Which Mountain Bike to buy?

Hi everyone! I rode a size 44 Redline Conquest demo bike at my first 'cross race 2 weeks ago -what a hoot! I had trouble reaching the brakes (missed my shims), and it was just too big all over. I'm a shorty (27 inch inseam, 5'1.5") and am thinking of getting a hardtail and turning it into a cross bike. Does anyone have a suggestion? I'm a roadie, and Mt bikes are foreign to me. I don't want anything too expensive, but I'd like something on the lighter end of the range....My local specialized dealer says that due to the early snows, Mt bike sales are off back east, and Specialized is shipping Mt bikes west to sell - and discounts are available. I ride a size 47 Trek Madone (WSD). Anyone have a suggestion? Thanks! Tokie

Hi Tokie!

I am a shorty, too and ended up modifying my Gary Fisher hardtail into my 'cross Frankenbike. Has worked out pretty well and didn't cost too much to convert. We were able to get the weight down to about 23 pounds. It was a fun project, too, with the help of my bike wrench BF!

Frankenbike

Hi Wavedancer (happy new year!) I have read your account of how you turned your mt bike into a swiss army knife of bikes! I just don't know what to look for in an entry level mt bike that would lend itself to the frankenbike transformation. So far I have figured out 1.hardtail 2. not disc brakes and that is all I have figured out! a 13 inch frame seems good, and I don't need fancy, since I am a roadie at heart. but if there is a significant weight difference between a 500 $ and a 640$ bike, I think the lighter one would be good, just because I think I would use the bike as a mt bike much of the year. Or would the transformation be too much trouble and time to switch the fork and other parts back? I am looking at the Specialized Myka HT SPort and Myka HT Comp models right now. Thanks for any input! Tokie

hate to send you somewhere else, but the women's lounge at MTBR.com has an extensive FAQ on small mountain bikes for short gals.

http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=94 is the main link, follow links to faq. There are a few manufacturers that make 14" and 13" inch bikes. If you want an inexpensive HT that might be a good place to start.

Thanks Irulan! Tokie

Tokie- Would the Redline bike made for juniors work? I don't know if that is the 44 cm but the bike shop told me about it when DH was getting his Kona.

Hi Ama! I looked up the Jr Redline - now I feel like an amazon. It actually would be too small. I think I'll be happy with a frankenbike - my girl roadie peeps have pretty basic mt bikes, and we'll be nerdy together! If I decide next year that I am totally hooked on cyclocross and need a better rig, I'll worry about that then. From reading the Mt bike postings, there are plenty of skills to pick up riding on dirt! Tokie