Powered by Outside

Bicycle Geometry and Whips

PB Forum :: Freeride & Slopestyle
Bicycle Geometry and Whips

 Post Message | Latest Comment
Author Message
flag DiamondMX
Posted: Jul 24, 2024 at 17:33 Quote
It seems like a really interesting subject. Let's talk about it. Skip to the end for tl;dr.

So I am at a crossroads of upgrading my now 18-year old Specialized Big Hit with newer and better components, and upgrading to a newer bike. This bike has been indestructible. The only things I have needed to replace are brake pads, inner tubes, and suspension seals. This year I had to replace a derailleur and chain. There are more things I'd like to upgrade (I upgraded the rear shock and I'd like to get a newer fork if I kept it), but I am also curious if I should upgrade to a newer and bigger bike.

What does this have to do with geometry and whips? I'll tell you. I love nothing more than hitting jumps and trying to throw whips. I have always felt this Big Hit isn't very easy to throw around, but never really tried other DH/Freeride bikes to know. Until last August. I made the pilgrimage to Whistler because it looked awesome, despite my interest sliding in recent years since my nearest (3 hours) bike park closed. My bike needed some maintenance and I wasn't sure if it was up to the park, plus shipping would have been an ordeal. So I rented a bike there. It was the fleet GT Fury with 27.5" wheels and a carbon/composite frame. Once I got comfortable as I could on that bike and the massive (compared to prior experience) jumps, I started to play around with whips.

Despite not ever having gotten to a point that I feel comfortable turning the bars before takeoff/carving, and leaning a ton (fear of not getting the bike back under me and getting upright), I felt like I could throw that bike around further and more easily than my Big Hit, which also feels a little cramped in reach/stack measurements. So I am curious about if I were to upgrade to a newer bike, what kind of options I should consider since there seemed to be some difference.

I am sure it is a matter of weight distribution. With this in mind, I do have some preliminary thoughts:
- Center of mass of frame: My Big Hit has a small front triangle and a lot of that mass appears to be up and forward. Kind of feels like that too. I have always thought the Giant Glory (once they ditched the straight tube look) was a great looking bike. And maybe with the seat post going more or less up from the bottom bracket and forming a more regular shape with the top tube, that mass might be more evenly distributed? That GT Fury also had a big open space in the front triangle.
- Carbon: Maybe the frame was lighter? I didn't weigh the bike; I don't really know how different it (size L) would be from my much smaller M-size aluminum bike.
- Wheels: Not sure the weight and rotating energy difference. The Fury had 27.5" with 32 spokes. I believe it was tubeless. My Big Hit is 26" with wire casings, tubes, and 36 spokes.
- Wheels and frame: Does the carbon bike perhaps have less frame mass and therefore make rotational energy and wheel mass more effective in contributing to air maneuvers?
- Bike length and cockpit: Does the difference in length perhaps make an impact, or do I get better leverage with a less-cramped cockpit?
I'm sure they all contribute in some way or another, but I find it interesting I haven't seen it discussed. Does anyone think any of these things made a difference? Which ones might be significant?


tl;dr: What traits make for a DH/FR bike that is super whippable?
I'm thinking mass distribution: frame shape, wheel size and wheelbase, frame material. I'd love to see others' ideas and insights.
Citing models for reference is perfectly acceptable.

 


Copyright © 2000 - 2026. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.007118
Mobile Version of Website