Yipee! My DH finally agreed to a new MTB for me

How much does it cost to go tubeless?

What happens if your tubeless tire punctures/rips while riding?

Full Suspension 26er vs. Hardtail 29er?? I can't decide because full suspension is so much fun even though I don't ride fast downhill, but the Hardtail 29er is around 4-5 pounds lighter (which is a big deal since I am 5ft 1in and 110pounds).

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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

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Originally Posted by TigerMom

How much does it cost to go tubeless?

What happens if your tubeless tire punctures/rips while riding?

Full Suspension 26er vs. Hardtail 29er?? I can't decide because full suspension is so much fun even though I don't ride fast downhill, but the Hardtail 29er is around 4-5 pounds lighter (which is a big deal since I am 5ft 1in and 110pounds).

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Depends. Are you doing the work yourself, or having your shop do it? What tires and wheels are you using? For me, I did it myself using a set of UST rims and my existing non-UST tires, so it only cost me a bottle of sealant (~$20).

If it punctures, the particles in the tire sealant should fill the hole, as long as it's not too big. If it rips, you'll probably have to boot the tire and install your back-up tube to continue riding.

Ride them both. I have one of each and they're both awesome, but for different reasons. Your trails and riding style may influence which one feels better. As a general rule, a hard tail will be less expensive than a similarly equipped full-suspension bike, simply because of the added cost and complexity of rear suspension. What do riders in your area like?

If you can afford to go tubeless, do it. I too am on the small side, I ride a 29er and it made a huge difference for me once I went tubeless.

I am riding a hard tail, but I am thinking abut getting a full suspension. I started on a full sus 26er and then moved to the HT 29er. I miss the suspension. The trail here are rough and I am feeling a bit beat up from the HT.

Tubeless isn't a very expensive investment and worth it. Depending on the wheels/tires you have it can be as cheap as $20, I wouldn't expect it to be over $50 with labor if you needed rim tape or other things.

Like others have said the whole point is the sealant seals the hole and you can keep riding. Sometimes I have had ones I have to "help" seal. You turn the tire where the hole is at the bottom and wait for it to seal. Maybe add a little bit of air. Sometimes you don't even realize you have punctured because it seals that quickly. And then there is the dreaded third scenario where you have to put a tube, dreaded because who wants to change a flat on the trail? :p

I like 29er, hardtail or FS but I say ride both and decide.

Drumroll..... Full Suspension new but prior year model 2010 size small Santa Cruz Juliana bought off of eBay should be coming my way in 2 wks. It's going to take 2 weeks because I also upgraded to the Crampon Pedals that I read about from the TE forums.

Super Excited!
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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

Yipee! I just picked up my new but prior year model 2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and blue Crampon pedals. She's BEAUTIFUL. I love her torquoise blue color. I'll try to get a photo of my MTB this weekend.

The only down side was that my LBS was unable to turn her wheels tubeless via rim tape/sealant.

Do any of you TE members have tubeless Santa Cruz Julianas? Which tubeless tire brand/size did you buy?
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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
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

hey congrats on your Julianna, I have a small one myself, and LOVE it. I don't ride tubeless, so can't help you there.

Awesome find! I have the 2011 version of the Juliana and love it! I hope you enjoy it, too!

Awesome, TigerMom! Have killer fun! :D

Attachment 15376

The original Santa Cruz Juliana saddle is a crotch killer. So, I am using my leftover Jett saddle from my road bike and now the bike is much more comfortable. Unfortunately, the disc brake is rubbing slightly on the front wheel, but I don't have time to take it to the LBS for 2 weeks. But I am still enjoying my new bike and practicing my front wheel lifts.

Since the LBS could not turn my current tires tubeless and buying $160 of heavier tubeless tires does not offset the loss of tubes, I'm justing keeping my tires as is for now.

I love how prettttty my Crampon pedals are on my torquoise bike.
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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
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

Beautiful bike!

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Originally Posted by TigerMom

Attachment 15376

I love how prettttty my Crampon pedals are on my torquoise bike.

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TigerMom, those pedals are so sweet-looking with that bike. Your bike is gorgeous and bad-*** looking--- Love it!

I finally got to ride up the mountain today instead of just around my neighborhood (I have been busy working and then waiting to get in my MTB bar ends and my handlebars cut down to size). I've been using this bike to bike around with my dogs and for a quick workout.

What a difference ride this bike up hill is compared to my hybrid! I was able to pedal through gravel. Most of the time, I did NOT use up all of my gears. I am so much faster uphill and I feel so much safer (better traction) going downhill.

Also, thank goodness I stuck to my gut instinct about sticking to flat pedals. There were some steep narrow downhills with ruts that I had to actually jump off of my bike quickly and walk my bike downhill.
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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
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)