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Bike as gift
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 2010-02-23 12:27 PM |
 7 |  Subject: Bike as giftOk so I would like to buy my gf a bike for her bday in May. She is a very good athlete and is serious runner. She ran track in college and has completed a bunch of marathons. She would like to start doing some tris with me. She is looking to get into some olympic distance tris this summer. I am looking to get her an entry level road bike and maybe in a year or two upgrade her. I dont know if it matters but she is very pettite. She is 5'1'' and about 100 lbs. Does anyone have any ideas for a good starter? |
| 2010-02-23 12:32 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
| Subject: RE: Bike as gift Most brands have entry level bikes that are comparable in components/features/price. The main thing is fit. Especially since she's very pettite. I would advise against purchasing a bike for her and surprising her with it. I would simply tell here you're planning to buy her a bike (with $X budget) and will let her choose which one she wants and feels the most comfortable on. Who knows...maybe she's so into it, she would be willing to drop $500 of her own money combined with what your willing to pay so she can go one level higher right off the bat. |
| 2010-02-23 1:25 PM in reply to: #2688606 |
Expert 1007  NW NJ | Subject: RE: Bike as gift tri808 - 2010-02-23 1:32 PM Most brands have entry level bikes that are comparable in components/features/price. The main thing is fit. Especially since she's very pettite. I would advise against purchasing a bike for her and surprising her with it. I would simply tell here you're planning to buy her a bike (with $X budget) and will let her choose which one she wants and feels the most comfortable on. Who knows...maybe she's so into it, she would be willing to drop $500 of her own money combined with what your willing to pay so she can go one level higher right off the bat. X2, or a gift card for the amt to your favorite LBS. |
| 2010-02-23 1:48 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Extreme Veteran 763   | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I agree with the other posters on this one. I bought my wife a Cervelo P4 in a 58 CM frame for her Birthday. She thought it was too big for her. She is 5'7. It just happened to fit me perfectly so I have been riding it for the last year. I told her I would give it back when she grows into it. Don't do what I did. Kevin |
| 2010-02-23 1:50 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Champion 19812  MA | Subject: RE: Bike as gift Agree with abovex3Be sure you go to a good bike shop that fits bikes well. Since she is petite many shops may not carry bikes in her size. Larger shops may be better or willing to order a bike without a commitment to buy it.Depends on her body make up if she will fit better on women's specific bike or not. Most women have longer legs relative to torso then men. She may not fit on men's road bike as often small is a 52 or 51 that is really for someone my height 5'5" or taller depending on torso/leg length ratio.Great gift idea! |
| 2010-02-23 1:55 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Master 1286 Mt Pleasant, SC | Subject: RE: Bike as gift Hello I went to a Trek LBS Lady's night with my wife. I had hopes that wshe may start riding with me and I knew she would not go without me. The Trek factory Girl/Woem who gave the class was outstanding. I had no idea there were women special seats. Very informative and Trek has a bunch of options on bikes. Buy the bike and getting it sized and fitted. Let her choose the bike. Kevin |
| 2010-02-23 10:13 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Extreme Veteran 1996 Halifax, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I disagree with all these guys. DO one of 2 things- Get a small bike from your LBS on demo and give to her with the big bow on it. Do the demo ride, and between you, her and the store you'll get the right bike. If they don't demo, buy the bike that is your best guess and let the LBS know the situation, confirm the return policy, and do essentially the same thing. That way she gets a gift to open, way better than a gift card, and you're inured if its not the right bike for her. |
| 2010-02-23 10:26 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Expert 1706 NoVA | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I think Kevin (chevy57) might be on to something!!! Of course why stop at the bike---get some high end shoes/aero helmet/Computrainer/etc that MIGHT not fit her but you MIGHT be able to use/wear............. |
| 2010-02-23 10:26 PM in reply to: #2689864 |
Coach 9167 Stairway to Seven | Subject: RE: Bike as gift blairrob - 2010-02-23 9:13 PM I disagree with all these guys. DO one of 2 things- Get a small bike from your LBS on demo and give to her with the big bow on it. Do the demo ride, and between you, her and the store you'll get the right bike. If they don't demo, buy the bike that is your best guess and let the LBS know the situation, confirm the return policy, and do essentially the same thing. That way she gets a gift to open, way better than a gift card, and you're inured if its not the right bike for her. I don't know many bike shops that do this, and the likely hood of a shop carrying a demo bike in her size is slim. But I love the idea of beign surprised with a new bike that's got a great big bow on it!! |
| 2010-02-23 10:43 PM in reply to: #2689878 |
Extreme Veteran 1996 Halifax, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Bike as gift AdventureBear - 2010-02-24 12:26 AM blairrob - 2010-02-23 9:13 PM I disagree with all these guys. DO one of 2 things- Get a small bike from your LBS on demo and give to her with the big bow on it. Do the demo ride, and between you, her and the store you'll get the right bike. If they don't demo, buy the bike that is your best guess and let the LBS know the situation, confirm the return policy, and do essentially the same thing. I don't know many bike shops that do this, and the likely hood of a shop carrying a demo bike in her size is slim. But I love the idea of beign surprised with a new bike that's got a great big bow on it!!That way she gets a gift to open, way better than a gift card, and you're inured if its not the right bike for her. They do it here, then again I know the owners of the 2 good shops here cause I'm old and they're old. Next valentines day we should exchange bikes with a big bow on it. (I like Wiliers) |
| 2010-02-24 2:41 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
| Member 198 | Subject: RE: Bike as gift Kevin/chevy57, did the bike also happen to have your name airbrushed or engraved on it?  |
| 2010-02-24 5:54 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
New user 130 | Subject: RE: Bike as gift When I decided to get into triathlons more seriously after my first season, I knew I needed a road bike. I went on my LBS website and saw they had a trek wsd 1.2 2008 model on sale from $849 to $500. When I went there to try it I was on a 56 frame and the owner decided to try me on a 54 instead. It fit much better and since the sale bike was the only frame they had, he decided to give me the 2009 model for the same price. Lesson learned is you never you what kind of deal you can get, but fit is so important. I would suggest calling the bike store in advance and telling them your plan and price limit. That way, they show her and fit her only for bikes that will work and don't get her hopes up on a $2000 bike, but she will still have the birthday surprise of going to the store. You could even make it some type of guessing game with clues on the car ride there. Just an idea  btw here is my bike, it's my second trek and I really love it, it's a nice entry level bike that gets the job done. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/12wsd |
| 2010-02-24 9:19 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Extreme Veteran 590 Seattle | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I would try to find a used bike, if you can at that size. They are heavily discounted so you can get something decent for your money (or, spend a lot less so it won't be so bad when she upgrades). Once used, bikes are easy to resell again and recoup your costs, if it doesn't work out. |
| 2010-02-24 11:05 PM in reply to: #2688583 |
Expert 1187 Ontario | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I like the demo bike idea but doubt that would be an option very many places. With the money up front a shop may let you bring a small bike home with the bow then bring it back to the shop to get properly fitted for a bike. |
| 2010-02-25 2:20 AM in reply to: #2689864 |
| Subject: RE: Bike as gift blairrob - 2010-02-23 6:13 PM I disagree with all these guys. DO one of 2 things- Get a small bike from your LBS on demo and give to her with the big bow on it. Do the demo ride, and between you, her and the store you'll get the right bike. If they don't demo, buy the bike that is your best guess and let the LBS know the situation, confirm the return policy, and do essentially the same thing. That way she gets a gift to open, way better than a gift card, and you're inured if its not the right bike for her. That's actually a pretty good idea. But where I live, the shops around here only carry a couple of brands. Combine all the shops and they do cover all the brands. So the problem here would be picking the right shop...because you'll be limited to the brands they carry. And those brands might not have the best geometry for her. |
| 2010-02-25 5:40 AM in reply to: #2688583 |
Extreme Veteran 439 | Subject: RE: Bike as gift Hi , i am also petite, 5'2" and 105 pounds, my hubby got me the specialized dolce sport, size 46, i love this bike it fits well, rides great ,looks good google it , you'll like how this bike looks and performs and so will she and it will not break the bank 850 including tax. Just a side note my hubby wanted to get me TT, for my bday this year, but i love this bike so sticking with her for now. good luck. |
| 2010-02-25 5:57 AM in reply to: #2688583 |
Expert 764 | Subject: RE: Bike as gift How about this: Buy her bike shorts and shirt, helmet and gloves. Wrap those up with a note telling her to put them on. Pre-arrange with the LBS to have a "private showing" of some bikes on the same day. She'll have gifts to open, and plenty of special attention at the shop to try things and make a decision. ~Heidi |
| 2010-02-25 6:39 AM in reply to: #2688583 |
Master 2946 Centennial, CO | Subject: RE: Bike as gift Ok. This is how my wife did it for me. When my favorite store was having a sale, she called me and said come on down and check it out. She knew I was looking for a new bike, so it was an easy sell. I then test rode a couple. (like 7 or 8 diferent bikes Just a thought. Yes, I got it early rather than waiting for my birthday, but I knew it was a present, and I had it with a bow on it at my birthday party. |
| 2010-02-25 8:41 AM in reply to: #2692283 |
Master 1690 Metro NY Area | Subject: RE: Bike as gift X2 I like this idea. Fit is important. How thoughtful of you to get her a bike. slow turtle - 2010-02-25 6:57 AM How about this: Buy her bike shorts and shirt, helmet and gloves. Wrap those up with a note telling her to put them on. Pre-arrange with the LBS to have a "private showing" of some bikes on the same day. She'll have gifts to open, and plenty of special attention at the shop to try things and make a decision. ~Heidi |
| 2010-02-25 11:58 AM in reply to: #2688583 |
| Master 1963 | Subject: RE: Bike as gift I don't know how flexible your LBS is but I was gifted a road bike once upon a time and they were super chill about the return (I never rode it, it was too small). If you tell them what you're up to they may be really nice to you. They might even give you a demo you can take home and wrap so she can open it then go down the bike shop and figure out what will really work! G'luck and good on ya, nice gift |
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