Help Me Buy My Wife a Bike!

I’m pretty sure that both of the US bigs (alas, I no longer count c-dale) have models that would fit the bill.

And then there’s the Bianchi Milano, which just might be the coolest bike ever.

has a fast rider.

Masi is here—

Swobo here—

Bikes for the Rest of Us.

Keep em coming, though this is definitely something to work with.

But I don’t have the back carry thing on mine. Also mine is silver/blue. The shifters are on the hand grips. I think it cost me around $450.00.

I like your preference to buy a US made bike. Almost all of my bikes are US made frames (Cannondale, Voodoo, Santa Cruz)… although my old Raleigh is made in England, which is awesome.

US made will typically set you back some coin, but below are a few of the great US choices:

1. Waterford… quite possibly the most-respected American frame builder, specializing in awesome steel bikes… Waterford built all of the classic Paramount frames, invented oversized tubing designs and the 26" wheel! Gotta love them!

2. Serotta… great bikes, focus is on high end road racers though

3. Seven… Relatively new, but very highly rated frames

4. Litespeed/Merlin… dominant US titanium builders… spendy but nice.

but I gradually moved away sporty bikes. They’re neither here nor there. So I now have 3 specialty tools: road racing bike, folding bike to bring in the train and an old-fashioned city/touring bike like this: http://www.gazelle.nl/nl/assets/Fietsen/2009_specials_toer_pop_rt_d_001_rvs_popup.jpg (oh and an old clunker parked in Amsterdam somewhere). I don’t mind taking the Old Dutch bike on longer rides. In fact, I sometimes use it for recovery rides! Just so as not to be tempted to hammer. Would not be ideal for hilly terrain, though (but they do sell them with 8-sp Nexus thingies).

Well, you’re wrong. The Salsa Caseroll is my choice for Mrs. Quatroformaggio. They make full bikes with a triple or a single, but strangely no double. Not that you couldn’t manage that yourself. You can put fenders on it, a rear rack, you can tour with it, commute, whatever. Pez did a review once upon a time.

and then get your wife one of these hot old blue and white striped jerseys

Also, as you likely know, building the bike up from a frame can be a blast. You usually end up spending a bit more, but you get to pick and choose exactly how you want your/her bike.

Currently, every bike I have was built up from a frame… just my preference…

Wether it has several gears, three gears or none doesn’t matter. Neither does the weight. But it has to have a “swoopy” top tube, come in blue, and cost under $250.

Don’t rule out the small-wheel bikes (and/or folders) if you want a lightweight, upright, city commuter. Sure, you’ll pay if you want to go under 20 lbs on a Dahon or equivalent, but the ride’s actually really nice even on a heavier bike, and it’s stable because the weight is low. You can add more swept-back handlebars if you don’t need it to fold much. Hey, just ride one before you dismiss the idea out of hand.

but well over 40 lbs, and expensive.

I think this is the perfect bike for your wife…the Viva Bellissimo—

And it is bellissimo! It may be hard to track one down, but it might be worth looking into.
Viva Bikes

I know a couple folks with flatbar versions of the Scott Speedster. They seem to like them.

Blue, w/headset, 27.2.

Could throw in some Campy SR cranks (52/42. 170 or 53/42. 172.5) Maybe even Mavic MA-40 wheels on campy sr-hubs . . .

Throw on some decent bars, etc . . .

I would want to know your wife’s height and inseam (floor to crotch measurement, not pant inseam), as a starting point. If she is 5’5", or shorter, I’d start to look into some of the true women’s specific bikes (like Terry or Luna).

For a great primer on frame geometry basics for shorter riders, check out this series of videos from Georgena Terry.

Back in April, my neighbor’s were cleaning out their garage. I rolled up on my fixed gear, (yes that’s right I said fixed gear) and commence chitting and chatting. Mrs Neighbor says “hey, your wife want a bike? It’s 30 years old and only has about 30 miles on it.” “As a matter of fact, I’m planning to buy her one for her 40th birthday”, says I. I looked closely, and despite dry-rotted tires and a missing taillight, it was just very, very dirty. So I said “sure.” It became my all-consuming project for the next few weeks. I removed and polished every single nut & bolt, repacked hubs, bottom bracket and headset; replaced tubes, tires, cables & chain. Polished all the chrome (including the bell) to a sparkling luster and…

It’s kinda retro-cool and somewhat labor intensive, but she seems to appreciate it (or at least pretend to). It was a real head-turner at my LBS. The bike was free and I probably spent just over $100 for new stuff.

but I question the utility of a top tube that’s curved up. If she’s flexible and long-legged and used to a regular (non ladies bike) frame, she can, of course, effortlessly throw her leg over the back of the bike like she’s supposed to, for mount and dismount. If she’s got some other conformation, or was raised on “girl bikes,” she may intend to step over the top tube for a quick dismount, and find that the really stylish curve is in the way. I like itswell’s mixte or some other lower tube for a city bike. If things get hairy at an intersection, you can jump yourself onto the curb, without having to jump the bike onto the curb. Call me middle aged and frumpy for doing such things, but it’s saved my bacon. Or anyway, I believe it has, which gives me a more “can do” attitude.

Surly’s Long Haul Trucker, complete, is $1,100 list. Swapping to mustache bars will give you something like… ah, ok, here we go, see below, courtesy of google images.

Leave the steerer uncut and/or add a riser to bring everything back upright if you like.

It’s available via any bike shop in the U.S., since it’s distributed through QBP. See? If you’re on the inside with your LBS, then you might be able to get it for under list if they’re game.

Chris – What is the intended use of the bicycle?
A commuter?
Weekend rides around Seattle?
A randonneur perhapes?

Next, has she been given a proper bike fit?

What are her preferences?
What are her favorite colors?
What is the driving force for her to get a bike?

Get a tandem.

If I had listened to this sage advice from Nelo Breda, we would have saved $1400 on the bike she never rides any more.

Admittedly my Diva is at the higher end (and a road bike), but I absolutely adore it and they do make what you would probably term as “commuter” type bikes.

Some of us (especially me), kind of got off-track from your original question…

It looks like there are some excellent suggestions, and advice from people who know a hell a lot more about the topic than myself.

I do like the Surly LHT suggestions, mainly because I’ve built one up for my daughter… not a lightweight though, as the frame is around 5 pounds… but very comfortable and durable. Also not a US made frame at $400 or so.

I’ll think more about it, after now reading the intended purpose of the bike.

Some of the whittling-down factors: 700c or 26" hybrid; diamond or ‘ladies’ frame style (i.e. basket on front, lots of step-thru space); drops or flats; derailleur v hub gear.

It’s your wife’s choice in the end, no-one out here can tell you the ideal choice. I’m sure your wife (with a little support from you) will surely be able to decide for herself which looks and feels ‘right’. And if you narrow it down to two models and can’t decide there’s nothing wrong with choosing a bike for the colour. No, seriously, I mean it.

And anyway this is the very best excuse in the world to visit a string of bicycle shops! Enjoy it.