Mountain Biking - Need bike suggestion for new female rider

My girlfriend (a runner) would like to get into mountain biking. She'll probably hit the hard packed fire trails and beginner friendly single track I ride. Our biggest question is whether she should go full suspension or not. Also, she asked me about women specific bikes, but I told her I thought those were more geared towards petite woman. She's 5'6", slim build, but I think a normal bike would fit her fine (smaller frame that is).

She also wants to know whether to go for a cheaper bike for her first. My advice on this was there was no reason too and to go with what she could afford. That said I'm not yet sure of her budget.

I ride a fully suspended C'dale Jekyll, so I'm sure how a hardtail compares. I appriciate any and all advice, thanks!

Mike

For the riding you describe I don't see any reason to go with a full suspension bike. For basic riding like you describe there is no reason for a full suspension bike. As for the woman specific it is a good option. The bikes are designed more for a woman's dimensions. If you want her to stick with riding make her as comfortable as possible. If she gets on a bike that she doesn't feel comfortable with she probably won't stick with it.

Also, what is your definition of a cheaper bike? I would go for a cheaper "quality" bike until she finds out if this is something she enjoys. I would not go for an x-mart bike though.

MSD I pm'ed you about a women's WSD bike I have.

Get her onto a hardtail until she gets mad skillz. Starting on a FS may lead her to develop bad habits [like never picking lines] that will come back to bite her in the butt when she gets into tougher terrain.

On the subject of women-specific vs. regular, get whatever fits best. At 5'6", she will fit onto most small and some medium bikes, 14"-17" frame. If she has long legs, the women's bikes might work better. They tend to have shorter toptubes and a more upright riding position. That said, the difference between a standard frame and a women's model [assuming comparable sizing] is slight, usually a 1/2" shorter TT, wider seat, smaller grips, etc. The frame materials and components are usually the same as on the larger standard frames, yielding a bike that fits a 130 lb woman but could probabaly handle a 225 lb guy.

Being female, and having both........I would go with the hard tail with a decent front shock. I am 5'7" and would not get a WSD because I do not have long legs. Also if she buys a WSD and decides to upgrade and sell they are harder to get rid of. My LBS lets riders try various bikes out, which I highly recommend. One thing I had to adjust is the grips and position of levers, due to smaller hands. Like others said, fit is everything.

I'd have to agree that the women's specific bikes are not all that necessary. I've never owned one (mountain or road) because you can really customize a men's bike to fit anway with some part swapping. For example, I'm 5'5 and my sister is 5'4. When she borrows my FS, we swap out my 90mm stem for a 130mm stem and then lower the seat a good inch and a half. There is such a wide variance with women that a women specific fit seems pretty arbitrary. Plus it always makes me mad that bike manufacturers think that all women would want pastels or flowers covering their frames. Bring on the matte black!
As for the hardtail vs. FS debate, I owned a Giant hardtail for 5 years before buidling up my first full suspension two months ago. I definately think that riding the hardtail for so long gave me better handling skills than riding a FS would have, however I also rode my FS more times during the month after I built it than I ever rode the hardtail in all the years I owned it strictly because it is more fun to not have such a bone-jarring ride. So I guess maybe having her ride a hardtail a few times to learn some skills and then purchasing a FS would be a compromise.
If you want her to really enjoy it and stick with it, my vote is on a FS.

Thanks all for the replies. Heddywouldgo, your response was most interesting since you mention the bone jarring ride of a hardtail. I think I may recommend the FS if she can afford it. I can ride for 3+ hours and though the terrain isn't real rough, I'm damn happy I have a FS setup to make the ride smooth. I'd imagine I'd be out of the saddle and using my legs as suspension far more if I had a hardtail.

Speaking of afford, when I said cheaper I should have clarified myself. Any Trek, C'dale, Specialized, etc... model that is considered lower end. I'd rather have her buy something she likes now rather telling her to upgrade later.

Kona Lisa Series: http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=331&parentid=253
Trek WSD http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1022603&f=19
GF Genesisters

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series.asp?series=genesisters

I think FS is a bad idea for a beginner.

Aside from the obvious fact that riding a hardtail will make you a better rider. You won't be able to get a decent FS unless you spend atleast $1000.

I also think that anyone who says a hardtail is bone jarring has never ridden rigid.

I think FS is a bad idea for a beginner.

Aside from the obvious fact that riding a hardtail will make you a better rider. You won't be able to get a decent FS unless you spend atleast $1000.

I also think that anyone who says a hardtail is bone jarring has never ridden rigid.
Not sure why some people think FS is bad for a beginner? If anything it should allow them to do more with less skill. Isn't that what technology is for (ie, shaped skis that allow one to turn easier)?

Not sure why some people think FS is bad for a beginner? If anything it should allow them to do more with less skill.

The issue with a FS for a newbie is that then you rely on the bike and don't develop your skills. Then if you encounter more technical terrain, you may not have the skills to negotiate it and the bike won't be able to compensate.

Hardtails aren't rough...I think my hardtail rides super-plush....especially after riding rough singletrack with my Major Jake...full rigid with 700x30 tires...now that is a rough ride! On some of the fast, rough downhills, I feel like my brain is getting scrambled! If I take out the Major Jake then ride the hardtail (bigger volume tires and front suspension), it feels like I'm floating over the trails. And if you learn how to ride a hardtail properly, the ride isn't that rough.

I think FS is a bad idea for a beginner.

Aside from the obvious fact that riding a hardtail will make you a better rider. You won't be able to get a decent FS unless you spend atleast $1000.

I also think that anyone who says a hardtail is bone jarring has never ridden rigid.

You have to be under 30

Is it pure speculation one doesn't develop riding skills on a FS bike, or a proven fact? I started on FS and have no problem negotiating the tight single track and rolling/hoping over large logs. Granted, when I was a kid I rode bmx/freestyle bikes all the time, but that was over 15 years ago. If anything, the biggest obstacle to off-roading for me was being clipped in the pedals, which I suppose will be her's both on and off-road until she gets use to them.

I will outline the differences between Hardtail and FS (cost, weight, climbing advantages, ride), but after reading replies and putting much thought into it, I'm fully recommending she go FS for a smooth ride. I'd prefer she not get discouraged from riding due to rough terrain. Final decision is up to her of course.

Thanks everyone!

Go with whatever she will want in the end. Does she feel like buying a hardtail, only to want FS for her new found skill six months later? Probably not. FS is great, and can quickly lure the non-cyclist into a new hobby. Yes, starting with inferior equipment can increase skill through necessity, but many learn on the best and rip. Hardtails are great for the dedicated, but your average dude or chic will be more motivated to ride by the comfort of FS. Above all else, it is the time spent riding that will lead to development of skill.

You have to be under 30

I am. Although my age is irrelevent.

sausagemouth is ofcourse correct in that she will no doubt buy what she likes regardless of what is said in this thread. I disagree with the assumption that a hardtail is inferior to FS. I also disagree that a hardtail gives a rough ride, but as its all just a matter of opinion, you can take that however you like. The author asked for advice, and i gave mine based on what ive experianced. Take that any way you want.

The issue with a FS for a newbie is that then you rely on the bike and don't develop your skills. Then if you encounter more technical terrain, you may not have the skills to negotiate it and the bike won't be able to compensate.
Right on, brother! This is exactly why I switched back to HT from FS. I was losing my mad skillz. After two seasons on the HT, I pick lines again and I'm not relying on rear suspension to save my ass when I screw up. I'll be even doing a few rides rigid [and SS] this season to build the skillz.

And I'm over 30. :p

You have to be under 30

I'm 30 right now, does that mean I have to sell my rigids and get FS bikes now?

Right on, brother! This is exactly why I switched back to HT from FS. I was losing my mad skillz. After two seasons on the HT, I pick lines again and I'm not relying on rear suspension to save my ass when I screw up. I'll be even doing a few rides rigid [and SS] this season to build the skillz.

And I'm over 30. :p

And ditto here. I am spending more time on my HT than FS this year. IMO...Better climbing, more efficient, and I have to pay more attention to what I am doing, hopefully preventing more crashes! And I am female, under 30.

I have a Cannondale HT, which I dealy love, but am now getting a custom built Santa Cruz Juliana FS. I am 5'6 and a runner also, the only problem I have with my Cannondale, a mens medium, is that I have a hard time pulling up adequately on the bar sometimes, usually when I'm getting fatigued from a hard ride. This is because the top tube is just a bit too long for me,even with a shorter stem, so it takes extra effort to bring the front wheel "up" and when I'm tired, I tend to just want to pull "back". Does that make sense? My bike mechanic, whom I trust with my life as well and big $, believes the shorter top tube and slightly upright of the women's specific design will help with this. Another issue I've found is the Cannondale seems to have a longer chainstay triangle, which requires me to put more weight towards the rear when climbing so I don't spin out. The female specific designs destribute our length/shortness and weight differences more effectively.
I plan on using my HT still, wouldn't give it up at all. I am looking forward to see the differences in climbing and being able to pull up on the front when my Juliana is ready. :) I ride all year round and am getting a bit tired of having my brains scrambled riding on the frozen ground in the winter, which is a pretty nice ride in the summer when it's thawed, so I am looking foreward to some cush from the FS. I will have to see how cold it will be before the suspension freezes up.
Get the best bike you can afford. If possible have her test ride women's frames, men's frames, fs and ht.

I test rode a couple bikes, only in the store's parking lots, but could tell immediately the Kona stretched my out way too much, the Specialized was too small and the Cannondale was the best fit.
Also, if you can get a personalized bike fitting for her, do it. And a women's specific seat. If she's not comfortable, she won't ride. Good luck!

I wouldn't jump straight to a wsd seat. It just depends on your sit bones. I'm a woman and I'm more comfortable on a men's seat. Start with whatever seat comes with the bike then work from there.

Obviously I was wrong about women specific bikes being for petite women only as I did a bit more research (and seeing the recent posts helps).

Right now we are eyeing up the Specialized FSRxc Women's model. It retails for $1200 which she considers reasonable. She will probably have the platform pedals upgraded to a clipless one if she goes for that bike. Are there other brands of women specific models for the same price? Most brands seem to have more expensive models in women specs.

I don't know the price, but I really like Cannondale in general:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/CUSA/model-6VMW.html

I'm currently getting a Santa Cruz Juliana custom built. This sight shows different configurations and prices. Good luck!
http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/juliana/index.php?pricing=1