Good choice for a first mountain bike?

[zoom-zoom]

Ooh, see if you can get your hands on a '09 Cannondale F5 in their "petite" size. I scored one for half of retail, since Cannondale greatly overestimated how many they needed to make in that size. A few months back they had hundreds sitting in the warehouse. My guess is they are all gone, but it doesn't hurt to ask your nearest Cdale dealer. I think we got mine for about $375 and they normally retailed for $750. I am just under 5'4". I could probably go with a size larger, especially because I like a longer cockpit, but I'm pretty comfortable on the petite (essentially an XS).

[Pip]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to go into my LBS and see what they have available. I only recently bought myself my dream road bike, so I'm being a bit cheeky looking for MTBs already! I personally want as much standover room as possible. I've been looking at 16 inch frames, and they seem about right. I'm not sure what the seller is saying in this case when she says the frame's 24?!

[laura*]

I'm not sure what the seller is saying in this case when she says the frame's 24?!

It could have 24" wheels/tires.

This confused me at one point too - I couldn't understand why people were using such large numbers to describe small bikes. Then I discovered that non-cyclists who are only familiar with one-size-fits-all X-mart bikes differentiate them via wheel size.

[Pip]

Ah yes, that makes sense! I've left a question on the auction asking her if there's an XS on the frame to indicate its size, as I suspect that's what it will be.

It hadn't occurred to me the wheels might be 24 inch. I'm not so sure I'm keen on them being that small. Still, I might be able to pick it up cheaply enough that I can live with them till I decide whether I like off road cycling enough to upgrade.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm not sure, but I think 24" wheels are typically put on kids' bikes.

[Irulan]

I'm not sure, but I think 24" wheels are typically put on kids' bikes.

Yes.

[radacrider]

Not sure where they are getting the 24". Searching on specs for an approx 2009 Scott Contessa 40 indicates only 26" tires; there is no "Junior" version of a Contessa.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...TATES#features

[Pip]

Yep, it's a 15 inch frame with 26 inch wheels. Methinks the seller doesn't know too much about bikes! The auction closes in half an hour and someone outbid me a while back, but the highest bid is still lower than I'm prepared to go so I'm going to wait a bit longer than stick my hand up again! Strategy ...

[Pip]

And .... I didn't get the bike. I bid over what I was comfortable bidding and someone went higher than me. I sat there watching the seconds tick down with my hand on my mouse ready to put another bid in but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I think the person who bought it paid too much, but that's their choice! I guess I'll just have to keep looking ...

[Catrin]

And .... I didn't get the bike. I bid over what I was comfortable bidding and someone went higher than me. I sat there watching the seconds tick down with my hand on my mouse ready to put another bid in but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I think the person who bought it paid too much, but that's their choice! I guess I'll just have to keep looking ...

Your bike is out there, it just wasn't time. You don't want to regret your timing, for sure. Good luck with your search!

[Pip]

Well, it took a little time but I finally got a bike! I bought a four year old bike by Avanti. It only cost me $150NZ, an absolute steal. It's in great condition, well looked after. I figure it'll give me a year to decide whether I like riding offroad enough to upgrade, and by that time the next year's sales will be starting. Right now I have a bike which will enable me to get my husband to drag out his bike from storage and tackle a few easy trails with me. I'm a very happy Pip!