Quantcast

Demo: The right bike?

Apr 17, 2008
17
0
Hey ive been looking at the 08 demo 7 and was wondering is it the right bike for me. I jump alot and do freeride stuff and occasionally drops but also love racing sea otter and other local races will the demo handle all of this stuff?

thx
 

ZHendo

Turbo Monkey
Oct 29, 2006
1,661
147
PNW
well, considering that you're basically asking that a freeride bike perform like a good freeride bike, i think you're going to really like the demo. it should work well for racing too because it is slack and low. i think it's a good fit.
 

Dmadness

Chimp
Jun 10, 2008
3
0
the 7 is good if you like SS, and freeride, but I'd go for the demo 8 if you're looking to race as it has a longer wheelbase and is more stable at higher speed's.. it;'s actual travel is 8.4 inches i believe.. I myself ride an 06 demo 9... Awesome and strong as all hell bike...
 

Dangerous E

Monkey
May 24, 2006
214
0
Coorstown, CO
Yeah, i'd be curious to hear from anyone that's raced on a demo 7. This will be my 2nd season on my Demo 7 and just for sh*ts and giggles, i was thinking about doing a race or two this year.
 

Summit

Monkey
Sep 23, 2001
369
0
here 'n there
I raced mine a couple weeks ago up at Bountiful in Utah. Times were 5-6 minutes, ish. A few twisty singletrack sections but a bunch of the course was down wide-open ATV trail/doubletrack with big loose babyheads everywhere, super dusty and chundery. There are a couple spots where you are easily breaking 40mph. The Demo7 felt as stable as anything I've ridden. Just planted, and super fast. I'm sure bigger, true DH race bikes would feel more stable at speed, but man I was impressed. On a side note I was wary of my '07 66 holding up in a race but that thing kicked ass as well. I'd say for a freeride bike you can race, there are few in the same league as the 7.
 

nickfr2000

Chimp
Sep 28, 2007
50
0
The Demo 7 is a pretty solid bike. My friends rides one and it's stable on the dh and really flickable for FR.

You might also consider a Marin Quake for your application. Shaums March won the '06 World Master's DH aboard the Quake. It's got a front derailleur that is useful for short climbs and it's frame is extremly overbuilt and gusseted with 6061-T6 Monocoque. It's got a 1.5 head tube and an option to run a 12 x 150 maxle rear end. John Whyte (F1 suspension guru) designed this unique looking short 4 bar suspension. It might only have 6.8 inches of travel but it does feel bottomless / progressive and it felt like it's got more than it's declared travel. The wheelbase lenghtens when it moves thru the first 50mm of travel that is why square edged bumps doesn't affect it that much. It's got adjustable geometry for FR or DH with the DH being 67 deg HA with 13.75 bb height and FR with 68 deg HA with 14.2 bb height.
 
Dec 11, 2007
140
0
Lawn Dart Training Center
I ride an 08 Demo 8, and my friend a 07 Demo 7. I bought my Demo 8 after riding his Demo 7. I liked it that much. They are both awesome, but I went with the 8 for the slacker head tube angle. Don't listen to the "short chainstays" or any other anti Demo argument. Ride one. They are fast and nimble, bulletproof and fun to ride. In short, They Rip. Plus the warrantee is top notch.