Mountain Biking - Those w/ a 4" FS setup...how big of jumps can you take?

Hi -
I'm looking to move from my all mountain (heavy setup) to a lighter setup. I'm thinking of maybe doing some XC racing as well. Given that I love technical terrain and possibly looking to race some...I figured a 4" FS setup would be the way to go. I was just curious how well your 4" FS bikes are able to handle technical terrain. Also how big of jumps/drops are you able to do before bottoming out? I'm not looking to do 4'-6' drops all the time, however just want to make sure a 4" setup could handle it in case I do. I also weigh 162-165. Thanks for your inputs.

XC and jumping/drops don't mix.

True...

However I'm trying to find the happy medium. The bike that can handle drops of say 3-4' (maybe 5'), light enough to race if I decide to do it every so often one that climbs well.

XC and jumping/drops don't mix.


come on, I used to jump and drop my old cannondale fully rigid bike at least 3 feet. I can't believe that mtn bikers now think that before fs no one jumped their bikes.

I can't believe people think XC bikes can't take the abuse that comes from Dirtjumping and drops, when in reality they can, XC bikes (even the hardtail like) are not meant for the downhill/freeride stuff where they launch off stuff taller than my house and go 10mts up and 15 mts across when they jump but they will handle small jumps and drops just fine.

Thanks all...so no real worries with going with a 4 or 4.5" FS setup and hitting some 4' drops?

come on, I used to jump and drop my old cannondale fully rigid bike at least 3 feet. I can't believe that mtn bikers now think that before fs no one jumped their bikes.

The more this type of subject comes up the more I find myself in agreement with your comments. I also used to do 3' jumps on my old full-rigid. I'm now riding a full-suspension XC bike that has about 4.5" of travel in the rear and 3" in the front. I've consistently been doing 5' jumps with it.

I hit 1.50mts (5') drops flat to flat on an old bike with an old fork and its just fine, the most damage I've gotten is a flat or slightly out of true rim but that is just because I either hit something (like a log or cement block) on the landing, I wipe out or I land like **** and my fork has never bottomed out.

Small dirtjumps are also just fine.

The more this type of subject comes up the more I find myself in agreement with your comments. I also used to do 3' jumps on my old full-rigid. I'm now riding a full-suspension XC bike that has about 4.5" of travel in the rear and 3" in the front. I've consistently been doing 5' jumps with it.

What type of bike do you have? Thanks.

What type of bike do you have? Thanks.

I have a 1999 K2 OzM (aka Pro-Flex 5500C). It's a single-pivot full thermoplastic carbon fibre frame with a carbon fibre parallel linkage fork and carbon fibre swingarm. Both front and rear shocks are coil with electronic damping and lockout with blowoff.

kona howler. 4" dualy made for bigger hits.

Thanks all. This in encouraging. I'm looking to ride faster and harder (and up my endurance/fitness for racing). I love the technical terrain and was worried that an XCish or trail bike wouldn't suit that. I've now heard many (also from other forums) saying they do hits of 4+ feet with no problems.

http://www.norco.com/ts/pass/images/bikes06_large/xxxx_white.jpg

4 inch Dirt jumping setup made by Norco.

The main thing you'd have to worry about with your XC bike is the rear end. They often break at the linkage or chainstays. Mainly because they arn't designed for jumps and drops, and are made super light for those weight weenies.

An X/C bike is not meant to constantly take 4' - 6' drop after drop. If this is the style of riding, a FR frame is better suited for the punishment. In these conditions, the X/C frame WILL eventually fail. Manufacturers always warn against it probably becasue they don't want to constantly replace broken frames on warrantee. Who can blame them?

However, in my experience, X/C bikes CAN take fair sized 4' -6' 'drops but it all depends how good you can land. If there is a transition, no biggie but if your dropping off loading docks onto flat concrete and don't absorbe some of the impact with your legs, any X/C frame isn't long for the world.

T.J.

Tequilla Joe has it right on (respect the lime-headed kitten, foo).

As always, it's the rider, not the bike. Practice being smooth and your bike should be fine for the type of stuff you're talking about. But don't forget, XC bikes are not warrantied against that sort of stuff.

Tequilla Joe has it right on (respect the lime-headed kitten, foo).

As always, it's the rider, not the bike. Practice being smooth and your bike should be fine for the type of stuff you're talking about. But don't forget, XC bikes are not warrantied against that sort of stuff.

Yes great input indeed. THanks.

I don't plan on doing 4-6' drops on a regular basis. There aren't a surplus of trails that I ride here in So*Cal that has many of those drops. I'll do a 4-6' drop every so often if that. I just want to make sure a 4" to 4.5" suspension will handle it (before purchasing an XC/trail bike). THanks again for the inputs.

Keep 'em coming for anyone that wants to add...

It's possible, not ideal, but would work if you do this, you'll need a bike like a dawg or a howler.

Look at the Transition Preston. A short travel freeride bike.