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SnookDawg

Hi, looking for some helpful experience from the gals on this forum. I am going to replace my wife's old clunker and am looking at different options out there. She is a snig under 5'6" and has a 29" inseam. Arms/torso proportionally on the longer side. She is very fit and while not a dare-devil, will push the limits if she is confident in her equipment and skills.

I think she'd be happy on a 5" trail bike that has a good pedaling suspension as she likes to climb uphill. She likes longer rides on single track but is not going to bike-parks. Standover height and stability are most important. I am focusing on selecting the proper frame at this point as I would build the bike up myself.

I would like to hear what others are riding on SoCal trails and what in particular they like and what they would change on the current setup. I think my wife would mostly ride MTRP, Sycamore Cyn and Sweetwater, with trips every summer up to Tahoe.

Thanks in advance for any experiences you can share.

allison

Check out Specialized. If you think she'd rather climb faster and be slightly sketchier check out the Epic. The Stumpy FSR will be more stable on descents, but won't climb as well.

They make good bikes, good warranty, and great standover. Also wouldn't have to worry about piecing a bike together that may be more expensive?

Yeti 575 also for 5" bikes. SO is good also, but will probably run you a little more as far as cost goes.

I don't know about SO, but I heard The Path was selling Iron Horse frames and they are having a sale tomorrow night as well. Not local for you, but I'm sure you can call them and see what they've got.

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boludo

Allison is way off base.

Go buy your wife a $300 bike wherever, take the other $1000 to 2000 you were thinking of spending and buy extra bling parts for your bike.

where would the world be without me?

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SnookDawg

Thanks Allison - maybe a dumb question, but what is "SO"? I appreciate the Spec suggestion - I think the FSR is going onto the list here, I also have an LBS that deals Spec so I can go check out their new bikes. Sketchy is def not good so I will steer clear of the Epic.

boludo

Not a lady, am I, but if I were I'd be looking at Specialized, Trek, and Santa Cruz Juliana. They seem to have the best female specific frames. Plus good support and warranty, as if your wife will ever cause a warrant-able situation. Mine never will.

Good luck. Since I bought my wife a new frame and put an all XT/XTR drive on her bike she has wanted to ride every weekend.

She is earning my sex...finally.

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Wrecker

my first real bike was a Specialized Stumpy FSR, good all around bike and takes a lot of abuse (ask anyone that's seen me ride or knows me).

But, be sure she tries out the bike first. If she has a long torso, she may not feel comfortable on the women's specific bikes--I feel cramped up on them; they're not specific to all women.

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Sharky

The WSB's didn't work for me either. I'm 5'5" or so with a similar inseam and my current is a small Santa Cruz Blur LT ...Shimano XT components / Fox Float RLC 32 fork and a Float RP23 shock. Was right on the border between a small and Med. so went smaller for better handling. This bike made a huge difference in handling , climbs like crazy and handles technical DH well LOVE it !! If you're concidering this one let me know and we can possibly meet for her to try it out?
Bought at San Dimas Incycle they have a large bike selection but that's a drive for you?

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allison

Stand Over!

Didn't mean to imply the Epic wouldn't be good for DH, but it is more of a XC Race bike, whereas the Stumpy is more of an all arounder.

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CeeDubb

You can climb like a mountain goat on an Epic, but you have to keep on your toes on downhills. Steers quickly too the point of feeling twitchy (if you're not used to it). Rear suspension is harsh when getting into really bumpy stuff...

It's more of a XC racing weapon than an all-arounder... It's also great if you're biased to riding hardtails...

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allison

He said she liked to climb, so that is why I included it.

Definitely more "race" and less "trail" than some of the others mentioned.

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lbmtbgrl

I just built up a Santa Cruz Juliana (2007 frame) with 4" and am loving it. It's certainly not billed as an all-mountain bike, but does great at San Clemente, Laguna Coast and even San Juan. Plus you can build it up really light if you want. Hill climbing is more about weight and overall bike setup in my experience. I have a Marz XC600 fork with a lockout that lowers the front by up to 40mm. On long climbs, it's nice because the front end stays planted. I just have to remember to unlock it on dh's (no blow-off valve).

But definitely let her test sit/ride before you spend $$. I'm a short-torsoed 5'3" so a WSB is a must. However, my g-friend is a long torsoed 5'7" and she actually fits better on a men's frame.

DBD

Speaking on behalf of the Mrs, she has been riding a Kona Bear for the last few years and it works well in all situations. Although she did get some weird looks when she took a DH clinic on it.

Yes it will be tossing you back a bit to a tried a true suspension, definitely not state of the art, but these days it is called the DAWG

Not the best of peddlers but it does have lockout on the rear shock and can handle the descents pretty good.

Just another option.

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sdyeti

As Allison mentioned, the Yeti 575 is a great bike for the 5-6" travel range. I have a small and am 5'3".

I love it and have ridden it everywhere!

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SnookDawg

Thanks Allison and Ceedub for the insight on the Spec bikes, I was picking up what you were laying down on the Epic being a more XC type bike. I guess my wife has been getting uphill on her tank of a bike so I don't think I need to shoot for something super light. She will love the full-suspension and added traction I am sure.

Thanks DBD for the Kona comments. She rode a Kona up in BC last summer when we went up there for a riding/hiking vacation and liked it except for climbing uphill. I think Kona makes great bikes but probably have ruled it out for now.

I am definitely thinking test rides, but want to winnow down the list before investing the time in that. So far this is the list in no particular order:
Spec FSR
Santa Cruz, Blur or Juliana
Turner Spot
Yeti 575
Ventana X5

I appreciate the comments - if there are bikes that I should look at or any insight to share I appreciate it.

Good to hear. I like the Yeti a lot on paper, so its good to know it translates well to the trail. A lot of earlier comments were about female specific designs not always being optimal, depending on body type, etc. I am not looking at the women's specific designs per se simply because my wife never rode one before and always loved her bikes. Maybe this is due to her having a longer torso relative to other girls her size.

How is the Yeti going uphill? Also, did you go with one of their build kits, and what shock/fork are you running? I am thinking the small would fit my wife perhaps, how long is your stem, what is the rise, and any other insight as to how you set up the cockpit? Just curious about your setup.

gregOREO

hey snook dawg i found a website with some bike's that were mention on this thread check it out (top right corner click on english version)
http://www.bicyclettesdehull.com/santacruz.php

ps.
I have the same problem that you do with your wife my only difference is that I’m trying to get her in to mtb and I’m currently looking for a bike for her too

mtnbikej

My wife get's a new bike about once a year. Currently she is on a Blut LT and loves it. She is 5'3 1/2" and standover is a bit tight, but she has had no issues with it.

She have also had a Superlight, Heckler, Julianna HT and Bullit in the past years. Also planning on picking up a 29er for her in the next few weeks here.


Those Santa Cruz prices are pretty high.....you can definately get them cheaper..........



On second thought....just noticed they were in Canada.

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Pato

If that's your list I would also advise you to check out the Foes XCT-5. I ride the FXR which is the 6" version. It will climb much better than the Ventana X5.

I don't think she will need a WSD frame. I'm also 5'6" but with a 30" inseam. WSD frames are designed for long legs, short torsos.

Duc

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sdyeti

Snook...I live in SD. We can hook up and your wife can try my Yeti. I'd be more than willing to help. Only difference is I have the 2007 frame design.

The Yeti climbs really, really well. I've ridden up San Juan on it with no problems and just did Vision Quest on it (11K feet of climbing is proof for me).

I went with a custom build, but Yeti has some great package deals, too. Their level below the Pro package is pretty solid.

I am running a Talas 36 up front. In hindsight, I rarely ever use the 160mm setting. I would say that the Talas 32 or even something lighter would have been a better choice for me. I have the Fox RP23 for the rear shock. It's great.

I also run a 90mm Thomspon stem (which I could definitely put down to a 70 if I needed to). Mine has very little rise.

When I wanted to test ride a Foes, I had to drive up to Pasadena. Any place locally that would stock small sized Foes?

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SnookDawg

This is awesome, just the type of info I am looking for. Yeti is definitely moving up the list. As far as the test ride on your bike, that is very nice and I will PM you when she's ready to take you up on that offer. I was looking at the build level just below pro so you must be reading my mind!