Mountain Biking - 1st Freeride bike? Suggestions....

Hey,

Currently I've been doing a lot of chairlift access trails, mostly being black diamonds on my new Hardrock, but I've found that it might be time for a different bike. I'm hooked on downhill now, even more so than riding my Cr125! I'm 15 at the moment and debating wether or not to sell my dirtbike and put some of the money towards a new freeriding bike or downhill bike as well as putting some towards a car and getting another Cr later on. My question is what would be a good bike for riding around streets (urban assault) as well as riding downhill and possibly even entering a few races now and then. I guess I could just see myself going somewhere in terms of a biking career rather than motocross. Any suggestions on bikes or what I should do are welcome. I like the Kona's quite a bit, especially the freeriders. The super 8 is just an awesome bike, and luckily I had the chance too ride one but I don't know if it's worth it, or just to try and find a used one on ebay since Santa Cruz is discontinuing them. Thanks alot, Matt

2003 Specialized Bighit Comp (Retail $1500)

$1,000 less than last years comp
Same exact bike except a step lower fork
6.3" rear travel
This bike will handle what you've got unless you go huge.
ftp://ftp.specialized.com/pub/03bikes/bikes/bighit/bighit_comp_red.jpg

And the bighit expert, if you go big enough.
Same price as last years comp....$2500.
Last years comp is the same bike as above, but white.ftp://ftp.specialized.com/pub/03bikes/bikes/bighit/bighit_expert.jpg

Klein, is $1500 for the big hit comp a complete bike? Do you have the entry lvl specs for the bike?

Any of the full sus bikes in the 1900$+ range will work. The specialized that Klein is showing is a great bike for the recreational dh/fr. I prefer Konas over most others though.
The Foes Fly(fr/dh), Intense M1(dh/fr), Kona Stinky Nine (pure freeride), Kona Stab Primo(dh/fr) and there are others. It will be hard to decide what you should get with out test riding but the problem you will run into is you can not truely test these bikes in a parking lot unless the shope will let you do some wall drops or roof drops(very unlikely). If you know of any riders/racers in your area ask them if you can try their rides. Also, try to get to a dh race in your area, there is always some one trying to sell their bike and they may let you give it a go on the hill. Good luck
Slainte:beer:

KONA!!!! You sound like you are in the market for one of my favorite bikes. Had a chance to demo one and am now saving for a frame to build up. The Kona Stinky is a lot of fun and well worth it (currently 2000$ cdn for the full bike). Otherwise I would go with the foes (sorry no price). I have heard wonderful things about it.

I need to be rich, I would own a stinky 9 in three minutes. What a wonderful bike.

So far so good. Thanks for the replies guys. I love the Kona Stinky's . The 03' dee-lux looks awesome. I'm thinkin it's time to get a new bike. There's quite a few good deals on bikes on ebay, so I may go that route unless I find a bike for an extremely good deal new. -Matt

Try and find ya self a 2002 model big hit comp or pro!! you will save a bundle since the 2003 models are comming out.
When you can be bothered spending some more money you can upgrade the linkage on the fsr to the new standard 8.1" as specialised are releasing a upgrade kit of new linkage and fox shock to fit the whole BH FSR line. If you would like a pretty picture of the linkage msg me.

I suggest looking into a used bike to save some dinero ($$). Others not mentioned (there are soooo many) would include a Santa Cruz Bullit, a Giant AC1 (or AC2) or a Rocky Mountain.

If you want something more versatile, i.e. if you decide to pedal up the hill as well. I would suggest a bike like a Specialized Enduro, or Intense SL or my favorite an SLX. A Giant AC Lite would fit into this category as well.

If money is no object, consider Ellsworth, Titus and Turner. The FOES Fly is a Freeride specific bike that is beautiful as well.

I'm considering a Cannondale Gemini 2000 myself. C'Dale doesn't have the reputation as the others for a bike in this category, but the Gemini seems up to the task. Plus I work at a shop that's a C'Dale dealer and I can one for a great price!

Shop around and look around at what others are riding.

L8R

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Klein, is $1500 for the big hit comp a complete bike? Do you have the entry lvl specs for the bike?

$1500 is for the complete bike. I dont have a list of parts in front of me, but I know most of them.

Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 2 QR20+
Sun Single wides, dont know what spokes or hubs...
TruVatic Holzfeller cranks.....think their isis
xt rear derailleur....dont know about the front
Tires are 2.6's
specialized stem and bars
dont know what shifters
I think their hayes hfx comp discs.....hydro
I will get the complete specs at the shop today.

Originally posted by Cr125Racer
I'm hooked on downhill now, even more so than riding my Cr125!


Matt- dude, say it aint so! Don't you know that we motoheads have to stick together? We can feel the way you say, but never admit publicly that you would rather ride a skinny little bicycle than go moto!!!

Seriously though, downhill is fun. Like total fun. And if this weren't being read by all I might even admit that it is almost as much fun as moto. But anyway, you should give some thought to your next purchase. Something to think about... How much do you like DH? And how much cash do you got? If there's any way you can afford it you might look into a full-on downhill bike. They are hard to beat for performance. And this is one area that I can say that you aren't being an elitist for paying a little extra cash for a specific bike. I am speaking from experince here. I sometimes wish I would have shelled out the extra cash for a real DH bike the first time, instead of buying and breaking several middle of the road XC bikes. But that's me, lots of people around here think I'm just a redneck hick.... wait I resemble that remark...

Whatever you do, ride on and smile.

Lol, true that, yea, I don't think I could ever sell my dirtbike. I ride motocross a heck of a lot more than downhill, but I definitely see a full on dh bike somewhere in the near future. It'll be after I get the cash to buy one without having to sacrifice something in order to get it. Anyways, now that I have my head straight and priorities set, I'll just ride the Hardrock until the frame snaps. Everything else on it has already been uprgraded so we'll see how long the frame lasts. Thanks again for the help.... -Matt