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7 Comments

  1. Super informative…thank you! I wrote some notes as I was reading to help with my future bike purchase. Thanks again!

    Kristina 🙂

  2. I’m only considering riding. I’m not sure I even like it, so I was trying to go cheap. I didn’t want to invest so heavily in something that I may not like. This article was very informative. It gave me things to consider when purchasing. I would say it boils down to what feels right. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Hi,
    We all differ. Perhaps in the future we will be able to design and print a bike to suit non-average riders. I’m looking at Livs because I have legs 87cm long against 176.5cm height, and I simply can’t ride mens bikes, or ‘ladies’ specific’ which are built on men’s frames. It is unsafe and painful. My male o/h is 190cm tall and has legs the same length as mine. I would love a MTB that fits. I own a bike and ride standing up because I am desperate to get out there, but sitting for any length of time is not possible. I rode for 30mins today and my shoulders are killing me. Happy biking!!

  4. Great post! I’m a petite gal at 5’3″ and 110lbs.. And also have a pretty short torso and long legs. After lots of research, I settled on a Santa Cruz 5010 in size small frame. I wasn’t able to demo much as our few LBS don’t stock small frames. But I got lucky with the 5010-I absolutely love it-it’s playful but aggressive when you need it to be, handles bike park days to long, chunky uphill climbs and the ensuing descents with finesse. I’m an upper level intermediate doing mostly xc and park with some downhill. I find my bike comfortable and capable wherever I take it. I think for the price you are getting a very versatile bike with the 5010.

    Also, to anyone reading this – with air forks and shocks you can buy a relatively cheap pump and set the suspension up yourself. It is incredibly easy and I’m surprised I don’t see it mentioned more often… You don’t need the manufacturer or a bike shop. All forks and shocks have their specs available based on weight on what PSI they should be set at based on the rider’s weight.

    I debated buying a Liv or Juliana, but just didn’t buy that I really needed a bike specifically made for women. Plus if I ever need to sell my bike, I will have a larger market instead of being pigeonholed with a women’s specific bike.

    In the end it is really all personal preference and what fits your style and needs. Just keep in mind the fact that you can set your own suspension, buy a different saddle and potentially have better resale success with a men’s or unisex bike.

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