Bike for my girlfriend: Rocky Mountain or Santa Cruz?

[art23rockpile]

My girlfriend is looking to get a full suspension bike in the $1500-2000 range. So far, ones we've looked at which impress are Rocky Mountain Element 30 and Santa Cruz Superlight. Can anyone offer any insight or recommendations?

[genusmtbkr5]

I ride an Element 70 and love it, so I'm sure she'll love it as well, but I also know lots of riders that love their Superlight. Compare the components package, fork, wheels and go from there if the frames are equal to her.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by art23rockpile

My girlfriend is looking to get a full suspension bike in the $1500-2000 range. So far, ones we've looked at which impress are Rocky Mountain Element 30 and Santa Cruz Superlight. Can anyone offer any insight or recommendations?

I am going to recommend the Superlight. For $2000 you can get pretty nice Superlight. Fox F100r, Float R, mix of LX/XT comps., Avid Juicy 5's, XT/Mavic 117 wheels, 6 powdercoat color options....about 27.5 lbs.

Rocky Mountain makes nice bikes, but I am not sure how common dealers are for them.

[BrewMaster]

You can't go wrong with either one.

JensonUSA is a big Rocky Mountain Dealer. Ken, the local RM rep is on STR, rmb socal. PM him and he will help you out with questions.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

I am going to recommend the Superlight. For $2000 you can get pretty nice Superlight. Fox F100r, Float R, mix of LX/XT comps., Avid Juicy 5's, XT/Mavic 117 wheels, 6 powdercoat color options....about 27.5 lbs.

That's a pretty nice setup there.

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Rocky Mountain makes nice bikes, but I am not sure how common dealers are for them.

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

You can't go wrong with either one.

JensonUSA is a big Rocky Mountain Dealer. Ken, the local RM rep is on STR, rmb socal. PM him and he will help you out with questions.

Agree with Sam here, but that would be KURT, not Ken and he can help you with questions and so can Neil aka 1x1 Clyde and Dave aka 26er Zen Master about Rocky Mountains. Also call Sherry aka Cowgirl, Tim, or Jason aka mtnbikej at Switchback about Santa Cruz. You'll be well taken care of at both shops.

[Sprockethead]

How tall is your GF? If she's petite, SC has the Juliana that's women's specific. They have build kit's that brings the bike down to your price range. Ann's been very happy with her Juliana, but here's her new replacement...a Superlight.





Like Gene said, check out both bikes. I really like the Rocky Mountains too. Try to have your GF ride both bikes. You should be able to ride SC's at Switchback, Bike Co, or Helen's. RM, try Jenson. I'm not sure if Adrenaline has any built up ready to ride or you can probably PM RMB Socal on here. He's the Rocky rep in CA. Good luck, buying a new bike is always fun!

[surlygal]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

I'm not sure if Adrenaline has any built up ready to ride or you can probably PM RMB Socal on here. He's the Rocky rep in CA. Good luck, buying a new bike is always fun!

She's demo'd a Rocky at the Adrenaline Demo right?

If she'd like to demo it again pm Kurt http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...rmb-socal.html he'll set you up.

[SnookDawg]

Here's one more option to consider: Trek Fuel EX 8 WSD (women specific design)
I see them on sale right now in SD for $2,200, you might be able to get it down to your $2,000 limit with a little negotiation. Fox Float 130 RL, Fox RP2, Trek's new ABP suspension which has so far been getting good reviews from what I have seen, AVID Juicy 5s, XT Shadow RD, LX FD, Cranks, Shifters, Bontrager wheels etc.

I plan to have my girl check this out (as well as the Rocky Mtn and SC) a little later this year when we get ready to upgrade her ride.

[art23rockpile]

Originally Posted by surlygal

She's demo'd a Rocky at the Adrenaline Demo right?

If she'd like to demo it again pm Kurt http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...rmb-socal.html he'll set you up.

Thanks and yes, she's tried the RM (at the Adrenaline event), and liked it.

Since i've been hearing rave reviews of the SC Superlight (and it's in the same price range), i'd like her to testride it before 'pulling the trigger'.

[speckledtrout]

I had the Juliana as my first mountain bike. It's the same bike as the Superlight, just sized smaller for women. i loved it and only recently sold it because i needed to get rid of one of my bikes and it was easier to sell than my Specialized. My only suggestion is that at that price point, make sure you get a fork with lockout. the Fox Float on mine was entry level and i gotta say, the lack of lockout sucked.