Mountain Biking - Please help me choose between two bikes

I just recently started riding again, after about 8 years. I have 2 young kids and I am planning some casual- family rides in parks, on the street and maybe some trails. Though I'd like a hybrid, I am very short and mountain bikes fit me better. Last spring I bought a Trek Skye and it was OK, but it was stolen a month later so I never really got the feel of the bike. Now I am thinking of getting a new one and I am torn between a Trek Skye S or a specialized Myka sport. I tried the Myka today and I liked it. The prices are similar but both are in sale and the Trek is a little cheaper. (I am thinking of getting a '10 model of wither, the specialized is $380 and the trek $350). Here are the specs for both bikes:

SPECIALIZEDSPECIFICATIONS

Subject to change without notice.
Spec Name Specialized Women's Myka Sport
Frame Specialized A1 Premium butted-aluminum, women's-specific geometry
Fork SR SunTour, 80mm-travel
Rims/Wheels Alex RH
Hubs Front: aluminum; Rear: Shimano
Spokes 14-gauge stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26 x 2.0
Crankset SR SunTour
Chainwheel 42/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-4
Rear Cogs SRAM, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters SRAM X-4
Handlebars Aluminum
Tape/Grips Specialized Myka, dual-density Kraton
Stem Aluminum
Brake Levers Aluminum
Brakes Linear-pull
Pedals Steel cage, composite body
Saddle Specialized XC Women's
Seat Post Aluminum, micro-adjustable

TREK SKYE S SPECIFICATIONS

Subject to change without notice.
Spec Name Trek Skye S
Frame Trek WSD Alpha White Series aluminum
Fork SR SunTour XCT, 80mm-travel
Rims/Wheels Bontrager 550
Hubs Aluminum
Tires Bontrager LT-3, 26 x 2.0
Crankset Shimano
Chainwheel 48/38/28
Front Derailleur Shimano
Rear Derailleur Shimano
Rear Cogs SRAM PG820, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano EF50 EZ-Fire
Handlebars Bontrager
Tape/Grips Bontrager
Stem Bontrager
Brake Levers Shimano
Brakes Tektro linear-pull
Pedals Wellgo platforms
Saddle Bontrager SSR WSD
Seat Post Bontrager SSR

As I have no idea about component, I'd like to see if someone here could go over the list of components and tel me if either of the bikes is much better than the other one, component wise. I personally like the looks of the specialized better. ANd I haven't tried them back to back to compare the feel. Please help.

Diana

Components are comparable. Trek has a bunch of Bontrager stuff (Trek's house brand), which isn't my cup of tea, but some people might like it. Specialized has pretty standard mountain bike gearing, Trek looks to be geared to go faster...that's the biggest component difference I see.

The Skye S also looks to have a step-through frame, which is kind of strange. I didn't even know they made step-through mountain bikes anymore. But if you can, test ride a Hardrock and a 3700 (or whatever the comparable Trek is), just for comparison's sake. I can't stand the way that Specialized Safires ride. The geometry just feels off to me. I'm sure they fit a lot of women, or they wouldn't make them, but not every woman fits better on a women's specific bike than a unisex bike. Guys' bikes come in small sizes too, and a 13" Hardrock or 3700 will be tiny.

Zephyr,

Thanks for your reply. I also found in craigslist an old 820 that could be a good choice. What´s the problem with the step-through? (Other than it looks ugly). I will try some men's models too. I generally feel too upright in women's frames.

The '11 Skye is available in both 'ladie's and men's' frames. My sister recently bought one, a good bike, but no better or worse than the Myka.

Brad

EDIT: I had a mid 90's 820. No suspension and a bit heavy. I wish that I'd have kept it to turn into an urban assault bike.

Brad

A Trek 820 is certainly a solid low end bike. Trek made them in rigid fork versions (1999 and older) and suspension fork (2000 and newer). We have a 2002 model and it's a great MUP bike or beginner or light intermediate trail bike. I wouldn't take it on any advanced trails.
We also have a 06 Hardrock. It can run circles around the 820.

go with the trek

How much was the Trek 820 ? If that was substantially less than the $ 350-380, I'd purchase it. There are a couple of them in my area for $ 75-120.

Here's a CL deal in my area for a Fuji mtb, $ 250, the bike has 10 miles on it:

Brand New Mountain Bike, front suspension, FUJI - $250 (miami)

Date: 2010-11-30, 12:13PM EST
Reply to:

Perfect condition mountain bike, only been ridden a few times(10 mi total), very sharp looking, 24 speed, front suspension.



Location: miami
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