Bighit versatility
- Thread starter Zdrade
- Start date
24 inch rear...ehhh... I rode one DOWNhill once, but it didn't do too well on the flats. Any bighitty owners chiming in?
I like mine, and it seems to work fine for dh!
But, I am coming from a haro extreme x1 so of course the bighits better!
But, I am coming from a haro extreme x1 so of course the bighits better!
As a DH only bike there is better. As a trailbike only there is better. I have riden Big Hits for a number of years and found them to be fine. I never had problems with the 24 and neither has my son, we both have been running Arrow tires on ours. We have both takin ours numorus times up 3 and 4 mile climbs to get to the good stuff, honestly wasn't fun on the way up but worth it on the way down. Mine has been set up with an E13 DRS and works really good as a trail bike as long as I remember it doesn't climb fast. We have both also used ours many times at Whistler with no problems. The only reason I don't have one now is I got a really good deal on a Demo 9 frame. If I didn't get the deal on the Demo I probably would have just got me an 06 Big Hit this year. Yes they can be raced, not a good choice for a national but ok on the local level. And yes they are nearly industructable, it can be done 
(2001 frame) but it's not easy, plus Specialzed is very good about warrenty issues, they had me a new frame in a week. Good luck 
(2001 frame) but it's not easy, plus Specialzed is very good about warrenty issues, they had me a new frame in a week. Good luck 
the new ones are ok but when you ride up hill you get tons of pedal bob. but are good freeride bikes, not so sure about down hill though.
Of course there's gonna be pedal bob on a DH bike, suspension will do that. It works fine for a DH bike. My friend had one for a while and he rode tons of loops/climbs. If you can suck it up and be a man they're awesome bikes that climb suprisingly well.
I've had mine for about 2.5 years and have rode everything from xc to downhill and it performs well in all arenas. I'd say it all depends on setup. It pedals just as good as any bigbike out there with the right shock setup. I rode about 20 days at Whistler last yr on it, multiple shore trips (pedally) and everywhere else in between. I have never once blamed any shortcomings on the bike. Only myself on occasion. It's all about the rider. I can say that is definitely one of the strongest/ low maintenance frames out there. Nary a problem from this frame. I weigh 230 and have absolutely abused this bike and it takes it no problem. 24 is not an issue. The key word is "setup".
I had mine for one season, only because I never keep a bike for longer than that, nothing bad about it at all. I loved it, I hucked the gnar, it took the abuse, I raced it downhill and podiumed in sport, also rode on local xc rides with a group of expert racers and held to the fron of the pack most of the time. Honestly I don't want to blab on because it really was a great all around bike IMO. Not the best race bike, not the best trail bike, but it sure covers them both and anything inbetween...
I had mine (2004 Bighit Comp) for a year and rode a bunch of stuff with it. It rides uphill like any 44 lb freeride bike, but it's not that bad considering. It's slow going but it gets the job done. Plus it gets you in shape so you can kick ass on XC bikes.
I agree completely with gangstamaxx too. I was sad to see my Bighit go.
I agree completely with gangstamaxx too. I was sad to see my Bighit go.
I had a 2004 BigHit for a full season, and took it down many DH runs, including about 30 days at Whistler, and it proved to be a great bike once the JnrT was replaced with a 888. The 24 in the rear, really didnt bother me. I think Spec sold so many, cause they were just a great all around DH/FR bike. But its nothing you want to take on a climb.
Because of the small rear wheel it does pedal up hill fairly well. The problem is the weight; if it is set up with light bits it can be light. There is not that much pedal bob if you know how to pedal. Chops wil be bouncing all over the place. I ride mine arround town with a 40t ring and dont get tired. I think the only drawback for DH usage id the amount of brake jack.
You guys are totaly ignoring the fact that the new bighits HAVE 26 INCH WHEELS!!! The are bighits are SICK, One of specialized worlds racers was in the shop i work at today and aperently all the specialized riders will be on bighits this year.
I beg to differ. I think that they are great DH bikes just not the fastest if you are looking for a race bike. Although the newer one's have 26inch wheels so that is a totally different story then the older one's.mxer338 said:
They're not terrible, they're ok, and the new ones are much better for DH. I did a bunch of DH races on my Bighit (stock) and did pretty well.mxer338 said:
And you have to learn how to pedal a big bike, it's not like a XC bike, there's a specific way of pedaling out of the saddle that makes it so you don't get much bob.
You mean it's an SGS now?TheMontashu said:
The new BHs are GREAT DH bikes. They are going to be all over the world cup. As far as the frame goes, they are jest under 10 pounds.
your a ****in moron, the bighit for a while there was specialized premere downhill bike, and FSR is one of the best pedalling suspension types.mxer338 said:
the bighit, especially the 2004-05 frame design was a very versitile platform, generally speaking. it offers adjustable travel from 6.2-7.5 or 6.9-8.1 inches of travel depending on the stroke of your shock. the adjustable bottom bracket height was also a nice feature to have. drop the bottom bracket for DH or tight technical stuff, raise it for freeride, or better pedalling efficiency. the other nice feature is by lowering the travel, the suspension naturally stiffens up to make it pedal better. i am not saying its a pleasent bike to pedal in any aspect, but its hard to find an 8" slack geometry bike that is. i am currently running one for DH with a fox 40 up front, set at 200 mm, and it is an excellent setup for DH. there is also no break jack because of the FSR suspension. as long as your not thinking about riding xc or calling it a trailbike, its is a very versitle bike for freeride and downhill. sturdy, but it can be built light as well, i have gotten mine as low as 38 lbs.
But...aren't they just Iron Horse SGS now?TheMontashu said:
different geo, different manufacturer, lighter, better, no 1.5 gayness!blue said:
I've ridden my friend's bighit (03 I think) around a fair bit. I enjoyed it quite a lot. Doesn't climb as well as some bikes, but I was suprised how well it climbed considering the amount of travel. Plus as mentioned you can abuse the **** out of it.
And the new one looks pretty dope.
And the new one looks pretty dope.
Aside from the semi-adjustability, their geometry is pretty much the same, and the SGS had a 1.5. Anyone got a frame weight on an SGS?crazybiker300 said:
Sorry, I just think the 26 inch bighit is a rehashed SGS (that in the first place was a 26 inch BigHit) that's gonna get sold at Specialized prices.
I have seen one of the new bighits at 35-36 range with ALOT of room to drop some wieghtcrazybiker300 said:
I've got a 03 BigHit comp (upgraded to DH link) , I have not ever found it to be a problem to climb with, mind you its heavy soo I have that to deal with but as long as you can keep the cranks moving its ok. That is till things get really steep then the high front end is a issue.
As for DH well thats not my thing so I cant comment on that but as a hard core trail bike its done me well.
As for DH well thats not my thing so I cant comment on that but as a hard core trail bike its done me well.
i was speaking from my personal experience with the bike i actually owned.
it did everything ok, but nothing great. i did like it, but all of the bikes ive had since have done what their supposed to do better.
the bighit was good as the "one bike" a few years ago, but new models and different manufacturers have far surpassed it
that being said it is a solid entry level fr bike and the new ones seem to be pretty popular for dh but i havent ridden one yet
it did everything ok, but nothing great. i did like it, but all of the bikes ive had since have done what their supposed to do better.
the bighit was good as the "one bike" a few years ago, but new models and different manufacturers have far surpassed it
that being said it is a solid entry level fr bike and the new ones seem to be pretty popular for dh but i havent ridden one yet
Do you (or anyone else) have a frame/shock weight on the new one by any chance?SPrider said:
My 04 Expert frame is 10.7lbs with swinger 4-way/300lb steel spring so they are pretty light. Just wondering if the loss of the nice monocoque on the new ones has added any weight.
I think they are pretty nice frames. I've been smashing mine for dh over the last year or more and it has been great. Nice low BB, 17" stays, 66* ha, can't complain about the geo. They pedal a bit lousy if you run a softer spring but I think if you cranked the propedal on a dhx it would be sweet.
...yup - I'm pretty sure E.T. is gonna be racing an 06' this year as well.
I was thinking about doing the same, but my Demo 8 is gonna be my main ride for now...
so you want a freeride bike...Zdrade said:
check the gemni, pedals better then i do and rocks dh.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/cusa/cats/mtn_gr_gemini.html
The gemini will not pedal better than a bighit, its a single pivot pure and simple. As well it is going to have brake jack
have you ridden one? ive owned both. the gemini is much lighter and much easier to build lighter. it has pedaled better than my bighit, even without a platform shock. i have never experienced brake jack after a whole year of dh riding, just lack of shock performance on some rough trails (fixed with a higher quality shock) the gemini has a relatively low pivot and will react differently than other single pivots, but ultimately is all boils down to riding a bunch of different bikes and decidint what you like bestTheMontashu said:
The more I ride my bighit, the more I like it. And to think that I only paid rougly $1200 for it with half the parts being new.
Build includes
Magura Liouse Fr brakes
05' 66rc
Manitou swinger 4 way shock
E.13 chainguide
Fsa v-drive xtreme cranks!
I love my bicycle! :love:
Build includes
Magura Liouse Fr brakes
05' 66rc
Manitou swinger 4 way shock
E.13 chainguide
Fsa v-drive xtreme cranks!
I love my bicycle! :love:
i use my bighit as a trailbike as well as my DH bike. a scoper post helps alot with riding it as a trailbike. i have an 04 expert and have replaced almost everything so far, gearing it more toward shuttle runs and DH racing as the weight has gone up to i think around 43 or so. i'm 270 lbs with gear so i don't mind the weight as much as lightweights. i got the power to pedal it uphill. it does pedal pretty well. i run a 1x9 system with a 38 up front and can get up a decent amount of stuff. with the adjustable geo, i can set it for long and slack for dh and short and steep for trail riding so the leverage ratio goes down and the shock feels stiffer. or you could just put more pressure into the spv chamber. i'd recomend it as a DH bike that you can trailride, but not as a trailbike that you could DH on. for a more freeride/ heavy trailbike there are better choices like the enduro sx
I'm about to pull the trigger on a new BigHit 2. When it came to the quality of the package for the price it simply can't be beaten I think. Well, ok I think the Norco A-Line has the BigHit 1 whipped, but still...
As Yeti187 said, you're perhaps overlooking the fact that Specialized also makes the much aclaimed SX Trail bikes. The spec and design say freeride (or freeride lite) all day without having to worry about pushing a beast uphill or paying for shuttle gas.
I think there's enough overlap between the SXT, BigHit, and Demo bikes to suit damn near everyone who wants/likes horst link bikes. And as others have said, with some components choices you can tailrr the BigHit with either lighter weight bits and a singlecrown, or heavier bits and a big doublecrown.
As Yeti187 said, you're perhaps overlooking the fact that Specialized also makes the much aclaimed SX Trail bikes. The spec and design say freeride (or freeride lite) all day without having to worry about pushing a beast uphill or paying for shuttle gas.
I think there's enough overlap between the SXT, BigHit, and Demo bikes to suit damn near everyone who wants/likes horst link bikes. And as others have said, with some components choices you can tailrr the BigHit with either lighter weight bits and a singlecrown, or heavier bits and a big doublecrown.
I get brake jack ike a mother. I said if it is built right it CAN be light but sock it is heavy.Kanter said:
True the new big hits have a 26" wheel, and I am curious to see how fast they reay are. But, someone on here needs to give a review other than my parking lot review. So I am giving input about my '04.