29er??

[ellerie]

Ok.. I started mtn biking three years ago on my son's Kona and it's done the trick surprisingly well, but it's time for my own now. I'm 5'3" and am Looking at the GF Mamba WSD. Love the idea of the 29" wheels, but the bike shop isn't sure that standover room is sufficient. I didn't have all that much on the one I've been using, but it hadn't been an issue... They suggested the Trek 6000.
Thoughts? Other suggestions?

[Becky]

What's your inseam? I'm only an inch taller than you, but have a cycling inseam of ~33". For me, standover is never an issue :D If your legs are shorter than mine, standover could be a concern....

When I was test-riding 29ers, it became apparent that I had to be aware of the handlebar height and the saddle-to-bar drop. On some bikes, I couldn't get the bars low enough- felt like I was riding ape-hanger handlebars! That 29" front wheel really jacks up the whole front end! If you have short legs, I would pay close attention to saddle-to-bar drop. My bars are about as low as I can make them and they're still only a tiny bit lower than the saddle, despite all of my leg length.

I love my 29er, but I can see how fit could become problematic for someone shorter or proportioned differently than me.

[ellerie]

Sadly, my inseam is only about 29". That's definitely the sticking point. Thanks!

[Cataboo]

If you want something bigger than 26" - you could maybe try going for a 650b - you probably won't find anything stock, but a 29er is going to be pushing it I think.

I know I googled 29ers and short people a while ago and there were some people at 5'1 riding them - there's a whole thread of people's 29er build for short people on some website (I think I followed a link off here - so maybe search the forum for more 29er threads)

[SheFly]

You should definitely investigate this. I have a lot of friends in your height range who are riding 29ers and love them.

SheFly

[Becky]

Willow Koerber is only 5'2" and racing a 29er, so it can definitely be done with the right geometry.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-willow-koerbers-subaru-trek-trek-superfly-elite

[rocknrollgirl]

I am 5'3 and 1/2 and I am on a 29er. Salsa Mamacita. It depends on your geometry and the bike's. I do not have any standover room, but that does not bother me. What does bother me is that it is tough to bail off of when I need to. It is a long way to the ground for short people.:D

You may have to have one costum built, which would be pricey.

One thing I will tell you, is that for small women, you will need very light wheels and I would suggest going tubless. I started with stock wheels and had a hard time getting the bike to repsond because of the rotational mass of a heavy wheel.

We just upgraded to Stan's Crest tubeless and what a huge difference. It is like a new bike.
Good luck. I love mine.

[Irulan]

Many tiny women ride them and love them. My friend Collette is 4-11" and is one of them. There is much discussion of this (what brands, which frames etc) in the women's lounge at MTBR.com

http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=94

So few mountain bikes come with 650 wheel size it's hardly worth mentioning.

[LyndaW]

5'2" here with a 28" inseam. I love my 29er's. I have a Voodoo Zaka and a Lenz Milk Money single speed. When I stand over both of them I have about an inch of clearance wearing my cycling shoes - not much but it hasn't been an issue for me while riding.

I second the light wheels and tubless advice. Makes a big difference.

[ellerie]

Lots to take in!! Thanks. I'm going to call around and do some online homework! What did we do before the internet???

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm pretty average height, so shopping for a 29er wasn't too tough. I didn't get WSD because I have a long torso, but I still ended up shortening the stem a bit and taking a bit off the bars. I love that bike! I hope you find one you like. They are way too much fun!

Deb

[ellerie]

And the verdict is....
I really wanted a 29er. Finally gave up on GFs. Standover's too high. Discovered that Specialized was much smaller... actually too small in the wsd. Ordered a Rockhopper Pro today!! Wish I could have it NOW! Nothing within hours of us! Can't wait.

[ellerie]

Becky, what are you riding?

[Becky]

Becky, what are you riding?

Sorry, just saw this now...

My 29er is a Salsa El Mariachi, size small. Standover height is ~30", but I have some massive tires on there because it's full rigid and single speed. If I was running a suspension fork, I'd probably use a lower-volume tire, which would lower the standover a bit.

Glad to hear that you found a bike that will work! :)

[jessmarimba]

I kinda want to try a dos niner. Never got a bike when I was looking before and the doc might force me to ride FS. You alright with the salsa unisex fit?

[Becky]

I would love to try a Dos Niner! Also, Salsa just unveiled a new short-travel FS 29er at Interbike. It's called the Spearfish and has ~3" of travel.

Yep, the Salsa fit works well for me. Then again, I've never really needed a WSD. I can certainly ride a WSD bike (and do), but I've achieved a good fit without it too. Between having long legs and a preference for a somewhat agressive upper-body position, I may not be the best person to ask when it comes to fit....

[jessmarimba]

I wouldn't think I'd need WSD? I have long arms and a long torso. Or at least long arms and a long torso for my shoulder width, but I don't know if they're long for my height (as in, my shirts are always too short with sleeves that are too short). But the fit guy I'm working with keeps picking out women's bikes for me to try when I can ride again. I thought it was kind of weird, but he's not associated with any particular shop/brand so I think (hope) he'll eventually just give me a range of measurements to work with.

I'm in this weird quandary of wanting and needing to ride a bike to re-learn how to ride, but knowing that I can't really test one as aggressively as I'd probably need to figure out how it's really going to feel.

[Becky]

IME, guys tend to think that women belong on WSD because they've had it beaten into their brains by the bike industry. Then again, I'm the bike industry's idea of the perfect WSD rider, and I don't particularly like most WSD frames. A good chunk of it does come down to rider preference.

You know your body better than anyone else. Based on your description of yourself and your fit issues with clothing, I wouldn't put you on a WSD unless there were other bike fit issues that necessitated it.

Do you have a bike that you've owned/ridden and liked that you can use as a starting point for geometry/measurements? I've purchased a few bikes now based primarily on what their geometry charts said and the geometry charts of other bikes that I'd ridden, and done pretty well fit-wise. The Salsa was one of those purchases. As a caveat, this approach doesn't work for everyone....

Good luck! It's certainly a tough spot to be in...

[jessmarimba]

Do you have a bike that you've owned/ridden and liked that you can use as a starting point for geometry/measurements?

I wish I could say yes, but even if I had, my back has changed. It's going to heal with a 20-degree bend at the break and my balance and posture are all out of whack now. But hey, nothing like a completely fresh start! I'll probably pester you like crazy when I get to go pick a bike out for real :)

[Becky]

I sort of thought that you've been dealing with a pretty serious injury, but couldn't be sure....

Maybe that's why your fit guy is leaning towards WSD? This probably counts as one of those times where I'd look for a shorter reach than is "normal".

Heal well, heal quickly, and the bikes will be there when you're ready :)

[limewave]

IME, guys tend to think that women belong on WSD because they've had it beaten into their brains by the bike industry.

DH bought me a really nice WSD Trek Fueil mountain bike when we got married. I had not biked before, was just interested in trying it. I LOVE the bike, but I always find myself sitting off the back of the saddle.

I picked up a hard tail Trek 8000 which is not WSD and I couldn't believe how comfortable it was. My sit bones were right where they were supposed to be. I don't have to scooch forward and back constantly.

What a difference. Although, I still love my Trek Fuel. Heck, I love both my bikes.

[ellerie]

I wanted to get on a Salsa, but there were none to be had in a small frame within hours of me.

[jessmarimba]

Yeah, I'm very thankful that I'm in Denver and not my hometown. If I find the right shop, I can get just about any bike here. I just have to decide where to start!

[Becky]

If I find the right shop, I can get just about any bike here. I just have to decide where to start!

Can I shop vicariously through you? :D

[jessmarimba]

Becky I came soooo close to buying a Santa Cruz Blur today at Veloswap. It wasn't on my list of bikes but I fell hard for it when I saw it.

[Becky]

OMG! That is definitely on my list of wants, ever since I rode a friend's. Such a nice suspension design! You could do far worse than a Blur ;)

How's getting back on the bike going?

[jessmarimba]

Gonna try again tomorrow on the old mtb. I went for a run the other day and my back felt great but my ankles are pretty weak now so I've been hobbling around.

[Becky]

Yay! That's great news!

[blackhillsbiker]

Gonna try again tomorrow on the old mtb. I went for a run the other day and my back felt great but my ankles are pretty weak now so I've been hobbling around.

Glad you're healing! Keep us posted on the Great Bike Hunt.

Deb

[ellerie]

Ended up on a Specialized Rockhopper Pro. Love the 29er. Standover isn't as great as I'd expected, but feels fine. My biggest adjustment is that I've finally switched to clipless pedals. I was a whimp before!! Now I just fall, whine and keep going. Definitely worth it! Climbs great!

[jessmarimba]

Woohoo! Keep us posted :) I love the ability to climb on those bikes...it makes me feel invincible.

[blackhillsbiker]

I would love to try a Dos Niner! Also, Salsa just unveiled a new short-travel FS 29er at Interbike. It's called the Spearfish and has ~3" of travel.

They developed that bike after the Dakota-50. Friends of ours organize that race. They're really stoked about that bike. A few of them will be available here at the LBS. They're expected to sell out very quickly.

Deb