Could anyone offer any advise on women specific/ full suspension/ trails MTB's.  I'm looking for a bike that can do the likes of Afan and Cwm Carn... but something that is nice and light, for climbing!  My budget comes in at about £1,500.

I quite like the look of the Kona Dawg and the Cube stereo WLS... and I was told about Iron Horse do some nice Women's bikes - though can't find any : (

I'm looking for the same kind of thing as you in the same budget (tho I might suffer from budget creep!!) and my list of bikes to try includes Giant Anthem, Trek Fuel EX8, Spech Safire, Commencal 4.1, Cannodale Rush and Santa Cruz Juliana.

Unfortunatly I tested the Juliana first and fell in love even tho it's a little out of the price range  It is super light!

I'm now waiting for the LBS's to have the 2009 demo bikes in stock so I can test some of the others... 

There's no way I'm going to spend that much money on a bike I haven't tested so I think my choice is going to be limited by the availability of demos.

Hi Folks

559 bikes in Chepstow has a small Stumpjumper Elite test bike if you want to try one.

Sarah  

Why don't you take a look at Lapierre. They do quite well specced women's bikes - I bought an x-control ladies specific for that sort of price. It rides beautifully and it looks good!

http://www.lapierrebikes.com/lapierre/en/VTT/product/specifications/X-CONTROL-310-L-1