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DH/DJ Bike

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perhaps
Posts: 192 - Karma: 55
So I know nothing about biking, but I've gone with a friend of mine to some dirt jumps near me a couple times the past week. Now that summer is coming around, I'm having a lot of fun biking so I'm looking into buying a bike.

I've had a lot of fun on the dirt jumps so I want to be able to do that, and I'm also going to be in SLC this summer so I'd like to have the option to do lift accessed biking at Park City. From what I've read dirt jump bikes aren't the best for downhill biking, and vice versa. What I've been using so far has been my friend's standard mountain bike (Dawes Haymaker). I'm also not looking to spend a ton of money since I'm moving.

Any advice on what type of bike I should look into? Thanks.
Apr 23 2013 9:08PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
http://pinkbike.com
Apr 23 2013 9:09PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
mmmmm

Click for larger image
Apr 23 2013 9:10PM
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M.M
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 4,490
i used to bike but not really anymore but if you have the money i was gonna get a transition bottle rocket which is what seems like what your looking for but its not on there website but they have a bike called the transition double and it looks identical so im guessing it took its place, take a look
Apr 23 2013 9:16PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
Bottle rocket=/=Double
Apr 23 2013 9:17PM
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ThatMNkid
Posts: 157 - Karma: 548
just get a heavier duty all mountain/cross country mountain bike, go to a bike shop they can hook you up
Apr 23 2013 9:26PM
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perhaps
Posts: 192 - Karma: 55
Thanks for the info, ill look around pink bike, thought I'd just see if anyone had any input here.
Apr 23 2013 9:28PM
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special-J
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 4,477
bottle rocket: freeride, light DH
double: slalom, short travel full suspension dirt jumper

and OP, unfortunately it's impossible to find a bike that is adequate at both dirt jumping and downhill/ lift accessed freeriding, especially on a tight budget. Although if you are willing to spend a little more for something that is worth it, check out a Specialized SX, not the SX Trail, just the SX. I've ridden my bike park on it countless times and it can definitely hold its own, and then pump a little more air in the rear shock and it's a super fun slalom/dirt jumper. I hit everything in the Ohio Dreams trails on it without problem.
Apr 23 2013 9:28PM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
Ns soda or giant reign sx
Apr 23 2013 9:58PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
As others have said, no matter what bike you have it can be amazing at both dh and dj. for starters i would look into buying a used freeride hardtail (front suspension only) and ride that for everything. it will do wonders for you bike handling skills, and teach you how to ride a bike rather then letting a full sussy do it all for you. its also cheaper, and easier to do repairs on.
Apr 23 2013 10:06PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
How much would you suggest spending on a used DJ bike? I need a summer hobby...
Apr 23 2013 10:23PM
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Bagina
Posts: 849 - Karma: 2,888
Don't get a bottlerocket, if you're looking for a freeride bike the NS Soda is so boss.
Apr 23 2013 10:36PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
<$800
Apr 23 2013 10:37PM
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steezburgereddie
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 1,944
Ns soda slope is single track so you won't have to deal with breaking and bending deraleurs but the rear wheel has less travelhas less travel and the soda is more of a freeride with gears and more rear wheel travel so it really depends on what you are goung to be doing more.
Apr 24 2013 1:08AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
This. While i have not ridden it, it is pretty much the bike you are looking for. Think about it like this, a FR bike made by a DJ company
Apr 24 2013 1:12AM
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JahFeels
Posts: 779 - Karma: 587
I've got a Kona Tanuki and i love it, just put some wider bars on it and it feels much more like a DH bike.


inb4 Kona kills
Apr 24 2013 1:36AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
Like these guys said, If you have the money get a NS soda or bottle rocket or something similar, if not, get a DJ hard tail, slap a front brake on it and go for it, it will teach you great skills and will be a great do it all bike. I actually have a friend who podiumed his first DH race on a DJ bike and rode some gnarly freeride trails on it too. Good Luck!
Apr 24 2013 1:47AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
Main rule is, you ride a hardtail for two seasons at the very least. You will learn the general basics of how to control yourself, ditch, pick lines and all the other useful nessicities of riding a mountainbike.

I have a boner for transitions, as I ride two of them. (TOP&TR250) any of their hardtails would work amazingly, but they are fairly pricey. Kona make fairly good bikes, and they're relatively affordable, same with most norco hardtails.

also go onto pinkbike and look around there.


good luck finding the right bike.
Apr 24 2013 3:07AM
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onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423

If you have money to spend get the transition double.  

http://www.transitionbikes.com/2013/Bikes_Double.cfm

If you dont have money to spend and want a dj'er for under 300$ buy a used fork on craigslist and slap it on this 26" DK Xenia.  

http://www.walmart.com/ip/DK-Xenia-26-BMX-Bike/17012261

Apr 24 2013 10:31AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
listen to Jimmy

Specialized SX is as close to a one bike quiver as you can get for anything on dirt.
Apr 24 2013 10:59AM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
Lift accessed riding at PC? Get an XC bike or wait a year or two until PC can get their bike park up and running. Don't buy a pass to the Canyons either, that would be a waste. Really though, an all-mountain bike (4-6 inches of travel). You can still rip XC and DH and at the level you're at, that's what you want.
Apr 24 2013 11:40AM
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450out.
Posts: 596 - Karma: 517
for a used bike id say <$500 would be more realistic...
Apr 24 2013 11:43AM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2383 - Karma: 7,764

fuck dj.....................i had plenty of friends with them,  but they get bored with them quick

get a hardtail with 4-6 front suspension

You are just getting into the sport.

2010 Specialized Rockhopper

2013 Kink Launch

2004 Haro Backtrail

2004 Nirve Dig

My rockhopper suits all my needs from ridges and headwalls to park jumps.

If you actually want to jump get a bmx bike.

Apr 24 2013 12:17PM
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illewminati
Posts: 195 - Karma: 114
if your only going to downhill for like a week in pc then i would just buy a dj and rent a dh bike while your their. imo dh bike are a pointless investment unless you ride them a shitton and live near a solid bike park /trail system that is easily shuttle-able

plus if you dont have any good dh in your area you will have to build and it a 5x easier to build a solid jump line then a good dh trail near a road so you can shuttle

so i would go with a solid dj like a transition pbj or a ns suburban trail or if you looking for a cheaper one that will still hold up kona downside or any norco would be good too. craiglist is good too
Apr 24 2013 12:40PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
This guy rides a hardtail on the biggest crap

Kirill Benderoni 2010-2011 on Pinkbike

Apr 24 2013 1:18PM
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rockySMDross
Posts: 123 - Karma: 439
You can ride a downhill bike anywhere if you have the strength to pedal it. but you cant ride any toher bike on downhill without it being very hard
Apr 24 2013 1:24PM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
Wrong. If you want to jump get a dirtjumper. You can use them on way more things than bmx's and you can also ride dh/trails.
Apr 24 2013 1:28PM
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Karkoskier
Posts: 2999 - Karma: 4,658
Definitely go on pinkbike for some better insight, but I've had my Haro Thread 1.2 for 4 years now and never had a problem with any of it's parts.I got it for under $1000 and it shreds dirt jumps, street, and I've even ridden it on XC trails (not too fun though).
Apr 24 2013 1:44PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
From the prices I've seen so far for used bikes, I don't think this is right. The cheapest nice-ish ones are around $600.

So I made a pinkbike account to ask this question but I am getting absolutely nada.

I'm 6'4", 190 lbs, and 18 years old. I want a hardtail dj bike (used or built w/ used parts) for around $600. What should I look for? What size wheel? What size frame?
Apr 24 2013 9:45PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
I looked for dj bikes in you state on pinbike and there really werent any, check CL too.

Look for 26" wheels, L or XL frame, mechanical disc brakes (hydraulic are better, but require more maintenance and are more expensive), 1x8 or 1x9 drivetrain (or singlespeed, but thats not as versatile).
Apr 24 2013 10:06PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
You are a god among men. Craigslist doesn't have anything, I'll head to a used bike shop this weekend to see if they can set me up. Also, there's a bike swap in Portland soon that I may go to for shits and giggles. Thanks again
Apr 24 2013 10:40PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
Check pawn shops also. They may be stolen but god damn, a good price.
Apr 24 2013 11:50PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
ahaha I doubt any pawn shops near me would have them, but it''s true.

Are dirt jumpers ever rigid (without front suspension)? I've read on pinkbike that people love them for street and I was just wondering..
Apr 25 2013 3:28PM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2383 - Karma: 7,764
YEAH my buddy has a specialized rigid, like a p1 p2 whatever  26"

its weird as F to jump.



Apr 25 2013 5:15PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/stp.ss/11519/55884/
Apr 26 2013 11:34AM
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JTTrembles
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 1,906
Depends on what type of riding you're looking to do more. Buy a used bike to save some money too. I have a cannondale judge which has a medium amount/adjustable suspension that I use for free ride and dirt jumps. The only problem is that it is a bit to burley for dirt jumping, it works for me though because I'm not doing nuts tricks anyway. Just look on pinkbike they have everything.
Apr 26 2013 11:46AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
I have a SE DJ Flyer and it works great for DJ. Hard tail single speed classic DJ bike. Got it for 400 bucks last year.
Apr 26 2013 12:33PM
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CTD
Posts: 6300 - Karma: 348
Get a hardtail. the people who said so earlier are dead right.

1. it makes you a way better rider. no questions asked. anything can be ridden on a hardtail, FS bikes are just faster and more forgiving.

2. Cheaper. mtb is too expensive as is, the bike is just one small portion of the funds that will get sucked from your wallet. spend the money you save on some pads and a good helmet.

3. Easier to maintain-no pivots + when a suspension compresses it stretches the chain, the drivetrain will hold up longer and you'll break fewer chains on the hardtail.

4. better for DJ anyway

5. any FS bike you get for 800 is gonna be either old or beat, youll end up with a better bike overall with the hardtail.


if you still want a FS bike, I have a very sweet scott voltage in SLC thatd be perfect for you. Id be happy to sell you for 2600.
Apr 26 2013 5:12PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
I thought you knew what you were talking about... until I read this part, hahahaha.
Apr 26 2013 6:17PM
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k3ndall.g
Posts: 218 - Karma: 595
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1390721/ Its hard to find a bike that will work for both DH and DJing but a bike like this will let you have fun at a place like i-street in slc or canyons or deer valley in park city.
Aug 6 2013 2:17AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13046 - Karma: 18,292
Kona Stinky 2004 frame. I swear, that bike it can do it. I learnt a one hander on a dirt jump with that bike.
Aug 6 2013 4:57AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196

I live in PC and ride all the time- XC, DH, and a little dirt jumping. The truth is that there are very few trails in the PC area you need a full on DH rig for- Thieves and NCS at Deer Valley come to mind but pretty much everything else can be done on a freeride or even long travel XC bike. I had an older Turner DHR (true DH bike) that I recently sold and picked up a Specialized Status- 7" of travel, can do short climbs if necessary, and is a lot lighter.

As others have said, there is no such thing as a killer DJ/DH bike- DJs have very little (if any...) travel and are only good at one thing. Conversely a long travel DH bike is going to absorb your energy going into those jumps and not really give you any pop.

Look for something in the 5-6" travel range, preferably used off Pinkbike or KSL in salt lake. Given that you're relatively new to the sport there's no need to spend big money on a new bike.

Aug 6 2013 1:53PM
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