EMD9 XS vs Fate Comp 29er vs Garmin 800

[TigerMom]

I am saving up money and hoping to buy some bike related item this winter (birthday and Christmas gift).

Assuming I can save up enough, which ONE item should I choose...EMD9 XS or Fate Comp 29er 15" or a Garmin Edge 800 with United States DVD and Cadence monitor (possibly Garmin Edge 900 if it comes out by Winter).

I am 5ft 1in with long torso and long arms but short legs. 110pounds. I also get lost easily but now have 4G phone that has Google Map App that I am hoping to learn how to use (my "basic" cell phone just died yesterday).

Opinions/Votes would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I cannot try on the EMD9 XS because nobody has that bike in XS, but I did try the standover height on the Fate 15" which was just barely OK for me
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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

[indysteel]

A carbon 29er on one hand or a Garmin on the other? These seem like really different wants with really different price points. I'm slightly confused. Are you already into mountain biking (because I vaguely recall you're new to cycling)? As Loraura pointed out, 29ers make better sense on some types of terrain than others. What kind of terrain will you be riding? Otherwise, those are both nice bikes--if they fit.

[TigerMom]

I am new at biking. Currently, I am using my Hybrid on trails which is OK but not great, especially when there is sand/mud. Hence, it would be nice to have a MTB.

However, I also get lost a lot. So a Garmin with turn by turn navigation would be great. If I got a Garmin, I would also upgrade my hybrid to have Cyclocross tires for traction along with bar ends. I would also get the United States map along with Cadence. So this would probably end up around $1000.

The EMD9XS and the Fate Comp Carbon 29er would probably cost around $2500 each (hopefully, I would be able to negotiate off the tax?).

So, I know that these are different items for my birthday and Christmas gift, but there is only so much bike money to be used for this year.
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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

[indysteel]

If it were me, I'd get a less expensive aluminum or steel 29er and the Garmin.

[zoom-zoom]

If it were me, I'd get a less expensive aluminum or steel 29er and the Garmin.

This.

[indysteel]

I'd add this, too. You mentioned the 15" Fate's standover, but how did the rest of the bike fit? Standover is an issue on a MTB (more so than on a roadie, although some people might debate me on that), but there's more to fit than just standover. As short as you are, I have to wonder whether a 15 inch might be too big, but in the very least you need to give it a thorough test ride. Get out of the saddle and move around the bike like you might on a trail.

That said, I stand by my last post. It sounds like you're just getting into mountain biking. While there's certainly nothing wrong with starting out with spendy bike (although in the world of mountain bikes, $2500 isn't what I'd call high), there are any number of very nice 29ers on the market at a lower price point. I'm also not sure why you've narrowed it down to these two bikes (although they're nice bikes). If I was going to spend that much on a HT 29er, I'd test ride and demo as much as I could. Fit is key and at your height, I'd suggest trying out as many as you can (and I'd throw some 26ers into the mix as well). I'd also have a clear idea of what kind of trails it was going to be used for and how much travel I needed for my fork. Perhaps you've answered those questions for yourself; it's just not clear from your posts.

[TigerMom]

I'd add this, too. You mentioned the 15" Fate's standover, but how did the rest of the bike fit? Standover is an issue on a MTB (more so than on a roadie, although some people might debate me on that), but there's more to fit than just standover. As short as you are, I have to wonder whether a 15 inch might be too big, but in the very least you need to give it a thorough test ride. Get out of the saddle and move around the bike like you might on a trail.

That said, I stand by my last post. It sounds like you're just getting into mountain biking. While there's certainly nothing wrong with starting out with spendy bike (although in the world of mountain bikes, $2500 isn't what I'd call high), there are any number of very nice 29ers on the market at a lower price point. I'm also not sure why you've narrowed it down to these two bikes (although they're nice bikes). If I was going to spend that much on a HT 29er, I'd test ride and demo as much as I could. Fit is key and at your height, I'd suggest trying out as many as you can (and I'd throw some 26ers into the mix as well). I'd also have a clear idea of what kind of trails it was going to be used for and how much travel I needed for my fork. Perhaps you've answered those questions for yourself; it's just not clear from your posts.

At 5ft 1in, there are not a lot of hardtail 29er bikes that fit me in regards to the standover height. I prefer the 29ers because I seem to be better at MTB on my 700cc hybrid than my athletic husband on his 26er MTB.

I ride dirt trails (no crazy offroading) with steep hill inclines (I'm guessing more than 10%). My main concern is climbing uphills.

I would prefer Specialized because I love my LBS Specialized concept store that I go to (Rock N Road Cyclery in Anaheim, CA sells Specialized and EMD 9/Niner bikes).

I was trying to get a good MTB that is light because I am 5ft1in and 110 pounds and I was trying to be preventative at bike upgraditis. I will definitely take into consideration regarding the TE members suggesting a cheaper aluminum 29er plus Garmin instead of my dream bike without Garmin.


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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