Woot! My Juliana just came in.

[Nick]

I've been waiting for the new Santa Cruz Juliana since May. She arrived today. What a beauty! This will be my first time riding full suspension and clipless, so I'll need lots of practice. After much research and deliberation, I decided to try the Crank Brothers Candy 3s and see how I do with them. Unfortunately, it's pouring rain today so I can't take her for an inaugural ride :(.

http://nicolamartinez.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Nicks-Juliana-July-2011.jpg

The folks at my LBS were wonderful in terms of helping me research, giving advice, and setting everything up for me. They did a starting fit and even taught me how to use the clipless -- I practiced on the trainer. I must say that they have superb service. Several staff members spent a lot of time with me from when I first started inquiring, to my initial order, through to the build and set up of the bike.

[indysteel]

Oooh, pretty! Let me know what you think of the bike. It's at the top of my short list of FS bikes. I'm riding a Specialized Myka HT that I actually like despite it having few bells and whistles. The Juliana would be a big step up.

[Nick]

Hi Mary Ann, I'll be sure to post updates! I considered the Myka when I was first researching entry level mtbs, but just didn't like the fit and feel when I tried one at the LBS. I found several reviews from women my size raving about their Juliana.That is what eventually led me to ordering the Juliana, even though no-one in this region carries one I could try. I had to buy sight unseen, but so far am happy with the decision. She felt great on the trainer. We'll see how she does on the trails...

[Catrin]

Congratulations on the new bike!

[Nick]

Thanks, Catrin! You've inspired me with all your recent adventures...

[bellissima]

Awesome bike! I love the color :)

[sgtiger]

Nick, I agree that it is a beautiful color. It looks like it'd be very fun to ride too. I can't wait to read your first ride report.

[Nick]

Thanks, ladies -- I agree that the color is really nice. It looks even better "live" than on the Santa Cruz website pics.

Well, my inaugural trip ride had a bad ending -- as you'll see from my other thread. This was my first time going clipless with the Candy 3 pedal, and I had a couple of falls, the second one being quite nasty. But, I think I'm OK. Bruises I can handle... So, this was all due to the pedals, at a near standstill, and not the bike's fault.

Once clipped in, smiles, the Juliana handles beautifully. I did my easy loops rather than the more challenging trails - in order to get a feel for the bike (and learn to ride clipless). The Juliana's twin brother is the Santa Cruz Superlight, and she certainly feels feather light compared to my hardtail (which isn't a heavy bike). She is very nimble and responsive -- I could feel the bike molding to cues from my core even before I made turns or nudged in a direction. I can feel a difference in the cornering and the handling from the Gary Fisher (which, though old, is a wonderful bike). Within one short loop around I felt comfortable in handling the bike.

It took me a couple of stops and investigation (following cables with my hands to find where they connect, lol) to figure out the gears -- the Gary Fisher uses a different type of switching mechanism. Once I knew what connected where, and realized that I had two switches per hand/gearset, I soon had her set her in comfortable gears. I didn't have much need for braking other than a couple of brief slow downs and my stops at the Jeep to practice clipping in and out (I did that between every loop). But, when I did brake they were remarkably silent and smooth.

It'll take me a while to get used to the "bouncier" feel of full suspension, as well as the additional height fs gives on the bike. And I'll have to see if I stick with clipless or go back to a flat pedal... All in all, really pleased with the Juliana. She was voted 2011 editor's choice of women's trail bike by Biking Magazine: http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/2011-best-mountain-bikes?page=0%2C3

[Catrin]

The color is just awesome, and she looks like she is tapping her front wheel in impatience to hit the trails :)

I've only ridden FS so have no idea how the ride compares with a good HT, but I have to say that I love my Jamis Dakar and I actually don't notice bouncing on it - other than when I am getting started and stopping. Granted, I am only on the very easiest of trails right now. All I notice is a very comfortable and very smooth ride regardless of surface. My LBS certainly has dialed in the suspension perfectly for me :)

For comparison's sake I rode my Gunner on some grass the other day (1.5 inch tires) and got rattled to death...very glad I am not using it for light mountain biking which I COULD since the only thing on that bike that isn't mountain is the road fork...

[Hound Dog]

Congrats on the Julianna. I have one and absolutely love it! Have fun!

[emily_in_nc]

Stunning color! Jealous! :D

[Ja Da Dee]

Congrats on your bike, she's a beauty!! I love my Juliana too!!