I rode an element for years. I loved it. It's a very rider friendly bike and real capable. The bike has changed a little from mine. Now its a full 4 inch design and bearings at all the pivots. You also get the carbon fiber seatstays which stiffens it up. I rode the new ones at Interbike this year and it was a fun time. It reminded me how much I miss my old Rocky.
We are a Rocky dealer, so I just checked 07 stock for you. As of right now, the only size available in womens for 07 is a 16.5. If you are looking for another size, I would suggest calling around to other dealers in the area to see if they have it in stock. The 08 are mostly in stock. Some of the models won't make it till April.
Sorry to butt in on this thread, but instead of making another one I thought it would be better.
Ladies, is there really a need for the "ladies" geometry? Reading pixy's post, it looks like small things that can be adapted to a men's frame, other than the standover height. My gf is 5'6ish, so I'm sure she wouldn't have much of a problem on a mens frame. I have been eyeing some starter bikes for my GF, but I can only really find one ladies bike for my price range that's decent.
Sorry to butt in on this thread, but instead of making another one I thought it would be better.
Ladies, is there really a need for the "ladies" geometry? Reading pixy's post, it looks like small things that can be adapted to a men's frame, other than the standover height. My gf is 5'6ish, so I'm sure she wouldn't have much of a problem on a mens frame. I have been eyeing some starter bikes for my GF, but I can only really find one ladies bike for my price range that's decent.
Actually you can't equate with a man's height and his bike size to a woman with the same height to find her bike size. My wife is 5'6" and she currently rides on a 15" frame and that is perfect for her. I'm not much taller than she is and I have two 17" frame bikes and an 18" and they're all much too big for her. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get her the 2007 Element Ladies Only with the 15" frame.Sorry to butt in on this thread, but instead of making another one I thought it would be better.
Ladies, is there really a need for the "ladies" geometry? Reading pixy's post, it looks like small things that can be adapted to a men's frame, other than the standover height. My gf is 5'6ish, so I'm sure she wouldn't have much of a problem on a mens frame. I have been eyeing some starter bikes for my GF, but I can only really find one ladies bike for my price range that's decent.
As a matter of fact, the 2007 Element is completely redesigned. This was one of the biggest and most highly anticipated redesigns in Rocky's recent history. The new Element features a completely redesigned front triangle with FORM tubing technology and sheds a quater pound from past designs in the main frame alone. All pivot locations received significantly larger bearings and ridiculously machined mounting yokes. Also the carbon rear seatstay comes on the 30 and higher levels of this bike. Also, sticking to racer's request the top tube lengths have been increased on all Elements for 07 and 08. The linkage plates have been optimized to allow for a longer shock improved leverage ratio and oh so sweet plushness. The rear swingarm has also received major refinements and the new RMB dropouts are awesome!! We have a Element 30 in 15" (Baby Blue) and an Element 30 in 19" (Shadow). And for what it's worth, this bike won Mountain Bike Magazine's 2007 XC bike of the year.
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/element/index.aspx
Thanks for that info. You've just convinced me to get that bike for her. It will be my Valentine's present to her.
Yeah, her Norco Java is getting old. When we went to Kingdom Trails last summer everyone had Full Suspension bikes except her and she was having a tough time keeping up with the other girls so I figured it's time. As much as she loves her Norco, she agreed it is time to upgrade. Too bad I couldn't make the present a surprise because I had to pass it by her first to make sure she likes the bike.oh, really cool valentine's present!!