First bike purchase!

PB Forum :: Dirt Jumping & Street
First bike purchase!
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flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 1, 2016 at 23:20 Quote
Hey guys/gals!

This is probably the most redundant question but, I need some help with bike sizes and all (I'm 5'2).
I'm looking for a dirt jumper and have found some I can dig. I don't want to break the bank but I also want something that won't break!

I'll be using it for the pump track by my house, some trails, and just to have fun on!

Here is what I've found.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2053530/

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1887772/

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1885071/

http://www.bikeattack.com/norco-magnum-2016/

http://www.khsbicycles.com/01_dj_50_12.htm

Please let me know if I'm on the right track/which I should go for!
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 13:11 Quote
I would suggest you get a size Small frame 26", typically meaning 21.5" "actual" top tube.

Or possibly get a 24"-wheel specific bike, like the NS Capital 24", Black Market Contraband 24" or Lil Monster, Union Street Molly Maguire 24". A person your height can ride 24"s or 26"s, but you're going to find 180's, manuals, and general handling to be more responsive. 24" doesn't necessarily mean "youth" Mtb. There are 24"-specific bikes in all sizes that riders of all heights may choose to ride.

I would avoid anyone who can't or won't post good photos. A couple of the links you posted didn't have photos.

By the way, if you use the Globe icon you can insert clickable links.
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 21:41 Quote
Thanks for the response. I also fixed the links!

Ok thanks. I figured I would need a small for the most part but wasn't sure about a 24 or 26 since all the 24s I found seemed to be youth.

Will there be much of a difference in the two if I go on a trail or ride it around town?
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 21:56 Quote
okay, here are some more comments. . . .

1. The Staats seems surprisingly cheap for a full-suspension slope type bike. But, then again it also seems to have a mish-mash of parts. The Dirt Jumper III fork is pretty dated. I think that was from like 2005-2007? Then again, if it was ridden lightly, it could still be okay for the price. Full-suspension is not a great idea for normal jumps and pump track. Most people seem to agree that hard tail is better for learning pumping.

2. Giant STP's could be a solid choice, but I would skip this dude's ad, because he didn't post pics.

3. 2007 Kona Cowan. A little dated stylistically, but it was a very solid bike when it came out. For $400 complete, it's a good deal (unless there is something wrong with a major component (like a fork) that you have to replace. The sizing would probably work for you.

4. Norco Magnum. I would skip all bikes that have a front derailleur/shifter. For DJ and 4x racing, if a person had gears at all, then 1X9 was the norm; even in xc, a lot of riders are running 1X10 and 1X11.

5. Same with the KHS DJ50. With that front derailleur and dual front ring setup, you may have a chain that clanks around and derails when you don't want it to.

If you notice in this thread Sexiest 4x bike/frame out there https://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=93197, almost all dirt jumpers with gears used to have chain guides to keep the chain from clanging around. Nowadays, the special "narrow-wide" chain and chainring also is supposed to do the same thing.

A lot of people can crank a singlespeed DJ bike around regular mtb trails, and there is a substantial scene of singlespeed XC riders too, so I would suggest not being turned off by a singlespeed bike. But, if you do want gears they are definitely out there.

Lastly, there is also the all-rigid option, which is actually a very good way to get into pump track riding. The Haro Steel Reserve 1.1, for example, is well-designed and more affordable as a new bike (because of the lack of an expensive suspension fork). https://www.harobikes.com/mtb/bikes/freestyle-mtb/steel-reserve-1-1-2015

Good luck!
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 22:22 Quote
FhLax11 wrote:
Thanks for the response. I also fixed the links!

Ok thanks. I figured I would need a small for the most part but wasn't sure about a 24 or 26 since all the 24s I found seemed to be youth.

Will there be much of a difference in the two if I go on a trail or ride it around town?

26"s will be a little better for cross country (xc) mtb trails because the larger diameter will roll over bumps a little better. And I will admit that 24"s in the DJ/park/street scene has lessened, and become very niche.

But, to explain a little better, youth 24" vs. 24"-specific DJ/park/street, this bike is a youth 24". It's about 1-2 inches shorter in the front end than an adult "Small" (so it's kind of like an XS or XXS extra extra small).
https://www.norco.com/bikes/dirt-street/steel/ryde-24/ryde-24/

Whereas, this NS Capital 24" is a 24"-specific DJ/park/street bike, because it's for an adult rider, but is deliberately sized smaller in the wheels and a little smaller in the frame (but not super-short like a youth mtb), to be more BMX-ish in its handling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1G5v-qqDkU

Danny MacAskill also rides 24"s. His bike is a blend of a street/park/DJ bike and a "trials" bike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3xVOs7_No

If you think you're gonna want to learn tricks, then I think you'll have a big advantage in 24"s. But, if it's more like, jumps, pump track, and xc trails, then a Small sized 26" will work well.
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 1:14 Quote
cmc4130 wrote:
FhLax11 wrote:
Thanks for the response. I also fixed the links!

Ok thanks. I figured I would need a small for the most part but wasn't sure about a 24 or 26 since all the 24s I found seemed to be youth.

Will there be much of a difference in the two if I go on a trail or ride it around town?

26"s will be a little better for cross country (xc) mtb trails because the larger diameter will roll over bumps a little better. And I will admit that the DJ/park/street seen has lessened, and become very niche.

But, to explain a little better, youth 24" vs. 24"-specific DJ/park/street, this bike is a youth 24":
https://www.norco.com/bikes/dirt-street/steel/ryde-24/ryde-24/

Whereas, this NS Capital 24" is a 24"-specific DJ/park/street bike, because it's for an adult rider, but is deliberately sized smaller in the wheels and a little smaller in the frame (but not super-short like a youth mtb), to be more BMX-ish in its handling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1G5v-qqDkU

Danny MacAskill also rides 24"s. His bike is a blend of a street/park/DJ bike and a "trials" bike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3xVOs7_No

If you think you're gonna want to learn tricks, then I think you'll have a big advantage in 24"s. But, if it's more like, jumps, pump track, and xc trails, then a Small sized 26" will work well.


Wow. Thank you for all your help! You have for sure cleared a lot of questions up for me! I really appreciate the suggestions and pointing me on the right path!
flag Thairishguy
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 2:55 Quote
Also check out the Dartmoor Ghetto and/or 24 Player for a 24-inch bike. It has MTB rear end so you can choose to put gears on it also if you want, or keep it singlespeed.
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 5, 2016 at 16:26 Quote
Thairishguy wrote:
Also check out the Dartmoor Ghetto and/or 24 Player for a 24-inch bike. It has MTB rear end so you can choose to put gears on it also if you want, or keep it singlespeed.

Hey whats your opinion on single speed vs multi?
flag birdoboards
Posted: Oct 5, 2016 at 18:21 Quote
Definitely go multi geared if you plan on doing any light trail riding or cursing around town. I would check out commencals sale bikes, those are dirt cheap and solid for the money.
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 7, 2016 at 21:26 Quote
Hey again.. Some opinions son this find?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2047475/

sram shifter, bomber drop off iv fork rebuilt september 2016
specialized tire
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 7, 2016 at 21:49 Quote
FhLax11 wrote:
Hey again.. Some opinions son this find?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2047475/

sram shifter, bomber drop off iv fork rebuilt september 2016
specialized tire

I think that bike would actually work pretty well for you. I'm familiar with Felt from BMX racing, where they are respected. The geometry looks good for you--it looks like a short frame. It has chain guides which is good for keeping your chain secure and not flopping around. But, I guess there's the issue of getting it from Quebec Canada? I've heard customs can be weird.... Maybe someone else can chime in on Canada-USA sales.....
flag Thairishguy
Posted: Oct 7, 2016 at 22:21 Quote
FhLax11 wrote:
Thairishguy wrote:
Also check out the Dartmoor Ghetto and/or 24 Player for a 24-inch bike. It has MTB rear end so you can choose to put gears on it also if you want, or keep it singlespeed.

Hey whats your opinion on single speed vs multi?

Purely personal. Just minimalism.
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 7, 2016 at 23:25 Quote
cmc4130 wrote:
FhLax11 wrote:
Hey again.. Some opinions son this find?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2047475/

sram shifter, bomber drop off iv fork rebuilt september 2016
specialized tire

I think that bike would actually work pretty well for you. I'm familiar with Felt from BMX racing, where they are respected. The geometry looks good for you--it looks like a short frame. It has chain guides which is good for keeping your chain secure and not flopping around. But, I guess there's the issue of getting it from Quebec Canada? I've heard customs can be weird.... Maybe someone else can chime in on Canada-USA sales.....


Yeah I think the only issue would be the shipping part of it..I'll have to talk to the seller a bit more. But if anybody else has some knowledge of that please let me know!
flag FhLax11
Posted: Oct 8, 2016 at 0:45 Quote
I also found this 1..Figuring its too much of a budget friendly purchase..That dent though?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2050145/
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