05/10/25 at 4:23pm
  Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board › Mixed Bag › General Board › Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Print
Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike (Read 1202 times)
pistolpete
Newbie
*
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 13
Joined: 12/16/17
Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
02/02/18 at 2:45pm
Print Post  
Hello,

My wife and I are looking to purchase her first mountain bike (medium size) and would like to ask the community for a recommendation.  This will be mainly used on sidewalks/streets, but my son and I plan to get her riding some easy singletrack trails around the Charlotte area after she gets more comfortable on it.   

Our budget is around $700 max.

I've found a couple that seem to be have good reviews.  Does anyone have any opinion on these two?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)



  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
pistolpete
Newbie
*
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 13
Joined: 12/16/17
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #1 - 02/02/18 at 4:10pm
Print Post  
Does anyone know how the Ghost bike line from REI is?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
IntheBush
Big Ring
*****
Offline



Posts: 2031
Location: South of the border
Joined: 10/30/09
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #2 - 02/02/18 at 4:24pm
Print Post  
Ghost are solid bikes. 

But if you want one, buy it from REI. You'll pay a little more, but it will be worth it with the rock solid warranty and shop service.

The bike this guy is selling is overpriced IMO.

You're almost always better off buying a bike from a dealer or a bike shop, if you need to ask these questions.

Recently, REI came out with it's own mountain bike hardtail line as well. I checked 'em out last time I was there. They look excellent for the price. You should check them out. They are less expensive than the Ghost brand but offer similar performance. They are probably made by a big maker and rebranded for REI.
« Last Edit: 02/02/18 at 4:30pm by IntheBush »  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
SirNotAppearing
IB Room
In The Loop
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 1216
Joined: 03/08/10
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #3 - 02/02/18 at 5:16pm
Print Post  
Is there really a benefit to a woman-specific mountain bike? The main differences are touch points, which are subjective and easily swapped. If they change geometry at all, it's a focus on lower stand over, but that's the general trend of all mountain bikes these days anyways.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
Facebook  
IP Logged
 
Yellowduck
Big Ring
*****
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 1537
Location: Concord
Joined: 04/28/10
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #4 - 02/02/18 at 6:11pm
Print Post  
SirNotAppearing wrote on 02/02/18 at 5:16pm:
Is there really a benefit to a woman-specific mountain bike? The main differences are touch points, which are subjective and easily swapped. If they change geometry at all, it's a focus on lower stand over, but that's the general trend of all mountain bikes these days anyways.



Colors for one.  I don't know what else is different but if she can fit a men's bike comfortably, it would be a whole lot easier to sell down the road.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
"Riding skinny is too easy"
-MB
Back to top
Facebook  
IP Logged
 
BudLeach
Small Cog
***
Offline



Posts: 394
Location: Gastonia
Joined: 09/09/14
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #5 - 02/02/18 at 7:49pm
Print Post  
pistolpete wrote on 02/02/18 at 4:10pm:
Does anyone know how the Ghost bike line from REI is?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)


A bit off topic here but, there are a few things about the assembly of that bike made my eye twicth.

-The front brake hose should wrap around the inside of the fork leg, not the outside.

-The rear QR skewer lever is just begging to snag on something and spin loose.

-The front QR skewer is installed backwards. Not that it really makes a difference, but it makes my OCD itch.

-The fork lockout lever is mounted upside down on the bars

-Maybe its just me but I hate when the shifter cable is routed to the same side of the headtube as the shifter to which it is attached because 1. It puts an unnecessarily tight radius on the housing = more friction. 2. It causes the housing to rub the paint off the head tube/headset cup/fork crown.

Also... dirty stanchions. 

However the tire decals do line up with the wheel decals, so kudos for getting one thing right.
« Last Edit: 02/02/18 at 8:06pm by BudLeach »  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Doc00t
IB Room
In The Loop
Project Board
Offline


When in DOUBT, PEDAL it
OUT

Posts: 1785
Location: University
Joined: 05/09/12
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #6 - 02/02/18 at 8:03pm
Print Post  
SirNotAppearing wrote on 02/02/18 at 5:16pm:
Is there really a benefit to a woman-specific mountain bike? The main differences are touch points, which are subjective and easily swapped. If they change geometry at all, it's a focus on lower stand over, but that's the general trend of all mountain bikes these days anyways.


Agreed.  Just get a mountain bike that fits her.  Don't limit your choices by going lady specific.  Also if it goes up for sale later you got a much better chance of selling it.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Scars are like Tattoos only with better Stories
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BudLeach
Small Cog
***
Offline



Posts: 394
Location: Gastonia
Joined: 09/09/14
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #7 - 02/02/18 at 8:04pm
Print Post  
All that said, the Ghost is not a bad option, albeit overpriced. It just needs a little attention. It does have better spec components than the other new options you posted. Especially the hydraulic brakes. It just depends on how good you are with a wrench. 

If it were me I would be willing to pay $450 to 500 for the Ghost, depending primarily on the condition of the fork, knowing up front that I would have to give it a full once over before sending my wife out on it. If you had to pay a bike shop to do the service (possibly including a lower leg service on the fork), you would probably be better off to just go new from a LBS, that way you get the warranty and support. Most shops will throw in a free first service with a new bike purchase.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
IntheBush
Big Ring
*****
Offline



Posts: 2031
Location: South of the border
Joined: 10/30/09
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #8 - 02/03/18 at 1:46pm
Print Post  
Another place you and your wife should check out is Sun and Ski sports at Providence. Ask for Mossimo in the bike department.

They constantly have sales on new bikes. Buying from these guys is never a mistake.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
sloGT
Newbie
*
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 8
Joined: 11/25/12
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #9 - 02/04/18 at 12:23pm
Print Post  
pm sent
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Impaler 58
Big Ring
*****
Offline



Posts: 2111
Location: Statesville
Joined: 01/21/09
Re: Recommendation for Women's Mountain Bike
Reply #10 - 02/05/18 at 2:36pm
Print Post  
Go to a shop that has a good fitting expert. I suggest Cyclepath or Trek of Charlotte
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
GTalk  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Print
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2025. All Rights Reserved.