I’ve been thinking that a new mountain bike would be nice. My old hardtail was always a little too large for me. And maybe, just maybe, I should try out this crazy dual-suspension thing that all the kids have been talking about.
But it seems an awful lot of the women’s specific cross-country style MTBs out there at the moment don’t really appeal to me though – far too many horrible paint jobs and ugly frames (also I’m anti-white-bits-on-bikes, we all know they just end up brown). These three are all pretty acceptable though – anyone have any other recommendations?
Now I’m just going to sit here waiting for the mountain bike fairy to come and visit (he’s a huge guy with tattooed calves, a full face helmet, and a big tutu with grease stains on it, you’d know him if you saw him).
6 replies on “Thinking about bikes”
make sure you test ride a 29er. lighter and more maneuverable than a 26″ dually. much more comfortable than a 26″ hardtail.
if you still want a 26″ dually the simplicity of the juliana is appealing, but nobody ever seems to stay bad things about the anthem. (oelare loves hers despite it being pink & white).
I love my Santa Cruz Heckler. It’s not women ‘specific’, but does me just fine!
Yeah, my anthem is great. Feels awesome to ride and I have fun on it. Although it is pink. K-man can spot me far in distance (good and bad thing) because of its lovely colour.
When I was trying out bikes, it was ace to test them out on the trail – see if you can do that. I quickly found that I like to ride a more XC type bike rather than an all-mountain, longer travel bike (ie an Anthem rather than a Trance for Giant).
Oooh – maybe I should try out a 29er. I hadn’t seriously considered that as an option, but I’ve never even ridden one before – I know they rent them out at the Nordic Centre… hmmm
And yep, I’ve seen a few people with Giant Anthems that seem to love them (despite the colour!) so I definitely want to try and test-ride one. The local bike store is getting new stock in over the next few months, and they’ll be getting next seasons Anthems in – which I think are black instead of pink…. and according to Alex, the other local bike store stocks Santa Cruz, so maybe I’d be able to test ride a Juliana (and maybe a few other things).
And Helen, I’m definitely leaning towards a more cross-country style bike. It would be my first dualie anyway, so it will be an increase in travel regardless – and I don’t do much all-mountain stuff.
Oh and Katya – yep, but you’re like 4 inches taller than me! I’ve actually never had a women’s specific bike before, so if I find one I like it’ll be a bit of a novelty. But you’re another person to add to my list of people who like Santa Cruz!
Hey! I have the Giant Anthem (size s, womens) and I LOVE it. Next year’s is red, I think. Mine is as pictured above. Rode TransRockies with it and came from a hardtail previously. LOVE LOVE LOVE the bike. I hope the mountainbike fairy comes your way!
Oooh, looks like everyone loves the Anthem – I haven’t found anyone yet who rides the Santa Cruz…. but it looks so much prettier. Although yep, this years Anthem looks like being white/red, which could be worse. But hopefully the bike fairy will come visiting me in a month or so, either way :)