New bike as a B'day present for the GF

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I was looking for a bit of advice re: buying a bike for my girlfriend for her birthday that's coming up. I was looking at an entry level comfort/hybrid but had no idea about these bikes. She's about 5'10", around 65kg (i think) and would initially be thinking something to commute on (maybe 10-15km one way) and maybe do some rides like centennial park and cooks river cycleway etc. We looked at the trek fx7.0 yesterday, but frankly how sexist the sales attendant was re: women on bikes I wouldn't buy it on principle. But that was around the type I was looking. I was hoping someone on here might be able to recommend similar bikes to look at and maybe even some ladies might care to share their experiences on bikes like these? For instance, is the ladies specific a good idea? it seems that the main difference is to have the sloping top tub to allow step through mounting, does this make a significant difference? I don't see the benefit, but I'm not a lady! Any comments/suggestions/ideas are more than welcome and most appreciated.

thanks for any and all help

First, if you want to keep her,
LISTEN TO WHAT SHE SAYS SHE WANTS!!

Then buy her a Giant CRX2W :D !
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/women/1142/29117/

First, if you want to keep her,
LISTEN TO WHAT SHE SAYS SHE WANTS!!

Then buy her a Giant CRX2W :D !
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/women/1142/29117/listen to what my girlfriend says? that seems like a novel concept, how does that work?

I see what your saying, ideally I'd like her to have at least a sit on it, but I'd also love to suprise her with one. Not certain what I'll do in that regard yet, but just looking at different options for the moment. I'd really like to do it a bit cheaper initially than the CRX2W, for a few reason (not least I don't have the money)

OK, a CRX4W, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/women/1142/29118/ About $550. :)

The step through frame is from a bygone era when nuns and women in dresses wanted to protect their "modesty". Nowadays I don't know too many girls who would ride a bike in a dress. But a lot of (mainly older and/or less flexible) women still prefer this type of frame.
Though a womens' frame may also have different geometry to suit different proportions. But then so would a smaller "mens" bike.

Not sure what the sales assistant said to you but the trek range of city/path bikes is pretty comprehensive.

Surprising someone with a bike is not all it is cracked up to be. Especially if things need to be changed (like bars or saddle) to fit the rider. If she's going to ride it then she needs to chose it and perhaps even test it.

listen to what my girlfriend says? that seems like a novel concept, how does that work?

I see what your saying, ideally I'd like her to have at least a sit on it, but I'd also love to suprise her with one. Not certain what I'll do in that regard yet, but just looking at different options for the moment. I'd really like to do it a bit cheaper initially than the CRX2W, for a few reason (not least I don't have the money)
Ok, my 2cents worth as someone who was given a bike without ever even sitting on it .......

If you are going to go this route, then you need to make sure you have all your girlfriend's necessary measurements (you can have a lot of fun getting those ;) ) Then you plug them into a fit calculator (like the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO) ) and get a recommended frame size.

Armed with this information, you head off to the bike shop and look at frames that match the numbers.

Oh yeah, and the bike I ended up with? A Vivente Novara Sport which is still the only bike I ride (although I'm in the process of putting together a road bike with a frame I bought on eBay) I can recommend the Vivente as an entry level bike, very cheap but surprisingly good quality for the price.

I was looking for a bit of advice re: buying a bike for my girlfriend for her birthday that's coming up. I was looking at an entry level comfort/hybrid but had no idea about these bikes. She's about 5'10", around 65kg (i think) and would initially be thinking something to commute on (maybe 10-15km one way) and maybe do some rides like centennial park and cooks river cycleway etc. We looked at the trek fx7.0 yesterday, but frankly how sexist the sales attendant was re: women on bikes I wouldn't buy it on principle. But that was around the type I was looking. I was hoping someone on here might be able to recommend similar bikes to look at and maybe even some ladies might care to share their experiences on bikes like these? For instance, is the ladies specific a good idea? it seems that the main difference is to have the sloping top tub to allow step through mounting, does this make a significant difference? I don't see the benefit, but I'm not a lady! Any comments/suggestions/ideas are more than welcome and most appreciated.

thanks for any and all help

You don't say where you are from but if you are in Sydney try Renegade cycles who have set themselves up as a specialist in women's bikes.

Women's specific means designed for shorter reach as women typically have shorter torso's than men.

Cheers

Geoff

Buy her one that you would really like yourself. Then if she doesn't ride it, you haven't lost out too badly. :D