WSD Mtn Bikes

[Irulan]

personally I don't like GF bikes because I do not think they are the best value for the money, and they have a history drivetrain problems ( you can google Gary Fisher bikers and chain suck)
www.mtbr.com has a bike review section. You have to take the reviews with a grain of salt but you will find a lot of comments there.

formica

[JanT]

Several years ago I was shopping for a hardtail mountain bike, and it came down to a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo or TREK 6700WSD. The geometries felt about the same to me, and they had similar components and prices. I bought the TREK simply because I'd enjoyed my first TREK mountain bike, and because I wanted to buy it at the LBS two miles from my house, which has provided me great service. Some friends have the HOO KOO's and they have had good luck with them. Can't address the other models. Have fun shopping!

[annie]

Venus,

I, too, have a 5200 Trek WSD which I treasure. I know what you mean concerning fit. I, too, find a WSD bike to be the best fit for me. Anyway, I can't tell you anything about the GF bikes, having never owned one. But I do have a Trek 6500 WSD mtb. (Comparable modell now is the 6700.) Again, the fit is what I want. I feel like I am riding the bike, not like it is taking me for a ride. I tried a coule other bikes, but came back to the 6500 because it felt the best. It's certainly not a high-end bike...............I don't ride off-road enough to justify getting a better one (yet - who knows what the future holds!) but it's comfortable, it fits me, and other than the weight, I love it. I've never had any problems with it. I consider it a great starter bike for going off-road. If I ever got more serious about off-road I would probably want something better, but 'til then, it's enough bike to keep me happy. Just was out on it today, in fact, and I am still smiling.
Good luck with your choice. I hope you are able to find something just right for you!

annie

[Jo-n-NY]

Actually I have a Raliegh Tara. I also do not do much MTB but it is extemely comfortable and easy to handle. I even put smoother tires on it and road the Bike NY 5 Borough Bike a Thon with it because on some of those roads I did not want to use my road bike.

Just another idea for you.

[Barb]

I tried the GF Tassahara and the WSD Tass. I am 5'4 with a short torso and was not really comfortable on the WSD. For me it was the narrow handlebars. I am picking up my Tassahara next week.

[shewhobikes]

I have a Big Sur, size M--I'm just over 5 foot 6. And I'm a total newbie and have put far more miles on my road bike. However, so far no complaints with the Big Sur. It feels predictable and sturdy to me, but not slow. Does that make sense? Let us know what you do.

[Biking Chick]

I have a 4900 WSD that I love ... have looked at the Gary Fisher bikes but opted for the Trek after test riding both brands. Being from Wisconsin we are very loyal Trekkie's. Of all the bikes we own (fellow bikers are the only ones who understand the sickness of owning more than one or two bikes) only one is not a Trek. Due to your current living arrangements the 4900 may not be your best option. One of the highlights of a trip I made to Great Britain last year was a shopping trip to a bike store in London that was also a Trek dealer - it was one of the few places in GB where Wisconsin was recognized as the home of Trek bikes!

At 5'1" I find that the WSD gives me the right fit for my body - it wasn't until I rode a non-WSD that I realized how important it was for me to have the smaller grips and the geometry of the crank placement in relation to the seat. The first time I rode my first road bike, Trek's 2200 WSD, I wasn't comfortable with the bike but after that second ride ... I was hooked. I'm glad to see more manufactures addressing the needs of women but obviously we still have a long way to go.

Now if I can get the sporting industry to address the fact that there are women who enjoy upland game and offer a wider selection of boots for field work ... I'd be a way happy camper!