[AzKennedy]

Help!
I am getting ready to buy a new bike (hopefully this weekend) and I have it narrowed down to a Specialized Myka, Specialized Pitch, or Gary Fisher Caliber 29er. I am about 5'6, 130# and was a decent intermediate rider but haven't ridden in a year after a wreck resulting in a shoulder injury. I have been reading reviews and opinions for a week solid and still can't decide what would be best for me. I am not super concerned about weight but do want a lighter bike....
Opinions, facts, tips..?

 

[eatdrinkride]

Do you plan on riding chunkier stuff? The Myka is a HT right? For the upper SoMo type trails the Pitch would seem to be the much better option, not that people don't ride hardtails up there, I'm just saying...the cush is nice and I'm betting it has much slacker geometry. A big help with the roll-offs and tech stuff.

As far as the 29er goes, have you thrown a leg over that bike? Some 29'ers can feel like a clown bike to us shorties. Get a ride on it first.

The Pitch is my vote without knowing anything about your intended purpose with the bike. It's just more my style. For dedicated xc riding the others might be a better option. Give some details on what you plan to ride and you'll get better input.

On an aside. Isn't that Myka a sub $500 bike? My $500 Trek HT weighed more than my current Yeti with nearly 6'' of travel on both ends.

 

[Grave9]

If my hands were tied and I had to pick one it would be the Pitch, but that's for myself. TEST RIDE. It's not a 100% foolproof but it helps a TON in picking the right bike.......Drew

 

[Fletch 1]

Assuming you are looking at the FSR Myka but not knowing what component level you are considering. And based on your height I would approach the 29er with caution unless you have ridden one before. I would look at the Pitch! Best bet it rent or get a loaner for the weekend before you pull the trigger and buy one.

 

[eatdrinkride]

A quick derailment:

Grave, I revisted that rock-gap-pinch-flat asking move below the Waterfall today with intentions on giving it a go, after seeing pics of you hitting it. NO freak'n way. I thought it would look easier this time around but it looked worse. Hell, my rear wheel can almost get stuck in that gap. You're just nuts :thumbsup: :madman:

 

[Stumpy29er]

I may be wrong, but I think that the Myka is a womens geometry, basically a female version of a Rockhopper, just as the Safire is basically a female geometry version of a Stumpjumper.

 

[Cenobite39]

A quick derailment:

Grave, I revisted that rock-gap-pinch-flat asking move below the Waterfall today with intentions on giving it a go, after seeing pics of you hitting it. NO freak'n way. I thought it would look easier this time around but it looked worse. Hell, my rear wheel can almost get stuck in that gap. You're just nuts :thumbsup: :madman:

I keep wanting to do the gap also but my big @ss bends rims on canal rides so I think I will just stick with calling it "GRAVE GAP" and let drew have it. Cheaper that way!

 

[AzKennedy]

OK. Good point about including the kind of riding I like to do. I ride trail 100 the most often since it is right by my house. I am not a super aggressive rider or anything but take drops here and there and like to fly downhills when the opportunity arises.
Anyway, the Myka I am looking at is the FSR comp-full suspension, although there is a Myka HT. It is a women's geometry bike and I am wondering if it is going to be some amazing fit since I have never ridden a female specific bike before but who knows.
I have ridden a 29er of a friends on a short ride years ago when they 1st came out. I have just read all this stuff about them rolling over everything so much nicer and climbing better and more control in the slow areas. They look fun too but you may have a point about feeling like a clown bike. Hmmm.. The Pitch is what I am leaning towards without riding but I am trying them all out tomorrow to see what feels best. I have read the Pitch is about 30# off the floor. anyone know if that is accurate?
I hope it doesn't pour all weekend. I hope to have a new bike to try out!:thumbsup:

 

[latedropbob]

Pitch, Pitch, Pitch!!! I've seen my buddy put his through hell and back. Specialized warranty doesn't hurt either. It'd be a great bike for t100 and pretty much everything else in the state. I've even seen him take it to Sunrise and other lift assisted parks and shuttle's the heck out of it when his DH bike was under repair. He also pedals up Natty like crazy and cruises DC on it as well...I think you'll likey

Here's a vid of me following the pitch on a jump trail in Jackson Hole this last summer:

 

[Stumpy29er]

I keep wanting to do the gap also but my big @ss bends rims on canal rides so I think I will just stick with calling it "GRAVE GAP" and let drew have it. Cheaper that way!

I can make you some solid wheels, we'll just fill your tires with helium to offset the weight gain.

 

[AzKennedy]

Thanks for the video Bob. Looks like a blast! I am leaning toward the Pitch even more this morning. Especially since I got up at 6am to go meet the guy with the GF 29er ( to accomodate his schedule today) and he shows up with 2 completly flat tires. REALLY!? Uh....*&^$%*^%$^!
I have been talking to this guy all week about checking out his bike and he shows with 2 flats and says he "couldn't find the adapter to put air in the tires" for a test drive. :madmax:
Whatever guy~ best of luck selling it to someone else.

Off to check out the Pitch and Myka today. I think maybe i'll just stick with specialized...

 

[randyharris]

Do your best to try and go test ride each one, specs can help you form a factual opinion, but that's no substitute for some saddle time.

 

[DirtChump]

Pitch

Go with the pitch, my buddy is selling his and it's brand new, and it's a medium and has never been offroad.

He also has a brand new Myka and it has never been offroad.

Call Jerome @ 480-228-5346 located in Gilbert. :thumbsup:

 

[DurtGurl]

Pitch!!! ...and I'm even a lover of 29ers.

 

[big0mike]

Without hesitation I would say Pitch! I just bought one. You will most likely have to get the front fork overhauled almost immediately (unless it's used and it's already been fixed) due to an issue that Rock Shox knows about but apparently can't fix before distribution. Besides that I feel like there's nothing the bike can't ride. Me, on the other hand, there's lots I can't ride.