2014 Carbon Hardtail for a 5ft 1in Female

[Wahine]

I'm sure there are. But they still won't be as durable as steel.

[TigerMom]

I just tried a 27.5 again. I had tried a GT aluminum 27.5 full suspension and the Giant Obsess 2 carbon hardtail 27.5 and still not impressed by the 27.5 wheel. I felt like it did not steer that much better than the 29er for me (I am not riding crazy hard switchbacks). Also the 29er rolled sooo much better over rocks and dips when going uphill and downhill for me compared to the 27.5 which would buck me off on some of the big rocks/roots.

I think that I am going to do more research on 29ers for short people. But, I think my choices are limited due to standover. The only two carbon hardtail 29ers that I could find in the $3500 price range are: Specialized Fate Small which has a standover of 715mm and the Niner Air 9 XS which has a Standover of 688mm.

Anyone have a preference after riding both bikes as there are no bikes in my size to demo?

[TigerMom]

I just tried a 27.5 again. I had tried a GT aluminum 27.5 full suspension and the Giant Obsess 2 carbon hardtail 27.5 and still not impressed by the 27.5 wheel. I felt like it did not steer that much better than the 29er for me (I am not riding crazy hard switchbacks). Also the 29er rolled sooo much better over rocks and dips when going uphill and downhill for me compared to the 27.5 which would buck me off on some of the big rocks/roots.

I think that I am going to do more research on 29ers for short people. But, I think my choices are limited due to standover. The only two carbon hardtail 29ers that I could find in the $3500 price range are: Specialized Fate Small which has a standover of 715mm and the Niner Air 9 XS which has a Standover of 688mm.

Anyone have a preference after riding both bikes as there are no bikes in my size to demo?

Dear Wahine,

Just to let your future petite clients know....the standover for the XS Air 9 hardtail is under-measured. I think that Niner measured standover right where the nose of the saddle is. The standover in reality...add at least another 45mm. Several other short females also complained on the internet regarding Niner's XS/Small "inaccurate" standover measurements (which is why I doubled checked on the Medium Fate and the Small Air 9 as comparisons). For the Fate, probably add 15mm.

Thus, the only 29er bike in my future is the Specialized Fate.

I will start saving now and hope that my husband will let me buy over budget.