Frustration with finding a new MTB

[SalsaMTB]

Keep Shopping!

There are so many bikes out there. You've tried a lot, but I wouldn't say it's time to buy an expensive bike without test riding. WSD may or may not be the thing for you, I wouldn't eliminate non-wsd, I would keep trying both until you have found something you like. Have you checked out KHS? They have a really good bang for the buck. The xc604 retails well under $2k and is a very well speced bike using the 4 bar suspension. I don't think the 07s have shipped yet, but if you were willing to wait a little bit, the 07 xc604 has an msrp listed at $1599 and has the horst link.

Also, remember that bikes can/should be fine tuned to you. While test riding one, if something doesn't feel right with the setup, talk to the shop and have them change it out! We do that all the time here. Someone wants to test ride a bike, we'll fit them to it, change stems, handlebars, etc and send them on their way. If there is anything that doesn't feel right, we'll try to fix it. So, if there is a shop you like, test rode a bike and felt something was off, have them change some parts and see if it feels better. That's part of the benefit of shopping at a lbs instead of online, they should be helping you with the fit on the test ride.

[Pebble]

Just to give you an idea I'm 5'7" and I'm happy on a regular 16" Trance. I imagine you would be a "medium" as far as most bikes go. And remember depending on what you are buying (trail or xc?) it's not going to feel like your road bike and the position etc will probably take some adjusting to even compared to the fully rigid.

SalsaMTB is right in saying that you may have to be perpared to adjust a few things - stem lenght, saddle, bar width etc to your liking. These sort of things can make a big difference.

Round up all the brands available in your area, look up the specs for the bikes in your price range, narrow it down and test ride as many as you can. I wouldn't restrict the choice to WSD.

The two you test rode (kona & giant) were on my shortlist as well. You could also try Specialized, Norco, Trek, etc.

[3weight]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm really interested in the Titus and the Santa Cruz bikes but since there aren't any Titus dealers nearby, I may go with the Santa Cruz. I need to check out the Superlight.
I'm not sold on a WSD bike; it just seems like they fit my body geometry a bit better sometimes (especially on road bikes). I'll likely not end up with a WSD mountain bike.
I wish I could be more patient......
Finding a new bike is like a full~time job!
Thanks again!
Teresa

[Pebble]

Oooh yeah, I wasn't supposed to get mine untill about now, but in the end I was spending so much time researching and deciding over the options (I'm a bit of a research nut though) in the end I had to just go out and buy one so I could stop thinking about it! Probably didn't help that I sold my old hardtail first and then had to ride hubbys one that was too big and real uncomfortable (but better than nothing!).

[3weight]

bcipam (and anyone else that owns a SC Superlight)~
What size did you get?
Thanks!
Teresa

[bcipam]

bcipam (and anyone else that owns a SC Superlight)~
What size did you get?
Thanks!
Teresa

I'm 5'8" - have a fairly evenly proportioned body (legs kindof long but not overly, arms alittle short, torso normal). I got the medium. The large was alittle bit of a stretch. Small, well way too small.

Like I said I also have a 2006 Spec. Stumpjumper FSR (which is for sale btw) which I also bought as a medium. The Spec has a long top tube and I was fairly stretched out on this bike. On downhill descents I couldn't get back off my seat enough. Probably did need a WSD model in the Spec (so something to remember if you test ride this bike) as the top tube is Longer, much longer. But the Superlight solved that problem. After riding the Spec for almost a year, the Superlight seems so small (still does alittle bit). I can now definitely get back off the seat.

I did like the 5" travel of the Spec, especially going downhill, but I just love the Superlight. It's a quick, responsive, comfortable bike to ride. It feels just like a hardtail climbing and the suspension is cushy going downhill. I really didn't need to buy another bike in 2006, but am glad I did. Plus I got a deal. The shop got in the wrong bike (customer ordered the 2007 and this was a 2006 bike although with all the 2007 component upgrades) and needed to move it. With the add on of a King Headset, I paid $1500 for the bike. Look for deals they are out there.

~ Pam

[3weight]

Thanks again for all the help, ladies!
I *think* I've narrowed it down to 3 frames~
Santa Cruz Superlight
Titus Racer X
Titus Moto Lite
All three of these bikes exceed my MTB skills, but I want to get the bike I really want now so I'm not out looking for a new bike in a year.
I've ridden the Santa Cruz. The problem is that I've never ridden either of the Titus bikes. They get great reviews and the specs look good, but there's not a Titus dealer in the state! I'm a bit nervous buying a frame without riding the bike.
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Teresa