Initial thoughts about my new MTB

[thekarens]

Thanks for the link, it is helpful.

No, he didn't, but I think part of that is he expects me back in a couple of days for adjustments. Right now I have his carbon handlebars (to test to see if I like the length of them) his chunky grips (again to see if I like them) and one of the shops saddles, so all that has to go back.

[indysteel]

I would suggest cutting your bars down in increments. And test any change you make to the bars out on your trails before deciding anything. Comfort is important, obviously, but you don't want your bars so narrow that you don't have any leverage for twists and turns.

As for saddles, I like a slightly longer nose on my mtb saddle than on my road bike. I tend to sit on the nose for certain climbs. I'm just using the stock saddle that came on my Santa Cruz, but I used a WTB saddle on a mtb trip in Utah that I really liked. You might check out their line of saddles.

[thekarens]

The reason I've got his handlebars instead of the ones that came with the bike is because his are much shorter than the stock ones on my bike. He wanted me to try out the shorter bars before he cut them, so when I go back on Friday I'll let him know how I feel about the length of his bars. You can always make them shorter, but never longer

I'm very tempted by the WTB Speed She Saddle. I like the way it looks and feels, but I've been sized at 150-155mm. and WTB only comes in 145mm or less. It might still work. I'd have to try it. My Selle Italia Gel on my road bike is 155mm and I love it, but of course how you sit on a MTB and how you sit on the road bike is different.