Today I checked out the following Full Suspension 29ers:

1)Pivot Mach 429 ($5400.00 with XT/XTR, 2X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 29.25in)
2)Specialized Camber Comp 29 ($2750.00 with X7/XT,2X10, 110mm of travel, published SO 30.2in)
3)Salsa Spearfish 3 ($2199, X5/X7, 2X10, 80mm rear, 100mm front travel, published SO 29.3in)
4)Specialized Epic Comp 29 ($3300.00 with X7/X9, 2X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 29.7.)

I'm 5'3'' and found these frames available in stock in Austin in shops all in the smallest frames available (Cycle Progression for the Pivot, Bicycle Sport Shop for the Specialized and Salsa).


I have previously ridden:
Gary Fisher HiFi/Trek Superfly 100 Aluminum Elite ($2649.99 with SLX/XT, 3X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 28.1in)

The HiFi was rebranded this year as the aluminum superfly, I think, but I've actually ridden both versions in the 15.5''. I've ridden the HiFi on trails 6 or 7 times (husband's bike), and the Superfly on a demo day hour long trail ride.

The published standover hights are not something you should put a lot of stock in. Some of them measure standover right in front of the crank (duh, the nose of the saddle is there, no one can ACTUALLY stand in that spot), and some measure in a more appropriate place about halfway up the top tube. It's pretty much useless. You have to stand over them yourself. I can PROMISE you there is more standover on the Epic than on any of the others, even though 3 other bikes reported smaller SO high measurements.

Speafish had the highest "in person" standover. The Pivot was better for standover, but is also a 5400.00 bike. Felt about the same as the HiFi/Superfly for standover.

The Camber was a surprise! Definately lower standover than the HiFi, Superfly, Spearfish and Pivot. (See, they LIE!!, lol) We were making progiress.

But the Epic Comp.... that did it. DEFINATLEY the best standover on a 29er I've seen in person. I had a little standover clearance on the medium frame! Very comfortable with the stanover on the small.

It's on hold till it stops raining and I can ride it more than just under the awning of the shop. I'm pretty sure it's a done deal... /squeal