My wife and I...

BRScott

Before I met my wife I biked a great deal on my road and mountain bikes. I was by no means what I would consider good at it, but I had fun. LAtely, I've been spending too much time at work and not enough time outside. I've a Trek 1200 road bike and an old Trek 6000 MTB. I'm ready to bike again, and the cool thing is that my wife wants to do it as well. I had some problems with my 6000, and I think its about time to replace it -- everyone has told me that technology has come a long way since the componentson my bike were made.

We're now in the market for two MTBs. We have agreed that we can spend upto $1300 for both bikes (combined). She wants to trail ride (which makles me happy), which means we'll get to actually use the bikes rather than waste them. I have been rough on my 6000, and will be on whatever I replace it with. We have access to a Specialized dealer and a Trek/Gary Fisher dealer. Our bikes should be about the same quality, despite our different levels of experience.

Can anyone offer some helpful suggestions?

Thanks,
Brian

BRScott

A little more information on us and where we will be riding might be useful:
We live in Louisiana, so there really aren't any mountains. We do have big hills and some nice trails nevertheless.
I'm 6'1 and about 200lbs, like being able to climb a bit and jump things (sometimes thejumps on trails, but sometimes the steps at the university -- but those are not good for the bike I know).
She is 5'8, in pretty good shape and active. I think she'd be fine on a guys MTB, but the makers' websites really push their women-specific bikes.
She won't be jumping things, at least at first, but climbing trails and moderately quick downhills are realistically expected.
We've got a list of trails around our state and some in Mississippi (they have some fun trails there I rode in college), and we want to try to hit most of them -- doing one a weekend -- so the bikes will get a lot of use (as will our Civic).
I don't like riding my mountain bike on pavement. If she gets to where she wants to ridew on the road, we'll get her a road bike -- so the bikes will be almost exclusively used on trails, everything from the typical powerline trail to some (when we get long weekends) that resemble a nice actual; mountain trail.
I did think about getting two Gary Fisher Tassajaras without disc brakes -- one Genesis, one Genesisters. I've always ridden Trek bikes, and my roommates in college always road Treks (except for the guy from the Giant dealer).
I hope the added info helps a bit. I don't know any riders in the area, and I'm a little over a year out of riding. Before that I was broke and rode hand-me-downs, so I haven't gotten a full taste of modern technology.

Gratefully awaiting any responses,
Brian

triguy98

Can't go wrong with a Tassajara. And GF offers them in womens spefic geometry, a definate plus for her. Solid bikes all around.

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Life is short, ride hard. BONZAI!!!!

seigneur

have a look at the specialized rockhopper very nice bike and a ladies specific one to

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