EMD9 XS vs Fate Comp 29er vs Garmin 800

[indysteel]

I'd add this, too. You mentioned the 15" Fate's standover, but how did the rest of the bike fit? Standover is an issue on a MTB (more so than on a roadie, although some people might debate me on that), but there's more to fit than just standover. As short as you are, I have to wonder whether a 15 inch might be too big, but in the very least you need to give it a thorough test ride. Get out of the saddle and move around the bike like you might on a trail.

That said, I stand by my last post. It sounds like you're just getting into mountain biking. While there's certainly nothing wrong with starting out with spendy bike (although in the world of mountain bikes, $2500 isn't what I'd call high), there are any number of very nice 29ers on the market at a lower price point. I'm also not sure why you've narrowed it down to these two bikes (although they're nice bikes). If I was going to spend that much on a HT 29er, I'd test ride and demo as much as I could. Fit is key and at your height, I'd suggest trying out as many as you can (and I'd throw some 26ers into the mix as well). I'd also have a clear idea of what kind of trails it was going to be used for and how much travel I needed for my fork. Perhaps you've answered those questions for yourself; it's just not clear from your posts.

[TigerMom]

I'd add this, too. You mentioned the 15" Fate's standover, but how did the rest of the bike fit? Standover is an issue on a MTB (more so than on a roadie, although some people might debate me on that), but there's more to fit than just standover. As short as you are, I have to wonder whether a 15 inch might be too big, but in the very least you need to give it a thorough test ride. Get out of the saddle and move around the bike like you might on a trail.

That said, I stand by my last post. It sounds like you're just getting into mountain biking. While there's certainly nothing wrong with starting out with spendy bike (although in the world of mountain bikes, $2500 isn't what I'd call high), there are any number of very nice 29ers on the market at a lower price point. I'm also not sure why you've narrowed it down to these two bikes (although they're nice bikes). If I was going to spend that much on a HT 29er, I'd test ride and demo as much as I could. Fit is key and at your height, I'd suggest trying out as many as you can (and I'd throw some 26ers into the mix as well). I'd also have a clear idea of what kind of trails it was going to be used for and how much travel I needed for my fork. Perhaps you've answered those questions for yourself; it's just not clear from your posts.

At 5ft 1in, there are not a lot of hardtail 29er bikes that fit me in regards to the standover height. I prefer the 29ers because I seem to be better at MTB on my 700cc hybrid than my athletic husband on his 26er MTB.

I ride dirt trails (no crazy offroading) with steep hill inclines (I'm guessing more than 10%). My main concern is climbing uphills.

I would prefer Specialized because I love my LBS Specialized concept store that I go to (Rock N Road Cyclery in Anaheim, CA sells Specialized and EMD 9/Niner bikes).

I was trying to get a good MTB that is light because I am 5ft1in and 110 pounds and I was trying to be preventative at bike upgraditis. I will definitely take into consideration regarding the TE members suggesting a cheaper aluminum 29er plus Garmin instead of my dream bike without Garmin.


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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