29ers for Women/shorter fellas!

[multisportscott]

Hi, can I get some opinions on 29er bikes for smaller/shorter people. For Tour Divide/Touring type stuff, not technical single track.
I notice that all of the women in this years Tour Divide rode 29ers, but obviously don't know how tall any of them are.
I have one and love it, time to upgrade my girlfriends hardtail and am looking at options. Is she to short for a 29er??
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers, Scott

[ConradG]

I have an On one Inbred steel 29er. I know they have the Scandal 29er that is lighter aliminium and they are in the process of completing a carbon 29er. You will struggle to find better value for money. I love mine.

[AZTtripper]

There was a thread over at the 29 forum of MTBR a shorter woman on a full carbon Niner guy said she loved it.

Also there are plenty of threads over there asking the same question and they always get the same answer. The Gary Fisher womens team all ride 29 and one of them Willow I think is her name is 5'2".

I think several brands make an XS.

[grannygear]

http://twentynineinches.com/2010/06/28/specialized-myka-29er-test-riders-observations/

The series is all about getting ladies on a 29er made for them.  Check it out.  We are on the third part of it now, so do a search for Myka to get all of the articles.

[paxton coyote]

Wes Wiliams (Willits bikes) says he can get anyone who has a 25" inseam on a 29'er, may be hope for my wife, she's 4' 11" & rides a full suspension Cannondale Jekyll w/ 26" wheels but I'd love to see if that new Myka would have a size to fit her, I'm pretty sure she'd love the big wheels & do very well with them.

[bmike-vt]

wondering about a Soma Juice (typically a SS) in small. I went medium, (5'8" tall) - but a friend's GF (5'4" if I remember) rides the small and likes it for the generous stand over. its older style 29r geometry... but has options for rear mech, discs, canti studs, etc.

i'm in the process of turning it into ghetto 3 spd - front der. with triple crank. (kid pulling...)

[wdlandparker]

I think the Vassago Jabberwocky would be good, seeing as  it has  a pretty low standover...Correct me if I am wrong!

[multisportscott]

Thanks for all of the recommendations.
It seems that the main issue is standover height? Are there any other issues to consider when looking at 29ers for shorter people?
Cheers, Scott

[paxton coyote]

 I believe toe overlap with the front wheel was an issue on some early small 29'er frames but don't have any specifics.

[JF-mtnbiker]

Willow Korber is surely ripping the World Cup XC races abord her Gary Fischer hard tail 29er.  She is about 5' 6.