Woot! My Juliana just came in.

[indysteel]

Oooh, pretty! Let me know what you think of the bike. It's at the top of my short list of FS bikes. I'm riding a Specialized Myka HT that I actually like despite it having few bells and whistles. The Juliana would be a big step up.

[Nick]

Hi Mary Ann, I'll be sure to post updates! I considered the Myka when I was first researching entry level mtbs, but just didn't like the fit and feel when I tried one at the LBS. I found several reviews from women my size raving about their Juliana.That is what eventually led me to ordering the Juliana, even though no-one in this region carries one I could try. I had to buy sight unseen, but so far am happy with the decision. She felt great on the trainer. We'll see how she does on the trails...

[Catrin]

Congratulations on the new bike!

[Nick]

Thanks, Catrin! You've inspired me with all your recent adventures...

[bellissima]

Awesome bike! I love the color

[sgtiger]

Nick, I agree that it is a beautiful color. It looks like it'd be very fun to ride too. I can't wait to read your first ride report.

[Nick]

Thanks, ladies -- I agree that the color is really nice. It looks even better "live" than on the Santa Cruz website pics.

Well, my inaugural trip ride had a bad ending -- as you'll see from my other thread. This was my first time going clipless with the Candy 3 pedal, and I had a couple of falls, the second one being quite nasty. But, I think I'm OK. Bruises I can handle... So, this was all due to the pedals, at a near standstill, and not the bike's fault.

Once clipped in, smiles, the Juliana handles beautifully. I did my easy loops rather than the more challenging trails - in order to get a feel for the bike (and learn to ride clipless). The Juliana's twin brother is the Santa Cruz Superlight, and she certainly feels feather light compared to my hardtail (which isn't a heavy bike). She is very nimble and responsive -- I could feel the bike molding to cues from my core even before I made turns or nudged in a direction. I can feel a difference in the cornering and the handling from the Gary Fisher (which, though old, is a wonderful bike). Within one short loop around I felt comfortable in handling the bike.

It took me a couple of stops and investigation (following cables with my hands to find where they connect, lol) to figure out the gears -- the Gary Fisher uses a different type of switching mechanism. Once I knew what connected where, and realized that I had two switches per hand/gearset, I soon had her set her in comfortable gears. I didn't have much need for braking other than a couple of brief slow downs and my stops at the Jeep to practice clipping in and out (I did that between every loop). But, when I did brake they were remarkably silent and smooth.

It'll take me a while to get used to the "bouncier" feel of full suspension, as well as the additional height fs gives on the bike. And I'll have to see if I stick with clipless or go back to a flat pedal... All in all, really pleased with the Juliana. She was voted 2011 editor's choice of women's trail bike by Biking Magazine: http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbik...kes?page=0%2C3