Jumping Hill climber?

[HowzitChina]

I am looking into getting a new bike, now that I have been riding for a while.

 

At the moment I have a cross country bike, but I'm quite into going downhill fast, and doing some jumps and stuff. So I want to upgrade to a bike that supports this more, but is still able to ride uphill easily? If that makes sense?

 

I was thinking of a hardtail bike, with single speed in the front and 7or9 gears at the back, disk breaks, and a wide handle bar setup. Which is pretty much a jump bike? But the only problem with a jump bike is the seat is so uber low. Is there a way to have the same setup as a jump bike, but be able to lift the seat for the uphills only? (assuming you can't lift the seat high enough on a jump bike?)

 

You help will be much appreciated!

[patches]

ok... my suggestion is an AM bike. A bike with 140-160mm travel front and rear. Then, get a dropper seatpost, like a Rock Shox Reverb or KS i950

 

I do quite a bit of jumping mixed with trail riding, and I've seen a couple of guys running AM rigs that handle the jumps pretty darn sweet.

 

Ideal bike (IMHO)... Morewood Mbuzi, lyric fork, reverb seatpost.

 

Other options,

 

Giant Reign (or Reign X if you wanna go a little more hardcore)

Mongoose Teocali (of Nugget if you wanna jump better and don't mind adding a few min on the hills)

GT Force

Santacruz Heckler (or Nomad for the extreme option)

Scott Ransom

Yeti SB 66 (just released... amazing bike)

Cannondale Jekyll

 

Thos are the full susser bikes. As for hard tails that have a geometry better suited to jumping, but can also ride hills...

 

Santacruz Chameleon is a nice one. Not too compact like other jumpers, but very jumpable. Again, dropper seatpost will help the climbing.

 

Gears... run a 1x9 setup with a chain device up front.

Edited July 26, 2011 by patches

[TYGA]

On One 456 if you can find one locally else order a frame direct from On One in the UK and build it up to your spec.

Edited July 27, 2011 by XTC1

[seventy 7]

I have a Santa Cruz Chameleon I'm thinking of selling if you're still looking.

 

PM me if interested.