Mrs ivnickkate is looking for a new hardtail, around £400 - £700. She is 5'5", and currently has a women's specific scott kokomo. Thanks, as my suggestions are apparently rubbish.......
Mrs singelspeeddan got one of [url= http://www.holcroscycles.com/productdetail/1914/Merida-Matts-TFS-Trail-300-D-Hardtail-Mountain-Bike-(2009).html ]these[/url] for a smidge under 600. Forks need to be changedfor lighter springs but it seems pretty sound generally and a good frame. They are prety short on the tt. If you can get one of last years models from somewhere the spec is very good for te money.
One of the Dirty Girls club recently bought a Merlin Malt (?) the spec was fantastic for the price. She'd be about 5.5"-5.6" and bought a 15".
I have an old old (1994) Kona Fire Mountain which I love however it's about to die. I'm looking at getting this Cube (although it is at the top end of your budget!).
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30547
however there is a slightlu cheaper one:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30548
which has been given good reviews.
My first hardtail was a Kona cindercone. Kona's tend to suit a womens body geometry.
At the moment my bike of choice is the On One inbred, It's a 14", which suits my height (5' 4") and I love it.
Evans are selling 14" Kona Kulas at 575. I know cause i just ordered one for the wife.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/kula-2008-mountain-bike-ec000796
there you go
Mrs Hairychested has a 17" Kona A (old bike of mine), Scott Octane (17" too). She liked Scott Contessa of some sort but I needed a car.
Mrs stratobiker has a s-works stumpjumper hardtail circa 2000. She just don't like anything else. I even bought her a newer version, but she didn't like it, and sold it!!!
mrs ton say's she wants a stiffee 😈
mrs_oab has a Cannondale F900SL - all XT/Hope Mini's and loverly lightness, with a headshock tuned to work for her 7st weight, and a 13" frame for her 5' form.
Cost?
£250 second hand, just serviced with new pads n chain n casstte...minted!
So much quicker and lighter than her old bikes (a C16r and a saracen).
I have to say the big differences are fit - so nice to have a bike that is not a stretch. Also nice to have a bike really light wheels and tyres - it takes off like a scalded cat, and eeny weeny 1.9 Conti Supersonic tyres are not a problem when you are so light...! Finally, to have suspension that properly and smoothly works (when you are so light) is fab.
Living in a female dominated house, most offspring have been 5ft 5 and partner 5ft4 I could suggest ones that we have owned
santa cruz chamelon older one
cove stiffee.......dire name
pipedream sirrus
orange P7
Dialled bike PA
but these are all frame only but great bikes
ton, I have a black stiffee if its any use 🙂 although it is fairly old and battered looking 😯
oops, why did that post twice
We three girls have Chameleons
Tracey
my wifes 5'4 and rides a 15 inch orange evo8, orange have one in there sale on the orange site for £700 for last years model
I have a Rockhopper wmns but I think they sell it as a Myka now. I am 5ft 2ins and it has loads of standover height. It also has rack mounts so as I dont have a car I can use it for shopping etc.
Was really happy with my Rock Lobster in a 15", I'm 5'5". Now have a 14" Inbred singlespeed but the top dog is a Ti which I adore.
Just put some decent forks and wheels on it, will make such a difference.
Thanks to everyone for their posts, I have been trying to convince mrs ivnickkate re spesh myka. So I will see what i can do.
40% off Merlin and Rock Lobster frame s at the mo.......
[url] http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=search&offerId=38 [/url]
Yep, another vote for Kona here. Love my 14" Inbred too (the 16"ers are quite a bit longer iirc).
If you decide to sell, could e-mail me with details of your myka, price, size and a rough location,then I will pass these on to mrs ivnickkate. thanks.
You do occasionally see Rock Lobster's in the Classifieds. Loads of folk were interested in mine last Autumn.
FWIW a 16" 456 would be too big.
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Mine is nice 🙂 Frame only, but good value - specially if you have bits hanging about in the garage you can build up with.
ton - Member
mrs ton say's she wants a stiffee
Is that cause Mr Ton wants a handjob??? 😛