I think I am in love...

[Sheena]

IT all started with the dirt series bike camp when I demoed the womens specific Rocky Mountain Element bike. The difference between that bike and my hard tail was huge, and since then I have been researching different bikes for a future upgrade.

Yesterday I checked out the Specialized Safire Comp, and wow, it is such a nice bike. I wanted to take it home with me right away! I guess now it is just time to start saving some money!

I do have a couple of other bikes on my demo list, but a lot of the bike stores around here do not carry women's specific full-suspension bikes in small or extra-small. Of course, they will order whatever I want, as long as I agree to pay half up front.

 

[SnowHot]

IT all started with the dirt series bike camp when I demoed the womens specific Rocky Mountain Element bike. The difference between that bike and my hard tail was huge, and since then I have been researching different bikes for a future upgrade.

Yesterday I checked out the Specialized Safire Comp, and wow, it is such a nice bike. I wanted to take it home with me right away! I guess now it is just time to start saving some money!

I do have a couple of other bikes on my demo list, but a lot of the bike stores around here do not carry women's specific full-suspension bikes in small or extra-small. Of course, they will order whatever I want, as long as I agree to pay half up front.

Like skis, I have to ask, is there a reason you're sticking with a WS bike?

No matter what or why..............I'm stoked for you! Go git it!!!

 

[abc]

I'll wait for Sheena to respond her specific reason. But if I have to guess, it's finding small enough sizes to fit her.

In the bike's world, man's small is about women's medium. So if she's looking at women's small/x-small, we're talking about man's extra small or the non-existing man's extra-extra-small!

Many shops don't want to stock man's extra small. Never mind women's extra small. Bell curve issue. There're simply not as many potential customers in those sizes.

So, I'm guessing her chance of finding man's extra small is really not very good. But her chance of finding at least women's small is a little better.

 

[Sheena]

Like skis, I have to ask, is there a reason you're sticking with a WS bike?

No matter what or why..............I'm stoked for you! Go git it!!!

The geometry of the WS bike is better for me, I notice a difference immediately when I get on them. I have tried mens small bikes and just feel a bit stretched, even though its not an issue with pedaling, etc. Yesterday, I also tried out some Giant FS bikes, and tried a WS and the "mens" version, and I just felt better, and more comfortable in all biking positions - seated, standing over the sadle, etc. With the WS I felt more relaxed and could get my legs in a nice relaxed position while in nuetral pedal position - something I noticed when I demoed the WS Rocky Mountain Element for the day - going downhill over more technical terrain, I felt way more comfortable, and was able to get into proper position easier.

The WS bike was also different in terms of the positioning of the breaks/shifters. I can easily reach the breaks, and my hands feel like they are in a more comfortable position.

I guess the WS may not be for everyone, but I am very short - 5'0, so the proportions of the WS work very well for me.

This is interesting write up on the Titus site: https://www.titusti.com/08/custom/wfit.php

 

[SnowHot]

The geometry of the WS bike is better for me, I notice a difference immediately when I get on them. I have tried mens small bikes and just feel a bit stretched, even though its not an issue with pedaling, etc. Yesterday, I also tried out some Giant FS bikes, and tried a WS and the "mens" version, and I just felt better, and more comfortable in all biking positions - seated, standing over the sadle, etc. With the WS I felt more relaxed and could get my legs in a nice relaxed position while in nuetral pedal position - something I noticed when I demoed the WS Rocky Mountain Element for the day - going downhill over more technical terrain, I felt way more comfortable, and was able to get into proper position easier.

The WS bike was also different in terms of the positioning of the breaks/shifters. I can easily reach the breaks, and my hands feel like they are in a more comfortable position.

I guess the WS may not be for everyone, but I am very short - 5'0, so the proportions of the WS work very well for me.

This is interesting write up on the Titus site: https://www.titusti.com/08/custom/wfit.php

The WS bikes I've tried have made me feel compact, which is probably why I like the unisex bike with my longer torso and yet, my hands are small enough that I usually have to have some customizing done for the handlebars.

I love threads like this where the user knows enough to know her own body and what piece of equipment fits, and gives the right feedback!.

Sheena, did I mention, I'm stoked for you!!?

 

[altagirl]

Just FYI - the brakes and shifters are exactly the same on women's and men's bikes.

The difference is in setup. And while some low end brakes don't have all the same adjustments, basically all of them have a throw adjustment where you can use a little allen wrench to bring the levers in so you can reach them with shorter fingers. So the difference you're feeling there is just that on the women's bikes, someone took the time to set them up for smaller hands.

Unfortunately, there used to be some smaller diameter bars and grips, but from what I understand they have been discontinued.

The geometry of the bike is often different though, and that can help a lot.

 

[Sheena]

Just FYI - the brakes and shifters are exactly the same on women's and men's bikes.

The difference is in setup. And while some low end brakes don't have all the same adjustments, basically all of them have a throw adjustment where you can use a little allen wrench to bring the levers in so you can reach them with shorter fingers. So the difference you're feeling there is just that on the women's bikes, someone took the time to set them up for smaller hands.

Unfortunately, there used to be some smaller diameter bars and grips, but from what I understand they have been discontinued.

The geometry of the bike is often different though, and that can help a lot.

Intersting about the positioning. I have so much to learn about bikes. I did read some about the bike geometry, and been comparing the different bikes to the geometry of my current bike. I definitely felt less "stretched" on the WS bikes then my HT I have now. The shorter top tube seems to make the biggest difference.

 

[BackCountryGirl]

Sheena is spot-on. The difference between WS and men's bikes is the length from the saddle to the handle-bar post. That explains the feeling that us short people have feeling "stretched" on men's bikes and that tall people have feeling too "compact." I've had two different Trek WS bikes over the years and they work for me. So do WS backpacks. I tend not to ski on WS skis (too much chatter)or use WS tennis rackets (no need for the extra power). That's why it is so important to find a good shop for whatever equipment you're out to get -- a place that can fit you and diagnose what you're going to need.

 

[altagirl]

You should check out the Transition Syren I have as far as that fit goes if you're looking for something a little longer travel. The fit sounds like what you're looking for - but it might be more suspension than you want right now.

 

[abc]

Unfortunately, there used to be some smaller diameter bars and grips, but from what I understand they have been discontinued.

I had them but I dislike them. So I had them changed out into regular (riser) bars. Granted, I'm not exactly tiny.

The shop was very good at giving me the regular bar. But I know they really can't sell the small diameter bars so they have to eat the expense.

 

[Consuela]

I do have a couple of other bikes on my demo list, but a lot of the bike stores around here do not carry women's specific full-suspension bikes in small or extra-small. Of course, they will order whatever I want, as long as I agree to pay half up front.

Ooooh! What else do you have on your demo list? Have you also considered Santa Cruz Juliana or the Giant Cypher?

 

[Little Lightning]

Titus Bicycles has an article about women's frames or what women riders need to look for in a bicycle.

https://www.titusti.com/womensfit.html

I have a Titus Racer X and for a stock frame it fits like a glove, I'm 5'1". Mine is an XS and they also have an XXS. When I bought it in 03 they were one of the few companies that made a mtn bike with the steep seat tube angle. If you have a short femur that sta is an important consideration to get your knee positioned properly over the pedal.

Be sure that the LBS you buy from also does bike fittings, more than setting your saddle height. Good fit is the single most important aspect of buying a bike.

 

[Sheena]

Ooooh! What else do you have on your demo list? Have you also considered Santa Cruz Juliana or the Giant Cypher?

Both of those are on my list. At one of the LBS in my town, they don't have any in stock for me to test ride (of course, they will order it for me if I pay half up front..., I guess I see their point, but makes me grrrrrrrrrr).

Tonight, I am going to check out the Santa Cruz Juliana.

So far my list:

1) Rocky Montain Element (Ladies only version)
2) Giant Cypher
3) Specialized Safire Comp - I loved this bike!
4) Specialized Myka
5) Trek Fuel EX 5.5 (WSD) - this felt a little heavy to me.
6) Santa Cruz Juliana - trying this one tonight!

The new bike purchase will be a little bit further down the road, but as far as I am concerned, it is never too early to start researching. I still go back and forth on where I want to take my riding. There are days when I love love love the downhill portion of the trails, and think I would love to learn more technical downhill skills. And then there are other days when I love smooth, flowing, long trails, and think I would love to do nothing other than that.

Unfortunately, I have neither the space nor the money for multiple bikes for my ever changing moods!

 

[abc]

I still go back and forth on where I want to take my riding. There are days when I love love love the downhill portion of the trails, and think I would love to learn more technical downhill skills. And then there are other days when I love smooth, flowing, long trails, and think I would love to do nothing other than that.

Fortunately, those are not mutually exclusive.

A decent x-c full suspension bike will let you enjoy the smooth flowing single tracks and still bomb it down when the trail tilts in your favor! Better yet, you can even climb back up it! So, whichever way the trail tilts, you'll have a blast!

Just don't get any of the really "racy" x-c geometrys, or a sherman tank reincarnated downhiller. You'll be in business with anything in between. Different geometry have different bias. As long as you don't go too extreme, you'll soon get used to it and forget about all that fuss.

A bit more pricy, the Santa Cruz Blur LT, build with lightweight x-c components, will be wicked light for the climb yet cruise-ship stable bombing down. At least that's what I'm told by a dealer (and it does make sense). Sorry, I'm a bit bias towards Santa Cruz. I have a Juiliana and quite enjoyed it. But it's time to move up...