Inexpensive mountain bikes

[goldfinch]

I am casually looking for an inexpensive mountain bike that would be more suitable than my Cannondale Quick for ratty dirt roads, fire roads, and some non-technical mountain bike trails. I had put knobby tires on my Quick and have used it. Now I find that the tires have been rubbing on my fork and have removed paint down to the carbon. :( A full suspension seems over the top for my needs, pricey, and difficult to find for someone 4'11" tall with a short reach. So, I am looking at hardtail bikes.

My standover is about 27.5" but I have very short arms. My Quick has a 50.5 effective top tube, which is pretty good.

So far I have found:

Specialized Myka Sport (maybe disc) that comes in a 13" size, 52.5cm top tube, and about 25.6" on standover, at $630. Or I could go as low as their non-disc, nonsport version at $470.

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/9394?$Display$
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=12MykaHT&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

Specialized Jett Comp, also in a 13" size, 53cm top tube (getting to be a bit much), with bout 25.6" on standover, but kind of pricey at $1250:
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/9552?$Display$
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62145&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

Jamis Trail X2, with a 12" size, 52.1cm top tube, 25.27" standover, and inexpensive at $475, but kind of unattractive:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/images/bikes_page/2012_bikes_page/12_trailx2l_wh.jpg
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/hardtails/trailx/12_trailx2f.html

A bit more out of the box, a kids mountain bike with a 12" frame, 49cm Top tube and 24 inch wheels, a Kona Kula at $949:
http://www.konaworld.com/images/bikes/med/kula_2-4.jpg
http://www.konaworld.com/kids.cfm?content=kula_2-4

Bikes direct has a number of possibilities in their Motobecane brand, with 52cm top tubes, and acceptable stand over at 26", but most seem to be sold out and the ones I originally looked at are now gone.

Thoughts?

EDIT: None of the bike shops within 100 miles of my current location have any of these bikes in the small size I am looking at. This has long been a problem of mine, nothing to try out. :(

[laura*]

My Quick has a 50.5 effective top tube, which is pretty good.

So far I have found:

Specialized Myka Sport ... 52.5cm top tube

Specialized Jett Comp ... 53cm top tube

Jamis Trail X2 ... 52.1cm top tube

49cm Top tube ... a Kona Kula

Motobecane ... 52cm top tubes

What are the seat tube angles on these frames? You need to normalize the ETT by the differences in STA.

[goldfinch]

What are the seat tube angles on these frames? You need to normalize the ETT by the differences in STA.

Thanks. Here is the data:

Specialized Myka Sport ... 52.5cm top tube, STA 74 degrees

Specialized Jett Comp ... 53cm top tube, STA 73 degrees

Jamis Trail X2 ... 52.1cm top tube, STA 74 degrees

49cm Top tube ... a Kona Kula, STA 73 degrees

Motobecane ... 52cm top tubes, STA 73 degrees

So, only one degree difference. Does it matter?

[goldfinch]

I see that my well fitting Cannondale Quick has a seat tube angle of 76 degrees to go with the 50.5cm top tube. How does that compare with these other bikes?

[laura*]

I see that my well fitting Cannondale Quick has a seat tube angle of 76 degrees to go with the 50.5cm top tube. How does that compare with these other bikes?

Nominally, one degree of change in the STA results in 1cm change in the effective top tube. The exact number depends upon the seat tube length, so for smaller bikes, the ETT change will be slightly less.

Your 76 degree 50.5cm Quick is equivalent to:

75 degrees 51.5cm
74 degrees 52.5cm
73 degrees 53.5cm

Thus, the Myka is the same length as your Quick, and the others actually a bit shorter except for the Kula which is a lot shorter.

[goldfinch]

Nominally, one degree of change in the STA results in 1cm change in the effective top tube. The exact number depends upon the seat tube length, so for smaller bikes, the ETT change will be slightly less.

Your 76 degree 50.5cm Quick is equivalent to:

75 degrees 51.5cm
74 degrees 52.5cm
73 degrees 53.5cm

Thus, the Myka is the same length as your Quick, and the others actually a bit shorter except for the Kula which is a lot shorter.

Thanks, that is extremely helpful to me!

[Loraura]

I'd say stay away from the 24 inch wheels unless you are really good at front wheel lifts. The larger the wheel circumference, the higher obstacle you can "roll over" rather than have to lift the wheel and place it on top.

For illustration purposes, think of a kids bike tire perpendicular to a curb. See where the curb hits the tire? like halfway up! It's not going to roll over that. It's going to smack into it and stop.

Now think of a tractor tire perpendicular to that curb. The curb is WAY at the bottom, and the tire would roll over the curb like it's barely there.

[Irulan]

second stay away from kids bikes. There are plenty of small frame options out there for petite/tiny women. If your lbs doesn't understand this, find another one. They even make 29"ers for tiny frames.

[Trek420]

A bit more out of the box, a kids mountain bike with a 12" frame, 49cm Top tube and 24 inch wheels, a Kona Kula at $949:
http://www.konaworld.com/images/bikes/med/kula_2-4.jpg
http://www.konaworld.com/kids.cfm?content=kula_2-4

What about the Kona Tika, their lowest priced WSD?
RockShox XC 28 fork
Shimano Acera drivetrain
Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
Kona women’s saddle
$755 USD

http://www.konaworld.com/womens.cfm?content=tika

[goldfinch]

Yeah, the Tika and the Durango are too high on the standover. Nice bikes.

I did decide that the kids bike wasn't a good idea. I am leaning towards the Myka or Jett. I am going to be in Minneapolis in a few weeks and have tracked down a Myka to try out.

[goldfinch]

Well, this is frustrating. Back last spring I tried the 13" Jett Comp, with 26 inch wheels, and the 13" Myka, also with 26 inch wheels. I liked the light Jett the best but the higher price put me off. I decided to wait until later in the year and see if I could pick up a cheaper one. Or, just give in and pay the extra.

Can't find any 13" closeouts. And, the Jett is no longer made with the 26 inch wheels and 13" frame.

I am bummed.

They also changed the geometry on the Myka line.

[TrekDianna]

Have you looked at a Trek Skye? I have a 14 inch and it took a lot of test riding to find a comfortable bike.

[indysteel]

FWIW, the top tube on my mountain bikes, even when taking into consideration the differences in HTA are longer in the TT than my road/touring bikes.

I have the Myka in the non-disc version. It would be fine for your purposes unless you ride in wet conditions a lot. My only complaint with the componentry (I'd have to check to see if this year's model is the same is mine) is that it was VERY hard to shift between chainrings. Going from bigger to smaller was fine, but smaller to bigger was very hard.

[Bethany1]

Darn. My daughter has the pink/black Myka that came out last year or year before but when I checked it's a 19. She never uses it, probably because the lady didn't know what she was doing and being new, neither did I when it came to size. I would happily sell it to you if it fit. Hers is the basic model though, Suntour fork and basic components.

[goldfinch]

Have you looked at a Trek Skye? I have a 14 inch and it took a lot of test riding to find a comfortable bike.

The 13 inch Skye's with the better components have too high a standover. The ones with a more step through frame are kind of bottom end on components. I have tired of bottom end components.

[thekarens]

I recently bought a Trek 820 wsd, which comes in a 13. It was $350, but it is very basic. My partner got the Sky and paid $400.

[goldfinch]

Darn. My daughter has the pink/black Myka that came out last year or year before but when I checked it's a 19. She never uses it, probably because the lady didn't know what she was doing and being new, neither did I when it came to size. I would happily sell it to you if it fit. Hers is the basic model though, Suntour fork and basic components.

I need a thirteen, 19 is too big. Too bad!

[goldfinch]

I'd say stay away from the 24 inch wheels unless you are really good at front wheel lifts. The larger the wheel circumference, the higher obstacle you can "roll over" rather than have to lift the wheel and place it on top.

For illustration purposes, think of a kids bike tire perpendicular to a curb. See where the curb hits the tire? like halfway up! It's not going to roll over that. It's going to smack into it and stop.

Now think of a tractor tire perpendicular to that curb. The curb is WAY at the bottom, and the tire would roll over the curb like it's barely there.

I am taking this to heart. I also thought about a Terry but the mountain bikes in my size have 24 inch wheels.

[TrekDianna]

The 13 inch Skye's with the better components have too high a standover. The ones with a more step through frame are kind of bottom end on components. I have tired of bottom end components.

Hmmm I have a Skye SL disc wsd. How tall are you? I am 5"1 with very short legs. The 2013's look much different from the 2012's. Have you checked for any 2012's around?

[indysteel]

I wouldn't rely on published specs when it comes to standover because it depends on where they measure it along the top tube. If you could actually try one out, that would be ideal.

Beyond that, does Giant have anything that would work?

[goldfinch]

Hmmm I have a Skye SL disc wsd. How tall are you? I am 5"1 with very short legs. The 2013's look much different from the 2012's. Have you checked for any 2012's around?

I am 4'11". Almost. :)

[goldfinch]

I wouldn't rely on published specs when it comes to standover because it depends on where they measure it along the top tube. If you could actually try one out, that would be ideal.

Beyond that, does Giant have anything that would work?

Yeah, trying out is tough. I drove nearly 200 miles to try out the Myka and Jett and then didn't act. I do regret that. I didn't see anything from Giant that would work. Nor Cannondale.

[ridebikeme]

I would also recommend that you look at Cannondale. They have some great closeouts happening at the moment, both in the unise and womens models. FWIW, for 2013 many companies have dropped the number of 26" wheel mtn bikes that they will offer, so 2012 might simply give you more choices!

Good luck in your search!

[TrekDianna]

I am 4'11". Almost. :)

I looked again at the Trek site and if you can find a 2012 Skye SL, you might want to try that. They are much different and standover is great for me.

[ridebikeme]

A suggestion that I would have would be to take a look at Cannondale. They're having some great sales right now, and you just might be able to buy a more expensive bike within your budget. They have unisex models and some WSD models on sale!

Good luck in your search!

[goldfinch]

I looked again at the Trek site and if you can find a 2012 Skye SL, you might want to try that. They are much different and standover is great for me.

I'll see what I can find. Thanks for the tip!

[goldfinch]

A suggestion that I would have would be to take a look at Cannondale. They're having some great sales right now, and you just might be able to buy a more expensive bike within your budget. They have unisex models and some WSD models on sale!

Good luck in your search!

Too tall on the stand-over. :(

[TigerMom]

How about an XS Santa Cruz Juliana? I know that it is a full suspension and not a hardtail, but it should fit you. As for the price, you can always consider used or prior year models.

___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Irulan]

Keep looking. I ride with two gals under 5'. Neither of them ride 24" wheels; in fact I never hears of that until now. The one gal is a MD and has a stable that included a 29er. Giant makes some offerings....so keep looking.

[goldfinch]

I looked at the specs on the Santa Cruz Juliana and the standover seems a bit iffy. No way to try to know it it would work.

Giant has nothing small enough. In fact, one of their lines for women has an extra small with a 30.9 standover. Criminal to call that extra small!

Trek's bikes include a Cali which may work, it has a reasonable reach at 36.5 and a reasonable standover at 65.8. I am a bit concerned because it is a 29'er. I would rather have 26 inch wheels for maneuverability.

The Myka probably is my best bet but I hate, hate the color on this year's model on the top of the line 26 inch Myka. I do not want dingy gray. So, I would have to accept lesser components for a better color. The Trek seems like a better bike.

Wish I could find someplace to try one. I still wish I could find last year's models on anything. No one seems to have any in Minnesota that I can find.

[TrekDianna]

The Myka probably is my best bet but I hate, hate the color on this year's model on the top of the line 26 inch Myka. I do not want dingy gray. So, I would have to accept lesser components for a better color.


Where did you see the dingy gray? I am buying a 2013 Myka Elite disc 29er that is charcoal/purple. The Myka 26 is the same color scheme. Did you see it in person or just reading off the website?

[indysteel]

I ride a small Juliana and have a 29.5 inch inseam. I don't have a ton of clearance. I vaguely recall that the XS Juliana's standover height isn't much lower. I'd be hard pressed to believe it would work. Plus, it's not what I would call inexpensive.

[Catrin]

I test rode a 15 inch Jamis Dakota when looking for a FS mtb last year. The 15 inch Dakota has extremely similar geometry to the 13 inch FS Jamis Dakar that I purchased. You might want to consider the Dakota, the price point wasn't bad at all (at least for 2012). My inseam is very close to yours, though you might need to go larger than the 15 inch frame as I require a shorter reach than others. I thought the Dakota was a decent entry level HT with a decent price.

[TigerMom]

Where did you see the dingy gray? I am buying a 2013 Myka Elite disc 29er that is charcoal/purple. The Myka 26 is the same color scheme. Did you see it in person or just reading off the website?

I concur with TrekDianna. I saw the 2013 Myka Elite disc 29er in person at my LBS. It was a really pretty shade of charcoal/purple. Hopefully, you will be able to see one/try one in person. As a 5ft 1in lady with short legs/long torso/long arms, I know how hard it is to find bikes that fit.

___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[goldfinch]

Where did you see the dingy gray? I am buying a 2013 Myka Elite disc 29er that is charcoal/purple. The Myka 26 is the same color scheme. Did you see it in person or just reading off the website?

Off the website, I am encouraged that it looks more purple in real life! Thanks! Online it looked terrible.

[TrekDianna]

Off the website, I am encouraged that it looks more purple in real life! Thanks! Online it looked terrible.

Well...since I bought it and it's currently in my garage, I will see if I can get a picture of it in the daylight tomorrow and post it.

[goldfinch]

Well...since I bought it and it's currently in my garage, I will see if I can get a picture of it in the daylight tomorrow and post it.

Can you give us a review of the bike too? And thanks for setting me straight on the color. :)

[TrekDianna]

15369

No sun here today, but this is at least a photo of the color in the daylight. The gray is really a charcoal and it's metallicy. It's the Specialized Myka elite disc (WSD) 29er. I actually have plenty of standover! The bike itself is great so far. I took it out on the same 7 mile loop I do when I want to get some quick riding in after work. More than 5 miles of this loop are climbing and it's old logging road through the forest and up over a ridge. I stopped 4 times to adjust the saddle until I got it exactly where I wanted it and even with all those stops, this one was more than a minute faster than my usual loop time on my 26in -- I did notice a difference on some of the dips, they weren't quite as dippy. Since I've only taken it out once, I can't really review the cornering etc compared to my trek 26in. I might take it out on a longer ride today if I can get rid of the darn headache I woke up with this morning.

[Catrin]

Very nice, and I love the color! Of course, I AM partial to purple and purple accents ;) Congratulations and it sounds like the two of you will have a very nice honeymoon :)

[goldfinch]

OK, I have narrowed it down to the Myka that TrekDianna has, but with 26 inch wheels, and the Trek Cali, which is only offered as a 29'er but has a geometry that should fit me. Now to try to find a Cali to try out. Then I have to think about where I will be riding most and what bike will work best for that type of riding, if both fit.

EDIT: Can't find Cali's anywhere. I wonder if they are too new to be in the shops. None in Minneapolis.

[TigerMom]

OK, I have narrowed it down to the Myka that TrekDianna has, but with 26 inch wheels, and the Trek Cali, which is only offered as a 29'er but has a geometry that should fit me. Now to try to find a Cali to try out. Then I have to think about where I will be riding most and what bike will work best for that type of riding, if both fit.

EDIT: Can't find Cali's anywhere. I wonder if they are too new to be in the shops. None in Minneapolis.

I can't wait to see your final decision!
___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

[goldfinch]

I can't wait to see your final decision!
___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

Hey, I can't either! I am traveling back to Minnesota at the beginning of October and will talk to my favorite LBS then. They sell both Treks and Specialized bikes so they should be able to give me a good idea on what will work.

I do envy your Juliana, I'd love that bike. Give us an update on bunny hopping!

[TigerMom]

Hey, I can't either! I am traveling back to Minnesota at the beginning of October and will talk to my favorite LBS then. They sell both Treks and Specialized bikes so they should be able to give me a good idea on what will work.

I do envy your Juliana, I'd love that bike. Give us an update on bunny hopping!

The videos that Irulan found for me helped greatly!!! I copied myself from my bunny hopping thread (see below). Now, I just have to figure out how to lift the back end of my bike for the full bunny hop because I refuse to go clipless due to safety reasons.


Holy Crap! TE forums work miracles.

I tried both front wheel lift methods. The first method did not work for me. The second video with Allison Dunlap's method works great.

I actually lifted my front wheel 3 inches off of the ground (inconsistently but frequently)!!!!!!

Now I just have to work on the timing. Once I get my timing down, I'm ready to try the foam noodle and then a curb.

When I get the front wheel lift technique down, I will try to do the bunny hop. In fact, I'm going to see if I can change the title of this thread to front wheel lift. Sigh. I just tried to edit the title, but I am unable.
___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

[Irulan]

Google rear wheel lift mountain bike on you tube. It's easy to cheat on proper technique with clips, but quite doable with flats. Observe bringing the hips forward, the downward pressure on the pedals, and then the change of the angle of the foot and pedal pressure to bring the back of the bike up.You are almost "clawing" the pedal with your feet.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=228VaCj5R2o

[Irulan]

combine the two for a bunny hop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNrZViK8TN8

edit : you tube is great for mtb tutorials.

[TigerMom]

Irulan is so kind to provide me rear wheel lift and bunny hopping techniques.

I did practice them.

My problem regarding the bunny hopping is....

How do I switch my backward lean in the front wheel lift to leaning forward for the rear wheel lift in a smooth quick motion (I feel like I am not able to switch my body positions quick enough)? Also, I feel like I'm going to fall forward over my handlebars when I lean forward for the rear wheel lift. Is that what it is supposed to feel like?
___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)