Thoughts on women's Specialized mtn bikes?

[cyclecam]

Does anyone have comments or thoughts about the Specialized
women's series Saphires? S-works or others?

[SheFly]

I got a StumpJumper this year and I L-O-V-E it! Came from riding a Bullit, and this is much lighter and very responsive. Plus, it's black and PINK!

Seriously though, I had this out on a 3+ hour epic yesterday and it was comfortable ride the whole time. We did a mixture of flat railroad bed, twisty rooty singletrack, babyheads, etc. I also like the way it climbs.

Good luck on whatever you decide, my IMHO, this is a great ride!

SheFly

[spokewench]

I have an old s works full suspension and absolutely love it, love it!

[Velobambina]

I'm dreaming of getting a mt bike. So far, Kona's Lisa and Santa Cruz's Juliana appeal to me. There's a Lisa for sale on Ebay but alas, she's too big for me.

[ridehardinv]

Over the winter time I purchased a Juliana frame and built it up with some new and old parts. What a great ride!!! Great on rocks.... Watch the sizing of a women's specific bike. The geometry on a women's bike can make for a more upright position which can feel a little scrunched when climbing. Anyone else have that problem?

ride hard everyone

[sundial]

I have a Rockhopper that I really like. Lately I've been taking her for a spin in the neighborhood at night.

[SAMbike]

I rented this bike on a 4 day bike trip out west - it was kinda heavy but a dream to descend on! http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22217

[Irulan]

got mine this fall:

[mimitabby]

hey Irulan, which is the real you; the brunette on the bike or the blonde in your avatar?

just curious

[sundial]

Yes, do tell.

You are brave to wear those shorts for riding betwixt rocks and stickery things. I feel like I have to cover up for the encounters with sticks, twigs, briars and, uh, gravity.

[Irulan]

one is the real me, one is my alter ego.

[Jen-Jen]

I am looking into buying a mtn. bike this week. I have a Trek 4500 on order and the shop for a comparison ride is going to build up a Specialized Rockhopper. Then I get to choose between the two.

I see Sundial owns a Rockhopper, does anyone else ride either of these as well? Can anyone tell me pros and cons? I know that in the end it is going to be my chose and how I feel in the ride, but I'd still like to hear thoughts.

[sundial]

Mudgirl owns a Rockhopper too.

What I found is that it has a little shorter top tube than other mtb's, so if you plan on doing a lot of downhillin' you might want to opt for a little longer stem. It does corner great, though. It will weigh in about 30 lbs or so. I've been pretty pleased with it thus far. If you can, swing for the disc brakes.
OK, maybe more than you wanted to know.

[Becky]

I hope that this isn't considered thread-jacking (sorry if it is!), but while we're on the subject of women's MTBs....

does anyone have any experience/opinions of the women's GT Marathon 2.0? I have an opportunity to buy one for a very nice price....but have always ridden hardtails and am a little nervous about pulling the trigger on my first full-suspension MTB. Hubby says that I should buy a new hardtail instead

Thanks for your help!

[Drtgirl]

Becky- where do you live? Location is a factor in the HT vs FS debate. In Michigan I had a HT with no suspension. Within a year of moving to California I bought a Blur....and out here in the Pacific Northwest a FS is almost a necessity...lots of gnarly singletrack and crazy downhills.