you don't say what your budget range is, once you get to about $500 the quality of the compenents increases dramatically. Any fork on a bike that costs less than that is most likely going to be an elastomer fork, ( giant rubber bands) and not air or coil.

Giant also provides some of the best bang for your buck bike on the lower end of the spectrum.

Correct fit is, IMSHO, the most critical factor in mountain bike fit.

And now to put out my women specific soap box:

Women specific is designed for a specific body type, which if you fall into that range ( long legs, short torso) is great. But do not buy one just becuase you are female. Unless you are spending a lot of $$ on one, as a rule they have a more crappy component set than the same bike, non, wsd version.

irulan