Recommend a beginner bike for my wife.
 

Here's the deal, I ride fixed gear and my wife wants to ride bikes with me for fun and for fitness. Her birthday was today and she was given $400 from here parents for a bike. That is kind of our budget. I have no idea what that could get so bear with me. Can't decide between new and second hand. I think I'd rather get new because I wouldn't know what to look for second hand.

Any help would be great. And be honest. She isn't pro so she doesn't need an expensive bike, but let me know if we would be better off with a higher budget.

$400 gets her a kilo TT so she can ride fixed with you. It won't get anything decent in a new road bike but could get a used and/or vintage for that price

Do you want to just get her a fixed gear and/or single speed, or a road bike? How tall is your wife? I can look at the used market in your area and make suggestions.

That a good list and I'll add: Dropbars or Flatbar? My SO couldn't handle dropbars at all so I went the flatbar route.

A benefit of the FlatBar route is that there are more offerings under $400.

Well, he is correct. Flat bar components generally cost less so you can get a slightly better quality new bike in the flat bar/hybrid category than a drop bar road bike. I bought a cheap BD road bike for my wife to try to get her riding with me but her hands are so small that she could never get confident braking from hoods or drops with drop bar bike so I ended up having to convert the bike to flat bar. Should have bought flat bar bike to begin with as it would have saved money in the long run

This is all nice but what does your wife want? Let her figure that out and then make it happen.

Also this. that is if she knows what she wants. but if you buy her a bike she doesn't like, she won't be riding with you

We live in San Diego. She is 5'2". She does not want drop bars so we'd go with a flat bar bike. She does not know what to get so she just told me to get her one. She would never want a single speed or fixed gear, so road bike would be our choice.

Diamondback Clarity 1 Women's Flat Bar Road Bike - 2015

Fuji Silhouette 1.9 Disc Women's Flat Bar Road Bike - 2015

I just bought my wife a Bianchi Milano Dama and she loves it. MSRP was $529 purchase price was $450

Good suggestions. The DB is sold out online but your local Performance may have it. The Fuju looks solid. Also

Fuji Absolute 3.0 LE Flat Bar Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive

Fuji Absolute 3.0 LE Women's Flat Bar Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive

My wife just got the Clarity 1 and loves it. She is 5, 4 so not much taller than your wife.

I'd go with that Fuji Silhouette 1.9 Disc. Good all-rounder that covers many bases (your wife probably doesn't know what kind of riding she'll be doing if she's just starting!)
I also think it has a bit nicer of a build than the Diamondback.

That's a bad idea. You need to take her with you and let her ride the bikes. See which one(s) she seems to either like or get excited about riding. Different bikes (and brands) fit different people differently. She needs to be involved in the buying decision. Now, you can do some legwork and shorten the list of bikes for her to try, but she needs to ride a few before you buy one.

GH

Take your wife to the Performance store to try riding all of the recommended bikes. See which bike talks to her. If she doesn't like any of them, at least use the opportunity to figure out what size bike she needs. Hold off buying if none of them sings to her. The last thing you want to do is buy a bike that she won't ride. If you know what size she needs, you can shop on Craigslist. Lots of basically unused Hybrids that people bought and didn't ride for sale on there for between $100-$250.

If you get a chance, stop in at the Performance Store on a Tuesday between 12-2pm, and you get an extra 10% off. Then take your wife to lunch.

Thanks guys, yeah when she said she wants me to get her a bike, I kind of meant I would do all the research and then let her choose. Seems like I'll just be taking her to performance bike.

Also, is that 10% discount at every store?

I'm not sure 10% discount happy hour counts toward bikes.

Bikes Direct has the Motobecane Gran Premio S for $449 delivered to your door. It comes boxed requiring some final assembly and adjustment but if you have been doing your own bike maintenance it should be no problem. I have the higher grade Gran Premio with the 105 drivetrain and find the bike very comfortable, reliable, and plenty agile for recreational/fitness riding. I've done lots of B group rides, organized centuries, and thousands of solo miles with no complaints. I've upgraded the wheelset and saddle. No problem with the original wheels, I still have them as spares. Same with the saddle, just a personal preference issue. The Gran Premio S is definitely entry level, but pretty good bang for the buck.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...o-s-wht-21.jpg

Save Up To 60% Off Magic Riding Steel Road Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Gran Premio SL

If you want to stay under $400, the Motobecane Mirage or Dawes Lightning DLX come in at $399.95 delivered and wouldn't be bad choices for a new, budget-minded, entry level road bike. As long as you are realistic in your expectations, you should be happy with any of the above. If you can afford another $300 - $400 you can take a significant step up in component quality.

I would recommend a hybrid. Still offers speed and lightweight. A road bike may be uncomfortable.

Manny

You can usually find some used vintage 10-speeds and Mixte bikes, in varying conditions. Many are a bit heavy and more of cruisers than high speed road bikes.

Here is a Peugeot, a bit high on the budget. Others may be cheaper.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/5119232481.html

Zipbee bikes has several women's road bikes on Craigslist, mostly drop bar bikes. Varying prices.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/sear...adies|ladys%29

This one is listed as a Specialized Hybrid in your price range. It might be worth considering.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/5120171115.html

You guys have been more than helpful. I'll keep this thread open and refer to these resources. Thanks again, i have taken every response into consideration.