Alright guys, I'm back again, the bike buying bug has bite me once more. I thought for awhile that I wanted to get a BMX bike but being 6'4 and 220lbs, it didn't seem right. So I was sittin at the bookstore today reading some UK mountain bike magazine when it dawned on me that I should get a urban/jump bike. But I wouldn't really be using it for jumping, just mainly urban stuff. Ya'll know I have a Surly Instigator but it's my pride and joy and won't be coming with me to school. So this is what I'm looking for...an urban/jump bike to be used to play with and commute to work. Work is only 2 miles from school and it's all downtown, I could practice my urban skills on the way . This is what I'd like it to have, horizontal drop-outs, I want it to be SS to keep things simple and I want it to be steel. I glanced through the freeride frames but nothing seemed to jump out at me. I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible, being that I have the surly. Also, do I need a front suspension system? I don't know, maybe. What do you recommed pre-built and then if nessacery, frame only. I hope this makes sense.

The Azonic steelhead frame is good, Jensonusa has it for $150 on closeout.

I don't know about prebuilt.. maybe a DMR?

The DMR frames are Solid, im not sure what they have in the way of steel frames in America. but some of the British ones are the V24, the DMRS, the steelhead.

You planning on running 26 or 24?

I don't know if I want to run 26" or 24". What advantage does the 24" have over the 26"? DMR I looked at but a bit pricey for what I'm willing to spend. I did find the P.2 Cro-mo and the Haro Zero. I really liked the Haro Zero because it was cheap but I can't seem to find any information on it.

24" accelerates better, is a little stronger and makes the bike fit shorter (like a bmx but with an adult sized TT)

Isn't the azonic steelhead going for like 150$ on jenson right now. That woul dbe a good place to start. Either that or look at the Transition TrailOrPark...not cheap but oh god the frame is amazing to ride. (I LOVE STEEL)

Can't find info on a mtb haro...hmmm...might because they don't sell

Haha, true. I did find mongoose sells a SS steel. I can't remember what it's called. I would love to go the frame route but I think, overall, it would be cheaper to go complete bike already. Oh well.

Then go with a p3 (I think that is the SS)

The p1 is single speed but there's two versions of it. The aluminum one with dual 26" wheels, and the cromoly with 24/26 and a gyro.
The p2 is heavier and uglier (hehe), and it has gears.
The p3, probably a bit lighter, and it has better stuff on it. But still gears.

I think you could put together a pretty sweet bike with the Steelhead frame; I was toying with the idea myself. But $300 for a bmx seems more viable than $750 or so for a build with the steelhead frame and lower-end components.
Then again, I'm only 5'11, and a bmx bike wouldn't seem quite as small to me.

I think I might go with the Haro Zero, replace the fork and sell my old GF to get some cash for a new fork. I heard that the Suntour fork on it was a rebadged Manitou MZ or was it marzocchi. GAH! I can't remember. I figure someone needs to get it to find out if it sucks or not. I'll take up that responsibility.

Marzocchi makes the MZ.

Ok so it comes with a rebadged Marzocchi MZ comp, which I heard sucked but really, I own a Surly with, soon, a Z1 so this won't be a real jump bike. Just a play bike/commuter, only 2 mile ride from school to work.

Why not a hardrock single speed then? I probably missed the part about not using it for jumping... lol

Well I wouldn't say I would NEVER use it for jumping, just light jumping. You know I was diggin around on ebay and found a Mongoose Ritual for $449. It's a 4120 frame, awesome frame! But comes with a RST fork, ew. Looks like I'm stuck between the Haro and Mongoose, maybe the P2 chromo but it would have to be a hell of a deal.