[Bendette]

Today I rode a FS for the first time on the same trails that I had been riding on my Trek hardtail. What a difference, the first time out I was a bit tentative to see how the bike would handle and how to use the bike. And then the second and third trips out just kept getting better and better. I could climb the steepest parts in the first go where I had really struggled with my HT. God it was fun.

So I am borrowing a Turner 5 Spot which is a terrific bike, if a little too big for me. I'm thinking of buying a Yeti 575. Any thoughts on the Yeti or FS for a newbie?

 

[AZtortoise]

Today I rode a FS for the first time on the same trails that I had been riding on my Trek hardtail. What a difference, the first time out I was a bit tentative to see how the bike would handle and how to use the bike. And then the second and third trips out just kept getting better and better. I could climb the steepest parts in the first go where I had really struggled with my HT. God it was fun.

So I am borrowing a Turner 5 Spot which is a terrific bike, if a little too big for me. I'm thinking of buying a Yeti 575. Any thoughts on the Yeti or FS for a newbie?

Make sure it fits. That is the most important thing.

Yeti makes good bikes so if it fits go for it. I would suggest you try a few other brands, at least for comparison sake. Each bike brand is a little bit different.

Rita

 

[alaskarider]

I second that!

Try as many bikes as you can get your hands on, though I imagine that's easier to say than do in Kodiak. I rode a Titus Racer-X, a Santa Cruz Juliana, and a Trek Fuel before I decided on the Racer-X. (I also tried a Yeti and a Mini-Truth, but both were too big for me in the smallest size available.) I liked both the Racer-X and the Juliana, but wasn't very impressed with the Fuel.

As for fit, it's really hard to know exactly what's right for you until you have a lot of experience, which I'm inferring you don't since you call yourself a newbie. However, a good bike shop will be able to give you some guidance.

Good luck, and ask more questions as you come up with them!

 

[bikebike_blue]

Hey Alaska
What was the deciding factor for you to go with the X Racer and not the Juliana??

 

[alaskarider]

What was the deciding factor for you to go with the X Racer and not the Juliana??

It just felt a little bit more comfortable, which probably had more to do with my dimensions than anything inherent in the bikes.