Mountain Biking - What dirt jumper should i buy?

Giday everyone,

I currently own a 05 Giant Rincon and im super keen to buy a dirt jumper, the bikes that i am looking at are:

06 Giant STP Zero ($1900)
05 Specialized P3 ($2699)
05 Cannondale Chase 2 ($2300)

I will be using the bike mostly for street use and dirt jumping when i am able to get out to a track or some jumps. I feel that any of these bikes will do what i want and i'll be more than happy, although i was just wondering if it was worth it so spend a little more money and come out with a bike that is heaps better. If you could help me figure out what bike i am going to be better off with i will appreciate it. Also if anyone knows any flaws with any of the bikes i would also appreciate knowing about them. Thanks heaps.

JasO

I'd probably get the P3. If you're willing to pay it, it's probably worth the extra bit of money.

Just curious, where do you live?

I'd get the STP0.

Specialized P3

Giant STP0.

p.3 for sure, solid bike, solid parts... and great customer service to boot

Prob STP0 purely because it is great value for money. However any of those bikes would be great DJ bikes, if you are willing to spend th cash get the one that you think feels nicest geometry wise.

Thanks heaps for all the advice guys, i have been trying to locate a Specialized P3 so that i can go test it out, however all the dealers that i have spoken to have told me that they have sold out or never got them in, and that they are waiting for the next model to come in. So im pretty sure that ill be getting the Stp0, i have also been considering buying a stp2 or 0 and then buying a twenty four frame or a black market frame and changing all the components over, but im still thinking about that. I will most likely get the Stp0 and use it until i feel confident enough to hit bigger stuff, then ill look into bigger and better frames.

MadMan2k, i live in Melbourne Australia.

Thanks :D

You could go with a custom built, the black market frames are awesome.

http://unrealcycles.com/ - I don't know if they sell to australia (don't see why not), but they have some awesome stuff.

What is an STP0? I only see the 3,2,1 on the Giant web site.

I would think for a dirt jumper you could also start with a frame only and choose the exact components you want and still be in those price ranges, no...I think most of those are available as frame only?

For what it's worth. I have an STP1. And while I am not a jumper, or much of a rider. I have been using in quite a bit as a general screw around bike and got to say it is holding up perfect and has yet to disappoint. We recently got back from a Tahoe trip. I used if for everything from 10 mile paved path family rides, to cruiser trail rides a couple of white knuckle trail sections. The thing is solid and never needed a single adjustment.

The STP0 is a somewhat limited edition only sold in Australia, I think:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/images/_upload_au/bikes/models/zooms/2005/mod_stp0.jpg
(Click) (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=9943)

i think its only sold in australia....

Oh, I see. Now I know why they call it the World Wide Web...duh.

Yeah dudes, the stp0 is the one that MadMan2k has put up and yeah its limited eddition but i have been able to track one down. I'm going to go test ride it this weekend and also im going to have a look at some custom frames at a shop that imports all the wicked frames from overseas like twenty four, black market, identiti etc. I'll keep you guys posted and tell you what happens after the weekend, i should be putting a down payment on a bike, just not sure what one yet!

JasO

The identiti frames are really good, i own the Dr Jekyll and love it to bits. The 666r and 666x are our contribution to dirtjumpers from identiti.

You can get STP0s in England too.

...and New Zealand.