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01-18-2005, 11:38 PM

As a woman, I find I don't *need* a step-through design bike as I *never* cycle
whilst wearing a skirt or a dress. My clothing of choice is a pair of padded
Lycra cycle shorts with a pair of RonHill Bikesters over the top.

*My* bike of choice for everyday cycling is an Audax/tourer bike - in my case a
Bianchi San Remo. I have put a woman specific saddle on it though - a Terry's
Liberator TiLite and that's all the woman specific adaptations necessary for
*me*. The key thing for any bike, whoever it is for, is fit.

>I'm thinking a hybrid will be the best option for her, as we're
>probably not going to cycle hundreds of miles with panniers or go for
>maximum speed. But having said that, we will be cycling for 3-4hours
>at a time and pretty hard if I get my way

Don't want to put a downer on your plans, but if your girlfriend is not
currently a cyclist, the quickest way you are likely to put her off cycling is
to buy her a bike and then take her on long and/or hard rides. Make it fun for
her - start off slowly, shoirt distances and *gradually* build up distances &
speed at a pace which is comfortable for her - not for you. You will need to
demonstrate patience.

>I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to
>be the "step-through" design... for dresses? I'd really appreciate
>hearing from anyone that can comment on the differences, and maybe
>recommend a bike... I'm looking at the Dawes Sonoran - is this any
>good?

If she's short, petite, she may well require a female specific frame (shorter
top-tube length) but I'm 5'7" and I don't need a "woman's frame"

>Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have
>mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe?

Mudguards are a good thing in wet weather. I love my mudguards - I don't like
having what looks like an accident from an overdose of laxatives up my backside
- mudguards prevent this :-)

One thing - drops - I'd never ridden drops until I was in my forties. Took a
while to get used to them, but now I love them.

The key thing is that the bike fits her. Don't get a mountain bike unless you
are going to be doing off-road.

Cheers, helen s

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01-18-2005, 11:38 PM	#68 (permalink)
dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Good sporty hybrid for women As a woman, I find I don't need a step-through design bike as I never cycle whilst wearing a skirt or a dress. My clothing of choice is a pair of padded Lycra cycle shorts with a pair of RonHill Bikesters over the top. My bike of choice for everyday cycling is an Audax/tourer bike - in my case a Bianchi San Remo. I have put a woman specific saddle on it though - a Terry's Liberator TiLite and that's all the woman specific adaptations necessary for me. The key thing for any bike, whoever it is for, is fit. >I'm thinking a hybrid will be the best option for her, as we're >probably not going to cycle hundreds of miles with panniers or go for >maximum speed. But having said that, we will be cycling for 3-4hours >at a time and pretty hard if I get my way Don't want to put a downer on your plans, but if your girlfriend is not currently a cyclist, the quickest way you are likely to put her off cycling is to buy her a bike and then take her on long and/or hard rides. Make it fun for her - start off slowly, shoirt distances and gradually build up distances & speed at a pace which is comfortable for her - not for you. You will need to demonstrate patience. >I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to >be the "step-through" design... for dresses? I'd really appreciate >hearing from anyone that can comment on the differences, and maybe >recommend a bike... I'm looking at the Dawes Sonoran - is this any >good? If she's short, petite, she may well require a female specific frame (shorter top-tube length) but I'm 5'7" and I don't need a "woman's frame" >Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have >mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe? Mudguards are a good thing in wet weather. I love my mudguards - I don't like having what looks like an accident from an overdose of laxatives up my backside - mudguards prevent this :-) One thing - drops - I'd never ridden drops until I was in my forties. Took a while to get used to them, but now I love them. The key thing is that the bike fits her. Don't get a mountain bike unless you are going to be doing off-road. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove fame & fortune h$el$$end$o$tsi$$mm$ons@$a$ol.c**$om $ --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--