M9's and DHR's

[Harry BarnOwl]

Myself and a friend are considering both of these frames.

I wouldn't normally post this kind of thread as I know there's no substitute for riding the actual bikes themselves, but there's simply no way I can get first hand experience of riding them.

Basically, I'd like some real world experience...what you like, what you don't like, how durable they are, what the customer service is like, how easy are they to set up (I know the m9 has a lot of adjustability, how much of a pain was it to find the sweet spot with it?). If anyone's ridden both a comparison would be great too.

If it helps at all, I'm coming off a medium Sunday and I vaguely know what I want from a bike. I've got my shock tuned so that there's plenty of support in the mid-stroke, and I love the way it rides at the moment. It's also got -1.5 reducer cups, and I might want it a wee bit slacker...63 is probably the ideal for me. How do the m9/dhr compare to the sunday?

My friend rides an 06 demo9 and he loves it (personally I hate the damn thing, feels like riding a plump viking maiden into battle), but he's not so sure what he wants from a frame. Again, how would the m9/dhr compare?

Any input appreciated!

Cheers,

Harry

[Sandwich]

i haven't ridden either besides a parking lot test...but if you like the sunday, and it doesn't do anything weird by you, why not get the DHR? I would imagine the bikes will ride somewhat similar, being designed by DW and all, with the DHR featuring more refinement and modern geo.

[jrewing]

I own an m9 and have ridden a dhr.

Maybe go the dhr if you ride a sunday as per above's post. i feel the dhr pedalled better.

The m9 loves the tracks the gnarlier they are. very confidence inspiring and stiff. Doesnt need much adjusting from stock positions as per your concern. Corners so fast but does smack pedals down alot.

Maybe just go what looks better to you as there both rad bikes!

[eastcoastDH]

Both are awesome bikes but i'd go with the DHR. If you said you want a 63 HA, thats what the DHR has. The DHR is insanely fast and agile and can handle anything, not that the M9 can't, but the DHR is my personal prefrence. I was considering a DHR for a while, but ended up getting an '11 Makulu instead. Hope this helped some.

[Pslide]

Sunday and DHR may be similar in anti-squat, but their leverage curves are mighty different... I've not ridden these bikes though, so won't say anything more!

[Sandwich]

Sunday and DHR may be similar in anti-squat, but their leverage curves are mighty different... I've not ridden these bikes though, so won't say anything more!

that might be true, but I suspect that the braking, pedaling, and other components might be pretty similar, they are all part of the package.

[WBC]

All hearsay, but maybe this'll help? Besides, spouting bullroar on ridemonkey is a good way to get your head in line for writing cover letters!

One of my best buds rides a dw dhr, and rode a sunday for a few years before it that he loved. He had an evil in between the two that he never got along with. Now that he's on the dhr, he's finally having a ton of fun and riding real fast, just like he used to on the sunday. He's in love with his dhr, and often says the dhr is much like the sunday in how you ride the bike, but that the dhr has much better geometry and suspension, so it corners, plows and pops much better, and is way more nimble, but more stable when you need it. Has me pretty sold. I also used to own an '08 dhr that I loved, and I always got fabulous customer service from turner. The new bike also has a pivot bearing system that seems pretty ingenious.

I've also got a good buddy that loved his sunday and spent time on a m9. He said the m9 definitely rode well, but that it was a big, plush bike that loved going straight over the rough and is probably at home at ft william, but not the most playful nor agile. That's just how my old demo 9 rode, so that's prob a good fit for your bud. Also, he can run it short/steep and long travel, just like his demo. Fwiw, I've always felt that vpp and horst link have a lot of similar traits in regards to pedaling, braking, and mid-stroke support, and the m6 and demo 9 are surprisingly familiar IMO. Also, when I broke my 951, it took several months to get a new subframe (though I did get it) and Intense hasn't really been known for their CS.

I think you should buy the turner, he should buy the Intense.

[Harry BarnOwl]

All hearsay, but maybe this'll help? Besides, spouting bullroar on ridemonkey is a good way to get your head in line for writing cover letters!

One of my best buds rides a dw dhr, and rode a sunday for a few years before it that he loved. He had an evil in between the two that he never got along with. Now that he's on the dhr, he's finally having a ton of fun and riding real fast, just like he used to on the sunday. He's in love with his dhr, and often says the dhr is much like the sunday in how you ride the bike, but that the dhr has much better geometry and suspension, so it corners, plows and pops much better, and is way more nimble, but more stable when you need it. Has me pretty sold. I also used to own an '08 dhr that I loved, and I always got fabulous customer service from turner. The new bike also has a pivot bearing system that seems pretty ingenious.

I've also got a good buddy that loved his sunday and spent time on a m9. He said the m9 definitely rode well, but that it was a big, plush bike that loved going straight over the rough and is probably at home at ft william, but not the most playful nor agile. That's just how my old demo 9 rode, so that's prob a good fit for your bud. Also, he can run it short/steep and long travel, just like his demo. Fwiw, I've always felt that vpp and horst link have a lot of similar traits in regards to pedaling, braking, and mid-stroke support, and the m6 and demo 9 are surprisingly familiar IMO. Also, when I broke my 951, it took several months to get a new subframe (though I did get it) and Intense hasn't really been known for their CS.

I think you should buy the turner, he should buy the Intense.

Thanks very much, just the sort of info I was looking for!

You're absolutely spot on about my mate, it's funny you mention fort william as that's his favourite track of all time (we live in scotland, plenty of roxxx as you yanks like to say )...also happens to be one of mine, but I've always been one for more "delicate" bikes that are a bit more playful and precise. I've also heard great things about turner customer service. I think you've sold me! Thanks for all the replies lads.

[Harry BarnOwl]

My friend just asked how both bikes handle square edged hits...I'm guessing both do it well? I'm not an axle path nut by any means so I have no idea.

[BikerBoy28]

One of my best buds rides a dw dhr, and rode a sunday for a few years before it that he loved. He had an evil in between the two that he never got along with. Now that he's on the dhr, he's finally having a ton of fun and riding real fast, just like he used to on the sunday. He's in love with his dhr, and often says the dhr is much like the sunday in how you ride the bike

Sounds like Pitton...?

[MTBAlex]

I haven't been on a M9 but my DHR handles square edges amazingly. The bike just goes over them and keeps getting faster. That's my perception anyways compared to my old bike (which wasn't a full DH sled).

[Banga]

I went from a Sunday to a DHR. To me it seems like the DHR is the evolution of the Sunday, everything that I thought could be improved on the Sunday has been done on the DHR
- its a night and day difference when it comes to square edged hits, the Sunday tended to hang up a little at times, not the case with DHR.
-Quality of the frame is much higher, pretty sure there's no bog/bondo on my DHR.
-Pivots seem much improved-time will tell I guess.

Just a much better package all round, can't comment on the M9 as I haven't ridden one.

In Ridemonkey speak
DHR =Sunday + Moar shimz

[kootenaytallboy]

Went from a Sunday to DHR as well. In my view, my 08 Sunday was pretty dialed, with reducer cups and modern parts in abundance.

I posted initial impressions and build of the DHR here: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=241559

Since my post, I've come to love the bike even more. I test rode a DHR last summer at Crankworx, and I said then that the bike generates easy speed. Two months into ownership and many shuttle rides later, I believe that now more than ever. The bike corners awesome, pedals awesome and it handles speed and rough stuff with aplomb while still being plenty poppy when you want it to be. Not sure how it compares to the M9, which is also unquestionably a great bike. I think the Turner's lighter for sure (1-2#s), and I would bet that its build quality is at least as good as the Intense. Plus, I kinda like that Turners are a bit rarer.

At the end of the day, I very much doubt that you'd complain if you bought the DHR. Its simply kick ass. You'd probably say the same thing about the Intense too tho. Thus, I'd say pick the one that makes you wanna ride, cuz at the end of the day getting out there and shredding dirt is what its all about.

One note on CS: I have Hope hubs and they don't work with the stock stepped rear axle. Not to worry tho, as a call to Turner customer service had a replacement axle my way in no time, free of charge.

[Sandwich]

Mmm...I have a newfound respect for the dwdhr, but you might want to check mtbr on compatibility and manufacturing issues...

[WBC]

Mmm...I have a newfound respect for the dwdhr, but you might want to check mtbr on compatibility and manufacturing issues...

I gotta say one thing about that....

When I had my Turner, I barely posted on the forums at all. I think I went something like 6 mos with no ridemonkey.

When I had my 951, I was on ridemonkey damn near everyday...and I gained 20 lbs.

There's a lesson in there!