[joytron]

Recently my lady and I started mountain biking. Since most of the activities I am involved in she tries twice and decides its not for her, I had her start on a cheaper bike. Right now she has a >33 pound older trek 14" 3700 wsd, and she has been quite the trooper. On our first group ride, another lady was kind enough to let her demo a bike (IronHorse MKIII) if I recall correctly. Although she took it only for a short climb it was enough to appreciate the difference.

We are now looking for something new (or used as she prefers) that will be a bit easier on the climbs and more comfortable. The difficulty I have is she does not place a lot of interest on finding the perfect bike. She pretty much relegated me and said she just wants something "better". When we demoed bikes everyone fit fine, so I am having a hard time zeroing in.

She is 4'11 and her budget is around $800, she prefers getting something used and sounds like she wants a bike that will first and foremost climb better. She has no idea if she wants full suspension or hard tail. We ride mainly Southern Califonia, somewhat rough single track.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI279B05-Jamis+Dakar+Xcr+Sport+Bike+08.aspx
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI272A03-Jamis+Dragon+Comp+Bike+09.aspx
Without a doubt leaning to the hard tail, and at around 27 lbs I am sure she would feel the difference.

Here are a couple of bikes that seem to be promising, is a womens necessary or would a Xsmall mens bike suffice?

thanks!

 

[adamm3]

My wife is 4"11 also and we have been down this route many time. The main goal is to find a bike with Effective Top Tube of <21.5". Jamis is one of the brands she has owned as they have consistently made small bikes. The hard tail Dragon is a much better buy than the XCR. They do spec some rather long stems (90mm) for the small bikes thou. As far as used goes...you could look for a Trek EX 14" WSD....she has had one of those and it fit real well. In fact, the girl we sold it to might be interested in selling it...I will check. Specialized Safire or Myka are also small enough as well as the Giant Cypher.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/783039/
http://ventura.craigslist.org/bik/2176180791.html

Just in case she really gets into it...the Transition Syren is one of the few 6"+ bikes that fits the girls this short...this is what she rides now with a new Giant Cypher on the way for XC-All Mountain duty

adam

 

[joytron]

Thank you for the links, both those bikes looks like a serious improvement over anything I have founc.

 

[ecrepeau]

Go with the Spec Myka Elite or the Spec Safire Comp.

Just picked up my wife a 2011 Spec Safire Comp. She was riding a Gary Fisher HT WSD before. Her riding has instantly changed and can bomb down sections of the trail she wouldn't have touched before. We were going to get her the Myka FSR, but the shock that comes on the comp is coil which doesn't work for her weight. 5 foot and 100 lbs. Was going to try to hunt down a Myka FSR Elite, but then she rode the Safire Comp. End of story regarding looking anymore.

 

[Mtb7884]

I am trying to choose between 2011 myka elite and Safire comp. I have a womens rockhopper and want to upgrade, but don't want it to be a struggle up hills as I am also small and lightweight. How does your wife find it up hill? Thanks!

 

[chong]

The Safire is a really nice bike, but unless they make it in some configuration I've missed its out of your budget at $2600 for the Comp. My wife is the same size as your gf (4'11" ~100lbs) and she loved the Safire when she demo'd it last month.

With that said she just made the decision to pull the trigger on a XXS Pivot Mach4 with X9 spec. Don't even bother looking at this bike if your $800 price point is serious (you'll cry).

 

[ecrepeau]

I am trying to choose between 2011 myka elite and Safire comp. I have a womens rockhopper and want to upgrade, but don't want it to be a struggle up hills as I am also small and lightweight. How does your wife find it up hill? Thanks!

I would say to go with the Safire comp. It comes with a better component set over the elite so it is lighter. Also, a big difference is going to be the front fork. The Myka Elite has the Recon Gold 100mm of travel where as the Safire has the Reba with 120mm of travel.

There is no way I would have been able to convince her to go with the myka elite after she rode the safire comp.

She climbs the same stuff on the safire that she did on her hard tail. Don't even get me started on how much better she like full suspension over the hard tail.

 

[mabelle]

Hi there, the best I can refer you is this bike:
Trek 2000WSD
Frame: Alpha™ SL Aluminum
Fork: OCLV Carbon Classic.
Wheels: Aurora
Components: Shimano 105 crank and Tiagra/105 9-speed shifting. Triple chainring.

I purchased this model last year and no regrets, it's a cool bike compare to my old used one; hope that it help.