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So, after many years of pondering and half attempts, my better half has declared that mountain bikes are fun and she'd like to have a proper go at it. Great I think, lets get her a bike...
Problem seems to be that, most bike size charts start at 5ft 4 (she's 5ft 3) and a designed far more around trail centre blokes wanting to emulate Rampage, or if you want a Womans specific design, you pay extra for a pink frame and totally shite compenents.
I'm after a hardtail that is a combination of a) stable and confidence inspiring, b) lightish and easy to ride, c) prefereably 1x for simplicity, and finally d) a grand or under
Narrowed it down to the usual suspects of a:
Whyte 802 compact (Looks good, budget brakes)
Ragley Marley 2.0 (Sizing starts at 5ft 4)
Saracen Mantra
Sonder Transmitter (Out of Stock)
Demo's are difficult at the moment so other than something like a Crush (Again out of stock everywhere), so wondering if anyone, or their other halves have any of the above and some real world experience. Usage will be local wooded trails of blue and red standard.
Cheers!
I would add the Voodoo Maji to your list if you can find one in stock.
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/voodoo-maji-27-5-womens-mountain-bike-2020.html
My daughter has one and it's been a great 1st proper MTB for her. She was around 5ft 3" when we bought it and she squeezed onto the 16" frame, however there's a smaller 14" available too.
Having a wider range of gears can make cycling more enjoyable. Also check the tt, some brands are very long.
Not mine
https://singletrackmag.com/classifieds/advert/2019-trek-roscoe-8/
Quite a few smalls have been up recently, you can buy a lot of second hand HT for a k or well below. There was a Cotic Soul up recently in small. Jane has an On One Inbred small 26” 2.4 (come up wide) tyres, with 120 Revelations, Elixir brakes and 1x11 set up, which does all the stuff you are describing. Cost under 500 to put together.
As well as reach keep weight as low as poss.
You’re in luck, because bikes in that size are pretty much the only ones in stock anywhere. If you’re after a medium framed anything at the moment then you’ve no chance until August
Thanks, was browsing the classified but seems I've just missed the ones you highlighted which would have been spot on.
Not sure about current models, but my 5'1 wife has an XS giant tempt with 27.5" wheels and plenty of seatpost showing so decent bikes do exist in that size range.
EDIT - just had a look and the current tempt 1 looks possible https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/tempt-1
the Smallest Ibis Ripmo was designed to suit the 5ft designer
so.... I've just ordered an XS trek powerfly 5 (woman's.. but grey) for my OH and my son to use..
partner is 5'4", so just ABOVE the height range, son is just in the height range..
gonna pop to Evans this week to sit on it... i hope it's not too small for her, as she's the one I want it for really!
anyway... trek so xs frames!
DrP
My son is now 4'10" (nearly), he's been riding a Bird for over a year but not sure what height back then. He's riding an older model before they changed sizing so although it's XS in the new sizing that's only SLIGHTLY smaller than the current small.
Its quite long and currently 35mm stem but I'd expect it to last him to 5'4".
(It's a FS but the sizing is the sizing and Dan's (Bird) eldest lad is about the same height and riding a zero)
The zero is a fantastic bike but if nothing else you can check the geo charts agasinst other stuff.
Cheers Steve, thats interesting since the Bird Demo centre in Scotland is close to me, but they've only got a Large Zero for demo at the moment. I assumed from their size charts that the small would be too big , but will take another look!
My better half is 5'2" on a good day and happily rides a Whyte 806. This has the same frame as the 802.
On the off chance that you are near Edinburgh you are welcome to view / test.
😀
I've been looking at the xs and 2xs bikes for my daughter as her orbea 24 seat post will soon be at max but is it just me or do all smaller womens bikes seem to come with straight steerers?
Hi Dave, this is interesting - my other half usually lives in Edinburgh but she’s stuck with me in Aberdeen during this working from home phase. Might take you up on that if we’re back over that way.
I'm 5ft 3, and I've got a small Specialized 2016 Stumpjumper, and small LaPierre 2017 Overvolt (which is just about bordering on too big).
Trek used to be pretty good at smaller sizes - I used to get on pretty well with the 15.5" frames. 13.5/14" inch Treks used to be too small, but a 14" Orange 5 was perfect (16" was unrideable).
I really can't recommend trying before buying enough - sizing can be pretty inconsistent between brands.
Cheers Steve, thats interesting since the Bird Demo centre in Scotland is close to me, but they’ve only got a Large Zero for demo at the moment. I assumed from their size charts that the small would be too big , but will take another look!
This is what Jnr rides ...
you can compare to the zero.
As you can see it's quite long (it's a Bird) but he has no problem with the height, his 125mm dropper isn't even slammed.
In this he's running a Mullet .. (hence this photo) .. he ran 26" on both for a while on DH and jumps (when he was 5'8"??) but 27.5 on long pedal days. Then he tried it mullet and liked it for jumping and DH. He can easily ride the 27.5 at 4'10" but I think he reckons a mullet is "cool".
(He can actually ride my medium (better than me) and i'm 80% sure he rode a medium zero (and Aether) at the Aether launch demo. [it really is very much choose your length.. obviously within limits.. I've () 5'10") also ridden his XS and on jump lines it feels like a slopestyle... though a bit skittish for me on berms compared to mine but then it's very small for me.
Miss4real is 5ft2" tall rides size small and NOT womens specific 29er's. Has done for years as in the early days of her riding regularly (some 8-9 years ago) found that the 'womens specific' bikes usually had the same frame as a 'mans' or standard just painted in stupid colours with narrow bars, short stems and suitable seats. So she bought what she wanted and swapped the seats, sometimes the stem and cut the bars. Currently riding a Stumpjumper, Levo and On-one Macatuskil (and previously a Cube HT and Canyon Nerve) all size small, all 29, standard or 'mens'. If any of them came in XS they would be too short. They all fit a treat and she wouldn't hesitate to say if there was a problem! She has two friends who are the same height and regular riders, same thing and on 29ers as well.
Try before you buy (she didn't with the Canyon but agonised over the geo charts and it worked out ok!)