Mountain Biking - Bighit Review so far

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View Full Version : Bighit Review so far


Maelstrom
09-25-03, 11:17 PM
Quick little review. My first day was a xc ride on a dh rig. I now have a jr T setup but wanted to see how this thing was overall on basic trails. Needless to say it was as good as expected it sucked. Too much bob blah blah...anyways I didn't expect miracles so I am not complaining about that.

This bike SHINED...and I mean bright,...when I hit this really technical uphill section. On my ht the bike always got stuck. I couldn't maintain enough speed to float over the roots and rockgarden part way up (yes this is also a dh section). I hit the section at a slow speed just to test her out. She just floated over every obstacle. No sticking, no stopping, as long as I kept my feet moving this bike will not be stopped. On the uphill sections in whistler this bike will rocks.

On hits this thing soaks up drops. I haven't nailed anything too big but I am still getting a feel for it. I spent 4.5 hours today at the trials park (skinnies, drops etc...) practicing the basics. I also switched the brakes to moto style. This means I crashed a lot. I couldn't control my wheelies anymore and basically this wrecked havok on my basic bike control. But I did nail a 3 footer a few times and enjoyed the hits. Not knee or back pain just pure dually joy. On the skinnies this bike also shined. Wheelie drops were easy, technical control on skinnies is good and I still find this bike whippaple.

Now I went to the djs to really abuse the bike. About an hour later and playing with the settings this thing is dialed. it flew over the jumps, which when I screwed up it successfully stayed upright. No washout. It isn't really built for good djs so I went back to my ht to have fun with it too. Either way it rocked.

In Short, this bike is everything I wanted. I will be keeping a dj2 around with a spare race for trail and xc riding (put it in short mode and have some fun) and a super T (or another dc) to throw into long travel mode for the freeriding or dh sections. This really is a do it all bike. And man talk about fun. Anyways I need to ice my elbow (nasty wheelie crash).

Cheers


Dannihilator
09-25-03, 11:25 PM
Glad you are enjoying the FS bike.

BikeTyke
09-26-03, 12:54 AM
You said you got the lrg frame right? What weight spring did you get with it?


Maelstrom
09-26-03, 01:23 AM
Originally posted by BikeTyke
You said you got the lrg frame right? What weight spring did you get with it?

650...if I were doing pure xc/trail riding I would go another 50 or 100pnds heavier...as is 650 seems perfect :)

And yes I got the large...these bikes fit huge in comparison to others.

BikeTyke
09-26-03, 01:30 AM
I kinda felt the big hits fit small. I'm 5'10" and I had to get the large frame. When I tried the medium, my knees were almost hitting the bars. Weird! Well I do have very long legs though. The lrg feels very comfortable to me. Who knows, I may be riding a frame a little too big for me but this is my first full squish/free ride bike. So it feels a hell of a lot better than my cross country hardtail. By the way how much do you weigh?

Maelstrom
09-26-03, 02:01 AM
I have 36 inch inseam. I just like a small bike to whip around on jumps and on technical trails. Its all about what you like. My bud (recently moved here from Seattle) found the Large way to big and he is 6'2. Just a matter of preference. If I was doing pure dh and medium would be required. :)

250 to 260 pnds :) I am a Ryno rider :)

Chuvak
09-26-03, 07:53 AM
all this talk makes me want to get a FS now!

oxygen_77
09-26-03, 08:08 AM
Glad to hear you're enjoying your bike!! It's just too bad they don't make a dual 26" BigHit... I can't wait for my trip out to Seattle so I can finally test ride the Stinky, Coiler, BigHit and Enduro...

gonesh9
09-26-03, 08:58 AM
Nice to hear! Nothing like the first rides on a new bike...

Makes me want to get a bigger bike.

Enjoy!
:beer:

Maelstrom
09-26-03, 10:15 AM
Originally posted by oxygen_77
Glad to hear you're enjoying your bike!! It's just too bad they don't make a dual 26" BigHit... I can't wait for my trip out to Seattle so I can finally test ride the Stinky, Coiler, BigHit and Enduro...

You don't notice. And in fact for the riding I do I consider it an advantage. The ability to manual instantly is a very nice feeling. I spend a lot of time on my rear wheel :D

slcpunk21
09-26-03, 10:24 AM
Originally posted by Maelstrom
You don't notice. And in fact for the riding I do I consider it an advantage. The ability to manual instantly is a very nice feeling. I spend a lot of time on my rear wheel :D

Question, if you say you don't notice it than you wouldn't notice it's easier to manual, or think it's an advantage right?

To me I do notice it, but yes it is not always a bad thing, for most peoples style of riding it's a GOOD thing!

Just my .02 cents.

Stoked you love the new bike Maelstrom! I'm scared if I get to ride with you now, I'll be workin hard to keep up with ya!

What do you think of the moto style lever setup? I have been tossing around the idea later, since I got the dirtbike.

Maelstrom
09-26-03, 10:30 AM
Good point. I guess I mean I don't notice where you would think I should. Big obstacles and speed (I am not raer speed anyways)

I am sure you will still smoke me. You just have to get your ass out here and ride :)

Moto rocks. A lot more modulation and control up front...but it is a painful learning experience. Only had it all da yesterday and will keep trying...

Chuvak
09-26-03, 01:37 PM
What are you guys talking about, what is "MOTO stile"? Front-right, rear-left?

KleinMp99
09-26-03, 04:05 PM
Originally posted by Maelstrom
Too much bob blah blah...anyways I didn't expect miracles so I am not complaining about that.


You may have had your rebound too fast, that can cause alot of bobbing.

Maelstrom
09-26-03, 04:33 PM
Originally posted by Chuvak
What are you guys talking about, what is "MOTO stile"? Front-right, rear-left?

Yep...also called euro style..

Klein, I also changed the progressivness of the shock and that helped. Still getting used to all of the variables we have.

Chuvak
09-27-03, 11:12 AM
Is this style actually better for certain style of riding or it's the matter of personal preference?

KleinMp99
09-27-03, 11:22 AM
Originally posted by Chuvak
Is this style actually better for certain style of riding or it's the matter of personal preference?


Think about it dude, if your brakes were switched around and you were use to riding them the regular way all the time. Its personal preference, especially if the person came from a moto backround.

Maelstrom
09-27-03, 11:25 AM
Originally posted by Chuvak
Is this style actually better for certain style of riding or it's the matter of personal preference?

Preference...I have an odd left hand that has no power and less ability to modulate. I use my rear brake 20% of the time and having no power in the rear will be good...less skidding. Having all the power on my right hand makes controlled braking much easier....in theory....so far it just hurts :)

Chuvak
09-27-03, 12:20 PM
Thanks for clearing this up for me.

BigHit-Maniac
09-29-03, 10:27 AM
Heck yeah man!

I told ya BigHits rock!

I've had mine all this year so far.. and it's held its own for everything.

They're awesome bikes.

I'm thinkin about selling mine to get an 04' Expert though...

we'll see.

Maelstrom
09-29-03, 11:55 AM
The expert rocks. If I didn't want such a good trail bike too the extra travel would have helped. I might end up buying the extended travel kit for this bike next yezar if I find I am doing a lot more dh.