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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
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    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    2,965

    What bike for the spousal unit

    What up kooks,

    Will be getting a bike for my wife this winter/spring and curious what the collective says.

    Details
    - 5’2”
    - new rider (rode beach cruisers her whole life)
    - competent skier with good athletic ability

    Last summer we had her on 2 bikes a small 29er from pivot (switchblade?), and a XS/27.5 from REI. She liked the sizing of the XS/27.5. Which I feel is better from a control/confidence building standpoint.

    Anyways, I want her to enjoy it and I know that a cheap bike will pedal like shit and the likelihood of her liking it will be less. The dilemma is this size frame doesn’t show up often on Pinkbike and fuck retail prices.

    Things I’m also throwing around...
    - any good youth bikes that aren’t shit?
    - anyone have a XS/S 27.5er that they are trying to dump?
    - ideally 120-140 rear / 120-150 front

    No tits but here is a pic for stoke
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    inpdx
    Posts
    20,197
    You don’t want a youth bike, for sure

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
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    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    Why? Geometry strange? Poor quality?


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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    2,648
    Would recommend steering away from youth bikes as well. Either heavy w crap components or more expensive than a grown adult small size bike bc they don’t have same manufacturing scale. Kids bikes tend to cap out at 26” and adult start in 27.5 these days.

    Don’t have great suggestions for used market it’s real tough, especially this year’s bike market. Also extra small used bikes get snatched up quick for kids these days as well.


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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Banff
    Posts
    22,210
    buy new (used are selling for inflated value, and used = parts that dont work as well as new)

    buy what you can find (limited stock for next summer, and no old stock)

    buy what she like is options exist


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    a poop plant
    Posts
    3,363
    My SO is 5'2" as well. I ended up getting her a Canyon women's specific bike. It's still a little too long in the cockpit for her. I'm looking to change the stem and bars to correct that. It's a really nice bike though.
    https://www.canyon.com/en-co/women-b...ountain-bikes/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Hell Track
    Posts
    13,845
    Definitely get a 27.5. Small vs. XS will depend on the specific bike. For newer, longer bikes she'd probably benefit from an xs, but if you find something used that doesn't have modern stretched out geo, she might be good on a small. Look at the effective top tube and reach measurements on the bikes she's ridden and use that to guide your purchase.

    And I'm not sure buying used is a terrible option right now. If she was buying a medium or a large, I'd say she's out of luck. But buying a small / xs might be more possible.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Spokane/Schweitzer
    Posts
    6,741
    If you're looking to go through a local shop, go see Cathy at Bicycle Butler. Great people, lots of experience. Cathy is probably around 5-2 or 5-3 so will be able to relate to your SO. They do pretty well on getting deals together for people. Good shop.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    2,965
    Quote Originally Posted by GiBo View Post
    My SO is 5'2" as well. I ended up getting her a Canyon women's specific bike. It's still a little too long in the cockpit for her. I'm looking to change the stem and bars to correct that. It's a really nice bike though.
    https://www.canyon.com/en-co/women-b...ountain-bikes/
    Woah, that’s a deal!!

    Likely will be going this rout at the price — that’s nuts for a carbon frame!!

    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    Definitely get a 27.5. Small vs. XS will depend on the specific bike. For newer, longer bikes she'd probably benefit from an xs, but if you find something used that doesn't have modern stretched out geo, she might be good on a small. Look at the effective top tube and reach measurements on the bikes she's ridden and use that to guide your purchase.

    And I'm not sure buying used is a terrible option right now. If she was buying a medium or a large, I'd say she's out of luck. But buying a small / xs might be more possible.

    Good points on sizing, I’ve only been biking for a year so im not up to date on nuances of frame geo!


    Quote Originally Posted by GoldMember View Post
    If you're looking to go through a local shop, go see Cathy at Bicycle Butler. Great people, lots of experience. Cathy is probably around 5-2 or 5-3 so will be able to relate to your SO. They do pretty well on getting deals together for people. Good shop.
    Perfect, we will swing by and pick her brain!!



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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    6,643
    All good advice. My lovely wife and my daughter at 5'2". I actually am tryign to keep their 26" bikes moving along - I would never buy them 29". Geo is too big. Modern geo with a longer wheelbase will make a 27.5" fit a small woman ok, but 26 is still better. If I get them new bikes I'd get the Juliana Rubion or Furtado in 27.5" wheels. Look into that. You can usually find them used in XS or S which is what you'd need.

    If you find a kids bike with a high quality frame and fork you can live with long term you can replace all the components and have a sweet bike. I made a very small cyclocross bike like that once.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    7,919
    I tend to be a big proponent of the cheap bike train, so take this with a grain of salt, but I am going to recommend a cheap 27.5 hardtail for under a G. Diamondback (which was the original recco I got here for myself) makes a bunch for example.

    The reason: She hasn't had that first good fall yet. This will happen eventually. My wife, hearty Maine woman that she is even, took one solid digger and basically decided if her body is going to take that much punishment, a baby better be popping out instead. She likes cruising beginner trails (and having babies) at most these days.

    Just my food for thought given she's a never ever before dropping a couple grand on a bike sized to prevent easily selling it if she bails. Then if it sticks, this hardtail becomes the sweetest beach cruiser around so all is not lost.
    Live Free or Die

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    a poop plant
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    3,363
    Quote Originally Posted by AdironRider View Post
    I tend to be a big proponent of the cheap bike train, so take this with a grain of salt, but I am going to recommend a cheap 27.5 hardtail for under a G. Diamondback (which was the original recco I got here for myself) makes a bunch for example.

    The reason: She hasn't had that first good fall yet. This will happen eventually. My wife, hearty Maine woman that she is even, took one solid digger and basically decided if her body is going to take that much punishment, a baby better be popping out instead. She likes cruising beginner trails (and having babies) at most these days.

    Just my food for thought given she's a never ever before dropping a couple grand on a bike sized to prevent easily selling it if she bails. Then if it sticks, this hardtail becomes the sweetest beach cruiser around so all is not lost.
    That's a great point. My SO was getting better and better on her old hardtail. First day out on the Canyon, she got a little agro and broke her collar bone. She's back on the bike, but she definitely has regressed and isn't using the new bike to it's fullest.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eugenio Oregón
    Posts
    8,382
    I’m just gonna plug this again, going to a weekend Trek Women’s Dirt Series camp was a game changer for my wife. She finally
    got to focus on fundamentals of basic body positioning, sighting corners and features, speed control etc. It made her comfortable with the idea of going out for shop or other group rides that were women’s specific, other workshop/clinic rides etc. It gave her the freedom to feel it’s okay to stop at a feature and session it 4-5 times and not feel in a rush to “keep moving” for the sake of trying not to slow me down or what not. Most importantly it lowered the stress level and vastly increased the margin of safety/control for any time we ride together.

    This doesn’t answer your question, it just affects your budget. The more you guys spend on these kinds of clinics and training, the more you can get out of a bike, no matter what you spend on it.

    Do you have a budget yet?
    _______________________________________________
    "Strapping myself to a sitski built with 30lb of metal and fibreglass then trying to water ski in it sounds like a stupid idea to me.

    I'll be there."
    ... Andy Campbell

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Park City
    Posts
    1,857
    Quote Originally Posted by SchralphMacchio View Post
    I’m just gonna plug this again, going to a weekend Trek Women’s Dirt Series camp was a game changer for my wife.
    Did any teenage girls participate? Thinking this could be really positive for my daughter who is always chasing me and her brothers. I want her to quit soccer and get heavier into NICA!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Front Range, CO
    Posts
    482
    I wouldn't discount a 29er. My wife is 5'2", rode a ton in the 90's and mid-00's until we had kids and recently started riding again (esp now that kids are riding). After much research, she got an Ibis Ripley. She was worried the big wheels would be too unwieldly but she doesn't even notice them. The updated geometry is not the clown bikes of the past and they are really dialed. A 27.5 would be great as well, but mid-travel 29er fit her style more. I would get 29/27.5 based on what she will ride. Check out https://www.probikesupply.com/. They usually have decent pricing. You need to call them to get inventory, lead-time - their website kinda blows.

    If you want to go cheap, I highly recommend a plus sized hardtail. My daughter (5'4") is on a Rocky Mountain Growler. Great bike, about $1200 and the plus size tires add some cushion.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eugenio Oregón
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    8,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Canada1 View Post
    Did any teenage girls participate? Thinking this could be really positive for my daughter who is always chasing me and her brothers. I want her to quit soccer and get heavier into NICA!
    I have no idea and the website isn’t really clear on if there is a minimum age. Will probably have to wait for a 2021 event Registration page to come up to see if there are more details or exclusions.
    _______________________________________________
    "Strapping myself to a sitski built with 30lb of metal and fibreglass then trying to water ski in it sounds like a stupid idea to me.

    I'll be there."
    ... Andy Campbell

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    west tetons
    Posts
    2,090
    Quote Originally Posted by Canada1 View Post
    Did any teenage girls participate? Thinking this could be really positive for my daughter who is always chasing me and her brothers. I want her to quit soccer and get heavier into NICA!
    Another great option for all women's clinics is the Ladies Allride series- I helped out at the one up at Targhee. Coaches for every skill level from newbies to jumps and downhill, great vibe. https://www.ladiesallride.com/

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  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
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    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    2,965
    Such a good idea, the first big crash has gotta be sobering for most gals!!


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  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    Trigger pulled this morning. Was waiting for Canyon to restock the XS Neuron CF6.

    Solid components for the price $3700 shipped to me. Wife is stoked on the color. I’m stoked on how capable this bike looks.

    Thanks for all the help gents.

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  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Down In A Hole, Up in the Sky
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    35,361
    I like how that stand over height looks for 5’ 2”.
    Well done.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
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    What bike for the spousal unit

    Wicked fast shipping — showed up yesterday!

    Spousal Unit waiting on medical clearance (had baby 3.5 weeks ago) then she will take it for the maiden voyage!

    Thanks all for the recommendations - I’m really impressed with the components on this bike for the price!


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  22. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Imaginationland
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    4,785
    Sick!

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    2,023
    Very nice!!!

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eugenio Oregón
    Posts
    8,382
    That thing looks hawt!!! Congrats on the little one too!

    See my thread on mountain biking with a 1 year one! Started doing really short pavement rides at 8 months and smooth off road rides around a year.
    _______________________________________________
    "Strapping myself to a sitski built with 30lb of metal and fibreglass then trying to water ski in it sounds like a stupid idea to me.

    I'll be there."
    ... Andy Campbell

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Exit, CO
    Posts
    748
    Looks like you got a rad bike at a great price, congrats!

    So, this anecdote is too late for you but maybe helpful for someone else? My lady is 5'5" or so, which puts her in the "small" frame size category for nearly all brands. After demoing several bikes in small, a shop employee suggested that maybe she try one of those same bikes in a medium due to her specific body geo. She's more torso than leg, like the inseam of someone 5'3" and the torso of someone a couple inches taller. Put her on the medium and BAM! big difference. It should be noted she's also pretty athletic and flexible, which also plays a part. Anycrap on the small, she was too upgright and felt cramped even with a long 90mm stem. On the medium, we dialed the stem back to 70mm (more reasonable for the slacker geo bike anyways) and swapped the 125mm drooper for a 100 and it fits her great.

    Since then, we've also sized the crank arm length down ~5mm to help address some lingering knee pain she was having, and that has also helped quite a bit. She has sensitive knees that don't like having a load when at right angles, and something about her femur length and the crank arm length was putting her knee in a bad position right when she needed to apply power to the pedal.

    Anycrap. Nice bike!
    The older I get, the faster I was.






    Punch it, Chewie.

    Damn he seems cool.

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