Gettin into FR... What kinda bike?

[mroneeyedboh]

ive always wanted to jump into freeride and ive been looking and searchin the forums to try and see whats a good beginner bike for me. im lookin into banshees or iron horses. But still not sure as far as should i go all out? or get something cheap for now and upgrade? Thanks also any recommendations are appreciated. :twitch:

[klutch]

Banshee's are great but not beginner and Ironhorse assuming it's the sunday is more downhill and also not beginner.If your really thinking beginner specifically price wise try a Kona stinky you can find them for around $1500 new or if you really want the Ironhorse try the 7point3,5,7 excellent bikes and about the same price. I ride a Giant faith2 which is a little heavy (44 lbs) but I love it. Just find one that has the parts on it that you want ie. fork,crank,brakes... good luck.

[Mr. Hankey]

Get a Mongoose black diamond triple off of, egay. You can get them dirt cheap, with hella nice components, and they love to be hucked. I have a BD frame I built up, and I love it. I would recommend it to anyone.

[SK6]

The most important thing to remember is this: get something you can upgrade the components.

Everyone will have an opinion, but what it boils down to is personal preference. Check the boards, do searches on the boards by brand, read reviews and check out the manufacturers web site.

Do this for a little bit and then you'll get a better handle on what would be a good beginner bike.

[mandown]

don't buy until you ride. sit on it and see how it feels before you pull out the $$$.

consider the transition products. if your trails are a bit more on the XC side, go preston. if you are thinking you have the brass to go bigger, check the dirtbag.

kona's are good too. you can save a grip buy finding last year's model on sale. EVERY year kona bikes go on deep discount when the new model year comes out. check wheelworld.com as they frequently have stupid cheap prices on kona's.

iron horse stuff also does the big discounts to unload the older model years. i never know how they do it, but IH frequently bolts some amazing parts on frames for dirt cheap. the quality is nice too.

things to consider when buying a frame or a bike:
1 - will the frame take a bigger/smaller fork if i decide i don't like the one it comes with?
2 - what size rear hub does the frame take? this will impact your choices when changing wheelsets. 10/135 is the most common rear size. 12/135 is starting to show up 12/150 is also becoming more popular.
3 - much like hub size, what BB size does the frame use? again, this will impact crank upgrades in the future.
4 - head tube size is yet another issue. if you want to change forks, a 1.5 HT can always be reduced down to a 1.125, but you can't go the other way.
5 - travel - how much does it have? how much do you want? 6" is good for most. 7" can be a bit much to pedal but will make things better on the DH.
6 - weight - depending on your body weight and riding style you may want to consider a lighter/heavier frame.

there is more to consider, but i gotta get back to work :bonk:

[Anshwa]

Iron Horse 7point & 6 point series are good bikes for starting out FR.

[eball]

I would have to agree with MANDOWN

Check out Transitions bikes. The Bottle-Rocket, Dirt-Bag & The Preston are great F.R. choices depending on what kind of riding you wanna do.

[stinkyboy]

Another vote for Kona or Transition.

Like mandown sez, I bought my 04 Stinky in 05, saved a lot, and spent 2 years upgrading it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/stinkyboy/Biking%20Photos/stinky7.jpg

[ZHendo]

look at rscycle.com, they have a lot of iron horse stuff for dirt cheap. the 7point3 is on the site for under $1500, i think it was more like $1300, but I don't remember exactly. a good way to do it is find a good deal, and then go to a local shop that carries that brand and see if you can test ride it. later, go order the bike for cheap online assuming it felt ok. keep in mind, if you have never ridden a freeride bike before, they have a very upright sitting position and the top tube tends to be shorter than an XC bike, so don't go in there looking for something that fits like what you have known in the past (assuming you have an XC bike). it should be very comfortable to site on and manageable to pedal. for now, don't get anything over 7 inches of travel because if you are unsure what degree of riding you will get into, you don't want to be stuck with a monster of a bike that you may have to pedal up hill only to hit trails that aren't suited for a beast of a bike. not to mention, over 7 inches of travel is usually unnecessary for most people.

[SK6]

Another vote for Kona or Transition.

Like mandown sez, I bought my 04 Stinky in 05, saved a lot, and spent 2 years upgrading it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/stinkyboy/Biking%20Photos/stinky7.jpg

She shore is peeerrrrddy!!!!!!!!

[dan wask]

ive always wanted to jump into freeride and ive been looking and searchin the forums to try and see whats a good beginner bike for me. im lookin into banshees or iron horses. But still not sure as far as should i go all out? or get something cheap for now and upgrade? Thanks also any recommendations are appreciated. :twitch:

Check out the Trek Session 7. I absolutely love mine, and there is plenty of room for upgrading. I got my 06' early this year for dirt cheap.

[stinkyboy]

She shore is peeerrrrddy!!!!!!!!


Thanks! I get to go beat on that fork for the first time this weekend.

[SK6]

Nice!...you will enjoy it!

[kona-rider]

can't go wrong with kona imo!!!

[mroneeyedboh]

damn thanks for all of the replies. but i think i may want to go used... i see alota ( or what seems to be good ) good deals on the classifieds on here. but again thanks for the help, it'll be useful come time to buy.

[mroneeyedboh]

oh and also, i was into bmx street and dirt since i was about 6 until i was 18 and then i stopped for a year and now im into mtn bikes. so i seen freeride and thats what got me into it. but i bought a hardtail ( jamis komodo ) bc i was told the geometry was close to my bmx mike ( not geometry but the makeup of it ) so the transition from bmx to a 26" bike wouldnt be so harsh for me. so im riding that currently. and i beat the **** out of it, so thats why im looking to get into a FS bike, so what im gettin at is what bike is close to the same geometry as that. thanks

[Pat...]

Riding a bunch of different bikes, so you can see what things you like is a really good idea. Where do you live?

[jeff da grom]

hit up some local shops and test out what they have... just see what you like and talk to the people who freeride in your area, find out how big of a bike you'll need.

aside from that go for an specialized sx trail or an iron horse 6 point

[mroneeyedboh]

truthfully, there isnt really any freeride bike dealers around me. im in Md and the closest place that has freeride parks is showshoe, and diablo. which i dont mind riding two hrs for a weekend of riding. not all good things are easy to get to. but my local state park is bulding a freeride park with in its area in the next year or so.

[Pat...]

Maybe you can find some monkeys in your area and try their bikes.

[xdbpxd]

Nothing wrong with a Banshee. They are great bikes and will serve you well. The company is also is great as far as customer service goes. And you cant beat the 10yr warranty. I have been riding a chaparral for the past 3 years. The chap is a great bike to start on casue u can build it up many different ways. The frame feels awesome and will build your confidence really fast. I just bought a Banshee Scream and it should b here tomorrow. Im selling my chap, if you are interested in my Chap frame let me know. But i highly recommend going banshee ... u will not b sorry

[dan wask]

truthfully, there isnt really any freeride bike dealers around me. im in Md and the closest place that has freeride parks is showshoe, and diablo. which i dont mind riding two hrs for a weekend of riding. not all good things are easy to get to. but my local state park is bulding a freeride park with in its area in the next year or so.

Race Pace in Ellicott City has Kona Stinky's as well as Trek session 7s and session 77s. Give them a call and ask for Paul. Paul is the resident freeride/downhill guru.

[mroneeyedboh]

okok, thanks

[Beef Cake]

Big hits are nice . They got some travel and are tuff enough to take some noobies oopses . Their in the middle range of fr prices .
Just a thought !
CHEERS

[rockwool]

oh and also, i was into bmx street and dirt since i was about 6 until i was 18 and then i stopped for a year and now im into mtn bikes. so i seen freeride and thats what got me into it. but i bought a hardtail ( jamis komodo ) bc i was told the geometry was close to my bmx mike ( not geometry but the makeup of it ) so the transition from bmx to a 26" bike wouldnt be so harsh for me. so im riding that currently. and i beat the **** out of it, so thats why im looking to get into a FS bike, so what im gettin at is what bike is close to the same geometry as that. thanks

An FS bike will feel different, but I hear the BottleRocket is a 5" that rides like a HT and everybody that ridden it loves it.

What you have to do is test ride, just grab every guy you see on the street and start talking to him for a few minutes and ask if you can test ride his bike..

[mroneeyedboh]

people arent that nice around my neck of the woods.... :(

[Frorider1]

Hey man , I am selling my RMX, mint condition. Check it out.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/6430/cat/2

[SLOPE]

You can check out Fleet Street Cycles over by Patapsco State Park or Pedal Pushers in Severna Park, tell em Scott sent ya. :)

[bballboy388]

i don't know where in MD you live but Germantown cycles is also a good shop for freeride bikes. and you should check the VA forum there are closer places to freeride then diablo or snowshoe.

[mattmatt86]

I need a Natty Boh.

[Frorider1]

Go to highlands to ride as soon as you get your bike!

[SLOPE]

Wisp is closer than Diablo and Snowshow but I haven't ridden there yet so don't know what it's like.

Beer sounds good right about now. Loooonnnggg Father's Day

[mattmatt86]

Wisp is closer than Diablo and Snowshow but I haven't ridden there yet so don't know what it's like.

Beer sounds good right about now. Loooonnnggg Father's Day

I've ridden both (on my Imperial) within the last month and I would say Diablo is probably 10x better right now. SnowShoe recently laid off their head trail builder so a good bit of the trails seemed like they hadn't been groomed in years. You will also get at least double the runs in at Diablo as you will at SS. The drive to Diablo is much easier from MD as well. Took me 3 hours exactly for Diablo from Bel Air and over 4.5 hours yesterday, and that was from Great Falls, VA which is an hour from my house.

Bottom line, go to Diablo.

[mroneeyedboh]

i was lookin around on the class. and i seen this (http://www.ridemonkey.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6995&cat=2). anything good here? also whats a good price if it is.

[mattmatt86]

I would stay far away from that bike.

[ZHendo]

i was lookin around on the class. and i seen this (http://www.ridemonkey.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6995&cat=2). anything good here? also whats a good price if it is.

steer clear.

[Mr. Hankey]

http://a802.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/57/l_6dc5594f1507096fc37428f705e08f31.jpg

I don't have much in it at all. Especially since it has 7.5 in the rear, and 8" in the front. It rides great. Been jumping the hell out of it.

[mroneeyedboh]

another thing i was thinking, i dont really have to go FS, since i LOVe hardtails. i dont know if im really going to be ready for a Fs yet.. or do i even need a FS yet... thats what ive been thinking. i was thinkgin about just gettin another frame and fork and build a bike up. and just use my parts off the komodo and trandfer them to the new frame and all. but i think im going to go with a 1.5 headtube. bc like its been said u can go down but not up...

[mattmatt86]

I'm gonna be selling my Imperial and most of the parts soon. Its a hardtail and has a 1.5 headtube. (I'm in MD as well:lighten: )

[mroneeyedboh]

yeah your prolly going to want an arm and a leg for it... or maybe just a leg.

[mattmatt86]

Send me a PM with your budget and I'll let you know.

[amish_matt]

Send me your budget?! Dude, you sound like a car dealer.

Tell him your budget is two dollars.

[mroneeyedboh]

hha yeah my budget is low, i was thinking about just getting a banshee morphine. they are like 250 used..

[mattmatt86]

A morphine isn't a bad choice, especially if you can get one for 250.

[rigidhack]

The only thing about a Morphine is that they weigh a TON. You likely won't break one, but there is a good chance one could break you -especially if you want to earn your turns and ride up every now and then.

Honestly, if it was my first FR bike, I'd go with something with around 6 and 6 for travel. The Transition Preston is really nice. The Dirtbag is pretty much the same as a Kona Stinky, as is the Trek Session 7 or 77. The IH 7.3, 7.5 is also a great choice. The Kona Stinky is a given. You might also try a C'Dale Gemini. The can be had for not all that much $ used (just avoid the 03 model year). Don't get a boutique bike at first. You will spend too much for something that will get thrashed al to hell and you won't really appreciate the kinds of advantages they can give.

[mroneeyedboh]

im still leaning towards banshee for the cost and durability...

[mattmatt86]

Ill sell you my Imperial for 400, It has a fresh green powdercoat and I'll throw in the headset. Hardtails don't get much more durable than an Imperial.

[amish_matt]

And then I'll sell you my Travis 150 to put on the Imp. $150, used one day.

[mroneeyedboh]

i ay have to get that travis from ya. but i think im going morphine just because its like 200-250. but that imp. is deff a good price from what ive seen..

[mandown]

i've got bars, stems and brakes for that new rig
:spam:

[mroneeyedboh]

brakes im good, bars and stem is what i'll need.

[mattmatt86]

I've got bars, stems, a crankset, seats and seatposts.

You sure you don't want an Imperial?

She's so beautiful...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b44/matmattmatthew/Bike%20Stuff/DSCF0224.jpg

[mroneeyedboh]

haha yeah im sure. the price is just a lil steep for me as of right now.