climbing, hopping, descending

[formicalinoleum]

Originally posted by Biking Kitsune
I don't know that I do enough riding for hybrids to be totally worth it, and I would like to work on my mtn. biking etc.... do you know of any nice, light-ish (under 30#) and fairly inexpensive (under about $500) womanny mountainbikes or their manufacturers?

I have always had Giants, and have been very happy with them. I first had an Iguana (was about $400 when I got it) and now have their top-of-the-line "recreational", the Ranier ($700-800). I think the Iguana is better now than the model I had (and correspondingly more expensive).

Definitely test ride a number of bikes, but I do suggest making sure some Giants are among those you try out.

p.s. both of those mtn bikes and my road bike have all been men's. I have short legs and a long torso, so women's-specific (WSD) bikes aren't for me. Try men's and WSD bikes and see what feels good for you.