Advice for a new bike? Specifics inside!

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Evidence of Cannondale's gender-neutral WSD bikes--this is my 2009 F5 (Petite)...DS is poised to inherit it, which is why I'm looking for a new mtn. bike, too.

[ShutUpLegs]

Nice Cannondale!!

Geez, I'm having a hard time. I have an LBS I have a good relationship with who is a Specialized dealer. They can order a Rockhopper for me, but then I'd be obligated to buy - and what if I don't like it or it doesn't fit well? If I go with the Cannondale SL3, I will have bought it without comparing with anything else since no other retailer carries small sizes - and I'm not comfortable doing that :-P.

How do you gals my size get around this? Any ideas?

I'm going to call a few Trek dealers to see if they have my size. I'm looking at the Skye SL Disc. The only other one is the 6000 WSD, which is a bit out of my price range or the Mamba which is a 29er (with a 54cm reach I'm thinking will be too big).

[indysteel]

I had to buy my Santa Cruz Juliana sight unseen. I was pretty nervous about it. Comparing it to my Specialized Myka HT thought (which I was able to test out beforehand but was so green that I had no idea what to even "test" it for), I had a strong sense that it would fit. But it was a gamble for sure.

[Catrin]

I also bought my lovely Jamis Dakar XC Comp sight unseen...but I was able to test a Jamis Durango which has very similar geometry. I knew nothing at the time and relied on the advice of my fitter as to the best fit between the Dakar and two other full suspension bikes I was considering.

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I've actually never ridden any of my bikes before buying. I trust our LBS guy to determine if a bike is going to work for me, or not. So far, so good!

[ShutUpLegs]

Well, that's good to know. I guess riding it before buying is a luxury I'm finding out us short people can't afford! I have built up a road bike frame before with nice components and of course didn't know what that would feel like. Worked out awesomely I guess I feel like with a mountain bike it's much different. Then again, I'm probably too much of a newbie to tell the difference anyway

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Yup...a lot of shops don't carry smaller sizes in-stock, especially in non-WSD frames, like my road bike. My CX bike was actually in-stock and I saw it on the rack for months before we purchased it, after it went on clearance. Our LBS buddy kept taunting me with it, telling me "hey, YOUR bike is still there..." So once I decided I was stupid enough to try CX racing I had DH bring it home for me. That bike is my favorite of my 3. It actually fits me the best.

[ShutUpLegs]

So I actually ended up going with a WSD Small 2011 SL2! I got a fantastic deal the bike shop really hooked me up with a perfect fit. Rode the bike last night on a swoopy little singletrack, and it was completely fantastic. Light, nimble, responsive..Light years beyond my old bike. Love love loooove it!

It's white with green accents. Downside? This is as clean as it's probably ever going to be....

[indysteel]

Awesome! I hope the two of you have lots of fun together!

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Very nice! So a small, not an XS? You can imagine how cramped I am on my XS/petite of the F5 (which is essentially the same frame as the Trail SL, they just changed the name a few years back), as I am nearly 5'4".

[ShutUpLegs]

Yeah, the XS would be too short of a reach for me, said the fitter. I thought I felt pretty good on the one I tried, but I felt FANTASTIC after he fitted me on this one. Apparently I also have longer legs (relative to torso) than most women. The seat post had to be lifted up quite a few times before we got it right at the magical 150-degree knee angle mark.

[ShutUpLegs]

Oh yeah and at 5'4" you must be really cramped! Good thing you're getting a new one!

I'm now dreaming about riding my new bike instead of working! Doh!

[jessmarimba]

Very nice! So a small, not an XS? You can imagine how cramped I am on my XS/petite of the F5 (which is essentially the same frame as the Trail SL, they just changed the name a few years back), as I am nearly 5'4".

I can't imagine!! I have an old F500 (I think), and I have a medium!

[zoom-zoom]

Oh yeah and at 5'4" you must be really cramped! Good thing you're getting a new one!

I'm now dreaming about riding my new bike instead of working! Doh!

Yep, and I am all torso, so it's really awkward. DH has suggested a setback seatpost...I'm not biting, since that would change my orientation to the crank. I can't get my butt back as far as I need to for descents, because of how little space I have. My butt goes more up than back, which makes me feel like my center of gravity is too high and unstable.

I can't wait to get on a more appropriately sized frame!

I'd be dreaming about riding, too. Good thing you still have an entire Summer ahead of you for that!