Melanie,
When it comes to shopping around for a bike, do you think that choosing a women-specific bike (for a woman obviously) is the better choice? Would I be sacrificing anything by not getting a regular bike (most likely geared toward a guy) ?

This is a great question because it is hard to tell whether a women's specific bike would really be YOU-specific.

I am fairly tall (5'9"ish) so I am usually at the top end of the women specific sizing range... and all the shrinking down of things to fit smaller women is not going to be the best for me.

I believe that a lot of the women-specific bikes are great for smaller women, 5'2" and smaller. Most bikes just are not small enough for this group. Coupled with smaller hands (WS bikes often have skinnier bars) and a different butt shape (there are WS seats) a smaller chick might have more luck with the WS design.

However, if you are taller, you may get better components for your money if you go for the unisex bike. I think sometimes WS is geared towards beginner enthusiasts and less to racers, so the components and spec might not be what you want for racing.

I would put lots of money into decent components and I would make SURE the bike is the right size. Get three opinions on what would fit you -in case your first opinion is not the best. Truly, it is someone's opinion. I could ride anywhere from a 52-54cm road bike, I am riding a 52cm in the Orbea geometry. MY opinion _base_d on what I feel is comfortable.

So I can't say definitively whether WS will work for you because I don't know for sure. I think the Dama geometry in the Orbea road bike line is excellent and they have bikes small enough for shorter women.

WS is often well thought out and if you find a WS bike you love go for it. As far as mountain bikes go, if you can find a small enough _frame_ that you find is comfortable, go for the bike with the best package of components and best fork and buy yourself a new saddle if necessary.