What mountain bike for the wife? Target or craigslist

I'd take the Cannondale.

You'll get much more bang for your buck going used on CL.

Are you guys looking at the components on the Forge? It's not your average dept store bike.

For the record I should be able to get the Forge for $340 with tax tag and title.

Then again, I could probabbly talk the Cannondale down a little as well.

Here are the specs for the Cannondale: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2009&brand=Cannondale&model=F7+Feminine

Forge:

All-aluminum, double-butted lightweight frame with WTB SpeedDisc XC rims, saddle and grips for real quality Shimano Deore 27-speed derailleur and Shimano Deore shifters AVID BB-5 mechanical disc brakeset for ultimate stopping RockShox Dart 1: 100mm travel with preload front suspension Truvativ ISOflow aluminum triple crankset

Cannondale:

Components Component Group SRAM X.4/mix Brakeset Avid BB 5 Mechanical brakes, Cannondale XC levers Shift Levers SRAM X.4 trigger Front Derailleur SRAM 3.0 Rear Derailleur SRAM X.4 Crankset FSA CK-360TTT, 22/32/44 teeth Pedals Wellgo Alloy Platform Bottom Bracket FSA TH-7420ST BB Shell Width Unspecified Rear Cogs 8-speed, 12 - 32 teeth Chain KMC 8-Speed Seatpost Kalloy SP-359, 27.2mm diameter Saddle Cannondale Co2 Feminine Handlebar HL riser Handlebar Extensions Not included Handlebar Stem Cannondale XC3 Headset 1 1/8" Slimstack A-head - See more at: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2009&brand=Cannondale&model=F7+Feminine#sthash.EgHk2zeK.dpuf

Buy the Cannondale.

As a Cannondale owner, I say go with that.

But...geeze.. those are both heavy bikes. my 1995 Cannondale F400 is a good 3.5lbs lighter

And disregard, the Cannondale just sold.

Craigslist. No question.

I made the mistake of buying a full-suspension "Schwinn" S-25 from Target a few years back. I noticed last year that there was something weird going on with the rear brakes. That's because the rear wheel was trying to do it's best impression of a taco. The whole wheel is completely bent from regular use. It's only ever been on pavement, and NEVER taken of ANY sweet jumps.

I'm back to riding my old bike store Mongoose I bought back in 1995 when I was in middle school. 20 years old and still rides great.

This looks pretty nice:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/bik/5136643815.html

So if one were to get into riding the rail to trails like the Creeper Trail or the New River Trail, would you prefer a mountain bike, comfort bike or a hybrid?

spitfirebill wrote: So if one were to get into riding the rail to trails like the Creeper Trail or the New River Trail, would you prefer a mountain bike, comfort bike or a hybrid?

That's too big for the wife.

Also, accidentally deleted the first post of this thread.....let the confusion ensue .

You've gotta be careful with sizing and comfort for the new female rider.

I put my wife on a nice (back in the day) 1998 Santa Cruz Chameleon. It's lightweight and functions well. It's a Size Small. 15".

She's 5'5". Even with a 90mm stem and the seat pushed forward she still feels too stretched out, and she's comfortable on her road bike.

The bike she currently rides is my old GT with no suspension and a 16" frame. Part of the reason I liked the Target bike is I could return it if the 17" frame was too large.

Not sure what's up with this thread, but there is no 1st post by the OP.

That said, Craigslist.

Grtechguy wrote: As a Cannondale owner, I say go with that. But...geeze.. those are both heavy bikes. my 1995 Cannondale F400 is a good 3.5lbs lighter

I've got an F400 too. Bought new in '98. About 28 lbs.

Wife has a Specialized with a 13" frame. Yes a 13" frame! She's 4'11".

Was wondering how this got started? I came in after the 1st post deletion.

Craigslist all the way

ProDarwin wrote: Not sure what's up with this thread, but there is no 1st post by the OP. That said, Craigslist.

That's my fault. I was trying to figure out if I wanted a 2009 Canndondale F7 Disc WSD or a new Mens Forge 5xx for my wife. The cannondale sold and I tried to stop wasting your time by deleting the thread but instead just made everyone confused thinking that the answer to craigslist vs target is cannondale.

Aim higher. Surely you can trade your wife for more than a bicycle.

Amazon

Re sizing, my son rode a 13" MTB frame until he was about 5'5" or so. He's kind of gorilla shaped, so he was pretty cramped in the cockpit at that point compared to a female with (theoretically) shorter arms.
Definitely do CL over a big box store, also see if there's a local MTB group with a forum and put a wanted ad up on there. Lots of MTBers have basements and garages full of high quality older stuff they no longer use.

Wally wrote: Aim higher. Surely you can trade your wife for more than a bicycle.

Ha!

Miata?

Target bike is on sale for $270 plus I get 10% off of that. Hard to say no to Shimano Deore and all those other compenants for $250 brand new.

Enyar wrote: Target bike is on sale for $270 plus I get 10% off of that. Hard to say no to Shimano Deore and all those other compenants for $250 brand new.

This is a really good deal. I didn't know that Target actually carried a bike of decent quality. I would take this over any used bike with similar components. Not to mention any known brand used bike that has components like this will be likely more expensive.

nokincy wrote:

Enyar wrote: Target bike is on sale for $270 plus I get 10% off of that. Hard to say no to Shimano Deore and all those other compenants for $250 brand new.

This is a really good deal. I didn't know that Target actually carried a bike of decent quality. I would take this over any used bike with similar components. Not to mention any known brand used bike that has components like this will be likely more expensive.

Exactly! It's pretty highly reviews on the MTB forums too. They used to sell it for $289 and as it gained popularity they kept raising the price until now where its $389. but with the 30% off plus my 5% off/no handling fee with redcard and 5% friend's employee discount its a killer deal.

Value Pawn on HWY60 in Brandon gets some nice bikes on occasion. Spend a day hitting up pawn shops.

Worst thing I did was take the wife out to Alafia on a heavy bike. She taught me some new words that day and hasn't been back.