MTB Suggestions?

[Cyclo Kitty]

Ok, I do have a little bit of a bike problem, but I think I could use a mountain bike, a basic XC bike. I like to ride trails and single track with my DH and DS.

DH rides a Kona Kula, DS rides a Fisher Galaxy (he's almost 9). The most succcessful off-road ride so far has been my San Jose, but I don't know that it can go quite the same places that DH and DS can go, being a single-speed cross bike. It's pretty fun off-road and feels better than my old Fisher Aquila, but I'm not crazy about doing this to my daily ride.

I've looked online and as far as I can tell, the Kona Caldera seems like a pretty reasonable answer to the "what bike is right/what bike can I afford?" question.

Any thoughts? The LBS carries CDale, Santa Cruz and some other brands (Felt, Bianchi, Fisher) but recently dropped Kona, though there are Kona dealers w/in 25 miles.

[Trekhawk]

Love my Santa Cruz Juliana.:)

[Cyclo Kitty]

A Juliana would be sweet! I ogle the picture in the Colorado Cyclist catalog with frequency! It seemed a little much...though when is a bike ever too much?? :D I do like the Chameleon.

[Ocultica]

Does your lbs have demo bikes? I really liked the Juliana, but not like the Cannondale Rush Fem.. I also really liked the Scalpel. I would not buy the Scalpel Fem. though, just get the Scalpel 2. The Fem is way overpriced for what you get.

[Cyclo Kitty]

I can test ride at the LBS, they're a Cannondale dealer. I generally stay away from the CDale Fem bikes as they tend to be on the small side for me and more $$.

[LBTC]

I loooove my Juliana! :o

[bcipam]

I went from a Specialize Stumpjumper M4 HT, a Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ to a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR to my new bike Santa Cruz Superlight.

All the bikes have plus and minuses. I still have the HT but I really love my Superlight (which is the same as the Juliana). It's the perfect XC bike. I did have a problem with the disc brakes (Avid Hydraulic) but it was repaired under warranty.

[onimity]

I have a Kona Cinder Cone and *love* it, so I am sure that the Caldera would be great...they are very similar bikes. Maybe check out the Kona Lisa HT too if Woman-specific bikes tend to work for you?

Anne