Messages

121

The Bike Shop / Re: hardtail mountain bikes

« on: December 01, 2014, 11:47:55 AM »

I've been through this same cycle and thought process, the smaller frame is hurting your off road ability. The bmxer in you wants a tight feeling bike but for true MTB rocks and steeps you need a big enough bike to move around on.

As for wheel size, I love 29" on a hardtail. 27.5" is just marketing and is effectively the new 26". Unless you're on your game already, moving from 26" to 27.5" with all else constant won't change much of anything for you.

Find a complete for sure. $1500-$2000 will get you a nice new bike like a Kona Honzo or Explosif. You can probably still find a leftover 2014 of most brands for a discount. A slacker HT angle and lower BB will also help you feel better in the rough stuff.

Good luck!

I got into DJ mtb's in 2006, then singlespeed hardtail, then various borrowed and rented XC and AM bikes (FS and hardtail). Also have a Transition Double 4x/slope with 1X9.   

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying by "For true MTB rocks and steeps you need a big enough bike to move around on."

If anything, I find that the many people in the mtb world are STILL stuck in the dirt roadie mentality.  When you are stretched out over a long frame with a long stem, 29 wheels, a high seat and ultra low bb, that is the most dirt roadie position you can be in.   And is NOT a help for technical riding in the sense of getting over rocks and definitely not on steep descents.  The only thing it is great for is climbing, which many dirt roadies are obsessed with. 

I think 29"s are sluggish.  And I think 27.5 is a great compromise.

I rode two 27.5" demo bikes at Winter Park this past summer.  The 27.5" DH bike felt big/awkward/non-nimble.  But the 27.5" Specialized Enduro Carbon felt great.






i crank around regular xc trails on a 4x/slope bike pretty regularly (Transition Double with 1X9 gearing), and i keep up with geared-up 29'er dudes pretty well.  i realize that full leg extension setup does make for more efficient riding... but i also don't like giving up some of the 4x/bmx style handling for hitting the berms rollers jumps that i have built out here, mixed in to the regular mtb trails.  or even just the feeling of being able to bunnyhop a log in the way that i'm used to etc. etc.  i may actually buy a true xc/am mtb soon, but i will definitely ride a size a little smaller and set it up a little more bmx/DJ-ish. probably with a 60-70mm stem, bmx platform pedals, etc.

(i know i failed to do an impressive trick here but it's one of my few riding shots on this bike)

122

The Bike Shop / Re: Transition Bottlerocket?

« on: November 30, 2014, 07:09:21 PM »

I have a Transition Double. It's the 4"/4" travel bike, while I think the Bottle Rocket was 6"/6".   I think the Double handles great.  So I guess it depends what kind of terrain you're on, whether you need 6" of travel.

123

The Bike Shop / Re: Cruiser guys, ATF 24" vs Wave C vs Liquid, input please.

« on: November 30, 2014, 01:33:06 PM »

I currently ride a 2010 Fit CR 24" that I picked up from CMB.  The frame is a 21.25", with 13.5" BB, and 14.75" CS.
I like the ride, but something feels 'off'.  My current 20" is a 21", with 11.5" BB, and 13.25" CS.  I love the way the 20" rides.  Very 'poppy' with room up front, and a low, 'in the bike' feel.

Of the three, Liquid, ATF, or Wave C, which would ride closer to the type of 20" I ride?
The Liquid is on one end of the spectrum with a lowish BB but the shortest CS, and the Wave C on the other end with the highest BB and medium CS.  I almost feel like the S&M would be very similar to what I currently ride.

Thoughts, experiences, and input is appreciated.

Mahalo.

I haven't ridden an ATF 24".  But, between the Liquid or the Wave C, I would say you might like the Liquid better (since you say you like a slightly lower bb, and you like an "in the bike" feeling).  Although it's nominally a trails frame, I think it's an excellent street frame (at least for my mid-school style of street).  Although I have liked 74.5 and 75 head angles on various frames, I think the 74 really works well on the Liquid.  It reminds me of back in the mid school years when people rode trails frames on street (like the Holmes, etc.)--but it's better than a Holmes, because of the short back end.  The stability and non-twitchiness of the front end makes you feel like you want to crank and stuff faster and go bigger.   

If you want some background on the Liquid (which was developed simultaneously but completely separately from Sunday's Model C) back in 2008, check this out:  http://www.ridemonkey.com/threads/a-little-late-but-the-liquid-feedback-v2-is-here.265639/ (and the link in there that links back to the 2008 thread).    Also check this thread--it was the first group of guys riding Liquids:  http://www.ridemonkey.com/threads/my-liquid-bike.227386/

124

The Bike Shop / Re: Anybody ride DH here?

« on: November 04, 2014, 02:27:01 PM »

I definitely feel like riding DH and riding the edge forces you to learn a good amount of bike control and if you are coming from a BMX background it just feels natural! Winter park is only a 1.5 hours from my house so I will be going as much as possible.

I feel like for flow DH, a 4" and 4" slopestyle or 4x bike, or a 6"/6", work well.  Some of the 8"/8" bikes feel like overkill on the smoother jump trails (except that some of the trail gets super brake-rutted).  But definitely appreciated for the rough trails.

I want to check out this trail in Washington State:
Lars Shreds the Double On Unemployment Line
vimeo.com/50998782

I rode my Transition Double at Angel Fire earlier this year.  Second weekend of the season and we got some snow at the top. 


The 4x track was closed, but I really wanted to hit it.

was a pretty solid drive....

 

125

The Bike Shop / Re: Anybody ride DH here?

« on: November 04, 2014, 01:09:47 AM »

Yeah, I've gone the last 5 years in a row, and brought quite a few bmx and xc-mtb friends into it....  I think a lot of BMX'ers still aren't aware of the radness going on in the mountains.  This shit IS "bicycle motocross" !!   A ton of the guys, at least in the Colorado scene, are crossover BMX/MTB riders.  Anyone with BMX trails or BMX race skills will roast DH.   But, I advise.... wear the gear... I got my first ever knockout (with a Protec on) and separated collarbone this past July.

Cheyenne Brad, checking out "Hot Wheels" at Winter Park before it officially opened:

126

The Bike Shop / Re: Mid school "collecting"

« on: October 21, 2014, 04:47:15 PM »

. . .  I guess mid school is a subjective term, but to me it would be around 1995/96-2003/04.  Basically to me, right when bikes started going to 1 1/8" threadless head tubes up to the point where everything started hitting the light weight phase. 
 . . . .

I would backdate mid-school to 1992, with the criterion being thick dropouts made to withstand street riding, and STANDARD's development of an axle that could withstand street use of pegs.

There were definitely "mid school" bikes with 1" head tubes--the Standard Shorty & Lengthy, Hoffman Condor and Big Daddy, etc.   Even with S&M, early Dirt Bike and Holmes just had two dropouts tacked together--but when S&M switched to a serious thick dropout for the OG Dirt Bike and Holmes, I'd call that mid-school.
: )

The mid-school bikes I still have are an S&M Widowmaker 24", Homeless Macks '92 and '95, and a 1" headtube HB Taj.

127

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: September 14, 2014, 02:20:45 PM »

I'm 6'4 220, and rode a 20" bike since I was 13.  The last 20" bike I rode was a custom 250L with a 22" top tube and 9.75" bars.  Even that bike felt too cramped and when I saw pictures and video of myself riding it I looked absolutely ridiculous.  I decided to give 22's a go and pre ordered the faction amero as soon as it was available.  I immediately felt that 22" wheels were superior to 20's but the 21.5"tt was waaay too short and I destroyed 2 pairs of their terrible forks, so I made the switch to a custom 23"tt holmes and it was the best decision I ever made.  Im currently on a 23"tt 22"wheeled custom trail boss and ill never touch a 20" bike again.  My trail boss is scaled up 2" in every aspect from what my 20" bike was and it feels perfect for my size.  I only ride dirt, so I cant speak for how it handles nib jibbin curbs and ledges but I can still hop the sucker on picnic tables, so the vertical does not suffer.  Best bike ive ever ridden

badass! i think i saw it on bmxmuseum, but do you have more pics?

128

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: September 01, 2014, 01:23:13 PM »

Anyone have any videos of someone riding one? I'd like to see how it looks in motion and what body position is like.

Chris Mahoney on the new 22" Faction Amero BMX 2013
http://vimeo.com/58917580


There are a lot of pics and some videos posted in the 22"BMX Facebook group as well. 
https://www.facebook.com/22inchbmx?fref=nf

129

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: May 07, 2014, 02:58:49 PM »

from:
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=4777852#p4777852

130

The Bike Shop / Re: Frame History?

« on: March 17, 2014, 10:30:26 AM »

1. Team Murray dept. store bmx
2. '87 Diamond Back Hot Streak
3. '87 Haro Master
4. '88 Haro Master
5. '87 Mongoose Decade
6. '89 GT Pro Series race
7. '86 Haro Freestyler
8. '92 GT Pro Freestyle Tour
9. '87 GT Pro Performer
11. '91 S&M Holmes
12. '94 Powerlite XXL race
13. '94/'95 Homeless Pornstar XL
14. ’94 S&M Widowmaker cruiser
15. '95 Powerlite freestyle
16. ’95 Homeless Mack (1” head tube)
17. ’95 Standard Shorty (1” head tube) 1
18.  Homeless Player (1995)
19. ‘95/’96 Hoffman TAJ
20. ‘98/’99? Standard Shaman
21. ’98? Schwinn Azrael
22. ’01/02? Standard STA R-Model 20.5”tt
23. ’01? Mutiny Undertaker 21”tt
24. ’02? Mutiny Raven
25. We The People Pony
26. ’04? Fly Mosca 19.8tt
27.  Hoffman Big Daddy (1996)
28. ’06 DK Xenia 26”
29. '05 Haro Backtrail 24"
30. ’06 DK General Lee 24”
31. ’06? Macneil Deuce Deuce
32. ’07 Terrible One Garrett Byrnes
33. ’05 Specialized P-Street 24”
34. ’08 Union Street Molly Maguire 24”
35. ’08 Black Market MOB 26” 
36.  Faction Zeitgeist 22"
37. Liquid Feedback 24"
38. We The People Avenger 24"
39. Torker twin top tube 24" (late 90's)
40. Tribute DTT 24" (double top tube)
41. Black Market Killswitch 26"
42. InDust Cuatro 24"
43. InDust 2ton 22"
44. 1993 Homeless Mack
45. Transition Double 26"

131

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: November 11, 2013, 10:57:53 PM »

Just built up my 22 x 22 STA. 22 wheel, 22 toptube.  Bloody lovely..
.
Gratuitous s logo placements
.
Got one of those 34ride gyros at the cologne worlds, it's pretty nice..
.
Had to get a toys r us piranha tyre (!) I.e. a meghna from eBay for the rear, the f22 was just too fat to clear the brakes..  Although now I have it running I might try it again
.

Killer !!!!  I've been daydreaming about getting Standard to do one with the Shaman style head tube gusset.    What's the bb height on yours?

132

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: September 16, 2013, 08:47:23 PM »

http://www.cheapgoodsbmx.com/Cheap_Goods/HOME.html

that is one of the worst websites I have ever seen but the guy is legit.

Heh, yeah, for sure! He is.  Sometimes well marketed stuff/shops/etc are crap, but sometimes badly marketed ones are great/chill.  Part of the greatness of bmx--not everything is slick all the time.  Other friends get their design tight through great partnerships, but just like greatness in other areas of life, I'd prefer a personal connection to a slick presentation.

133

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: September 09, 2013, 11:11:24 PM »

I'm fucking retarded, about a week after selling my bmx I'm already getting the itch to buy one again despite hardly riding my old one haha. Definitely won't be a 20" this time though. For those who have tried both, what feels better 22" or a Model C? I've ridden 26" for years and I couldn't get back into riding such small wheels on my bmx.

To me the 22" still feels VERY much on the BMX side of things while the Model C (and most other 24" non race frames I have rode) feel like a 24" but give you that taste of ramping like what a 20" gives.  It sounds like if you don't want the feel of a 20" you should try your hand on the 24" before the 22".  These are just my two cents though.....  what the fuck do I know anyway?

I agree with that.  24"s are the most versatile.  You can go from concrete bowls to rough mtb jumps, plus ride 20 miles around town.  On the other hand, for me, 22"s are a 20" replacement. It's just sort of a proportional upsizing the same as we've been doing with longer top tubes over the years (and more recently, taller bars).  Everyone's riding bigger trails, bigger ramps, bigger street gaps/drops, it just makes sense.
If I could only have 2 bikes, I would do 22" bmx and 26" mtb-dj-4x.  But, if I could only have one bike, it would be a 24" bmx.  Similarly, if someone loved their 20", then as a second bike, I would suggest to them to go with a 24" (not 22" because it's not different enough), or maybe a 26" mtb-dj if they were riding rougher terrain.  I'll admit, at first I did not like the Model C when it came with 7.25" bars, the 21.25"tt, and the high bb. But when I started riding friends' Model C's and Wave C's with 21.75"tt and 22"tt and taller bars, I thought they felt great.  There's a lot of guys around here who are shredding them.  No longer are 24"s just the 'bar cruzer' bike.  It's disappointing to not see more of the bmx world embracing bigger wheels, and really repping them with pros and video parts. Seems like Sunday has given it the most valiant effort. It's worth it. 

134

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: September 07, 2013, 01:58:38 AM »

A standard isn't a standard if it isn't rocking a ht gusset!

truth, i dont know why anyone would buy a standard without the gusset

I like the chainstay-mount brakes too.   Although.... to get super mid-school, the hole through the seat tube as a cable stop in fact worked the best for 990's.  Straight line pull with very short straddle cable for minimal flex.   Standard was the first one to start the long straddle cable around the seat tube thing, if I remember right....

135

The Bike Shop / Re: 22 inches

« on: August 10, 2013, 01:55:32 PM »

If it takes off in racing then it has a good chance. Factories understand the idea of a race and any advantage being worth pursuing. If it is a different ERTO to the Faction ones then that is a pisser, but it may well be that the Faction ones would lead to a tyre that was too big for the ******* UCI...


G.

I measured the diameter with the stock Faction Zeitgeist tires inflated and they are less than 22.5". Faction guys have already been racing in the UK in the 20" class. The F22 may be slightly taller, haven't had a chance to measure it yet.