BEIST

Summer's coming up, and i need a new bike. I had a Schwinn Mesa GS, but want a DJ this season. Since this is my first DJ i want something cheap, and I'm stuck between two bikes; GT Chucker 3.0 or Mongoose Fireball , both 2005-models. They both come with RST gila shocks (i know they're crap) which i will replace as soon as i get the bike. Anyway: Any recommendations? Please tell me what sucks and don't on these two bikes if you know. Would be nice if you also could recommend another bike that costs around 300-400 dollars. Thanks on advance for any help

Echo_Control

Those bikes arn't really worth buying, because even if you upgrade either of them...they'e still lame. I'd take the fireball out of the two. Bmx is a good place to start, Or look for used bikes.

BEIST

I've already tried BMX, and thats really not for me. I've jumped a bit with the Schwinn, but the frame is far to wobbly to jump with. The frame has started to bend, therefore i want a DJ bike to start over with. I have been offered a Mongoose Fireball 2006-model for about 450$ (4000 NOK). This is cheap for this bike in Norway, but i would be happy to get any recommendations.

WannaGetGood

Gt.

FreeRidin'

The fireball looks like a pretty solid bike and has a decent price tag.

I don't really know what brands you have available in Norway but maybe could look into a Specialized hardrock.

This is also an amazing deal...

https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...SHP_CYCLING_LD

Wayy over your budget but maybe you can save up a little more $$.
Also I'm not sure if they will ship to Norway...

BEIST

I think you can get almost any DJ hardtail in Norway, if not new then at least 2nd hand. But i can't really go over the 450$ price tag. Thanks anyway, though!

Dannihilator

Fireball

zephyr16

damn man in that ball park, you might be able to find a LIGHTLY used jumper on the cheap that woulda been more expensive. emphasis on LIGHTLY, cause jumpers take more serious abuse than other bikes.

BEIST

Well, what worries me about buying the bike used is the crank. I have bad experience with almost every crank I've had, and if i buy the bike 2nd hand it would already be worn. So I'm focusing on the fireball 2006, but thanks for the help so far Anyone who ownes/has owned these bikes, who can give me a quick review or something? (i have already checked out those on www.mtbr.com, but they didn't help at all... People say that the Fireball is the best bike for DJ, since the Chucker really is a Freeride bike. They say that the Fireball has a very strong light frame and a good geomitry too.) also, the back-triangle on the Chucker looks a little wimpy for DJ. But what do i know... Help?

Also, I'm 182 cm(71,6 inches, or 6 feet) in height. I need a size M(15"-17") DJ then, right?

The GT Chucker 3.0 2005 I've been offeren for 350$ HERE
The Mongoose Fireball 2006 I've been offered for 450$ HERE

Punx

They both look ok. But i think i would go with the mongoose, i like how the how its shaped more.

BEIST

This is my current bike DSCN0752.jpg,
A Schwinn Mesa GS. It is miserably treated and the frame is bent.
It's equipped with rear Promax disc breaks and front Tektro disc breaks, both mechanical of course. Sram sx4 shifters and derailers, Truvativ X-Flow crank section and Nokian Boazobeana tires.

A good bike, really, just doesn't take a person at 80 kg down a 4 feet drop without flexing. The crank isn't to healthy either, but i guess most of the parts on the bike is crap. So now i understand why shouldn't use a XC-bike for dirt jumping

zephyr16

just a thought, but if this is gonna be a dj bike you might want to singlespeed it. you really dont need gears,and because what you are looking at getting there isnt going to have top notch stuff, my guess is that they would just get in the way. i always perfer less clutter on my bars, and if you dont have a derailleur you dont need to worry about bending it and ending your session early

BEIST

I'm going to modify whatever I buy to 8 gears rear and single in front. I have plenty of spear derailers, so as long as the frame doesn't bend, I'm happy... Therefore, i am set on one of the two bikes pictured previously, or something similar. I already have access to a single speed (of course) BMX, so I want a geared bike for some trail and DJ-biking.

Gravity Worx

Given my choice of those 2 bikes, I'd go with the GT as I think the frame is tougher and would take abuse better.

You already said that you are replacing the front shocks immediatly, so that part takes care of it's self,

As the other parts break, you can replace those with upgrade stuff as you can.
Chromo cranks and bars, better wheels, and the like.
The frame is going to be the most important part on a bike in the range you are looking at, so I'd look to the stronger one in that respect.

Just my opinion, Hope it helps.
Darin

BEIST

Well, I'm confused, some say the Mongoose is stronger, other says that the GT is strongest. I'm gonna go lay down.

Punx

Just pick which one rides better! Go buy one right now, and get pictures!

BEIST

I would buy one right away, if someone could tell me witch one rides better I don't have the opportunity to test any of the two before i buy them.

Flak

I recently read a solid review for the chucker. But ive never ridden a DJ before, so take this post with a grain of salt if you like.

Punx

How are you buying it. I would just go with the Mongoose Fireball it looks nice. So you should probably just order that one, and if you put a new fork on it, it will be awesome!

BEIST

I won't change the fork before i have to with the Mongoose, because the "SR Suntour Duro D" that comes with the bike is better (i think) than the spare ones i have. My only intention was to get rid of the RST fork on the GT Chucker. (My previous cheap RST fork broke in two when i landed a jump last season)

zephyr16

what fork are you plnning on replacing it with?

BEIST

Either a Suntour XCP-75 i got laying around, or a Rockshox J1 from the Schwinn. I'll use these forks 'till they brake down or 'till i realize they are to bad for DJ/Freeride. The Rockshox are really soft, and the Suntour XCP-75 is acting weird, but it'll be better that the RST anyway.

I'll ask again; Can anyone please tell me which sizes is proportional to which height? Link a size-chart in the thread or something, i can only find size-charts for MTB, XC and race.

Thanks for the help so far, everyone

zephyr16

dude, im 6'1 riding a 11inch norco 416.... if the bike is for dj, you might wanna get a much smaller frame than your other bike. gonn have more clearance and all that good stuff. how tall are you?

edit:man eventualy you just gotta man up and buy one. i cant imagine that theres a huge difference between either bike, they both look decent and the frames are both going to be overbuilt for much of your riding

BEIST

I'm 182 cm(71,6 inches, or 6 feet).

BEIST

I have found a Scott Voltage YZ2. Everything except the frame is changed, and i find it quite attractive... Still unsurtain, though, because i have read some bad reviews on it. Anyone who has a comment on this bike? The guy that are selling it wants 350$ for it, with maxxis tires, Husslefelt cranks, Brave rims, and a Marzocchi comp 05 fork. Is this a fair prize? Is it a good bike to start DJ with at all?

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