MTB for Daughter - WRXAtlanta.com -- The Southern Subaru Enthusiast Community

BKiller · 02-06-2010, 12:51 PM

So my 11 year old Daughter really wants a mountain bike now. I have agreed to split the cost with her so she is looking to spend about $400-500 total.
I definitely want to go 26" but I am a little torn on whether to get her a girls bike like the Trek Skye or something a smaller men's bike like a GF Tarpon or Cannondale F8 or Trek 3700 or 3900.
Any advice on bikes for girls that they can grow into a little bit? Men's vs. Womens bikes?

She won't be doing hardcore off-road but we will be doing some basic trail riding.

nsvwrx · 02-06-2010, 02:28 PM

edit just read.

GL with the find!

Bug-Rex · 02-06-2010, 06:43 PM

Small and medium Giant XC hard-tails are pretty women friendly.

mmtasty · 02-07-2010, 12:50 AM

The Skye is a good bike and I'd go that route. She'll like the shorter frame, narrow bars, and girl's seat. I'd look at the Skye S because it has trigger shifting. The Skye has that shitty gripshift stuff and I've found girls struggle with them. They're $450, which is still in your range... There's no reason at all to get a men's bike. They started making the WSD stuff for a reason. And until we know what's going to happen with Crack-N-fail (cannondale) now that Huffy owns them I'd stay away.

BKiller · 02-07-2010, 07:07 AM

So we went to the trek dealer yesterday and she rode a 13" Skye and a 13" 3500. She liked the 3500 more than the Skye?? They had a Skye SL but she thought it was too girlie looking!!
My daughter isn't a tomboy so I was shocked by that statement. hmmm..
Maybe I will take her up to Performance and let her check out the women's GT line?

***Alex*** · 02-07-2010, 09:57 AM

Maybe? Tell her she can have a can of spray paint and go to town?

mmtasty · 02-07-2010, 11:25 AM

If she has an opinion about what she wants... 1) that's rare because most girls don't want a bike... and 2) get whatever she likes even if it's the best bike for her. 3500 isn't the best fit for her, but if she likes it she likes it.

BKiller · 02-07-2010, 04:04 PM

So how much markup is in the average new bike? Would it be totally inappropriate to try to haggle on the price?

mmtasty · 02-07-2010, 06:41 PM

Treks are price-fixed. Advertised prices on Trek's website are probably 30% over cost. Some shops will sell them at MSRP, which is probably 25% over. My shop sells at advertised under 1K, and MSPR over 1K. This time of year (SLOW season) you can ask for MSRP and get it on all bikes.

Frankly, I don't give a shit about bike sales because that's not my department, but I could get you the best deal ever on a Trek/GF right now. Our shop needs cash-flow and I could talk the owner into anything. I'm off Holcomb Bridge near 400.

Bug-Rex · 02-07-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmtasty

Treks are price-fixed. Advertised prices on Trek's website are probably 30% over cost. Some shops will sell them at MSRP, which is probably 25% over. My shop sells at advertised under 1K, and MSPR over 1K. This time of year (SLOW season) you can ask for MSRP and get it on all bikes.

Frankly, I don't give a shit about bike sales because that's not my department, but I could get you the best deal ever on a Trek/GF right now. Our shop needs cash-flow and I could talk the owner into anything. I'm off Holcomb Bridge near 400.

What shop do you work at?

02-06-2010, 12:51 PM	#1
BKiller Member Location: McDonough Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 979 Ride: Saab Feedback: 100% (3)	MTB for Daughter So my 11 year old Daughter really wants a mountain bike now. I have agreed to split the cost with her so she is looking to spend about $400-500 total. I definitely want to go 26" but I am a little torn on whether to get her a girls bike like the Trek Skye or something a smaller men's bike like a GF Tarpon or Cannondale F8 or Trek 3700 or 3900. Any advice on bikes for girls that they can grow into a little bit? Men's vs. Womens bikes? She won't be doing hardcore off-road but we will be doing some basic trail riding. __________________ 1998 Outback 1974 VW SP2

02-06-2010, 06:43 PM	#3
Bug-Rex Member Location: Fairhope, AL Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,132 Ride: Monster Trail Rig Favorite Mod: Doorless Feedback: 100% (3)	Small and medium Giant XC hard-tails are pretty women friendly. __________________ JC There is no hope for me.

02-07-2010, 12:50 AM	#4
mmtasty Member Location: Kennesaw Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,942 Ride: '07 Forester, '07 DRZ400SM Favorite Mod: Siegel Protune! Feedback: 100% (4)	The Skye is a good bike and I'd go that route. She'll like the shorter frame, narrow bars, and girl's seat. I'd look at the Skye S because it has trigger shifting. The Skye has that shitty gripshift stuff and I've found girls struggle with them. They're $450, which is still in your range... There's no reason at all to get a men's bike. They started making the WSD stuff for a reason. And until we know what's going to happen with Crack-N-fail (cannondale) now that Huffy owns them I'd stay away. __________________

02-07-2010, 07:07 AM	#5
BKiller Member Location: McDonough Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 979 Ride: Saab Feedback: 100% (3)	So we went to the trek dealer yesterday and she rode a 13" Skye and a 13" 3500. She liked the 3500 more than the Skye?? They had a Skye SL but she thought it was too girlie looking!! My daughter isn't a tomboy so I was shocked by that statement. hmmm.. Maybe I will take her up to Performance and let her check out the women's GT line? __________________ 1998 Outback 1974 VW SP2

02-07-2010, 09:57 AM	#6
*Alex* 100,000 Club :D el Presidente™ Location: In your internets, reading your posts Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 16,453 Ride: 2004.5 STi, YZ125 Favorite Mod: Driver Mod! Feedback: 100% (14)	Maybe? Tell her she can have a can of spray paint and go to town? __________________ Alex WRXAtlanta.com Founder/Administrator *Become a Supporting Member Today (and get a free t-shirt)! WRXAtlanta.com Summer 2010 Tees Available NOW!** http://shop.wrxatlanta.com/distresse...-tee-olive.htm

02-06-2010, 02:28 PM	#2
nsvwrx Senior Member Location: Gwinnett Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,171 Ride: 05 wrx 4eat Favorite Mod: Protune! Feedback: 0% (0)	edit just read. GL with the find!

02-07-2010, 11:25 AM	#7
mmtasty Member Location: Kennesaw Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,942 Ride: '07 Forester, '07 DRZ400SM Favorite Mod: Siegel Protune! Feedback: 100% (4)	If she has an opinion about what she wants... 1) that's rare because most girls don't want a bike... and 2) get whatever she likes even if it's the best bike for her. 3500 isn't the best fit for her, but if she likes it she likes it. __________________

02-07-2010, 04:04 PM	#8
BKiller Member Location: McDonough Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 979 Ride: Saab Feedback: 100% (3)	So how much markup is in the average new bike? Would it be totally inappropriate to try to haggle on the price? __________________ 1998 Outback 1974 VW SP2

02-07-2010, 06:41 PM	#9
mmtasty Member Location: Kennesaw Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,942 Ride: '07 Forester, '07 DRZ400SM Favorite Mod: Siegel Protune! Feedback: 100% (4)	Treks are price-fixed. Advertised prices on Trek's website are probably 30% over cost. Some shops will sell them at MSRP, which is probably 25% over. My shop sells at advertised under 1K, and MSPR over 1K. This time of year (SLOW season) you can ask for MSRP and get it on all bikes. Frankly, I don't give a shit about bike sales because that's not my department, but I could get you the best deal ever on a Trek/GF right now. Our shop needs cash-flow and I could talk the owner into anything. I'm off Holcomb Bridge near 400. __________________

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