Which bike do you ride & why?

[Sandrider]

I have an 8-year-old Kona Nunuu hardtail, 16 inches. I bought it because it was what I could get at the time and it has served me well for over 1,000 miles. However, I am not sure it is the right size for me because I have toe overlap. Despite the probably wrong size, the bike handles well in sand, mud, rocks, deep narrow ruts etc. I would love to check out a women's specific bike if I had the opportunity. I am trying to learn about other bikes through reading this forum!

Linda

[dirtygirl1]

#1. MTB: Norco Faze 1 (Full Suspension) - not WSD and I love the way it fits. The make a size XS and it's perfect for me out of the box (I am 5ft 4 and a petite woman). I love this bike because it is so flexible. I use it to race 24 hour enduros - it is great for climbing but also rocks on the dh sections.

#2 MTB: Norco XTC 1 (hard tail) - not WSD and i love the wat it fits. Great for short track or speedy short rides.

#3 DH Bike: Norco Sasquach - again, not WSD but again, i love the fit.

#4 Road: Giant TCR1 - not wsd but the fit is right.

#5: Commuter: Norco OCR3

I guess you can say that I like the way the Norco fits ... they make an XS and this makes me happy :-)

Best bet is to get fitted properly on the bike you decide you like - most bikes can be adjusted to fit you if they are close. The other more spendy option is to get a custom frame built.

[Crankin]

Ah, another mistake. I knew I should have bought the Norco x small.
But, my road bike issue is being rectified. I tried out another Kuota frame, that was only produced for a short time. I could stand over it! So, the first week in Sept. we will be switching out my components to this frame, along with a different bar and brifters. I am happy that the shop is doing this for me for free. He does not want me complaining around town. He knows I lead rides/have contact with a lot of riders and could really poison his business if he doesn't make me happy.

[jayno67]

I've had alot of bikes, none women specific. All fit nice with the right stem length, and seat post (ie layback or zero setback) but I am prolly average build 5'6" with longish legs so WSD not really needed IMO.

Current bikes -

Niner MCR 29er size medium, 90mm stem zero set back post, was gonna go for a small frame, this being a 29er I still had this brain blockage that you have to be a big girl to ride one, not so Med is the go. Geometry on this bike is totally DIALLED.

Jamis Dakar XC pro dually - 17" wonderful fit - this bike feels tiny now I ride a Niner

Jamis Dragon 17" - perfect fit - lovely bike now feels like a pram compared to Niner

Kona Explosive from the ninetys single speed to run the dog and ride down the shops

[stephanie1129]

I ride a Santa Cruz Blur XC, which is not women specific, but I bought it because it fit me better than any non-custom full suspension that I have tried. (Santa Cruz's women specific bike, the Juliana, has the same effective top tube, but had a higher stand over.) I am only 5'0" and my inseam is barely 27". I put a slightly shorter stem on it than what it came with, and it fits like a dream.

I have a beater hardtail mountain bike that I use as my spare, or to ride to school, or let friends borrow. It's an XS (13in) Novara Piedra, which is women specific. The geometry is different from the blur, more upright, but I don't think that's due to the fact it's women specific because the men's version, Novara Aspen, has the same kind of geometry. I think Novara just didn't do a great job with the XS frames. Fine for riding around town or a back-up bike, and I can't complain about the price.

[bike4ever]

So now I get to change. I was on a Salsa Ala Carte (look here soon to be for sale). I am now on a Gary Fisher Paragon. This is their high end 29er hardtail. I am absolutely loving it. Oh, and I'm 5'4", and the bike fits perfect.

[fastdogs]

got a photo of the paragon? Did you go from full suspension to hardtail- do you like it better? Not trying to hijack- I have a trek 7200 hybrid and a gary fisher wahoo and a downtube FS9 folding bike. I am just interested in hardtail 29er vs full suspension 29er.
I'm heavy, and old, and not too crazy about getting bounced around so much any more.
vickie