girl needs starter XC bike

[trotts7]

Am looking for a XC bike for a girl just getting into mtb.
Anyone got any suggestions for makes/models or good deals they have seen in the sydney shops?
Looking cheap ($500-$700) and she is 160 cm tall, so smallish frame, actually I would like to know what size frame she should have(s or xs)? thanks.

[Rik]

Sizing is impossible to determine online, as every company has their own interpretations of what is a S and XS. She really needs to get on the bike and feel comfortable on it, and that alone is worth more than getting a good deal on a bike.
I'm not going to go spamming my shops details, but find a Fuji dealer, their bikes are very XC-ish, light, heaps of standover clearance, and the 03 stuff is on special, a few hundred $$ off RRP. I'd reccomend them for a chick, especially one looking to do XC on. Unfortunately stock is low, so call the importer, see who is a dealer around your area, and give them a call so suss it out.

[luckyphil]

i'm sure there have been topics aboutt this before, just recently somebody was talking about a dh bike for a girl who was 5 foot or so. use the search button and u may find some help. maybe go second hand, although it mite be hard finding such a small frame...

[Mommers]

hmmm, for that money i suggest you look at a Specialized Hardrock sport which i think is $700 or a Giant Rincon which is $599. I ride a giant yukon which has a different geo to a rincon but for your height i would reccommend a 17"(S). Not sure on the specialized though.

[Mommers]

also check out bikes from Avanti, they make some good XC bikes in that range.

[Cúl-Báire]

Luckyphil wrote: i'm sure there have been topics aboutt this before, just recently somebody was talking about a dh bike for a girl who was 5 foot or so. use the search button and u may find some help.


Maybe so luckyphil, but buying a DH bike and an XC bike are completely different... Plus you need at least a PHD to work out the search function on this damn website.

I would probably say a small or medium frame size would be good, but Manufactures all have different sizing, plus we dont know any of the physical traits of this said person. go to a store and test ride is the best way. Avanti and Specialized both make womens specific MTB's maybe take a look at them also.

[Rexy]

giant or a proper mongoose not a piecashite mongoose but a good one

[ruthlessgirl]

Hi there,

Fuji is a good company for sizing girl's... they run a lot smaller so in many cases their 15" is like a 13" to a lot of other people, they are also shorter top tube length which is sometimes good for girls whose arms aren't really long!

there are a few companies that make girls specific XC bikes... but they usually are a bit more than you're looking to spend... but hey i don't sell all these so call up a dealer and ask them for prices! Here's a peak:

FISHER TASSAJARA GS
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=genesisters&bike=Tassajara% 5FGS

SPECIALIZED HARDROCK
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=5966&JServSessionIdroot=5mvwao nglx.j27007

SPECIALIZED STUMPJUMPER - ignore that women's tires bull, they're talking about semi-slicks... :roll:
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6791&JServSessionIdroot=5mvwao nglx.j27007

FUJI THRILL (okay not a girl's bike but good deal for the $$$)
http://www.fujibikes.com/mountain/bike.asp?category_short_name=mtb&myArray=117,118,1 19,120,121,122,115,116,123,124,125,126,127,128,129 ,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138&myArrayID=17& yr=2004

TREK 4500 WSD
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4500wsde.jsp

For $500 make sure that you get an adjustable fork because otherwise it's not gonna be worth anything, most forks that aren't adjustable are set for someone who weighs a lot more than most of us girls!

This is the thread about the DH bikes, some of the stuff is applicable (short cranks, brake levers...etc). http://www.farkin.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11889

Hope that helps a bit...

[parallax]

That post above - is the exemplory farkin response. Nice effort ruthless.

[ruthlessgirl]

hey ya no problem, i figure since i can't ride for a while I'm gonna make it my mission to help get other girls riding, well boys too, but i know lotsa girl stuff being one...

[trotts7]

Thanks for those suggestions, one more question, what makes a womens specific bike? what are the main differences?

[Ty]

i believe women have shorter torsos therefore the top tube is slightly shorter compared to the seat tube length.

i could be really wrong though.

[ruthlessgirl]

TT length is the main thing in terms of geometry... they change it up a bit cuz most girls have shorter reach & we all got a lower center of gravity than guys)... otherwise it's a lot about the parts that go on (girl's seats, short cranks, shorter brake levers) & putting softer springs in the suspension.

on the websites I sent ya they usually have a description of what makes it a girls bike...