Specialized Bikes has shared some information regarding their line up for Women’s hard tail 29″ers for 2012. The big news is the all new carbon fiber Fate high performance hard tail, and the expansion to the women’s 29″er line up to three models. Here are the details…
Three Models For 2012: Last year we were allowed the opportunity to share with you the news of Specialized Bikes’ first women’s 29″er offering, the Myka 29. (See our report here) The Myka returns along with the previously leaked “Fate” carbon fiber framed, high performance XC bike and also will be joined by a new performance based XC hydro-formed aluminum hard tail model called the “Jett”.
Fate 29 : The first women’s carbon fiber, high performance XC/Trail frame recently made its World Cup debut. Specialized claims it is also the smallest production 29″er frame available for women or men. (15″ size) Specialized uses a special lay up designed for women using its proprietary FACT 8M carbon lay-up and manufacturing techniques. The frame weighs a claimed sub 1200gm. These techniques, modified to give maximum stiffness and compliance where it counts for women riders, are mated to customized components to match the needs of women seeking a fast, snappy handling, high performance 29″er.
Specialized uses many of its own Body Geometry components for the cockpit, but turned to Rock Shox for special SID 29 forks for the Fate models. The smallest 15″er uses a 51mm offset fork crown to avoid toe overlap issues, and yet retain the quick handling characteristics Specialized designed into the larger sized Fate models which utilize the “standard” 46mm offset crown. Inside, Rock Shox uses specially tuned Brain set up. Forks also use tapered steer tubes and integrated head sets to allow for maximum stiffness and still get a short stack height, allowing for lower handle bar height set ups. 
The New “Jett 29″ Women’s Model: The next new addition to the women’s 29″er line up will be the “Jett” model, an aluminum M4 alloy framed bike featuring “performance geometry”, but also versatile features like rack mounts, and clearances for full sized bottles on every size offered. The Jett will also be similar to the Fate in that travel on the fork will be 80mm travel. The frame will feature a low stack height for low handle bar height like the Fate, utilizing an integrated head set and shorter head tube to achieve this goal. The Jett is aimed at “dedicated trail riders” and women that are getting more “sreious” about their riding, according to Specialized.
Myka For 2012: The Myka 29 model is still in the line up. It is aimed at recreational riders and women looking for their first 29″er, first mountain biking experience, or maybe both. Both the Myka and new Jett models will be offered in 26 inch wheeled sizes as well.
Look for more 2012 Specialized 29″er info in the coming months. Thanks to Specialized for contributing information and images for this post.
Nice. Sounds like the JETT is the WSD version of the upcoming CARVE (http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sea-otter-2011-new-specialized-carve-29er-hardtail-29916/)
Any idea of pricing? My wife would be a sohoo-in for a Jett… maybe even a Fate. Maybe call it Lachesis…
Uhhh… make that “shoo-in.”
They look great. Can’t wait for the info on the men 2012 Specialized 29ers. How much longer will they keep us waiting?
I for one am bummed. I was hoping for a full suspension niner for my daughter. Don’t they think that women want a full suspension niner? Come on guys, lets give the girls some suspension.
When will the more manly models be shown to the press? Give us a date. Pretty please.
@Aurelius: Specialized plans a late summer launch of information, and the presentation of the 29″er models, so it will be a bit. We may get a sneak peek if we can convince the marketing man at Specialized to let us have the info a bit early.
Will they be selling a men’s specific bike soon? They’ve got women’s models. They’ve got the neutered models. What we need is a bike with b**ls!
What about FS 29ers for women in carbon? They have it in 26″, so why not 29″?
I know this post is a bit old, but haven’t found many other sources of info online. My wife is 6′ 6.5″ with 31″ inseam and I’m trying to figure out whether the 17″ or 19″ Myka would be better for her. For reference, she briefly tried a 17.5″ Trek Mamba in a shop, and it seemed to be a decent fit. It seemed anything smaller would probably be cramped in the cockpit.
Correction to the above: should say 5′ 6.5″, not 6′ 6.5″!!