Standover heights?!?

[Cari]

I've been wanting a full-suspension mountain bike for quite some time now. I've had my eye on a few models, and thought that as soon as I felt I could spring for it, I'd start doing test rides and such. I'm looking for 4" of rear travel and a 4" fork.

Now I find that I'm too short to fit on most of these bikes! So far I've tried the Ellsworth Truth, Ventana Saltamontes and Titus Racer-X, all in size Small... and they're all too high for me! So far, the only remote possibility I've found is a Titus Racer-X in XS, but I'd have to use an 80mm fork instead of the 100mm I wanted. What's up with this, guys? Are all female mountain bikers tall?

I'm 5'4" and my inseam is 74cm/29". My current mtb is a Gary Fisher Tassajara, a hardtail in size 15.5", which fits pretty well. I guess I like long bikes because even though the stem is only 90mm, the seat is pushed all the way back. I've been told that 2-3" of clearance is ideal, but that I should be OK with 1-2". Do any of you petite women have suggestions for full-suspension bikes that fit you?

Thanks in advance,

~Cari

[Kathi]

Cari,

I'm 5'1/2 and I have a Titus Racer X in an XS. I chose Titus because of the steeper seat tube angle that most mtn bikes don't have.

Could you get a custom frame that would have the travel that you want?

[yellow]

Why can't they put a 100mm fork on the XS? I too have a Titus Racer X XS, but I chose an 80mm fork. I'm pretty sure I could have had a 100mm fork if I wanted.

SadieKate has a Racer X XS too...she may have a 100mm fork on it.

[SadieKate]

Nope, I have a 80mm also. It has to do with the geometry and suspension design so that when the suspension sags under your weight the steering is at the right angle.

Cari, have you looked at a Marin Mt Vision? I'm a smidge shorter than you and have one with a 100 mm fork on it. It has a longer wheelbase than the Racer X. I haven't a clue what my inseam is. I set all my saddles at 70cm from the ctr of the crank to the top of the saddle.

What type of trails are you riding?

[SadieKate]

What about Yeti and Intense?

[snowtulip]

Hi Cari,
Personally can't help (I'm 4'11' with a 25 inseam, I ride a Titus Locomoto XS), but I have a friend with very same inseam and height as you (not sure about torso) that loves her Santa Cruz Superlight small with a 100mm. Not sure if the Santa Cruz Juliana would also provide what you're looking for.

[rocknrollgirl]

I do not want to hijack your thread, but how do you ladies like your Racer X???

I am currently bike shopping.

Ruth

[Cari]

I'm 5'1/2 and I have a Titus Racer X in an XS. I chose Titus because of the steeper seat tube angle that most mtn bikes don't have.

Could you get a custom frame that would have the travel that you want?

Kathi: Sorry if this is a dumb question, but... What's a steeper seat tube angle? Does that mean that the seat is set further back than the bottom bracket, or the opposite of that?

The only custom bikes I'm truly familiar with are Independent Fabrication, since I have one of their Crown Jewels (a steel road bike). Their fullie is called the Tungsten Electrode. My mechanic and riding buddy advised me against it -- said that it was overpriced and that the rear shock wasn't very good. It certainly is expensive, but I don't know anything about suspensions, so I don't really have an opinion. I can call them and see if they can make me something that will fit.

Why can't they put a 100mm fork on the XS? I too have a Titus Racer X XS, but I chose an 80mm fork.

Yellow: In the Racer-X geometry tables they have separate lists for sizes designed for an 80mm and a 100mm fork. There's XXS - S for 80mm and S-XL for 100mm. I guess I might be able to fit on an XS if I use a seatpost with setback and a long-ish stem. What made you decide to go with the 80mm fork?

Cari, have you looked at a Marin Mt Vision? I'm a smidge shorter than you and have one with a 100 mm fork on it. It has a longer wheelbase than the Racer X.

Kate: I'll check out the Marin Mt. Vision. I've heard that Marin bikes are heavy but very plush. Is that true? I was hoping for something light (unlike my mule-ish Tassajara). Then again, the same mechanic who advised me about IF's Tungsten Electrode told me that he'd buy a Marin Mt. Vision Pro.

Another dumb question: Is there a particular benefit to having a longer wheelbase?

I haven't a clue what my inseam is. I set all my saddles at 70cm from the ctr of the crank to the top of the saddle.

I checked that same measurement as a comparison: on my road bike it's 67cm, and 65.5cm on the mtb. Maybe you have sexy long legs? What size road bike do you use? (Mine's a 50.)

What type of trails are you riding?

Until now I've limited myself to riding in open spaces -- bumpy, with some climbs and such, but hardly anything technical. I figured I'd hone my skills and get into better shape and then move on the real stuff. The only real trail I've ridden so far was last Sunday! Some friends went to practice because their next race is there and they brought me along so I could try their bikes. There were slippery rocky areas, steep muddy climbs, some parts with lots of roots to ride over, switchbacks, and some scary bits where you have a short, steep descent followed by a sharp turn (miss the turn and you hit a tree.) I did OK, I think -- fell only 3 times in about 1.5 hours -- but I was on the Ventana Saltamontes with the 125mm fork on the first lap, and then the Racer-X with 100mm on the second lap. I don't think I could have done all that on my current bike.

What I have on my hardtail right now is an 80mm Fox fork. Do you think that maybe I don't need the 100mm?

What about Yeti and Intense?

I don't know anything about them (don't know about many brands, period) but I'm very open to suggestions so I'll check their websites.

[Cari]

Hi Cari,
Personally can't help (I'm 4'11' with a 25 inseam, I ride a Titus Locomoto XS), but I have a friend with very same inseam and height as you (not sure about torso) that loves her Santa Cruz Superlight small with a 100mm. Not sure if the Santa Cruz Juliana would also provide what you're looking for.

Hey, thanks for the tip. I'll look into Santa Cruz as well. By the way, what is a Locomoto? Is it an all-mountain bike?

I'm actually thinking about the Titus MotoLite. For some reason, the standover height is lower in that model. Judging from the standover and the top tube length, I think I'd be right between an XS and a S. They give dimensions for both a 100mm and 130mm fork but I'd go with a 100. It seems like the MotoLite might be more bike than I need, but if it fits...

Do any of you have it, or know of someone who does? Is it heavy, does it bob a lot on climbs, etc?

[SadieKate]

Cari, you need to go do some research on XC bikes vs all mountain. In general, an XC bike has a shorter wheelbase, steeper angles and handles faster. All mtn is a bit more all purpose and is more stable on steeper, more technical descents.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7536

I have a 2001 Marin Mt Vision which has been significantly upgraded. It is not heavy and yes, it is very plush. The longer wheelbase and angles means it is more stable on loose, technical and rocky descents than a Racer-X. However, the Racer X excels the Marin on really narrow singletrack. You need to determine what terrain you will be riding and then look for a bike that works for that terrain.

I've ridden road bikes anywhere from a 49 to a 52 cm. I have long legs, a short torso and long arms. I probably don't fit bikes the same way you do. I think you need to look for a mtn bike with a long top tube and in very small size. Fishers are known for their long top tubes.

[yellow]

Yellow: What made you decide to go with the 80mm fork?

Cost (I had the entire bike built, and the math required me to cut in a couple of places...the front shock was one of them). I have a RockShox SID on it. I was riding a POC before, so to me it feels very nice!

My hubby has the MotoLite. He loves it as he can change the rear travel from 4 to 5 inches. Of course his is an XL, I think, so his big person's fondness for the bike may not apply to your situation. It's not heavy at all. I think his weighs in at about 27-28 pounds (and remember, it's an XL!).

[mellic]

Hi Cari. I'm exactly the same height as you and know how frustrating it can be to find a bike as it seems we are between sizes for a lot of brands. The ideal bike size for our height is 15.5", but you should be quite comfortable on something 'slightly' smaller.

If you are not a very heavy person you will get away with 80mm of travel as long as the fork is sturdy. I ride with an 80mm reba fork and I am quite an agressive rider and have never bottomed it out.

Have you had a look at any Specialized bikes? Most of their bikes come in 15.5" (small). The top tube angle is a lot lower in comparison to other bikes giving you more clearance as well. I would have a look at an epic or stumpjumper fsr.

[tattiefritter]

Hi Cari,

I'm the same height as you with a similar inseam and I have an XS Titus Moto-Lite (the replacement for the LocoMoto). I run 5" travel on the rear and have a 90 - 130mm TALAS on the front, but the Moto-Lite can be adjusted to suit 4" on the rear as has already been said above. The Moto-Lite is an "all mountain" bike, whatever that means. It's awesome, in most things. Its not particularly heavy, I have never weighed mine, although I do know it is heavier than the hardtail it replaced (though that was fairly light). I did spend quite a bit of money puting a lightish build on it, but not stupidly light. It climbs pretty well,only slightly worse than my hardtail, I don't think it bobs too much at all. I have a Fox RP3 shock on it and there is a definite difference in the three settings. It descends like an absolute demon and I think it is a very stable bike.

My Avatar has me riding it though I don't think you'll see much !

I had similar problems last year when looking for a small suss and the Titus was the only one that I demoed and liked. A friend of mine is looking at the moment and her shortlist is Santa Cruz Juliana/Blur XC, Yeti ASR (not the 575 as the standover on that is really high even on the smaller sizes), and a Moto-Lite. There is also the Ventana X5 which goes down to really small frame sizes.

[Pebble]

Not one you looked at, but I'm 5'5" and have a 30" inseam, I've found the Giant Trance 16" (mens model) has plenty of standover but I've had to put a 60mm stem and a riser for it to feel just right reach wise. I understand in the UK they have brought out a Trance Womens, could be worth considering (reckon one should be coming out in the US & Australia for 2007). 4" both ends!
If you need more than 4" consider the Giant Reign.

Good value for money, and the Maestro Suspension system works really well.

[bcipam]

Cari:

I'm joining this conversation late but two bikes that might work well for you are the SC Superlight previously mentioned and the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR - both have similar geometry. The Superlight is a XC bike with 4" of travel. The Spec. FSR is a XC bike with 4" and the Stumpjumper FSR is an all-mountain bike with 5". Both SC and Spec. sale women specific bikes for each model (the Superlight is the Juliana for SC). Both the SC and the Spec. have alot of clearance. I'm 5'8" and ride a medium on both bikes although I can almost do a large in the Superlight. I own the Spec Stumpjumper FSR and love the bike. Almost bought the Superlight but with the fit kit I wanted it was alittle out of my price range.

The Blur tends to be a "tall" bike, not alot of clearance. Most of my friends ride SC, and prefer the Superlight over the Blur.