Advice for a new bike? Specifics inside!

I know there are a few of these threads on here, and I've gone through them, but here's specifically what I'm looking for and I'm hoping all you knowledgeable friendly people can help me!

Size: XS, or petite (I'm 5'1")
Hardtail (I've ridden & raced FS, and don't care for the "cushy" feel)
Disc Brakes (stopping power!)
26er (I haven't ridden a 29er..can be convinced if that's what's good)
~$900-1000 (max 1000)

I ride cross-country on singletrack trails that have some gnarly rooty fun downhills and also steep, long uphills..so the lighter the better, I think.

I have gone through a few manufacturer's websites, but it's frustrating to find a bike that might be within price range and specs that are nice and then notice they don't have XS geometry available, or some other spec I'm looking for. I am not bent on any particular brand, but I would like to find one that is available (or can be ordered) from an LBS (don't want to purchase online!).

Thoughts? Ideas? Advice?

Thank you in advance!!

A good place to start is at your LBS. if you aren't stuck on a certain brand, you might as well look around. Giant has an excellent reputation for very good value (bang for the buck). Specialized makes great bikes also, as does Trek. Fit is going to be super important for you, so keep your BS meter tuned when talking to shop peeps. Try as many as you can. If the size isn't right, don't let them try to make the wrong frame work work for you.

+1 for Giant and Specialized, I would also like to suggest Cannondale if you are looking for a lady-specific frame.

Giant has been manufacturing excellent female specific frames for a long time, same as the other two. I'm sure there are other manufacturers as well, but I would start looking here. I think Cannondale (not sure about others) offers petite-sized frames for 29ers as well, but you should definitely give them a test ride before purchasing as they are not for everyone.

Here's another tip - try looking at last year's models (2009/2010, even) as well, you might get a nice discount without any sacrifice in quality :)

Jamis comes to mind. The Durango specifically. I would try to stretch your budget a bit to get the Race model. Otherwise you're looking at a heavier, less quality, fork.

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Originally Posted by brigada

I think Cannondale (not sure about others) offers petite-sized frames for 29ers as well, but you should definitely give them a test ride before purchasing as they are not for everyone.

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Nope. I've been looking at Cannondale 29ers and the smallest they go is Small, and no WSD 29ers at all (perhaps this will change for 2013). My LBS buddy said that even the Small runs a little big...I read a few reviews that suggested the Cdale 29ers don't have a lot of standover clearance for their size. I am hoping to try one in the next few months, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks so much for the help so far!! You gals are great. The Jamis bikes look nice - I'm looking at the Race & Comp. Both are around 30 lbs (Comp is listed as 31).

I also noticed the Fuji Addy 1.0 & 2.0. Anyone have any experience with these? Weight is also listed around 30 lbs. I have a couple LBSs who carry Fuji & Jamis. Plan on stopping by there tonight.

Speaking of the fork, I bet there's a lot to be said there. RockShox vs. RST vs. SunTour - I currently have a SunTour on my heavy 12-year-old Haro. It's held out, but I'm thinking it contributes quite a bit to the heavy weight of the bike. Any word on a type/brand of fork to avoid? I'm thinking minimum 100mm yes?

Regarding Giant, all I'm finding are Lifestyle/Recreation bikes, full-suspension, or hardtail 29ers! Any hardtail 26ers? Am I missing something?

Specialized makes women's MTB pretty small. You might want to look at the Mykta and the Jett in your price range. They do come in 26er and 29ers. I'm waiting for October when my LBS will have their sale to try to get rid of their 2012 and promote their 2013 bikes.
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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 ShutUpLegs

Regarding Giant, all I'm finding are Lifestyle/Recreation bikes, full-suspension, or hardtail 29ers! Any hardtail 26ers? Am I missing something?

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No, you're not.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

No, you're not.

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It appears that a lot of companies have abandoned 26ers. I noticed this with Salsa, for one. The speed with which 29ers are taking over reminds me a lot of the advent of digital photography...it overwhelmed film far faster than I ever imagined it would.

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Originally Posted by TigerMom

Specialized makes women's MTB pretty small. You might want to look at the Mykta and the Jett in your price range. They do come in 26er and 29ers. I'm waiting for October when my LBS will have their sale to try to get rid of their 2012 and promote their 2013 bikes.
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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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You might add the Rockhopper to the list. It's comes in an XS and offers 100 mm of travel.

I poured over a lot of company websites last year, mostly looking for a FS bike to fit my short legs. I got the impression--and I'm no expert as a relatively new MTBer--that 26" HTs are becoming a bit more of an afterthought for some companies, in favor of 29ers and FS bikes. Those that are on the market are often not speced all that well and are sold at lower price points. That was just my impression; I would assume there are exceptions.

You all should see the crazy hunt I'm going through now. After visiting 3 stores yesterday to ask in-person whether they had any 13" or XS bikes (that weren't entry-level), and of course them not having any, made me realize I was wasting my time. Calling is better. Still, I've spent almost all morning calling Specialized dealers within 50 miles of me to find out if they have any 13" bikes in stock. NONE! Literally. None. They can order for me, but then I wonder, am I obligated to buy? There's a reason they don't carry them - their target demographic is not me, and they'd be stuck with a bike they can't sell.

I did end up at REI last night and they had a Cannondale SL3, in "petite." I rode it around quite a bit and enjoyed taking it off of curbs and such. Still, I was hoping to have something to compare to. They also had an SL2, but I really wasn't a fan of the Sram shifters. I have Sram on my road bike, but the shifter setup for the mtn bikes..didn't care for it. The Rockhopper looks great, and I wish I had an opportunity to compare but nobody has it! Argh.

BikeRumor just released details about Cannondale's updates for 2013 (I believe they release new models next month, so it may be worth waiting). Check out the Tango! I may want to look at that, myself. It sounds like the standover height on the Tango could work for shorter-inseamed folks.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

BikeRumor just released details about Cannondale's updates for 2013 (I believe they release new models next month, so it may be worth waiting). Check out the Tango! I may want to look at that, myself. It sounds like the standover height on the Tango could work for shorter-inseamed folks.

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Whoa! Nice!! And non-floofy/flowery/glittery color scheme?! Fantastic.

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Originally Posted by ShutUpLegs

Whoa! Nice!! And non-floofy/flowery/glittery color scheme?! Fantastic.

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Cannondale is generally good about avoiding purple or pink or swirls on their higher end bikes...it's the ones $1000 or less that tend to get more WSD-looking. I'm assuming that image is the top-of-the-line spec'd model. I'd likely end up on something a model or two down...maybe in the $1200 range.

Evidence of Cannondale's gender-neutral WSD bikes--this is my 2009 F5 (Petite)...DS is poised to inherit it, which is why I'm looking for a new mtn. bike, too.
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos...81904610_n.jpg

Nice Cannondale!!

Geez, I'm having a hard time. I have an LBS I have a good relationship with who is a Specialized dealer. They can order a Rockhopper for me, but then I'd be obligated to buy - and what if I don't like it or it doesn't fit well? If I go with the Cannondale SL3, I will have bought it without comparing with anything else since no other retailer carries small sizes - and I'm not comfortable doing that :-P.

How do you gals my size get around this? Any ideas?

I'm going to call a few Trek dealers to see if they have my size. I'm looking at the Skye SL Disc. The only other one is the 6000 WSD, which is a bit out of my price range or the Mamba which is a 29er (with a 54cm reach I'm thinking will be too big).

I had to buy my Santa Cruz Juliana sight unseen. I was pretty nervous about it. Comparing it to my Specialized Myka HT thought (which I was able to test out beforehand but was so green that I had no idea what to even "test" it for), I had a strong sense that it would fit. But it was a gamble for sure.

I also bought my lovely Jamis Dakar XC Comp sight unseen...but I was able to test a Jamis Durango which has very similar geometry. I knew nothing at the time and relied on the advice of my fitter as to the best fit between the Dakar and two other full suspension bikes I was considering.

I've actually never ridden any of my bikes before buying. I trust our LBS guy to determine if a bike is going to work for me, or not. So far, so good! :D

Well, that's good to know. I guess riding it before buying is a luxury I'm finding out us short people can't afford! I have built up a road bike frame before with nice components and of course didn't know what that would feel like. Worked out awesomely :) I guess I feel like with a mountain bike it's much different. Then again, I'm probably too much of a newbie to tell the difference anyway :)

Yup...a lot of shops don't carry smaller sizes in-stock, especially in non-WSD frames, like my road bike. My CX bike was actually in-stock and I saw it on the rack for months before we purchased it, after it went on clearance. Our LBS buddy kept taunting me with it, telling me "hey, YOUR bike is still there..." So once I decided I was stupid enough to try CX racing I had DH bring it home for me. That bike is my favorite of my 3. It actually fits me the best.

So I actually ended up going with a WSD Small 2011 SL2! I got a fantastic deal the bike shop really hooked me up with a perfect fit. Rode the bike last night on a swoopy little singletrack, and it was completely fantastic. Light, nimble, responsive..Light years beyond my old bike. Love love loooove it!

It's white with green accents. Downside? This is as clean as it's probably ever going to be.... :)

Awesome! I hope the two of you have lots of fun together!

Very nice! So a small, not an XS? You can imagine how cramped I am on my XS/petite of the F5 (which is essentially the same frame as the Trail SL, they just changed the name a few years back), as I am nearly 5'4".

Yeah, the XS would be too short of a reach for me, said the fitter. I thought I felt pretty good on the one I tried, but I felt FANTASTIC after he fitted me on this one. Apparently I also have longer legs (relative to torso) than most women. The seat post had to be lifted up quite a few times before we got it right at the magical 150-degree knee angle mark.

Oh yeah and at 5'4" you must be really cramped! Good thing you're getting a new one! :)

I'm now dreaming about riding my new bike instead of working! Doh!

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Very nice! So a small, not an XS? You can imagine how cramped I am on my XS/petite of the F5 (which is essentially the same frame as the Trail SL, they just changed the name a few years back), as I am nearly 5'4".

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I can't imagine!! I have an old F500 (I think), and I have a medium!

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Originally Posted by ShutUpLegs

Oh yeah and at 5'4" you must be really cramped! Good thing you're getting a new one! :)

I'm now dreaming about riding my new bike instead of working! Doh!

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Yep, and I am all torso, so it's really awkward. DH has suggested a setback seatpost...I'm not biting, since that would change my orientation to the crank. I can't get my butt back as far as I need to for descents, because of how little space I have. My butt goes more up than back, which makes me feel like my center of gravity is too high and unstable.

I can't wait to get on a more appropriately sized frame! :D

I'd be dreaming about riding, too. Good thing you still have an entire Summer ahead of you for that! :)