Frustration with finding a new MTB

[3weight]

Hi everyone! First off, let me say that I can't believe how wonderful and informative this forum is.....:)
I'm having a hard time finding a new mountain bike. I'm a roadie that has just gotten into mountain/XC riding and I love it. I'm currently riding a GT with no suspension and my body is taking a real beating. I'm ready to buy a full suspension bike but I don't want to spend a fortune. I tried the Santa Cruz Juliana (sp?) and I loved it but the largest frame they make for women (medium) felt too small. I've tried the Kona Kikapu Deluxe, the Gary Fisher Cake 3, and the Cannondale Rush 6 (?), Giant Trance, but they've all left something to be desired. I don't want to spend more than $2000.
I'm really getting frustrated with the whole process. Overall, I'm finding the WSD bikes to be more comfortable. Any suggestions/recommendations on some bikes in the $2000 range? Or should I bite the bullet, spend $3000+ and buy the last mountain bike I'll ever own?
Thanks so much,
Teresa :)

[mtngirl]

Have you tried the Santa Cruz Superlight, it's very much like the Juliana, but bigger? It's not a wsd, but i've heard a lot of good stuff about it. I just got a new Juliana a couple weeks ago and I love it. It sure beats the hell out of my old hardtail and it definitely cuts down on falls.

[tprevost]

Have you tried the Santa Cruz Superlight, it's very much like the Juliana, but bigger? It's not a wsd, but i've heard a lot of good stuff about it. I just got a new Juliana a couple weeks ago and I love it. It sure beats the hell out of my old hardtail and it definitely cuts down on falls.

I was going to say the same thing... the superlight is basically the same bike in a men's version. I just bought a juliana and I love it (not that I have a clue what I'm doing yet) so I would definately check out the medium superlight, its larger than the M juliana

Good Luck!

[tattiefritter]

When you say no suspension do you mean fully rigid or no rear ruspension? If fully rigid then you should be able to get a really good hardtail for a couple of thousand dollars.

If you mean no rear suspension and want full boinger then I would think that if you are too tall for the largest Juliana then you will have a good chance of finding a non-wsd bike to fit (and a good chance of getting hold of a demo bike as well). As well as the Superlight, there is the Blur which comes in a few variants, notably XC (short travel) and LT (long travel). I don't think the geometry is that radically different to the Juliana.

If you are going to spend some money then there is also Titus:

http://www.titusti.com/

Racer X: for lightweight racing,
MotoLite: All mountain allegedly (whatever that means).

They have a good article on women's fit:

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

[3weight]

Thanks for the help everyone!
I have a fully rigid hard tail already so that's why I'm thinking full suspension.
I really like the looks of the Titus bikes but no one in my area carries them so there's no chance to try them out. Also, if I get a Titus I won't get lifetime free adjustments/maintenance from my LBS (not a huge deal but something to consider). Any suggestions on Titus sizing? (I'm 5'9" 155 lbs) Does anyone have any experience with the Moto Lite?
I'll check into the Superlight. Sounds like a very good option.
All of these bikes far exceed my MTB skills at this point but hopefully they are bikes that, as I improve, I'll still be happy with in the long run. Overall, it looks like I'm going to have to fork over more dough than I originally thought to get what I want. I guess I'll just put getting a new road bike on hold for a while.
Thanks again for all the help!
Teresa :D

[bcipam]

Have you tried the Santa Cruz Superlight, it's very much like the Juliana, but bigger? It's not a wsd, but i've heard a lot of good stuff about it. I just got a new Juliana a couple weeks ago and I love it. It sure beats the hell out of my old hardtail and it definitely cuts down on falls.

I just brought the Superlight and have to say I am totally in love with this bike.

One thing to consider, the Santa Cruz top tube is very short. I'm not certain, unless you have really short arms, you need the WSD bike (Juliana). I also have a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and have to say this bike, although both are "medium" is way bigger than the Superlight. The top tube on the Spec is about 3 inches longer than the Santa Cruz.

Have you determined that you really need a WSD bike? If not, your options are definitely opened up. If you do need a WSD bike, Specialized makes an excellent range although watch the travel. The Stumpjumper is a 5" travel bike. The Superlight is 4" and I'm more comfortable with that.

[Crankin]

I have a Norco full susp. bike with 5" of travel. It is not wsd, but it is very comfortable. I am 5'1" and I got the small, not the extra small. It cost $1600. I don't think this brand is too common in the US, it's Canadian.
I am not a great mtb rider, but I really love the way the bike feels and it goes well over the rooty, muddy New England trails.

[SalsaMTB]

Keep Shopping!

There are so many bikes out there. You've tried a lot, but I wouldn't say it's time to buy an expensive bike without test riding. WSD may or may not be the thing for you, I wouldn't eliminate non-wsd, I would keep trying both until you have found something you like. Have you checked out KHS? They have a really good bang for the buck. The xc604 retails well under $2k and is a very well speced bike using the 4 bar suspension. I don't think the 07s have shipped yet, but if you were willing to wait a little bit, the 07 xc604 has an msrp listed at $1599 and has the horst link.

Also, remember that bikes can/should be fine tuned to you. While test riding one, if something doesn't feel right with the setup, talk to the shop and have them change it out! We do that all the time here. Someone wants to test ride a bike, we'll fit them to it, change stems, handlebars, etc and send them on their way. If there is anything that doesn't feel right, we'll try to fix it. So, if there is a shop you like, test rode a bike and felt something was off, have them change some parts and see if it feels better. That's part of the benefit of shopping at a lbs instead of online, they should be helping you with the fit on the test ride.

[Pebble]

Just to give you an idea I'm 5'7" and I'm happy on a regular 16" Trance. I imagine you would be a "medium" as far as most bikes go. And remember depending on what you are buying (trail or xc?) it's not going to feel like your road bike and the position etc will probably take some adjusting to even compared to the fully rigid.

SalsaMTB is right in saying that you may have to be perpared to adjust a few things - stem lenght, saddle, bar width etc to your liking. These sort of things can make a big difference.

Round up all the brands available in your area, look up the specs for the bikes in your price range, narrow it down and test ride as many as you can. I wouldn't restrict the choice to WSD.

The two you test rode (kona & giant) were on my shortlist as well. You could also try Specialized, Norco, Trek, etc.

[3weight]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm really interested in the Titus and the Santa Cruz bikes but since there aren't any Titus dealers nearby, I may go with the Santa Cruz. I need to check out the Superlight.
I'm not sold on a WSD bike; it just seems like they fit my body geometry a bit better sometimes (especially on road bikes). I'll likely not end up with a WSD mountain bike.
I wish I could be more patient......
Finding a new bike is like a full~time job! :rolleyes:
Thanks again!
Teresa :D

[Pebble]

Oooh yeah, I wasn't supposed to get mine untill about now, but in the end I was spending so much time researching and deciding over the options (I'm a bit of a research nut though) in the end I had to just go out and buy one so I could stop thinking about it! Probably didn't help that I sold my old hardtail first and then had to ride hubbys one that was too big and real uncomfortable (but better than nothing!).

[3weight]

bcipam (and anyone else that owns a SC Superlight)~
What size did you get?
Thanks!
Teresa :)

[trail_mommy]

Hi Teresa,
I'm also shopping for a bike and dh and I are both getting the Moto-Lite and there are no dealers here either but I've read nothing but amazing reviews so were going to go for it. We are the same height and weight and I'm getting a medium women's. I went to the competitivecyclist.com website and btw, they offer a 10% off military discount and dh is active duty :) They have a awesome sizing calculator and it put me at a medium. They will mail you a bike and let you try it for 7 days and give you a $100 credit if you buy a bike thru them too....but with the reviews I don't think I need a test drive...and neither does dh. ;)

[bcipam]

bcipam (and anyone else that owns a SC Superlight)~
What size did you get?
Thanks!
Teresa :)

I'm 5'8" - have a fairly evenly proportioned body (legs kindof long but not overly, arms alittle short, torso normal). I got the medium. The large was alittle bit of a stretch. Small, well way too small.

Like I said I also have a 2006 Spec. Stumpjumper FSR (which is for sale btw) which I also bought as a medium. The Spec has a long top tube and I was fairly stretched out on this bike. On downhill descents I couldn't get back off my seat enough. Probably did need a WSD model in the Spec (so something to remember if you test ride this bike) as the top tube is Longer, much longer. But the Superlight solved that problem. After riding the Spec for almost a year, the Superlight seems so small (still does alittle bit). I can now definitely get back off the seat.

I did like the 5" travel of the Spec, especially going downhill, but I just love the Superlight. It's a quick, responsive, comfortable bike to ride. It feels just like a hardtail climbing and the suspension is cushy going downhill. I really didn't need to buy another bike in 2006, but am glad I did. Plus I got a deal. The shop got in the wrong bike (customer ordered the 2007 and this was a 2006 bike although with all the 2007 component upgrades) and needed to move it. With the add on of a King Headset, I paid $1500 for the bike. Look for deals they are out there.

~ Pam

[3weight]

Thanks again for all the help, ladies!
I *think* I've narrowed it down to 3 frames~
Santa Cruz Superlight
Titus Racer X
Titus Moto Lite
All three of these bikes exceed my MTB skills, but I want to get the bike I really want now so I'm not out looking for a new bike in a year.
I've ridden the Santa Cruz. The problem is that I've never ridden either of the Titus bikes. They get great reviews and the specs look good, but there's not a Titus dealer in the state! I'm a bit nervous buying a frame without riding the bike.
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Teresa :)

[3weight]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........:rolleyes: )

[SalsaMTB]

I don't know much about titus, but I'm 5'8 and always ride a medium on bikes. What's your inseam?

Also, if you're looking at titus, you should also check out turner. They make great frames!

[bcipam]

3Weight... I can't imagine you would ride a small frame you are taller than me! Problem with the medium frame, as I discovered with my two bikes is not they can run alittle small and alittle large.

Bottom line you need to get a good fitting and be measured and then you adn the LBS need to compare top tube lengths to see what fits you both. Unless you have ungodly short arms (think T-Rex), the small frame will most likely be too small.

[kmdirtdiva]

I am selling a Gary Fisher Team Issue size 16 full suspension for $900 if you are interested.

[tprevost]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........:rolleyes: )

I got the medium juliana which is closer to the small superlight... I'm 5'6 but have a shorter torso and longer legs. I did consider the superlight when mine kept getting delayed but the standover height was a little tall for me.

I can't wait to see what you end up getting!

trac'

[tattiefritter]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........:rolleyes: )


I would suggest a small for you but I like my frames on the small side not everyone does. I have an XS MotoLite which I've had for about 18 months, all the good reviews are correct, it is an awesome bike. The only problem I had with it was lack of tyre clearance in the rear caused by the fact on the original models they used the rear end from the RacerX - this has been sorted on the newer frames and I got a new set of stays from Titus to correct mine. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it at all, slack head angle makes it very stable at speed, its very surefooted in all terrain and handles so well. The FSR suspension is very active and I found it quite bobby on climbs initially, this was due to the fact I had always ridden hardtails and needed to spin a bit more smoothly up stuff rather than push the way you can on a hardtail.

At 5ft 4 I am right at the top end height wise for the XS but I like my bike frames small and chuckable, as do most of the people I ride with. I run a lot of seatpost out on both my mtbs. My almost 6ft boyfriend always goes for a medium (about 17 or 18" frame) just to give you another sizing reference. As I remember from my search for a bouncer there was quite a jump in size between the XS and the S motolite, in particular the top tube was quite a bit longer (over an inch more) so there was no way I would have been happy on it. If I had been too big for the XS I would have had to find another bike to buy.

[3weight]

From the way it sounds, Titus bikes are sized smaller. (I would ride a medium SC but a small Titus.)
Bcipam~ I think you're right~ I need to get properly fitted first. We have a local SC dealer but not a Titus dealer.
Kmdirtdiva~ what size is the GF? Do you have any pics?
Thanks again everyone!
Teresa :)

[bcipam]

3Weight if you are interested - I have this bike for sale - a 2006 Spec. Stumpjumer FSR size medium, for $1100. I would box it up but you would have to pay for shipping. It also has a Hope seat post clamp and skewers (in red) not shown in photo:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/bcipam/TheNewBike005.jpg

[3weight]

Great looking bike, Bcipam! Thanks for the offer but I have a $1600 credit :eek: at a LBS that I'm going to use towards the new bike.
Cheers!
Teresa :)

[aquawife]

Thanks again for all the help, ladies!
I *think* I've narrowed it down to 3 frames~
Santa Cruz Superlight
Titus Racer X
Titus Moto Lite
All three of these bikes exceed my MTB skills, but I want to get the bike I really want now so I'm not out looking for a new bike in a year.

You are smart to get a bike that you'll grow into. No sense in buying something that you'll "outgrow" in a short amount of time.
I have friends that have the Titus RacerX and they love them. My hubby has a Santa Cruz Superlight and it rocks as well. You really can't go wrong with any of these bikes. I think the most important measurement is the top tube length. I'm getting a new bike (Specialized Epic) and I took measurements off of my Trek Fuel to figure out which size I needed. I looked at both the WSD and regular. The WSD was too short at the medium and too long at the large but the regular small was closest in top tube length to my Trek. I'll have a little more standover with the Spec than the Trek but that's fine. It's easier to raise a seatpost than to shorten the cockpit. You don't want to do too much crazy stuff to make the reach fit. I'd think that if you're going with a shorter than a 90mm stem and you have your seat jammed all the way forward then the TT is probably too long. But what to do I know?:p Make your LBS work for their money! Just make sure that in the end you feel very comfortable on the bike. There's nothing better at wrecking your confidence on the trail than feeling like there's something not right with your bike.
Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

A Small Titus Racer X sounds a bit small for your height. I am 5'2.5" with 28.5" inseam and ride an XS -- it fits fine. I could probably get away with an XXS and get more standover, but the top tube on the XS is perfect for me with a 10cm stem.

Good luck in your choice!

Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

I ride an xs Racer X, and it fits me really well, I am 5'3and 1/2. gotta have the 1/2 in there! I bought it for racing, a few of my nonracing friends have the Motolite.

My suggestions. Call Titus. There is an onle measurement thing that you can use, and they could probably help you.

It is an amazing bike, but expensive, and you probably want to get it right the first time.

Give them a call.

Good Luck,
Ruth

[3weight]

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! I loved the look/reviews of the Racer X but I was hesitant to get one because I couldn't test ride it first. So I went with the Santa Cruz Superlight. l should have it in a few weeks and when I get it I'll post pictures. I'm sooooo excited!
Thanks again for all the help!
Teresa :)

[tprevost]

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! I loved the look/reviews of the Racer X but I was hesitant to get one because I couldn't test ride it first. So I went with the Santa Cruz Superlight. l should have it in a few weeks and when I get it I'll post pictures. I'm sooooo excited!
Thanks again for all the help!
Teresa :)

Congrats on your new bike! I can't wait to see it when it comes in; I'm sure you will LOVE it! What color did you choose? My Juliana is white but BCIPam's superlight is this gorgeous blue color... it is really beautiful!

Enjoy and be sure to post pics as soon as it comes in!!!

trac'