JuranHuman Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Hi everyone, I am looking to buy or build a freeride bike... I have searched for a while and see that there are not that much available second hand. I have been out of the cycling scene for more than 10 years so I don't remember much either... Here is what I want to do with the bike....I want to do single track riding with a lot of downhill mostly but would lile to ride the occasional uphill and not push the bike up...I do not want to do long distances and would buy a xc for that if I feel the need... Here are some of my thoughts...Maybe buy a jump bike and fit it with a fork with a bit more travel perhaps? Maybe a triple clamp? Do not know if the triple clamp would work with the bike or the geometry though...?! Or maybe buy a good, strong frame and build from scratch? The other idea was to source a freeride bike or frame...the thing is that I can't really find too much about the specifics and it seems like there is such a narrow line between freeride and downhill? I may be mistaken and just don't know how to look for the right products. Some questions...How much travel do I need to look for?What fork names?What groupsets?Would a singlespeed work for what I want to do?What frames can I look at?What other parts can I look for?What complete bikes would you suggest? Any help and advice to steer me in the right direction would be HIGHLY appreciated. Thanks everyone. Jurie
DR ◣◢ Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Your most important question should be... "How much do I have to spend" Sounds like you are looking for a really good "all mountain" bike with around 6" front and back.
patches Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 (edited) Hi there! Welcome to the hub! Below you'll find my thoughts on your questions, marked in red Hi everyone, I am looking to buy or build a freeride bike... I have searched for a while and see that there are not that much available second hand. I have been out of the cycling scene for more than 10 years so I don't remember much either... Here is what I want to do with the bike....I want to do single track riding with a lot of downhill mostly but would lile to ride the occasional uphill and not push the bike up...I do not want to do long distances and would buy a xc for that if I feel the need... Here are some of my thoughts...Maybe buy a jump bike and fit it with a fork with a bit more travel perhaps? Maybe a triple clamp? Do not know if the triple clamp would work with the bike or the geometry though...?! Jump bike... great idea, but I wouldn't recommend putting big travel on it, especially not a dual crown fork with 200mm travel. Not only will this affect the geometry drastically and may cause the bike to handle like a drunk donkey... it also puts increases stresses on the headtube, ones which the bike was not designed for, and could easily break the frame. Most bike manufacturers have a clause in their warrantees stating that forks under a certain travel must only be used Or maybe buy a good, strong frame and build from scratch? The other idea was to source a freeride bike or frame...the thing is that I can't really find too much about the specifics and it seems like there is such a narrow line between freeride and downhill? I may be mistaken and just don't know how to look for the right products. Some questions...How much travel do I need to look for? It's not a hard an fast rule, but generally travel defines the bike type. ie DH = (8") 200mm, Freeride = (7")180mm, All Mountian = 140 - 160mm (5.5 - 6.5") and from there we get the smaller bikes. But as I said, it's not a hard and fast rule. Geometry also plays a part in categorization.What fork names? Here are the most common 180mm forks (in decending order) Marzocchi 66, Rock Shox Totem, Fox 36 180mm (awesome, but pretty pricey)What groupsets? Saint, Zee, XT, SLX, X0, X9, X7. Basically anything goes. Short cage is preferable thoughWould a singlespeed work for what I want to do? Not really. If you have a dual suss with a where the pivot is not concentric with the BB (ie 99% of dual sussers), then you will need to run a chain tensioner. For freeride I would recommend a 1x9 or 1x10 drive train with a chain guide on the single chainring up front)What frames can I look at? Most easily avalable locally will probably be a Mongoose Pinn'r. It's the smaller brother to Mongoose's DH bike (The Boot'r). There are many other locally available options. Morewood Kalula (if you're feeling rich), Scott Voltage FR, Yeti AS-X, Giant Reign X or Faith (if you can find one). Those are just a few. If you import a frame your options open up even more. The Scott Voltage FR is a great all rounder. One can get alternate suspension linkage kits, transforming the bike from DH, to FR, to AM and even Slopestyle (obviously matching forks will be needed to suit).What other parts can I look for? That's a toughee cos on these kind of rigs, one can go all out. But I would say an essential on a FR bike would be the chain device. If the bike has more than 1 chainring up front and no chainguide... it's not a real freeride bikeWhat complete bikes would you suggest? A mongoose Pinn'r is going to be the easiest available option. I can think of atleast 2 used ones for sale right now. One in the links below, the other is going for 9k There are quite a few freeride bikes for sale here on the hub http://www.thehubsa....giant-reign-x1/ http://www.thehubsa....-bike-shova-lt/ (the ad says DH, but the Shova will work for FR. it's under 8") http://www.thehubsa....nd-double-2008/ http://www.thehubsa....r-foreman-2009/ Personally I think that Pinn'r Foreman is priced a bit high considering a Brand new 2009 Foreman is 15k from the Mongoose importers (Omnico), and one can buy direct from them on www.obike.co.za (look under Downhill Bikes) http://www.thehubsa....ice-drop-r8000/ Any help and advice to steer me in the right direction would be HIGHLY appreciated. Thanks everyone. Jurie Edited July 5, 2012 by patches
JuranHuman Posted July 5, 2012 Author Posted July 5, 2012 Hahahaha....I was juat about to update the post as I was lucky enough to stumble upon the gravity threads about the "all mountain" bikes. I do not really know what my budget is supposed to be?! Like I mentioned...I do not have a clue what is available these days... I was think ing of starting off with about R4000 to R6000. If that's not enough and I believe it's notkeep on building untill I have the perfect bike, I would then buy the frame and take it from there... Maybe look at a second hand rig... Don't really have a clue here
JuranHuman Posted July 5, 2012 Author Posted July 5, 2012 Thanks for all the info Patches! Would you think that an hard tail all mountain rig like the guys are talking about would suffice? Or would a dual suspension be the way to go? Like I said I thought of starting at R6k but it's not set in stone
patches Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 A hardtail AM bike may be a good option. I myself have never really taken to hardtails, but maybe that's cos I'm soft I have a full suss 4X (jump bike), a All Mountain, a DH (with the second DH bike on it's way)... but I think the next bike I buy may very well be a hardtail AM. I have my eye on the Cotic BFe. On One's 456 (I think the model is) is also a longer travel hardtail option. Long travel hardtails aren't common but there are a few out there. There are the Cotic BFe and On One 456 which I have mentioned. The Ragley Blue Pig, Santacruz Chameleon. And probably some more. In the right hands a hardtail AM bike can be used for rough tech trails, dirt jumping, and slow rides relaxed with the missus. As for price, The Santa Cruz will be the most expensive. The Ragley frame is on special at the moment on CRC (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=Ragley+Pig). The Cotics are available locally, I think they're about R4500 frame only. The On One is probably the most affordable. If you do build up a Hardtail AM, try get an adjustable travel fork like a Fox 32 150 Talas or Rock Shox Sector U-Turn. That way the bike can double as an XC machine when you need it to.
RockCoach Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 A hard tail AM bike has very different geometry with a slack head angle to enable you to use a longer travel fork. It may be more difficult to find than a dual suss AM bike.
bodger Posted July 19, 2012 Posted July 19, 2012 A budget of 4-6k is pretty much what you need for your fork alone You can try getting some kind of jump bike for that money and go ride Gspot (in stellies) but for a ful sus bike thats not going to get you far. I've been the HT freeride route and unless you are a seasoned rider it ends in a lot of falls while trying to learn. Maybe I'm just bad at riding but I'd say that full susers are alot more forgiving when you are starting out in the FR discipline. To answer your questions. In the helderberg area there is plenty of great trails to shred so my recommendation is based on what trails are available in the helderberg area. How much travel do I need to look for? 140mm to 160mm What fork names? Rockshox is readily serviceable locally and have better prices then Fox.RS LyrikRS Domain 160mm (this is a great fork its on the heavy side but its an absolute tank and the price is right)RS Revelation What groupsets? SLX or X9, Saint is really nice but prob out of the price range of someone speccing their first rig. Would a singlespeed work for what I want to do? Yes but don't go that route yet. You have to keep your options open as much as possible until you know what you want. What frames can I look at?Commencal VIP Meta AM (CRC)Nukeproof Mega AM (CRC)Specialized Stumpie FSR EVO (I think you can special order this from helderberg cycles)Black Market Bikes KillSwitch (CRC) this is more of a jump frame so it wont take a fork more then 140mm.NS Bikes Soda Slope Frame (CRC)Commencal Meta 6 Alu Frame (CRC) What other parts can I look for?Chainguide E13 or the likeBesides the groupset (crank, brakes, front and rear mech)Wheel set, cassette, headset (some frames come with this), Bars and StemThere will be other odds and ends you will also need. What complete bikes would you suggest? Specialized Stumpie FSR (Bloody expensive, less hardcore and more of an AM bike really)Scott Voltage FR 20 (like hens teeth, you can only get them second hand or maybe if you ask the importers really nicely)Mongoose Khyber (bit old now but a nice bike)Mongoose Pinn'r (this bike seemed overly heavy to me)Nukeproof mega AM (Dialdbikes) Although a complete bike seems very expensive they work out cheaper in the long run. Building a bike from parts gets you exactly what you want but the budget gets away from you fast.
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