Mountain Biking - Freeride or Dirt Jump?

Lately I've been doing a lot of trail riding (freeride style) but also a lot of urban tricks and small dirt jumps (haven't been able to find or build any full-size dirt jumps near where I live, but I do some small jumps and drop-offs)

I can't decide if I should get a freeride bike or a dirt jump bike next. On one hand, I do a lot of freeride style trails, but on the other hand, I do a lot of urban and small dirt jumps (very small, but I building up slowly).

Here is the percentage:

Trails/Offroad/Downhill: 45%
Urban: 30%
Dirt Jumps: 15%
Other: 10%

What would be best for me, a freeride or a dirt jump bike? I was looking into a Kona Cowan for a DJ, but for a Freeride, I haven't really looked into it yet.

Lately I've been doing a lot of trail riding (freeride style) but also a lot of urban tricks and small dirt jumps (haven't been able to find or build any full-size dirt jumps near where I live, but I do some small jumps and drop-offs)

I can't decide if I should get a freeride bike or a dirt jump bike next. On one hand, I do a lot of freeride style trails, but on the other hand, I do a lot of urban and small dirt jumps (very small, but I building up slowly).

Here is the percentage:

Trails/Offroad/Downhill: 45%
Urban: 30%
Dirt Jumps: 15%
Other: 10%

What would be best for me, a freeride or a dirt jump bike? I was looking into a Kona Cowan for a DJ, but for a Freeride, I haven't really looked into it yet.

I'd say a freeride bike (a freeride bike can handle DJs fairly well but a DJ bike might not handle the DHs too well and the geometry isn't meant for trail rides (freeride though they are).
What's your budget?

go for the freeride. I bought a kona scrap and up graded the derailers (deore), brakes (juicy 7 185mm) and fork (04 drop off triple or 05 sherman flick). I can keep up with all my friends who ride big hits and stinkys and do everything. However, you sound like you have a large budget. I would look at a hard tails in the over $1000 column in this link http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=79185, and preferably one that can support a dual crown fork. Free ride bikes (full suspension) are nice, but hard to peddle and do urban stuff (more technical things like trials). if you get the right hardtail frame it can take anything, and preferably one that can support a dual crown fork. Free ride bikes (full suspension) are nice, but hard to peddle and do urban stuff (more technical things like trials). if you get the right hardtail frame it can take anything

They can handle DH's easily...DJ'ers have a lower profile, lower center of gravity. Freeride is slightly higher, so technically, FR hts are worse suited to DHs. I say go DJ bikes, I got one and go for hours on trail rides, really teaches you to stand up and use your legs, but lets you go all out everywhere.

By the way, FREERIDE bikes aren't necessarily Full suspension dude. You're misleading him. There are freeride hardtails you know....

They can handle DH's easily...DJ'ers have a lower profile, lower center of gravity. Freeride is slightly higher, so technically, FR hts are worse suited to DHs. I say go DJ bikes, I got one and go for hours on trail rides, really teaches you to stand up and use your legs, but lets you go all out everywhere.

By the way, FREERIDE bikes aren't necessarily Full suspension dude. You're misleading him. There are freeride hardtails you know....


I know FR's aren't nessecarily Full-Suspensions, But if I got a Freeride bike I would get FS, because if I want it hardtail I would just get a DJ bike then.

Are there any dirt jumpers out there made for quite a bit of trail too? How would a Kona Cowan be for that?

wait for the 2006 kona cowan ds. that sounds like EXACTLY what you want. http://kona.dk/bikeindex.php?bikeId=10094

If Iwere you I'd probably look at a Banshee Morphine or a Le Toy 4 (that's the current one right?). I have seen a couple of Le Toys built up as nice DH rigs but still like to hit the DJ's and I have also seen a Morphine built up that looked as though it would be great for both. Hell even a P3 could be what you want!

A dirt jump hardtail can take it.

wait for the 2006 kona cowan ds. that sounds like EXACTLY what you want. http://kona.dk/bikeindex.php?bikeId=10094

Cowan DS?! That thing looks kinda special...

a float rp3 on a dirt jumping bike, anyone else find that a little weird. i thought floats were not really that good for drops and jumps. i would have expected mybe a vanilla.

It's a dual slalom/4X bike, It is designed to be ridden at speeds on reasonably xmooth tracks. The jumps it is designed for are very flowy, where the suispension is useful is to pop out of berms and to take a tiny bit of kick out of the g-outs just after the landing. It is not a full on free ride unit, it will not take big drops and the suspensin is not designed to take on rocks.

Cowan colour scheme = Damn BAD. Eeewwwwwww....what has kona done to you cowan?!!?1 Think of the children!!!!!