Cycling Forums › Forums › Bikes › Bike buying advice › Is there a woman's bike that can do mild offroad AND uncompetitive triathalons?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Is there a woman's bike that can do mild offroad AND uncompetitive triathalons?

post #1 of 6
3/6/12 at 7:28am
Thread Starter 

I have recently given my wife the cycling bug and she is looking to upgrade from her Walmart BSO. We have done mild/intermediate offroad trails and a half triathalon with what we have; the second leg was brutal for her. I have a Gary Fisher Utopia and found a tire swap will give me the performance I want on and off road. Is there anything comparable to the Utopia in a woman's bike?

Reply
Reply
post #2 of 6
3/6/12 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 

I forgot to mention, we are looking at Specialized Ariel Sport as our budget is only about $600 not including eqiupment.

Reply
Reply
post #3 of 6
3/7/12 at 5:43am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrow3969 View Post

 I have a Gary Fisher Utopia and found a tire swap will give me the performance I want on and off road. Is there anything comparable to the Utopia in a woman's bike?


As you have ascertained, tire SIZE (and therefore, weight) has an affect on how much effort a rider needs to expend when riding on the road ... AND, tire SIZE is the key to whether or not a bike can be effectively ridden off road ...
 

First, what size wheels does your wife's bike have AND why couldn't you replace the tires on her bike for the half triatholon?

 

Why can't you buy an equivalent TREK for your wife?

 

  • i.e., the Trek Utopia (from the "Gary Fisher collection")

 

 

 

Reply
Reply
post #4 of 6
3/7/12 at 5:55am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrow3969 View Post

I forgot to mention, we are looking at Specialized Ariel Sport as our budget is only about $600 not including eqiupment.


The Trek Utopia is already in your price range ... it should be negotiable for even less if you can find a NOS 2011-or-older version in your local bike shop ...

 

http://villagecycle.com/product/11trek-utopia-gary-fisher-collection-72273-1.htm
 

If you need to, then CANCEL your cable ... or, make some other short-term adjustment to your budget (e.g., no more Starbucks).

 

 

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 6
3/8/12 at 9:00am
Thread Starter 

Her present bike frame, stem, etc. is way too heavy to just swap out the wheels. If possible I may just buy her a used Utopia as others on this thread suggested. Thank you for your response!

Reply
Reply
post #6 of 6
3/8/12 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 

Welp, that was easy enough. Thank you all for your knowledge and for pointing out the obvious. This leads to my next inquiry; Does anyone know and recommend any used bike sources in Maryland? (online or otherwise)

Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Bike buying advice
Cycling Forums › Forums › Bikes › Bike buying advice › Is there a woman's bike that can do mild offroad AND uncompetitive triathalons?