Good sporty hybrid for women

01-05-2005, 09:13 AM

Hello,

I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.

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

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?

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

Oh, well, sorry for this rather vague posting. Maybe someone will have
some ideas

bye for now,
Mark.

01-05-2005, 09:36 AM

You need a tandem, or either you or your girlfriend will NOT be happy,
and the bike will soon go unused.

With a tandem, you can actually ride together, as opposed to riding in
close proximity with you either wishing to go faster or her thinking
your a jerk for leaving her behind.

A tandem allows you to both ride to your best, or desired, ability. And
you can carry on a conversation while you ride. My wife used to rarely
go riding with me, but now it's her that suggests we go riding all the time.

Mark Roberts wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
> ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
> tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.
>
> 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

>
> 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?
>
> Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have
> mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe?
>
> Oh, well, sorry for this rather vague posting. Maybe someone will have
> some ideas

>
> bye for now,
> Mark.

01-05-2005, 09:36 AM

You need a tandem, or either you or your girlfriend will NOT be happy,
and the bike will soon go unused.

With a tandem, you can actually ride together, as opposed to riding in
close proximity with you either wishing to go faster or her thinking
your a jerk for leaving her behind.

A tandem allows you to both ride to your best, or desired, ability. And
you can carry on a conversation while you ride. My wife used to rarely
go riding with me, but now it's her that suggests we go riding all the time.

Mark Roberts wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
> ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
> tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.
>
> 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

>
> 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?
>
> Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have
> mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe?
>
> Oh, well, sorry for this rather vague posting. Maybe someone will have
> some ideas

>
> bye for now,
> Mark.

01-05-2005, 09:36 AM

You need a tandem, or either you or your girlfriend will NOT be happy,
and the bike will soon go unused.

With a tandem, you can actually ride together, as opposed to riding in
close proximity with you either wishing to go faster or her thinking
your a jerk for leaving her behind.

A tandem allows you to both ride to your best, or desired, ability. And
you can carry on a conversation while you ride. My wife used to rarely
go riding with me, but now it's her that suggests we go riding all the time.

Mark Roberts wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
> ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
> tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.
>
> 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

>
> 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?
>
> Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have
> mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe?
>
> Oh, well, sorry for this rather vague posting. Maybe someone will have
> some ideas

>
> bye for now,
> Mark.

01-05-2005, 09:36 AM

You need a tandem, or either you or your girlfriend will NOT be happy,
and the bike will soon go unused.

With a tandem, you can actually ride together, as opposed to riding in
close proximity with you either wishing to go faster or her thinking
your a jerk for leaving her behind.

A tandem allows you to both ride to your best, or desired, ability. And
you can carry on a conversation while you ride. My wife used to rarely
go riding with me, but now it's her that suggests we go riding all the time.

Mark Roberts wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
> ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
> tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.
>
> 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

>
> 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?
>
> Also been looking at Trek, Ridgeback and Scott: They all don't have
> mudguards, guess I could add some later maybe?
>
> Oh, well, sorry for this rather vague posting. Maybe someone will have
> some ideas

>
> bye for now,
> Mark.

01-05-2005, 09:53 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
Mark Roberts <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to
>be the "step-through" design... for dresses?

That may have been true 30 years ago. Today, the major difference
between a "women's" frame and a men's frame is the top tube length.
Women's frames usually have a shorter top tube so the handlebar is
closer to the seat. Many shorter women will have trouble comfortably
reaching the handlebars without this design. Many women's frames also
use smaller wheels (650 instead of 700) to help make the top tube shorter.

01-05-2005, 09:53 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
Mark Roberts <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to
>be the "step-through" design... for dresses?

That may have been true 30 years ago. Today, the major difference
between a "women's" frame and a men's frame is the top tube length.
Women's frames usually have a shorter top tube so the handlebar is
closer to the seat. Many shorter women will have trouble comfortably
reaching the handlebars without this design. Many women's frames also
use smaller wheels (650 instead of 700) to help make the top tube shorter.

01-05-2005, 09:53 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
Mark Roberts <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to
>be the "step-through" design... for dresses?

That may have been true 30 years ago. Today, the major difference
between a "women's" frame and a men's frame is the top tube length.
Women's frames usually have a shorter top tube so the handlebar is
closer to the seat. Many shorter women will have trouble comfortably
reaching the handlebars without this design. Many women's frames also
use smaller wheels (650 instead of 700) to help make the top tube shorter.

01-05-2005, 09:53 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
Mark Roberts <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I'm confused by the "Women's" frames - The major difference seems to
>be the "step-through" design... for dresses?

That may have been true 30 years ago. Today, the major difference
between a "women's" frame and a men's frame is the top tube length.
Women's frames usually have a shorter top tube so the handlebar is
closer to the seat. Many shorter women will have trouble comfortably
reaching the handlebars without this design. Many women's frames also
use smaller wheels (650 instead of 700) to help make the top tube shorter.

01-05-2005, 11:20 AM

On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 10:13:02 -0800, Mark Roberts wrote:

> 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

I'm thinking you need these things:

compact women's frame
drop handlebars at seat level
cantilever brakes to allow for:
fenders

Drop bars at saddle height are extremely comfy, especially the hoods. 50%
of the "hybrid" (I hate that term, btw) riders out here I see clutching
the bare bar in the middle after a half hour or so, desperate for another
hand position. Flat bars are the least comfy around--stay far away from
those so-called "flat bar road bikes", which were invented by a very dim
bulb.

Compact frames are pretty common these days and will give your gf a comfy
standover height. Make sure the bike shop sets her up with a proper stem
length.

Cantilever brakes and fenders go together hand in hand, the cantis
offering plenty of clearance for the mudguards. I've been able to ride 3x
as much this winter because of my fenders, since I don't have to worry
bout getting cold and wet.

A few bikes will satisfy these requirements they might be called
cyclocross (higher bottom bracket) or touring or "all-rounders"--just look
for the features and braze ons to accomodate whatever accessories you're
going to get.