I want to get a new bike for my wife using a scheme my employers run (vitality) which gives me 50% discount up to £500 on a bike from Evans (max discount £250)
I need to decide over the weekend and order soon. I want it to be a surprise so I don’t really want to take her to the shop to choose. But if I make a big mistake I can change it under their 30 day guarantee.
She hasn't had her own bike since she was a teenager so occasionally she rides one of my old mtbs (2001/2 dawes Chilliwack with county rock semi slick tyres at 70-80psi)which is not really set up for her. The reach is too long and she always complains of a sore backside after (invoking rule #5 does not work) My hope is that a bike that fits her better and is more comfortable may encourage her to cycle a bit further and faster with me.
Currently a weekend ride is only about 5-7 miles and rather slow with a mx of smooth forest trails, towpath and tarmac, but I would like to make these longer, especially longer forest rides but possibly longer road rides when she gets the hang of it. We live is Suffolk so there are no rock, downhills or other obstacles. It's all just flat and sweeping.
To be honest she is not particularly confident on a bike at the moment and has no handling skills to speak of, she can’t even hop up a kerb, so I want a bike to boost her confidence and ability. For the sake of argument, just assume she has just learnt to ride, that’s it, no other skills at all, she also struggles with the gears and generally just stays in the middle ring and only uses the rear mech.
Now the world has moved on a lot since I last bought a bike 10 years ago and I am struggling to choose what to get her. My own rides are a 2019 specialized sirrus elite with carbon forks, 42mm continental sport contact tyres, hand built open pro wheels etc and I find it perfectly comfortable on all the terrain mentioned above. I also have the Dawes I mentioned which has been almost completely modernised, only the frame, forks and seat post are original, everything else has been improved but the older (not quite old school though) geometry remains.
At the moment I am drawn towards Cannondale 2019 models as Evans have 20% off these and then I get 50% rebate on the sale price.
One thing that makes the decision harder is that Cannondale don’t seem to publish weights for these bikes.
Whichever I get, I am prepared to also improve her comfort by getting a different saddle if she does not like the OEM one and possibly a suntour suspension seat post,, the one that is like a cheaper ThudBuster.
I am looking at ( in order of price)
Hybrid (general)
Cannondale Quick Althea 3 2019 Women’s Hybrid Bike 24 speed
RRP £550, Sale price £440, cost to me £220, Total discount 60%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV308190
Hybrid (more sporty)
Cannondale Quick Disc 4 2019 Women's Hybrid Bike 27 speed
RRP £650, Sale price £520, cost to me £270, Total discount 58%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338249
MTB
Cannondale Trail Tango 2 2019 Mountain Bike 1x10speed
RRP £700, Sale price £560, cost to me £310, Total discount 56%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338265
I really like the simplicity of the MTB with its 1x10 drivetrain and this would definitely be the preferred gearing option, I just worry it will be a bit too heavy or may be overkill for the riding she does.
The quick disc 4 would be the fastest and probably lightest, but I worry about comfort
The althea would be easiest and cheapest, and probably a middle ground in the weight/speed stakes.
Any help or advice appreciated, and views on these bikes in general.
Other options are also good but remember they have to come from Evans and be in size M
I need to decide over the weekend and order soon. I want it to be a surprise so I don’t really want to take her to the shop to choose. But if I make a big mistake I can change it under their 30 day guarantee.
She hasn't had her own bike since she was a teenager so occasionally she rides one of my old mtbs (2001/2 dawes Chilliwack with county rock semi slick tyres at 70-80psi)which is not really set up for her. The reach is too long and she always complains of a sore backside after (invoking rule #5 does not work) My hope is that a bike that fits her better and is more comfortable may encourage her to cycle a bit further and faster with me.
Currently a weekend ride is only about 5-7 miles and rather slow with a mx of smooth forest trails, towpath and tarmac, but I would like to make these longer, especially longer forest rides but possibly longer road rides when she gets the hang of it. We live is Suffolk so there are no rock, downhills or other obstacles. It's all just flat and sweeping.
To be honest she is not particularly confident on a bike at the moment and has no handling skills to speak of, she can’t even hop up a kerb, so I want a bike to boost her confidence and ability. For the sake of argument, just assume she has just learnt to ride, that’s it, no other skills at all, she also struggles with the gears and generally just stays in the middle ring and only uses the rear mech.
Now the world has moved on a lot since I last bought a bike 10 years ago and I am struggling to choose what to get her. My own rides are a 2019 specialized sirrus elite with carbon forks, 42mm continental sport contact tyres, hand built open pro wheels etc and I find it perfectly comfortable on all the terrain mentioned above. I also have the Dawes I mentioned which has been almost completely modernised, only the frame, forks and seat post are original, everything else has been improved but the older (not quite old school though) geometry remains.
At the moment I am drawn towards Cannondale 2019 models as Evans have 20% off these and then I get 50% rebate on the sale price.
One thing that makes the decision harder is that Cannondale don’t seem to publish weights for these bikes.
Whichever I get, I am prepared to also improve her comfort by getting a different saddle if she does not like the OEM one and possibly a suntour suspension seat post,, the one that is like a cheaper ThudBuster.
I am looking at ( in order of price)
Hybrid (general)
Cannondale Quick Althea 3 2019 Women’s Hybrid Bike 24 speed
RRP £550, Sale price £440, cost to me £220, Total discount 60%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV308190
Hybrid (more sporty)
Cannondale Quick Disc 4 2019 Women's Hybrid Bike 27 speed
RRP £650, Sale price £520, cost to me £270, Total discount 58%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338249
MTB
Cannondale Trail Tango 2 2019 Mountain Bike 1x10speed
RRP £700, Sale price £560, cost to me £310, Total discount 56%
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338265
I really like the simplicity of the MTB with its 1x10 drivetrain and this would definitely be the preferred gearing option, I just worry it will be a bit too heavy or may be overkill for the riding she does.
The quick disc 4 would be the fastest and probably lightest, but I worry about comfort
The althea would be easiest and cheapest, and probably a middle ground in the weight/speed stakes.
Any help or advice appreciated, and views on these bikes in general.
Other options are also good but remember they have to come from Evans and be in size M
