It sucks being short-bike lust reality. Long.

[eofelis]

I don't have any experience buying mountain bikes, but I have found that my patience plus extra small needs (~43 cm) have allowed me to get great deals on used bikes.

It takes patience but when these tiny gems are for sale there aren't a lot of bidders. Buying on eBay doesn't allow me to test ride, but I know what geometry will fit and what won't work so I don't worry.

+1

I got someone's tiny custom geometry Gunnar Sport frame with an Ouzo Pro fork on ebay for 1/4 of the original cost. (I won it, $285 shipped)

A few years back I got a Gunnar Rockhound ht mtn frame for $200 on ebay.

A year ago I got a leftover 2007 44cm Specialized Ruby Expert for 30% off. $2000 for a full carbon, full Ultegra triple bike is not bad....

My commuter bike is a REI garage sale find: a NOS in-the-box old style steel Novara Randonee frame for $15.

Always keep your eyes open.