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Urban DH Bike?

Old 04-14-08, 05:45 PM
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Urban DH Bike?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to these boards but a roadie of about 3 years. I am currently a college student at UCLA and with so many stairs leading to here and there I was looking to get a mountain bike. I want to be able to ride some trails and through campus and down the stairs, maybe small jumps and some riding down staircases. I'm really looking into mtn biking more often because I have a lot of friends whom are into mtn biking already and I figure it would supplement my road cycling.

Basically I want to do this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QVoy07J7Sk

What type of bike would I need? Full suspension? Front? Probably discs if im riding on trails right? Are these rigs much harder to maintain over a road bike? with the shocks and all, dirt getting into the components....

I was maybe looking at the Specialized FSRxc comp. Anyone have any experience with this?

If anyone has any bikes they'de suggest for this type of riding please let me know, thanks!
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Old 04-14-08, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Asian Sensation
Hi everyone,

I'm new to these boards but a roadie of about 3 years. I am currently a college student at UCLA and with so many stairs leading to here and there I was looking to get a mountain bike. I want to be able to ride some trails and through campus and down the stairs, maybe small jumps and some riding down staircases. I'm really looking into mtn biking more often because I have a lot of friends whom are into mtn biking already and I figure it would supplement my road cycling.

Basically I want to do this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QVoy07J7Sk

What type of bike would I need? Full suspension? Front? Probably discs if im riding on trails right? Are these rigs much harder to maintain over a road bike? with the shocks and all, dirt getting into the components....

I was maybe looking at the Specialized FSRxc comp. Anyone have any experience with this?

If anyone has any bikes they'de suggest for this type of riding please let me know, thanks!
The FSRxc is more for XC stuff, and is definitely not a DH bike.

I think a dirt jump bike may satisfy your needs, but I'm not sure how much abuse it could take.

I would think that what you're looking for is often defined as "slopestyle" bike, meaning that it has "progressive" geometry. These bikes have different geometry than your average freeride or DH bike, but still retains most of the travel. An example of what I'm talking about is the Bottlerocket
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Old 04-14-08, 06:22 PM
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doesn't necessarily HAVE to be a DH bike, I just figured that's what kind of bike is probably suited for this riding.

I want to charge down staircases without breaking anything (the bike and i both) and be able to do some trail riding
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Old 04-14-08, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Asian Sensation
doesn't necessarily HAVE to be a DH bike, I just figured that's what kind of bike is probably suited for this riding.

I want to charge down staircases without breaking anything (the bike and i both) and be able to do some trail riding
AM Bike.
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Old 04-14-08, 08:15 PM
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Hope you dont mind if i ask a question cause i`m looking for the same thing, sort of, I`m just going to be doing more hucks and drops, and trail riding too. and on the tightest budget.
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Old 04-14-08, 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe18
Hope you dont mind if i ask a question cause i`m looking for the same thing, sort of, I`m just going to be doing more hucks and drops, and trail riding too. and on the tightest budget.
I think we're looking at a lot of money, gotta pay more to play more....

I'm looking at an enduro maybe now... OUCH!
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Old 04-14-08, 08:45 PM
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I know that but something on the cheaper side of these kind of bikes I dont want the top of the line 12,000 dollar bike.
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Old 04-14-08, 08:56 PM
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I know that but something on the cheaper side of these kind of bikes I dont want the top of the line 12,000 dollar bike.
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Old 04-15-08, 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Joe18
I know that but something on the cheaper side of these kind of bikes I dont want the top of the line 12,000 dollar bike.
I want the top of the line 12,000 bike... But i don't need it, preferably under 3k, cuz thats how much i spent on my road bike.
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Old 04-15-08, 06:59 AM
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We`ll yeah everyone would love to have the 12,000 dollar bike but its not reasonable so do you have a suggestion?
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Old 04-15-08, 07:41 AM
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I rode like that all over U of Florida campus stairs, drops included on a 1998 $600 front suspension bike with v-brakes with no problems.
I think to a large extent, its more the rider than the bike.
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Old 04-15-08, 09:21 AM
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I rode like that all over my campus on a 1999 Mongoose DX 6.5, it was about $400 back in the day. I also did loading ramps and other drops to flat, which probably wasn't good for the bike. Therefore, I bought a DH/Free ride bike that I thought would take everything I could throw at it. It has held up great so far and isn't too much to take it on trails with my friends. That being said if you don't want to spend too much look into a free ride hardtail. They are out there, I know Gary Fisher makes some. If you want a squishy ride look for a full-suspension, make sure it is at least an All Mountain (AM) bike. An XC bike will work but it isn't designed for it. Also, disc brakes are wonderful and are suggested for any new bike, in my opinion. Maintenance isn't too bad from road bike to mountain bike. I will occasionally clean the MTB and maybe take apart the drivetrain for a more thorough cleaning. Otherwise they are about the same in terms of up keep. good luck with your decision
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Old 04-15-08, 04:19 PM
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https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...e+Bike+07.aspx

this bike looks really awesome.
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Old 04-15-08, 05:01 PM
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A dirt jump bike will not be useful on standard trails, same with freeride/downhill. A slopestyle indeed is a good idea. Actually, check out the Jamis Parker series, they will probably suit your needs the best.
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Old 04-15-08, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by mrchristian
+1 Profail suggested whats known as an All-mountain bike or trail bike. Basically, its like an XC bike, but with more travel (around 5 inches) but still pedals pretty well if you want to do big climbs on it. Usually, they come with coil forks to take bigger hits (also less maintenance), and larger tires (2.3's) Probably the best solution for most people who want a full-suspension mountain bike.

Possibly the best option is the Cannondale Prophet. Find an '07 and get the base model (Prophet 6) for around $1200 or less. One of the cheaper 5in trail bikes, and made in the USA. Also, the Giant Trance.

If you want a hardtail, the Kona Five-O is about the same price and is a pretty good trailbike as well.

Specialized makes some awesome bikes, but they are considerably more $$$. Don't bother with the FSRxc for this type of riding. Check out the Pitch Comp ($2k)
cannondale prophet looks like a winner, I'll have to go take a look at some.

THANKS!
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Old 04-17-08, 01:41 PM
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I would not get a DH for this application. I think you would drive yourself nuts with the amount of travel when riding around campus. Too much bob.

A hardtail with front suspension would work and would be the best on the flats. A XC full suspension bike with 3-5" travel (I would try to get closer to 3) would work great. I would try to keep the weight down as well. This is another reason to not do the DH. Weight does not matter nearly as much when gravity is your main power source.
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Old 04-17-08, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by indygreg
I would not get a DH for this application. I think you would drive yourself nuts with the amount of travel when riding around campus. Too much bob.

A hardtail with front suspension would work and would be the best on the flats. A XC full suspension bike with 3-5" travel (I would try to get closer to 3) would work great. I would try to keep the weight down as well. This is another reason to not do the DH. Weight does not matter nearly as much when gravity is your main power source.
thanks for the info, any suggestions?
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Old 04-17-08, 05:50 PM
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a XC (HT or FS) would work fine for riding down stairs, but if you want to jump a full set you should shell out of an AM bike. It also depends on what type of trails you are riding on. If there is a lot of technical downhill the AM bike for sure, but if they are all just uphill single track an XC bike may be a better fit
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Old 04-17-08, 07:00 PM
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Old 04-19-08, 11:07 PM
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lots of options now, looks like its time to start test riding some. Keep the suggestions coming!
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Old 04-20-08, 08:17 PM
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I`m more for doin drops and big hucks of of loading docks and stuff like that, would something like the specialized p. series work? and I`ll do some bmx like stuff. ANd what are some comparable bikes and what kind of bike is this, considered?
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Old 04-20-08, 08:44 PM
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the p. series is like a bmx bike with a shock fork and real brakes, which does sound like what you want joe18, i don't think i would go on any long rides on a trail or anything but to do jumps around town with i think it is a safe bet.

and way to hijack Asians thread
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Old 04-20-08, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Asian Sensation
lots of options now, looks like its time to start test riding some. Keep the suggestions coming!
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+07+Frame.aspx

Urge to buy rising... must... resist.
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Old 04-21-08, 12:01 AM
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i take stairs on my xc bike w/2.2 tires w/e i don't weigh alot

anyway yeah you don't want a dh bike more of an all mtn or and inbetween from the am and a xc, the prophet is really good but i would def step up to the 3 over the 4 so worth it btw they don't make the a prophet 8 anymore, they changed up the numbers and now a 4 is the lowest

i would also really look at teh rush depending on your weight, full suspension with a little less travel than the prophet, but way way stiffer on climbs ect, and if its your first mtn bike (you said you were a roadie) i doubt you will be good enough to need a prophet, but once again weight is a factor, if you like me and you weigh 145lbs you basically don't have to worry, but if youare like in the 180 range the prophet would suit you better
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Old 04-21-08, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by sirtigersalot
i take stairs on my xc bike w/2.2 tires w/e i don't weigh alot

anyway yeah you don't want a dh bike more of an all mtn or and inbetween from the am and a xc, the prophet is really good but i would def step up to the 3 over the 4 so worth it btw they don't make the a prophet 8 anymore, they changed up the numbers and now a 4 is the lowest

i would also really look at teh rush depending on your weight, full suspension with a little less travel than the prophet, but way way stiffer on climbs ect, and if its your first mtn bike (you said you were a roadie) i doubt you will be good enough to need a prophet, but once again weight is a factor, if you like me and you weigh 145lbs you basically don't have to worry, but if youare like in the 180 range the prophet would suit you better
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