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I would love to try a Dos Niner! Also, Salsa just unveiled a new short-travel FS 29er at Interbike. It's called the Spearfish and has ~3" of travel.
Yep, the Salsa fit works well for me. Then again, I've never really needed a WSD. I can certainly ride a WSD bike (and do), but I've achieved a good fit without it too. Between having long legs and a preference for a somewhat agressive upper-body position, I may not be the best person to ask when it comes to fit....
I wouldn't think I'd need WSD? I have long arms and a long torso. Or at least long arms and a long torso for my shoulder width, but I don't know if they're long for my height (as in, my shirts are always too short with sleeves that are too short). But the fit guy I'm working with keeps picking out women's bikes for me to try when I can ride again. I thought it was kind of weird, but he's not associated with any particular shop/brand so I think (hope) he'll eventually just give me a range of measurements to work with.
I'm in this weird quandary of wanting and needing to ride a bike to re-learn how to ride, but knowing that I can't really test one as aggressively as I'd probably need to figure out how it's really going to feel.
IME, guys tend to think that women belong on WSD because they've had it beaten into their brains by the bike industry. Then again, I'm the bike industry's idea of the perfect WSD rider, and I don't particularly like most WSD frames. A good chunk of it does come down to rider preference.
You know your body better than anyone else. Based on your description of yourself and your fit issues with clothing, I wouldn't put you on a WSD unless there were other bike fit issues that necessitated it.
Do you have a bike that you've owned/ridden and liked that you can use as a starting point for geometry/measurements? I've purchased a few bikes now based primarily on what their geometry charts said and the geometry charts of other bikes that I'd ridden, and done pretty well fit-wise. The Salsa was one of those purchases. As a caveat, this approach doesn't work for everyone....
Good luck! It's certainly a tough spot to be in...
I wish I could say yes, but even if I had, my back has changed. It's going to heal with a 20-degree bend at the break and my balance and posture are all out of whack now. But hey, nothing like a completely fresh start! I'll probably pester you like crazy when I get to go pick a bike out for real :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky
I sort of thought that you've been dealing with a pretty serious injury, but couldn't be sure....
Maybe that's why your fit guy is leaning towards WSD? This probably counts as one of those times where I'd look for a shorter reach than is "normal".
Heal well, heal quickly, and the bikes will be there when you're ready :)
DH bought me a really nice WSD Trek Fueil mountain bike when we got married. I had not biked before, was just interested in trying it. I LOVE the bike, but I always find myself sitting off the back of the saddle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky
I picked up a hard tail Trek 8000 which is not WSD and I couldn't believe how comfortable it was. My sit bones were right where they were supposed to be. I don't have to scooch forward and back constantly.
What a difference. Although, I still love my Trek Fuel. Heck, I love both my bikes.
I wanted to get on a Salsa, but there were none to be had in a small frame within hours of me.
Yeah, I'm very thankful that I'm in Denver and not my hometown. If I find the right shop, I can get just about any bike here. I just have to decide where to start!
Can I shop vicariously through you? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
Becky I came soooo close to buying a Santa Cruz Blur today at Veloswap. It wasn't on my list of bikes but I fell hard for it when I saw it.
OMG! That is definitely on my list of wants, ever since I rode a friend's. Such a nice suspension design! You could do far worse than a Blur ;)
How's getting back on the bike going?
Gonna try again tomorrow on the old mtb. I went for a run the other day and my back felt great but my ankles are pretty weak now so I've been hobbling around.
Yay! That's great news!
Glad you're healing! Keep us posted on the Great Bike Hunt.Quote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
Deb
Ended up on a Specialized Rockhopper Pro. Love the 29er. Standover isn't as great as I'd expected, but feels fine. My biggest adjustment is that I've finally switched to clipless pedals. I was a whimp before!! Now I just fall, whine and keep going. Definitely worth it! Climbs great!