So if I were to get a new mtb.....

[Running Mommy]

So if the planets were to align at just the right moment, and Tony gave me the green light on a new nobby tire steed what are my WSD options??
Tony is a dyed in the wool Santa Cruz fan, so I know he would be thinking Juliana, but what other options are there? I'm not even sure who makes a WSD mtn bike??
I would be looking for a fairly decent full suspension ride. His bikes are in the 4-5k range, mine tend to be in the 2-3k range. So something in there...
And yes I know, fit comes first. But I just want to get an idea of what is out there...
ANd for the record- you can blame sadiekate for this post!!

Man am I out of my element over here on the mtn bike forum! What am I - the self professed tri geek- doing over here?? I feel so, uhh... DIRTY!

[DirtDiva]

I certainly wouldn't say no to a Santa Cruz Juliana...

[Skierchickie]

Trek has WSD mountain bikes. I got a Fuel EX 9 last summer - it was available in WSD (as were the 7 and 8, at least), but I feel too scrunched up on them - I don't fit the WSD formula (I'm long waisted and short-legged). Anyway, I loooove mine, even if it is a men's model. I got a really good deal on mine (closeout season!), but I think MSRP was $3200 at the time.

Have fun!

[rocknrollgirl]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! RM on the mt bike forum!!!!!!!!!!

YEE HAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so I have two bikes:

Bob- Marin East Peak-full suspension all mountain. Just shy of 32 pounds. Heavy for me, but man can he take a hit. Tracks well, descends well. He is not WSD and I am small. Under 5'4".

Gidget- full suspension Titus Racer X . Under 25 pounds. Fully loaded. Can't take a hit like Bob, But man can she climb. Much more $$$ than Bob. Still not technically WSD.

I test drove everything , including the Juliana before I bought Gidget. I liked the Juliana, but for me, for racing, it was just not there.

Test drive on a trail if you can...I am so excited to see you here.

[emily_in_nc]

I have an XS Titus Racer-X I love. Not technically WSD, but I ride WSD in road bikes, and she fits me like a glove. I bought used (Ebay), then upgraded some needed components, so have about $2K in her now. Really need a new front fork, but am resisting as I hate to spend another $600 or so. Anyway, a used bike might be an option if you know what fits you.

I had a less $ REI Novara WSD MTB that fit well that I was able to use measurements from to verify that the Titus would fit before I bought it. I also looked at the Juliana, but it weighed more, and since I'm very light, I wanted the lightest fullie I could afford. I don't race, but I just wanted light to make it up the hills, and I can now!

Keep us posted on any decisions you might make!!

Emily

[Running Mommy]

RNR, I'll have to look into renting one the next time we are in Moab.
This past weekend Tony rented a Nomad because he wanted to make sure that the feel was right.
He has a superlight that has many miles on it and he still loves it. But he also bought an intense 5.5 a couple of years ago thinking that he wanted more travel and a cushier ride. I call it the couch! His friends call it his Grandpa ride.
The thing is, he HATES it. I think it has too much cush, so he works too hard on it. I told him that I think it's zapping his energy. All he knows is he HATES it. So he was hesitant to buy another bike with similar geometry w/out testing it first. He took it on Baby steps and Klondike in Moab and gave her a good go around. He was more than impressed and has declared that he MUST have one before our October Moab trip. Soooooo I'm thinking that maybe I need to take one on a "true" ride too. Not just a spin around the p-lot at the LBS.
Thanks all for your input..
A Titus.... mmmmmmmnnnn that would make the boys jealous!

[han-grrl]

na na na...na na...SHOPPING...repeat...shopping...shopping!
WOO!

I recommend test riding. Bikes handle differently. Make sure they don't have to do TOO much drastic things to make the bike fit (like put in a super long seat post - that happened to a friend of mine)

...make sure you have clothes to match (hahaha!)

I have the Trek Fuel WSD from 2001, although now it is "pimped up" thanks to hubby

I bought the Big Sur GS (Gary Fisher) a year or so back.

I like the hard tail for its simplicity, i find i ride better on hard tail. I tend to get a little "lazy" with the full suspension. that's just me. I like the full for long rides though, it does spare the back.

When you choose your bike, think about the type of riding you plan on doing - lots of climbing? technical? so you want to think about suspension travel and weight as well.

Then there are wheel options - ie regular or tubeless. I like the concept of tubeless - BUT if you do have to put a tube in, its SO HARD to get the tires off the rim. And the likely hood of damaging a tubeless rim increases with the level of technical terrain it seems. I know some people have had really good luck with it. So i guess its a matter of choice.

Have fun shopping!

Hannah

[BikerJen]

I have a Santa Cruz Superlight. (The Male version of the Juliana). I didnt like the color options for the Juliana, plus I've got long arms and legs, so the medium frame Superlight fits just right. Love my bike, had it since Sept 2005 with few problems!