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The Street => The Bike Shop => Topic started by: blueee on January 11, 2015, 12:52:55 PM

Title: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: blueee on January 11, 2015, 12:52:55 PM
smaller frame, steeper headtube? anything you could get for under a thowow? a decent intro/beginners bike
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: hugh. on January 11, 2015, 02:04:34 PM
Cane creek angleset could be used to make the HT angle steeper.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: _tom_ on January 11, 2015, 03:05:33 PM
Scott Voltage.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 11, 2015, 04:20:32 PM
Under $1k? Look for a 5-6 year old used bike.

Rides like a bmx? Nope. If you try to make a mountain bike ride like a 20", you just end up with a really crappy feeling MTB.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: Stoked on January 11, 2015, 06:10:29 PM
(http://www.ridesuperco.com/2008/landscape/bmx.jpg)
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: joelite44 on January 11, 2015, 07:41:11 PM

Rides like a bmx? Nope. If you try to make a mountain bike ride like a 20", you just end up with a really crappy feeling MTB.

listen to this guy, he knows whatsup.

just buy anything, the fanciest in your price range. remeber cycling is a sport in which you show off all the fancy parts to the normal people who never really care about the sport so go crazy with your ride or your ego will catch up to you some day.

I'd reccommend something between all mountain/enduro with 27.5 or 29 wheels if you care that much...
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: LeonLikesToRock on January 12, 2015, 01:14:14 AM
No such thing really. That's not a bad thing though. You want a DH bike that rides like a DH bike. A bmx feels shit for that stuff. If you want it to feel a little bit more at home I'd recommend chucking on some BMX grips and pedals. Some MTB grips are fucking goofy.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: G on January 12, 2015, 10:22:10 AM
Under $1k? Look for a 5-6 year old used bike.

Rides like a bmx? Nope. If you try to make a mountain bike ride like a 20", you just end up with a really crappy feeling MTB.

This.

However, I think maybe this isnt what you are asking about anyway.

Do you really want a downhill bike? Or just a mountainbike? What are you going to ride on it?

Personally, I started out trying to end up with an MTB that rides more like a BMX but quickly learnt that: A. Thats very hard to achieve, and B. Even if you achieve it it isnt going to be much fun.

What I am now working towards, is an MTB with a very short back end and higher that typical BB, but still with a nice slack head angle. This has it's own downsides. but it does allow you to have a bit more input in how it rides in my experience without being too compromised at speed.

$1000 is definitely a wildly optimistic budget though. You definitely need to look at second hand and you need to find clueless fucks selling cheap

:)
G.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: hugh. on January 12, 2015, 10:34:23 AM
Any bike can be a downhill bike if you just believe!
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: streetStreet on January 12, 2015, 11:40:45 AM
Any bike can be a downhill bike if you just believe!

If you can dream it you  can do it!
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: MEAT on January 12, 2015, 01:15:33 PM
What do you see yourself doing on it?
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: LowKey on January 12, 2015, 03:53:42 PM
Look for something like this http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1667246/ (http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1667246/) , I've got a 7 point setup similar to this one and it's great feeling. Feels good, looks good, and bulletproof. To me it feels closer to a BMX bike than my 26" dirt jump bike does.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: joelite44 on January 12, 2015, 04:32:49 PM
Some MTB grips are fucking goofy.

thought the same but for bmx grips, why no lock ons and gloves?

(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/joelite44/p4pb11797848.jpg)
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: blueee on January 12, 2015, 07:01:41 PM
the reason i say rides like a bmx bike is becuase when i go to the dh trails, i dont really have fun on the bumpy technical shit, but i absolutely love the lines with smooth-ish paths and all the jumps which are much funner to ride on the lightweight full suspension bikes ive ridden compared to the super tough and heavy , super-slack-headtube dh bikse i also have ridden

so yeah, smaller, lighter and twitchier is better

and of course i was talking 2nd hand
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 12, 2015, 09:47:05 PM
the reason i say rides like a bmx bike is becuase when i go to the dh trails, i dont really have fun on the bumpy technical shit, but i absolutely love the lines with smooth-ish paths and all the jumps which are much funner to ride on the lightweight full suspension bikes ive ridden compared to the super tough and heavy , super-slack-headtube dh bikse i also have ridden

so yeah, smaller, lighter and twitchier is better

and of course i was talking 2nd hand

This description is more along the lines of a Slopestyle bike, AKA a full suspension Dirt Jumper with a bit more travel.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: Bink on January 12, 2015, 10:53:38 PM
the reason i say rides like a bmx bike is becuase when i go to the dh trails, i dont really have fun on the bumpy technical shit, but i absolutely love the lines with smooth-ish paths and all the jumps which are much funner to ride on the lightweight full suspension bikes ive ridden compared to the super tough and heavy , super-slack-headtube dh bikse i also have ridden

so yeah, smaller, lighter and twitchier is better

and of course i was talking 2nd hand

This description is more along the lines of a Slopestyle bike, AKA a full suspension Dirt Jumper with a bit more travel.

I'd take master's advice and look into some slopestyle bikes. They have less travel (100mm) and tend to be cheaper than AM and DH bikes, and depending on the build, they can be pedaled up difficult climbs and ridden on most DH trails. Also, while a true slopestyle build typically has a 100mm fork up front, many slope frames can accept up to 130mm forks, which will help on the rougher, bumpier stuff. Check out the Transition Double, Banshee Rampant, Kona Bass, and the older Specialized SX to get an idea for slope bikes.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: LeonLikesToRock on January 13, 2015, 04:24:16 AM
Some MTB grips are fucking goofy.

thought the same but for bmx grips, why no lock ons and gloves?

I rode lock on when they were sorta new, around 99. They used to slip when I cased a jump or landed hard and in turn I would eat some serious shit. Fuck those things. I'm sure they're much better now (they're the industry standard) but I'm done with those things.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: dude... on January 13, 2015, 06:43:42 AM
im super fussy about grips, and looking at some of the hard lumpy mtb grips makes me shudder. personal preference though, im sure theyre not so bad if youre wearing gloves and if you dont have weird hard skin hands like me.

grips are a super personal preference anyway, thats why theres so many options i guess. as one of the main points where you are connected to the bike, its important to have some that you like
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: Kinchy on January 13, 2015, 07:56:43 AM
Lock ons suck. might be good for preventing slip but I've never felt a nice pair. ESI grips are nice.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: _tom_ on January 13, 2015, 11:31:23 AM
I still say try a Scott Voltage. Funnest bike I've ridden. I don't really ride techy dh stuff, it's perfect for the trails you're on about - fast and flowy with loads of jumps. Put it in 150 or 160 mm travel for the shock, get a 160 mm fork like a Lyrik and you're set. I'm actually using a 150 mm Sektor with mine at the minute and it still rides good.

Lock on grips are fine, been using odi rogues for years now. So much easier than fucking about with normal bmx  style ones.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: blueee on January 13, 2015, 11:44:20 AM
any slopestyle bikes in 26in?
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 13, 2015, 12:45:10 PM
any slopestyle bikes in 26in?

Yes, they pretty much all are. 26" wheels give you a quicker/tighter handling bike.

An older 4X (4-cross) bike could also work. You would also do fine on a 26" DJ/4X/Slope hardtail if you stick to smooth trails.

How tall are you? Long arms/legs? Size is important on MTB frames...

I found the following:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1637140/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1664122/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1610275/

Search terms: http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&category=3&price=..1500&wheelsize=8

Shop around, deals are out there. Your local craigslist may also have something pop up but that's very hit or miss.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: _tom_ on January 13, 2015, 02:56:32 PM
People always used to rate the Santa Cruz Blur 4x, if you can find a cheap 2nd hand one of those that might be a good shout.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: cmc4130 on January 13, 2015, 10:54:38 PM
the reason i say rides like a bmx bike is becuase when i go to the dh trails, i dont really have fun on the bumpy technical shit, but i absolutely love the lines with smooth-ish paths and all the jumps which are much funner to ride on the lightweight full suspension bikes ive ridden compared to the super tough and heavy , super-slack-headtube dh bikse i also have ridden

so yeah, smaller, lighter and twitchier is better

and of course i was talking 2nd hand

This description is more along the lines of a Slopestyle bike, AKA a full suspension Dirt Jumper with a bit more travel.

Exactly. 

If you want 4"/4" (that means 4" rear suspension and 4" front suspension) then you have options like:
Black Market Killswitch
TRANSITION Double (out of production, but still a strong favorite)
Specialized P.Slope
NS Soda Slope

If you want a little more travel, e.g. 6"/6"
TRANSITION Bottle Rocket
Scott Voltage FR10, FR20

etc.

Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: blueee on January 14, 2015, 09:59:50 PM
Okay i have no idea what is good or not. can you guys do a quick check through my local cl?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
lots of mtb'ers out here so there should be a lot.
I already have a pretty sweet wheelset, maybe i could get people to part it and save a couple hundred?
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 14, 2015, 10:37:12 PM
How tall are you? Long/short arms/legs? Size is important...
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: blueee on January 14, 2015, 10:55:57 PM
regular ol 5'9 dude, clothes fit me normal so i figure im proportioned normal

i fi a 20.75bmx perfectlyt
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 14, 2015, 11:31:33 PM
regular ol 5'9 dude, clothes fit me normal so i figure im proportioned normal

i fi a 20.75bmx perfectlyt

Cool. So a medium (what used to be called a 17") frame would probably fit you well.

Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: master on January 14, 2015, 11:37:42 PM
These are more trail oriented than jump/park/slope oriented but could work:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4832116174.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/4846777751.html

A slopestyle bike but a size too big IMO:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4828341311.html
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: happycatbasket on January 15, 2015, 05:06:09 PM
Yeah. You just want a slopestyle bike with a good rear shock. I had an older transition bottle rocket ( when they were 5.5" ) and ran it ragged with both a 160mm fork and 180mm dualcrown. I ended up getting the rear shock pushed when I got the new fork and it road like a champ. Despite what you'd expect, the longer fork dropped the BB and slacked out the head tube making the thing feel amazing. Don't be afraid of the slacker bikes because they'll feel amazing at speed and in turns and you'll probably get into those things relatively fast if you start riding more. Even with the longer head tube, the bike was amazing on jump trails like the stuff in whistler.

Santa Cruz doesn't really have that much of the techier rocky stuff, but it still felt great up in the rock gardens of tahoe. All in all, something similar would be perfect for anywhere in the bay.
Title: Re: dh bike that rides like a bmx
Post by: cmc4130 on January 21, 2015, 06:30:10 PM

TRANSITION Double in action:
http://vimeo.com/50998782
 (http://vimeo.com/50998782)

I have both the Black Market Killswitch and the Transition Double and I like the Double better--it pedals better and feels more responsive jumping--although tweaking the shock settings and psi can make a huge difference.

I feel like 1X9 gearing on the Double makes a pretty rad all-around bike that is still highly jumpable.