Thinking about buying a mountain bike

[ikkin]

santa cruz juliana. awesome cross country bike. super light, cushy, fits women, hooray!

[bouncybouncy]

I second the Santa Cruz Julianna (or Superlight) I would not trade my first few years of mtbiking for another bike...I have just recently up(stimulus)graded to a sweeeet Yeti!!! because after all those years I realized I needed a longer top-tube. I just so happen to be a woman in a non-typical body with really short legs...arg!

[bounceswoosh]

I think you just gotta test ride a few bikes, on real trails, not just on the street in front of the shop.

This really hit home for me when I was looking at a Yeti vs. an Ellsworth last year. I ended up demo'ing both on the same day, so I could compare them directly. A friend of mine (guy, same height) also tried both.

I fell in love with the Ellsworth, couldn't stand the Yeti, even though I was dead set on loving the Yeti, and I really thought Ellsworths were kind of snooty and not my personality at all. My friend had the exact opposite experience -- the Yeti worked for him and the Ellsworth just didn't.

Mountain bikes have such differences in suspension design and geometry that I just don't think anyone's opinion counts much aside from your own.

That being said, my first mountain bike I didn't do any research, and it was fine for a couple of years till it got run over. But after those couple of years, I did find myself interested in seeing what else is out there.

[BadgerGirl]

Thank you for all of the input. I have considered the SC Juliana too. I wasn't sure if I could get it to fit me since I am 5'11" and all legs...Since I just moved, I have not had time to check the shops out here. If I went with Giant, I would go back to my old shop in Boulder! (I am too loyal to them. And no Giant shops w/in 150 miles!)

Thank you for the input about Michigan. I have not visited MI in a long time! Thank you for the link Bear.

Bounceswoosh, you have a good point. We are all different. I was just worries I would get a mtn bike that was too much suspension for a flat WI! He he. Alright, I need to be nice to WI...it has some good traits!

Thank you everybody for the help.

[rocknrollgirl]

I have a FS Titus and I love it. Nuff said.....

[sundial]

The Titus is a great looking bike and looks ready for any challenge.

I've been chatting with Running Mommy about FS mtbs, specifically the Santa Cruz Blur. She recommended Giant and I'd like to give a Trance a test ride.

[BadgerGirl]

There are a lot of good bikes out there! Which is always good because you can find something to fit you, your style, and budget too. Anyone have any experience with Maverick? Thank you gals for all of your help!

[bounceswoosh]

Bounceswoosh, you have a good point. We are all different. I was just worries I would get a mtn bike that was too much suspension for a flat WI! He he. Alright, I need to be nice to WI...it has some good traits!
Thank you everybody for the help.

I ride my full suspension bike on trails that need it (for comfort over lots of rocks, not so much for drops), and I also ride it on flat dirt roads sometimes. Sure, you'll always get some bob, but what is your major worry in terms of going FS rather than hardtail?

You can also get lockout for front and back shocks. I had front lockout on my last mountain bike and found it a little weird, but both might be okay. For my current bike, I opted to believe the manufacturer; they claim their suspension design is so superior that lockouts aren't necessary ... I could have replaced the non-locking shock they used for the rear, but decided not to, and so far, I certainly haven't missed it. Not that I'd ever had it to compare.

Speaking of demoing -- you could demo a hardtail and a FS and see what you think on those WI trails.

If I had infinite money and room, I think I'd want a hardtail in my garage, just to have that option ... but with only one bike, FS can do more (comfortably) than hardtail.

[atombessy]

I have a Julianna as well, love love love it. One of the only things I wish I'd gotten (and will probably upgrade to in the future) is a rear shock that locks out. Definitely something to keep in mind, depending on the variety of trails you'll be riding...

[BadgerGirl]

I do have a hardtail, but it is going to get converted to a commuter bike. Yea! I should test the trails here with a bike I am looking at but two of the three manufacturers are not in this state. Santa Cruz bikes are one that I can test here, so I think I will do that soon. The others will have to wait...