There is a difference but bike manufacturers rarely make bikes in our size (I'm 1.80m, or 5'11) so I can't compare the "feel" either.  I recommend going down one frame size to get a bike that fits your reach and buying a longer seatpost to fit longer legs.  Then get a slightly steeper stem and riser bars to bring the bars a bit higher so you don't strain your neck, and buy a comfortable women's saddle.  I ride men's size 17.5" with these modifications and a very long seatpost (the womens' 17.5" are a bit too small for me).

The other difference I've noticed is that women's bikes don't have such good spec as the men's - the women's ranges seem to go for mid range stuff.

The other difference I've noticed is that women's bikes don't have such good spec as the men's - the women's ranges seem to go for mid range stuff.

Yeah, that pink flowery paint costs a lot more so they have to downspec in other areas! 

Well I am quite short for a men so I can have a go on all the girly bike around me, a part from the colour and the spec I have noticed a few differences. Saddle is usually bigger/wider/more comfy. And springs are softer. and geometry is a little bit different.

Generally, girls are build like me (or rather the other way around I look like a girl ), longer legs and shorter arm for the same torso length than a boy. So usually specific frames for girls have a shorter top tube and a bit more slooping. So as said, get a size shorter and a get a longer seat post and a bar with more rise.

Then I am not very surprise that you like the kona. Kona geometrie is usually less XC and more AM. Sot top tube is a bit shorter, angles are a bit slacker they have used riser bar for ages, frame have a lot of slooping etc etc. 

I would recommend that you have a look on canadian bike or us bike from the west coast. As they are build with some similarities due to where they are tested(a XC race in wistler is going to be very different from a gorrick serie so bike will be different).

And if you're fussed about the colour, your local powder coater will stove it for you for around 40-50£. 

I didn't realise that buying a mtb would be so confusing - the problem that I have is that because it is my first mtb, I don't know how it is supposed to feel!

I don't know how it is supposed to feel

You'll notice wich one will feel the best for you it's actually very easy to spot on. Have a look on konaworld.com for info on sizing. You might be ok with 19, but get a 18 just to be sure.  Better a tads shortish than a tad long.

It's very difficult. I am 170 so about 10 cm smaller than you are, and some 18 are ok for me (with a shortish stem) but others are to long. Saddly you really are going to have to try. As there is no absolute rule for that.

the outcome was that I would be suited to a 19" men's bike.

What Abi said ^^.  I'm 6'3" and ride a 19" which means it'll almost certainly be too big for you.  Have a look in the current issue of Singletrack Magazine (issue 42, out now), it's got a feature on womens bikes tested (shock horror) by women. 

Try out as many bikes as possible too, maybe go along to one of the big events with demo bikes, try them and see if you can get talking to some of the girls there too, most people will let you try out their bikes for size.

It might be worth looking out for upcoming demo days.  Evans seem to just be demo-ing Pinnacles at their upcoming rides (I'm sure the leaflets I saw had a much longer list of manufacturers) but a bit of google-fu should turn up something near to you, if you're in the north west it might be worth trying the Winstanley's demo day at rivington pike in a week or so.

Some of the bikes I'd liked and ridden in car parks would have been waaay to heavy for me to actually ride up or down a hill or too tall for me to be able to get back and out of the saddle when descending. Trying it out on terrain that you'll actually ride on is mighty helpful

I was just about to start a thread about deciding between buying a women's and men's bikes and here one is already!

At 5 ft 8 at am no giant but it has been said that I may aswell try out men's as they are usually better spec for the same price. I am not exactly 'petite' in proportions either so narrow handle bars and little hands etc not really an issue.

I have looked at lots of reviews, including the singletrack article mentioned above and feel I would like a girl bike, but not sure if it's necessary. I am a newbie too, have got into riding in the last few weeks really after a fab holiday to 7 stanes with my MTB-mad hubbie, at the mo I have a hardy little women's specific Halfords number, so feel I'd like to step up to a better bike if I am going to take the sport seriously! Trying stuff out for 'feel' is a real problem as there are no decent MTB shops in the area (couple of roadie ones only) so don't know what to do about 'having a go'.

Any further thoughts apart from the above? (sorry for interrupting your thread Cathy, but thought it was pointless starting a similar one!!)

where are you located?

I recommend you try canadian bike as they are generally a bit smaller top tube wise. I strongly recommand a handjob (I know I know I didn't choose the name). I have girly features as my arms are a bit short and my legs a bit long and I found that 17.5" frame are spot on. I am 170cm so probably the same size than you (ish).

If you down south you're welcome to have a go on my handjob (sic).

Hope it helps

Juan 

Rutland water and Grafham water have loads and loads of bikes that you can try out... which cannot be that far from you.

Don't think the riding is technically up to much though.

not sure that the bike shop in Thetford is amazing really, but if you are there definitely check it out.   I am sure they do sell as well as hire mind you...