HISTORY:
In late June, I picked up my size small Wylder Juliana bike the day before driving with boyfriend Lee to Ketchum, Idaho by way of north Lake Tahoe. I had ridden a demonstrator bike 6 weeks previous for about 4 hours in the Santa
Cruz mountains, but this would be my virgin opportunity to put the
first rock scratch and trail dust streaks on my very own high tech
bike.
First ride was an 18-mile jaunt through forest and boulders north of
Truckee on the Emigrant Trail. Next step, the bucolic multi-use bike
paths of the city of Ketchum. Then the 17 mile "Fisher/Williams
Creek loop" 50 miles north of Ketchum. Finally, my home trails (Los
Gatos and Santa Cruz mountains). I am no expert but I'm happiest
pushing the envelope. I will admit to fright on a steep gravelly
downhill with sharp hairpins. I love going over rocks and am
practicing jumping over large obstacles. As a newcomer to riding
trails, I am working on balance, precision and picking my lines on
water-gouged paths and stream beds. My biggest challenge today?
Building my strength.
Leading up to this purchase, I did research for 6 months (on the Web,
in the stores, the print media, talking to other riders on the
trails) and determined that the Juliana was the right 'solution'.
(Ugh, dislike that blah overused marketing word. I use it here in the
context of solving a complex equation- e.g. a problem.)
THE COMPLEX EQUATION:
Why did I buy this Juliana bike in June when I bought a costly
'woman's' bike (Trek 8000 'WSD') just last September? I have
multiple requirements:
1. Size matters.
I wanted a bike sized for a woman, especially a small, light woman (I
am 5'2", 120 lbs.). The Juliana is not a guyÕs bike 'cut
down'. This is a from-the-ground-up design.
2. Weight matters.
I pay too great a weight penalty (bike vs. my total body weight) as
compared with my boyfriend, Lee (my old bike was 22% of my weight,
his mountain bike is only 12.6%!). Going uphill was a pain,
especially in steep sections that I had to push. I wanted to get the
weight out. This bike is 2 lbs. lighter than my old one that brings it down to 20%. It feels like a bigger difference. My 'power to weight' ratio is 10% better. Even small increments help.
3. Efficiency matters.
I'm gettin' old. I wanted a 'full suspension' bike (shocks front and rear) for the comfort. Less fatigue after a long or bumpy ride.
But there was a surprise benefit in the first 1/4 mile; to my great
delight, I discovered that I could really stick both the gnarly
uphills AND the rocky, bumpy downhills - in my seat. I got much more
power from the full suspension, so I work less to get the same
results. The end result is that I now try harder stuff. Lee
has to work harder, too, to keep up!
The Juliana seat is the most comfortable bike seat I have ever ridden
on. I installed one on my old mountain bike many months ago.
4. The feel.
Without recounting the physics or subtle dimensions, this bike felt
'right' from the first time I rode it. Gives me more confidence. I am in charge on this bike.
5. Sex appeal.
I wanted a stunning bike in my color -bright red - that looked light,
powerful and built for....
6. "Girls just want to have fun!"
COST:
The Juliana 'SL' (for Superlight) bike I ride sells in the $2500
range. Yes, that is a lot of $ for just riding down to the corner
store for a soda or into town for a movie. However, I use my bike in
remote wilderness areas and in situations where I need equipment I
can truly depend on. Also, I keep my gear for 10-15 years; my
Cannondale road bike is vintage 1985. So, when you amortize the cost, it suddenly makes a lot of sense. Santa Cruz that builds these bikes for Wylder has a reputation for building lasting, high quality bikes and supporting their dealers and customers over time.
DEALERS:
As to the dealers. ALAS!
Some of them are really clueless! If you encounter a bike
dealer who disses you (a desultory "well...we don't see many women in
here..." or "gee, I think we might be able to order you one....") run in the opposite direction and find another dealer.
I found two bike dealers (one in Ketchum, the other in Los Gatos,
CA) who I think are tops (e.g. they understand, they stock the bike,
and they make the effort to do business with women customers). So
my first qualifying question is "Do you stock the Juliana?"
It also helps if the dealer knows other women in your area who can
advise, give you pointers on getting the best from your new bike (you
wouldn't believe how 'cushy' this bike is! It needs a different
riding technique from my old 'hard tail' model.
