What quality XXS hardtail bikes are out there?

[Becky]

The GT Zaskar in an XS sticks in my brain for some reason. Looks like it's only being made in carbon this year though. They did make it in aluminum last year- you might still be able to find one.

[mixie]

I would look at Jamis bikes. I am 5' tall and just bought a 13" Durango 2. It's probably too heavy for your gf, but I didn't have quite the budget you did!

Jamis makes a LOT of mtbs in 13" size which I find fits me great! I also have a Jamis road bike and I gotta hand it to them, they know how to make small bikes for small riders. Jenson USA has a lot of last years models on sale.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/1...&pricemax=5000

I live local to them so I was able to test ride a bike. They have awesome customer service.

(nope, I do not work for either Jamis or Jenson, just a happy customer!)

[eofelis]

I have a 13" steel hardtail Jamis Dragon. Not FS, but a nice tiny bike.
The Dakar might come in XXS size.

[Catrin]

I have a 13" steel hardtail Jamis Dragon. Not FS, but a nice tiny bike.
The Dakar might come in XXS size.

I've a 13" Jamis Dakar XC Comp - it is a soft-tail but am very happy with it. The Durango Femme comes in a 12" size. I don't know how that would compare with my 13", but my LBS noted the Durango 15 inch has the same dimensions as my 13" inch FS Dakar - so this is what I test rode before purchasing my lovely Dakar. My 13" Dakar XC is about 27 pounds, but it IS a soft-tail.

[indysteel]

I've a 13" Jamis Dakar XC Comp - it is a soft-tail but am very happy with it. The Durango Femme comes in a 12" size. I don't know how that would compare with my 13", but my LBS noted the Durango 15 inch has the same dimensions as my 13" inch FS Dakar - so this is what I test rode before purchasing my lovely Dakar. My 13" Dakar XC is about 27 pounds, but it IS a soft-tail.

The Dakar is a FS bike, no? That's not the same thing as a soft tail.

[Catrin]

The Dakar is a FS bike, no? That's not the same thing as a soft tail.

Yes, it is a FS, and I've mtb friends who refer to full suspension as a soft-tail. So if a soft-tail isn't a full suspension, then what IS it?

[Becky]

I've heard the terms "full suspension" and "soft tail" used interchangeably, but I've also heard them used to mean different things. To me, a "soft tail" is something like a Moots YBB or a Salsa Dos Niner, with a tiny ~1"-travel shock mounted at the top of seat stays. A 'full suspension" has 3"+ of rear wheel travel, IMO, and the shock is placed elsewhere in the frame, depending on the style of suspension.

I don't think that either variation is right or wrong...just the different ways that different people use the terms...