Experienced roadie considering 1st MTB…advice needed

[Aggie_Ama]

For the riding in my area a full suspension is heavenly but we do have lots of rock gardens. That being said I learned to ride HT and I wouldn't recommend anyone start on FS. In my opinion you learn more skills on the HT and I am glad I started with one. For me my FS climbs better, although DH says the opposite, but with 5" of travel I get a bit complacent on descents and don't always use the correct form. The FS will compensate but I do not think you should let it because I recently had my first downhill crash from not being far enough back. One of the women I ride with took her 12 year old's FS away and put him back on a HT because he was doing the same. If I was to advise someone on starting on FS I would tell them to lock out the rear or ride in pro pedal. For me wide open gives me the maximum fun but does lead to my being a bit relaxed.

My husband is on the fence about the 29ers he has rented, I have never ridden one so I can't comment. I do know Specialized makes the Rockhopper in a 29er. My experience is Specialized has short top tubes with my short torso and long legs (but only 5'2") I hated their WSD. If I had gone Specialized I would have likely tried the men's bikes because I felt squished on the WSD.

Can you rent some to try on the trail? I was completely comfortable on a Specialized Myka in the parking lot, took a Safire out on the trail and felt like I was going over the bars. But it did help me realize I definitely wanted a full suspension. I couldn't rent my bike but I did have the promise of my LBS that I could return it if I hated it. Luckily the trail ride echoed the love of the bike I had in the parking lot.

[Drtgirl]

I think Specialized is coming out with a women's specific 29-er for 2011.