Bike for the wife

[Sombeech]

I'm looking for a very cheap bike for my wife's birthday this month.

Although it would be nice if she would get into trail riding with me, I highly doubt it will leave the pavement.

I'm looking at spending under $100, because I don't expect it to get much use after the initial "gift excitement".

Should I just go to WalMart? Or is there another place I could find a really cheap bike? I'll also try KSL.com.

[REDFOX]

How about a blue Klein and you get a new bike ?

[greyhair biker]

I cant believe I am actually saying this but lately Walmart has upgraded their bike selection. The Mongoose selection - wally worlds' 'top line' isnt too bad. We ended up buying one for the senior all night party to giveaway. yes, the components are entry level but if you had to you could upgrade to better components. THe frames are fairly decent to - for an entry level bike. You as a seasoned biker should be able to pick out a fair one, keeping in mind you will have to retune the bike and check all fittings before riding it and spend a couple hundred...not under a hundred.

[Sombeech]

I just noticed that too. The Mongoose's are for $189, disc breaks, dampening rear shock

[ericchile]

Na go for a clean second hand hard tail.

I got a k2 hard tail that was barley used from craigslist about 2 months ago for $150.

Spend a little over a hundred and let her know she's worth it (unless she isn't? )

Seriously there are plenty used entry level hard tails from ksl.com or craigslist

You could follow up on this one

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/bik/329060672.html

if your really cheap lol

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/bik/317566887.html

[Scout Master]

PM or e-mail me I have a good used one
I think it's a 21 speed. it's 19 inches from the center on the crank to where the seat post goes into the frame. I was been thinking about selling it on here anyway.

[TreeHugger]

Sombeech,

I have to wonder what the point is of getting this bike other than to store a week later? What is the goal? Does she want a bike? Does she say she wants a bike and you are assuming that it will sit in the garage after the initial "wow" is over? Would you hope to do some riding with her? Will she be riding on the pavement? (get her a road bike) Rail trails? Singletrack, eventually? If you would genuinely like for her to ride more, or at all, or if she really wants to start to ride, get her something good. A good bike will be more motivational. Maybe she'll surprise you and love it and ride, ride, ride. If she has a difficult bike, one that's heavy, or uncomfortable, or hard to shift, or generally just crappy, then she'll hate biking for sure.

Just some things to think about. :-)

Tree.

[Fuzzy TheBikeGuy]

I cant believe I am actually saying this but lately Walmart has upgraded their bike selection...."

DUDE!...

I know guys who HATE their wives who wouldn't let 'em ride a W-word bike!

[Sombeech]

Does she want a bike?

She's hinted that she wants one for her birthday, so I'm going to ease into it. She's not the outdoors type, she really just wants it to ride around the neighborhood once a week, or on a paved trail with the bike trailer.

[TreeHugger]

Than get her something good, dont go for cheap, for the sake of cheap... maybe this'll be the start of something great!! Bikes rock!!

[ericchile]

You don't go to Denver ever do you?

I got my bike in Denver, there seems to be a flux of good 2nd hand bikes for sale there. I got a 04 Dakar XLT 1.0 for $600 that was brand spanking new (msrp 1300)

Check out this http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/345014212.html

This is a good one if you talk him down 75 http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/344926986.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/344650285.html

Not sure what size this is
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/343649780.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/343376383.html ** could be what you want

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/342706486.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/342314200.html ** good deal

How tall is your wife? I got mine a small 15" frame.

Eric

[greyhair biker]

I cant believe I am actually saying this but lately Walmart has upgraded their bike selection...."

DUDE!...

I know guys who HATE their wives who wouldn't let 'em ride a W-word bike!

I really must clarify things a bit here 'cause my wife and I have had this discussion on several occasions. We had to buy a bike from WalMart for the Senior All Nighter party because the parents were too cheap to take a bid from me for a real bike, SO, I let her pick out the bike & I took it home and retuned it up (had to) and she liked it but like I told her at the time 'you arent gonna like this, especially when you've ridden better'
She still likes the bike (it's in my shop waiting for the winner to pick it up) but I wont let her ride it anymore for fear she WILL like it. I wont be seen with one when I SELL better! I am looking for her a used bike on EBay right now. I know what I am looking for and can rebuild one off there for cheaper than I can order her a new one.
...Justin, I personally wont let her buy a Walmart bike and I should have clarified that from the start...my bad!

[accadacca]

Walmart bike. . .

[Joe Gardner]

Mad Wagon makes a nice beach cruiser that is perfect for short rides in flat areas, easy to maintain, easy to ride. Good intro bike.

[marc olivares]

hey Joe,
who sells those cruisers?
my wife has been bugging me for a cruiser,
but i can't justify spending a bunch on a bike she'll never ride...lol
(she's a runner, and the bike would be a novelty)
do they have small sizes? she's short 5'1"

[greyhair biker]

I sell cruiser bikes - for a couple hundred - single speed pedal brakes or whatever you want...several brands. Phat cycles, my personal fav, go for more and are WAY COOL! There's GOT to be a cruiser bike dealer down there though someplace closer to you...Ill do some research & post if I find anything.

[greyhair biker]

Phat Cycle pics...
http://www.phatcycles.com/

[marc olivares]

hey thanks wade

she says she wants a cruiser a la "pee wee herman"




but i think she's dreaming
it'd end up hanging in my garage, collecting dust and unridden
but it is awefully cute...lol

[greyhair biker]

sweet! Sorry dude, I can only think of one thing when I hear PeeWees' name

[TreeHugger]

I would so love a cruiser bike! If I still lived downtown I would get one for sure, unfortunately, it's not practical where I live now.... someday.

Canyon bikes, on 126th has a nice selection of cruisers - not vintage, of course. A lot of shops are carrying them now seems like.[/u]