babyface_311

I little background on me. I grew up BMX racing. I moved to Idaho 2 years go. Right now my set-ups are a Mosh BMX 24" Cruiser. I love that bike for free riding and overall riding in town. There is a dirt jump track close to my house that I sometimes go to. My other bike I have is a older Rockhopper. I think it was new in 98. Its doesn't have a front shock or anything. I was looking the other day for a new mountain bike I came across the Specialized P series, which seems like the ideal bike for me ( a combo between my mountain bike and my BMX ). I should also mention I am 6'-4" 210 lbs.

I have read alot of reviews and it seems like people either love them or hate them. What are some other companies that make these models of bikes? What do you all recommend, Specialized or another brand?

Those of you that you that do ride these style of bikes, how do you like them, what should I look for, how well do they climb hills ( I know they are not made for that, but if has to be better than my single speed 24" BMX bike ). Would you buy new or try to find a used one?

One thing I want to get into taking this bike up ski resort lifts in the summer and riding trails down, I think this bike would be ideal.

Any info you can give me on these bikes I would greatly appreciate it.

Pheard

Just about every major bike brand makes a dj frame.

yeti dj: link
trek jack series: link
specialized p series: link
transition t or p: link
giant stp: link
fisher fr/dj series: link
kona dirt jumping series(cowan, stuff, scrap, shred): link
azonic steelhead: link
haro thread: link
khs djs: link
rocky mountain flow series: link
santa cruz chameleon, jackal: link link
norco sasquatch: link
cannondale chase series: link
scott voltage series: link

Jason222

A P. Street would be good, but I think they're only available in canada.

babyface_311

That link didn't work,

What Model of specialized are you refering me too? Also I know nothing on the sizing of these bikes. I have read that they do measure frame size different than they do for regular mountain bikes. Whats a good size for me.

What Brand of DJ is yours?

Thanks

zx108

dont buy a used bike. dirt jumpers put bikes through alot of abuse. i think if you want to shuttle you are going to need a diffirent bike.

as for other bikes. the p2 is nice as is the cowan and if you want more of a boutique bike go with the transition.

zx108

for sizing it is best to go to a shop

Pheard

All he did was link you to a one of the p series. They all are similar just each model has better components with p.1 being the best.

babyface_311

I didn't see all the links up top

Thanks dude

Pheard

Yea I was adding them as I found the links. My suggestion is this- check out your local bike shops. See what kind of brands they sell. Test all the dj models, and come back to us and tell us what you liked and are thinking of considering.

Jason222

ugh, no, the P.3 is the best.

DylanTremblay

Any of the P. series (except the P Street) would be perfect for you. As for the fitting I would go to your LBS and they can help you out with that. Good luck searching!

56Bulldogs

The P.series starts with the P.1 being the lower end and the P.3 being the higher end. They make a P.1 in '06 but it is a singlespeed with a 24" rear tire. The P.3 has all the goodies like Juicy 5's, etc. while the P.2 is in the middle.

I've got an '05 P.2 and the best way I can describe it is a big BMX bike. I've ridden a few trails with it, but I prefer my Rockhopper for that duty. I do, however, think that you would definitely feel comfy on a P. bike as a result of your BMX background.

With that being said, you can't really go wrong with any of the top brands, just ride as many as you can and see what feels best.

EDIT: Too slow on the reply, Jason beat me to it.

babyface_311

Maybe you can answer this quick question. I have been looking at the P series for about a week online. I finally found a local dealer that has them in stock. They are closed already tonite but I will stop by there tomorrow and check them out.

Question, I see on Specializes website they basically only have 2 frame sizes "S" and "L". Is that true and if it is what does it stand for. I have seen people call it Small/Large as well as Short/Long.

Does anyonw know how the long compares to a 24" BMX Cruiser, I would assume it would fit me better since its got 26" rims versus 24". I am just curious so I kinda know what to expect when I roll in there tomorrow.

Pheard

I wouldn't go and say what will or won't be the best for you. Just try out whatever you can.

56Bulldogs

I'm 5'7" and got the short. You are pretty tall and will most likely want the long, but you never know. You could like the feeling of one or the other better, just ride whatever you can and make a good pick.

Mine says "Short" right on the tube, so I would imagine its Short and Long...unless Specialized is trying to trick us with a short and large!

babyface_311

Thanks alot guys, you have been a huge help. I have been out of the loop for so long riding my cruiser and old school Rock Hopper that I didn't even know these bikes existed. I can't wait to get my hands on one. They look so smooth to ride compared to my cruiser.

Thank again,

I'll keep you updated after I ride one tomorrow.

babyface_311

Here is my update,

I test rode the Specialized Long 2005 P2 this afternoon( identical to 56Bulldogs's ). I love this bike, its way better than I thought it would be. It fits me ALOT better than my 24" BMX Cruiser, it rides very smooth. They had a price take on it for $899.00 and I talked him down to $750.00 and that comes with the standard 1 year tune-ups.

I did do some searches for dealers of other brands and I didn't come up with much for the brands that had models in my price range. This was the only p series bike I could find in the Valley out of all the bike shops I called.

I personally think this Brand New p2 is a steal for $750, what do you think?

Pheard

Is it the cromo frame or alum alloy? either way, 750 is quite a bit under msrp.

babyface_311

Its aluminum, I believe this year is the first year they made the p2 in a chromoly an Aluminum model, not 100% on that.

I don't see how I can pass that deal up.

Pheard

Ok sounds good then. The msrp on the alum is 1100. Sounds great.

babyface_311

I don't think I will find a better deal. Now my next step is what do I do with the other 2 bikes I don't need or want anymore. I guess I will have to find a bike shop that buys used bikes. I really don't want 3 bikes or do I need to have 2 bikes.

56Bulldogs

The MSRP on the '06 P.2 is $1100, its got some Hydraulic brakes and some other goodies.

The MSRP on an '05 P.2 is $900. I got mine for $700 even, but the frame had quite a few scratches on it because it had been test ridden all over the place. I considered that a steal because I was gonna probably scratch it up anyway. So far it has been a really stout bike. $750 sounds like a pretty solid deal.

babyface_311

Thanks alot for the additional info, even though I don't feel like I am getting that great of a deal anymore, haha. I am thinking maybe I should roll in there and throw $700 cash on the desk and see if they bite that way. You figure $750.00 plus taxes you are really close to $800.00

I'll Give it a day or 2 of thought and see if I can sell my other bikes by then.

One question for ya 56Bulldogs, I notice the pedals on this P2 are pretty crappy pedals, I didn't take a really good look at them but they looked plastic to me. Are the pedals on your bike stock? I have some on my Cruiser I could swap of they are both 3/8" which they should be with the 3 piece cranks.

Anything else I should look out for on this bike, I wish I had it home right now so I could go biken tonite.

56Bulldogs

They are some kind of alloy...the ones in the picture in the sig are the stock ones and I still have those on there.

If there was anything that I would say that I wasn't so fond of on the bike, I would say it is(was) the bashguard. I broke it in no time riding up some stuff. Maybe because it was weak, or maybe because I suck...no one knows.

If you want any pictures of anything specific, lemme know...I've got quite a few high-res pics from when it was new.

Oh, and on a side note, the reason you aren't able to find many of the P. bikes to test ride is that Specialized dealers pretty much only order them for customers who want them. The bike I bought was the only one within a 100+ mile radius of my house. They just dont stock a whole lot because they don't sell like Hardrocks, Rockhoppers and Stumpys.

babyface_311

Would you say the bike is worth the $700 you paid? I have never spent this much money on a bike in one shot ( I have built bikes over time ). Thats all I can think about is if I will get my $750 out of this bike.

If you can let me know all what you have done with the bike, have you ridden it down any mountain trails, back country trails or mostly urban. I was really impressed with the low gear, I think I could climb some respectable hills.

I just fit on this bike so much better than my 24" cruiser its not even funny.