Hi- Could someone please help me figure out which bike I should get?  Buying a mountain bike online is really really hard, but I want to get my son out riding and get myself into better shape so it's the situation I'm in.  Any help is really appreciated. I am definitely on a budget, so money is an issue, that said, I hope to have this bike for years, so $50-100 isn't the entire deciding factor.  I am a short woman- 5' and my legs are definitely the reason- my torso is average.  I know that matters, but I don't really know how.  I'm assuming I need the xs. Also, since I'm quite out of shape, I need a bike that will help me climb as much as possible.  Looking at the specs is like reading Latin or calculus to me.  I'm looking for a bike who's main difference is that it will help me climb, I'm not going off any features or jumps, or riding very technical stuff.  I'm comparing the Ghost ($850), the Cannondale Tango 3 ($780) and the Cannondale Tango 4 ($650).  Here's a link with the bike statistics. https://www.rei.com/CompareProduct/User Thanks, any help is appreciated. Julie ... View more

Hi!  I'm looking to get my son interested in mountain biking and myself back out on the trail.  I have an old specialized rockhopper (22 years old) It's heavy and outdated, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of money to spend.  I'm trying to decide between the cannondale trail 3 and 4.  I am only 4'11, and pretty out of shape.  I need help with climbing.  I understand that the more expensive bike is a better, bike, but since money is an issue for me, I want to make sure that the difference in discernible and that the way it's better is in it's ability to help me climb.  I'm not planning on going fast or tearing down single tracks, or doing jumps or features.  I'm a chicken really and just want to be able to ride beginner to intermediate level trails without dying half way up. I do realize that the majority of that's on me and my fitness, but I think the bike can help a bit.  So--- is the difference between the 3 and 4 significant in terms of climbing? Thanks!! Julie ... View more