What to do..what to do..

Ok, this new bike hunt is proving to be more difficult than expected. The main problem I have is...no one in perth stocks XS mtn bikes. The drooly bike i'd love is in the US & wayyyy wayyyy wayyy to expensive.(Trek 8.9 WSD :cool:) I'd have to pay for the shipping on top of that.. I don't want a Giant or a Specialized but do know I want one of the following : Yeti or Santa Cruz. Ibis & Scott don't make bikes small enough for me. I don't know if want a pivot as a few folks here aren't too pleased with them..

I know we should try bikes out first but what do you do if you can only try out one???? I put up a post on a local board asking if anyone had a SC Juliana but no responses...I can only try a Yeti (can't remember which one she has but it's a dually)

I know the sizing i require...

What do i do?

One more thing..If i'm mainly interested in Enduro's & XC events, is the Juliana more suited to this???

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

The main problem I have is...no one in perth stocks XS mtn bikes.

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Road trip!!! :) I'm pretty sure my fave LBS has Santa Cruz & Ibis.

A road trip from Perth to... where? haha

I'm not going on a road trip to buy a bike...:eek::rolleyes:

We'll be in Melbourne in Feb to do an event & not specifically to buy bikes. I want to have my new bike by then!!!!

I think I might just end up with a Yeti :o

I don't even know if i want a dually.....

You could always try my Juliana. Bit big though I guess. It is a small.:)

Trekhawk..I shall give you a dingle & discuss :)

Canuck, which Yeti are your considering? I tried a ASR-SL when I was looking for bikes, and OMG, the clouds parted and I heard a choir. It was fab, and fab expensive! But then, I am a short-travel kind of girl and I think you are looking at 5inch travel bikes, ya?

Alleyoop-The ASR 5-alloy version...why..because it comes in XS..http://www.yeticycles.com/#/bikes/ASR5Alloy/1/

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Alleyoop-The ASR 5-alloy version...why..because it comes in XS..http://www.yeticycles.com/#/bikes/ASR5Alloy/1/

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You must be talking about the TopFuel 9.8 WSD, right? Because the Fuel EX 8 WSD is about the same $$ as the Juliana and Yeti. Assuming your dream bike is the Top Fuel: I believe the TF is a 4inch travel bike, and the two others you are looking at ar 5inch. THey are going to ride very different! I totally see your problem! More apples to apples would be the BlurXC or ASR-C, but then they don't come in XS. I guess I would say get the one closest to the geometry of the TOp Fuel... but then part of it's awesomeness is how light it is!

If your dream bike is the Fuel EX 8 WSD, then it is a much closer comparison. What are you riding now?

I like the Juliana because the small size but I didn't like the way they do the full suspension. I tested a Specialized Safire and liked the 5" travel but their top tubes where way short, I felt like my butt might as well be on the bars. I went with a Gary Fisher which was perfect, I couldn't stop smiling at the fit - I felt like they designed it for me! How many can you test ride, I tried several and it was very helpful.

you should pick which one fits you best... however, I did have a juliana for a while... very nice XC bike and they do have the XS size :p Can't wait to see what you find!!!

Allyoop-I'm riding a Scott Scale 40 but...it's just a wee bit too big. Even with the smallest stem available I still can't fully bend my arms :o. I love it as it goes uphill like a dream.

I'd like to upgrade to a dually but want something that'll be worth my $$$, not too heavy & fits!!!!!

Trek isn't my dream bike..a Yeti would be. Everyone that I know that rides one raves about them!! If I bought a dually from say..Giant, i'd just want to upgrade to a yeti or something later on...

*sniff* :(

I'm not in a big city like Sydney or Melbourne where I might have a gazillion options :(..THis is Perth :rolleyes: :(

My new bike is a small custom Santa Cruz Superlight (the non-WSD version of the Juliana). I also tried the Ibis Mojo but decided I didn't need all that much travel. The SC is fantastic for fast XC riding & climbing; not super cushy if you were looking for a more all-mountain ride. Haven't tried the Yeti but it looks like a nice bike too (pretty colors!). Good luck in your search!

Thanks again trekhawk for letting me take your mtb for a play round this afternoon. At least I know XS's most likely going to be the size i require...

I shall report back after trying an XS Yeti...

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Thanks again trekhawk for letting me take your mtb for a play round this afternoon. At least I know XS's most likely going to be the size i require...

I shall report back after trying an XS Yeti...

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No worries mate!
I look forward to hearing how the XS Yeti felt.:)

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Originally Posted by alleyoop

Canuck, which Yeti are your considering? I tried a ASR-SL when I was looking for bikes, and OMG, the clouds parted and I heard a choir. It was fab, and fab expensive! But then, I am a short-travel kind of girl and I think you are looking at 5inch travel bikes, ya?

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I had the same experience with YETI. There is a shinny little xxs ASR hanging in my room now after much scraping and eating of ramen. I could not be happier, and I've ridden most all the bikes you mention. It's worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY, and Yeti dropped their pricing this year (but yea, they are still in the boutique market)

Sad day that they don't make the ASR-5 in an xxs (yet? Yeti, you reading this?) or I'd have to have another. (The 575 does also come in XS I believe, so if you want something a bit burlier and more all mountain you should look into that).

Where are SK & Irulan....

What's the biggest difference between a Yeti & a Titus??? Is a Titus better than a Yeti for XC Enduro's & Racing??? If an XS Yeti fits would an XS Titus fit just about the same???

Ok, i was off..Titus is a bit more exp than a Yeti....

I tried my friend's XS Yeti ASR 5 (probably an 08..) and the size felt pretty good. She has a longer stem & a lower bike seat which made it an interesting test. It's all coming down to reach & keeping my fingers crossed that a 50mm stem will do the trick.

The finance committee at the crazycanuck/yarg house still have to engage in long discussions about it BUT...at the moment I can't fully bend my arms when i ride, I can't lift my front wheel & I can't get all the way back on my seat when descending. Either we do something or i go crazy...

I have been racing in a Titus RacerX for three years. XC and endurace races. I have nothing but good things to say. It is an amazing bike, worth every penny. I have not had a single mechanical issue in three years.

Aside from change pads from hub deep mud, no issues.

I vote Titus.

Oooooo!!! :cool: Weeeehaaarroooneyyyoooo..

I spoke to some more of my fave bike shop folks & found out that an XXS Titus would be better than the XS Yeti for me....I shall find out more tomorrow....

Ooooooooo

How tall are you. XXS is really tiny. I am on an xs. I am 5'3"

I'm 151cm...I think that's shorter than you :o

What we're concerned about is reach..I need a horizontal top tube with no more than 530mm reach & that's where the Titus might come in..

I'm willing to try an XXS out & see how it fits...

Hey Crazycanuck!

I've been a bit quiet lately as I am off the bike as currently pregnant, but like to take a read every now and then. I know how you feel about getting test bikes. I'm in the "big city" of Sydney and still bikes shops don't have a range of women's bikes in the try. They all seem too frightened to take the leap even though the girl brigade is getting huge! :D In terms of which bike to get from personal experience, I can't help you out as I am still on a cheapy Avanti (or will be after the baby comes), but from what I've heard Titus are awesome. Saw a few girls on them when I raced in the Angry Doctor 100km at Mogo last year and they raved. Good luck. I will enjoy living vicariously through you all till I get back in the bush!

GG

Hey, CC -- I can't remember the last time I could test ride a bike in my size (for instance, the XS Racer X or Motolite). I've just gone with measurements off my other bikes, reviews and intended use. Worked out so far!

Yup Yup! Yip Yip!

I've decided on an XS Titus Racer X..frame n fork. Just awaiting a bit of info then yerps one will be making my house home :)

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Yup Yup! Yip Yip!

I've decided on an XS Titus Racer X..frame n fork. Just awaiting a bit of info then yerps one will be making my house home :)

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Ooohhh I can't wait to see the Titus.
I think you made a great choice.:)

Sweet! Post pics!

What parts are you going to build it up with?

Cool. :)

Uhmm..in terms of parts, nothing too fancy! Looking at a Fox F100RLC fork if that means anything to anyone :o.

Oh, rapid rise derailleurs are a must for me :o. Any suggestions?

My bike shop kids will find out about how long one will take to come in...I could be waiting a few months..which is fine.