Inexpensive mountain bikes

[goldfinch]

Yeah, the Tika and the Durango are too high on the standover. Nice bikes.

I did decide that the kids bike wasn't a good idea. I am leaning towards the Myka or Jett. I am going to be in Minneapolis in a few weeks and have tracked down a Myka to try out.

[goldfinch]

Well, this is frustrating. Back last spring I tried the 13" Jett Comp, with 26 inch wheels, and the 13" Myka, also with 26 inch wheels. I liked the light Jett the best but the higher price put me off. I decided to wait until later in the year and see if I could pick up a cheaper one. Or, just give in and pay the extra.

Can't find any 13" closeouts. And, the Jett is no longer made with the 26 inch wheels and 13" frame.

I am bummed.

They also changed the geometry on the Myka line.

[TrekDianna]

Have you looked at a Trek Skye? I have a 14 inch and it took a lot of test riding to find a comfortable bike.

[indysteel]

FWIW, the top tube on my mountain bikes, even when taking into consideration the differences in HTA are longer in the TT than my road/touring bikes.

I have the Myka in the non-disc version. It would be fine for your purposes unless you ride in wet conditions a lot. My only complaint with the componentry (I'd have to check to see if this year's model is the same is mine) is that it was VERY hard to shift between chainrings. Going from bigger to smaller was fine, but smaller to bigger was very hard.

[ridebikeme]

I would also recommend that you look at Cannondale. They have some great closeouts happening at the moment, both in the unise and womens models. FWIW, for 2013 many companies have dropped the number of 26" wheel mtn bikes that they will offer, so 2012 might simply give you more choices!

Good luck in your search!

[ridebikeme]

A suggestion that I would have would be to take a look at Cannondale. They're having some great sales right now, and you just might be able to buy a more expensive bike within your budget. They have unisex models and some WSD models on sale!

Good luck in your search!

[goldfinch]

A suggestion that I would have would be to take a look at Cannondale. They're having some great sales right now, and you just might be able to buy a more expensive bike within your budget. They have unisex models and some WSD models on sale!

Good luck in your search!

Too tall on the stand-over.

[TigerMom]

How about an XS Santa Cruz Juliana? I know that it is a full suspension and not a hardtail, but it should fit you. As for the price, you can always consider used or prior year models.

___________________________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Bethany1]

Darn. My daughter has the pink/black Myka that came out last year or year before but when I checked it's a 19. She never uses it, probably because the lady didn't know what she was doing and being new, neither did I when it came to size. I would happily sell it to you if it fit. Hers is the basic model though, Suntour fork and basic components.

[thekarens]

I recently bought a Trek 820 wsd, which comes in a 13. It was $350, but it is very basic. My partner got the Sky and paid $400.

[goldfinch]

Darn. My daughter has the pink/black Myka that came out last year or year before but when I checked it's a 19. She never uses it, probably because the lady didn't know what she was doing and being new, neither did I when it came to size. I would happily sell it to you if it fit. Hers is the basic model though, Suntour fork and basic components.

I need a thirteen, 19 is too big. Too bad!

[goldfinch]

Have you looked at a Trek Skye? I have a 14 inch and it took a lot of test riding to find a comfortable bike.

The 13 inch Skye's with the better components have too high a standover. The ones with a more step through frame are kind of bottom end on components. I have tired of bottom end components.

[TrekDianna]

The 13 inch Skye's with the better components have too high a standover. The ones with a more step through frame are kind of bottom end on components. I have tired of bottom end components.

Hmmm I have a Skye SL disc wsd. How tall are you? I am 5"1 with very short legs. The 2013's look much different from the 2012's. Have you checked for any 2012's around?

[indysteel]

I wouldn't rely on published specs when it comes to standover because it depends on where they measure it along the top tube. If you could actually try one out, that would be ideal.

Beyond that, does Giant have anything that would work?

[goldfinch]

I wouldn't rely on published specs when it comes to standover because it depends on where they measure it along the top tube. If you could actually try one out, that would be ideal.

Beyond that, does Giant have anything that would work?

Yeah, trying out is tough. I drove nearly 200 miles to try out the Myka and Jett and then didn't act. I do regret that. I didn't see anything from Giant that would work. Nor Cannondale.