that look awesome - so I will start by looking there. :)
Thanks for your help! I appreciate any advice you guys have for me in regards to bikes and gear!!!

[tu plang]

Generally with the womens specific bikes they are sparsely scattered through the ranges, atleast with Giant, Trek and Scott (cant comment for brands i havent worked with) this is the case. For instance in the Trek range the first WSD bike is the 6700 at $2k (last year atleast.) Particularly in the dual suspension end of things. Scotts are very nice bikes but their womens specific range is fairly high end.

At your height you don't have a great need for a womens specific bike, this can also depend on proportion as women differ from men generally, but not always so much in taller women. Given that there isnt the same range and price spread of womens bikes that there is of normal bikes, you'll probably get the best value going for standard geometry, particularly at the $1500 pricepoint.

[Pebble]

I'm 5ft7 & generally get buy mainstream Mens bikes in the smaller size (like 17" or 16" depending on the model & brand), so unless you're really out of proportion with torso or legs then you probably won't have a need to shop around the womens range, after all you can change the stem length and a few other things on any bike to your personal preferences.

I'd have a look around at the major players: Specialized, Giant, Trek, Avanti, Jamis basically most of the brands available at bike stores near you. See what you like the look of, have a test ride to see what it feel like and compare all the specs once you have narrowed down your selection between 2 or 3.
Not sure when the new Bicycle Buyers Guide comes out for 2008, I found it useful to at least make a list of all the models that were available at your price range, keep an eye out it should be with the mtb mags at your newsagent.

Woohoo, another lady soon to be on a bike! You'll find Farkin a great place for advice.

[Cippa]

hey! im 15 and very short... 5ft 4 and im riding a custom stp for dirt jumps and trail riding and its a good all round bike, rolls pretty good and gets me from A to B. 08 STP's are pretty well specd and you can just upgrade as you get better. I also have a specialized bighit 04 that i picked up for $700 for the ocasional DH rides :)
And as for the seats...i personally dont use a womens specific seat, you can always change it anyway if your not comfortable with it:)

let us know which bike you decide to buy!

[prophetrider]

Well, I stand roughly at 5'10" and from what I have read in the posts by other tall girl riders - the mens bikes sound like they might be the go.
I have seen a few bikes by Trek and Giant that look awesome - so I will start by looking there. :)
Thanks for your help! I appreciate any advice you guys have for me in regards to bikes and gear!!!

transition bikes makes a women specific bike and it is madddd

[Dark_Rider]

transition bikes makes a women specific bike and it is madddd
nice bikes but at 1500+ for the frame not very practical :p

[dcrofty]

Here is a pic of the transition if anyone is intersted. My sister was lucky enough to test ride it.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/dcrofty/Snow%20Ride%20Fromme/SnowRideFromme22-12-07030.jpg