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Why do I keep breaking frames

mklie

Monkey
May 25, 2007
123
0
Any help would be appreciated here. I've been riding Diablo for 5 years. I'm average speed but old. I know I ride too much like a MC in that I will hit an object rather then hop the bike to different lines but I've cracked 3 frames in 5 years. I'm 190lbs and have not had a crash that took me out for more then 2 weeks. Is is normal to go through that many bikes? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,882
447
Try a reliable brand with a good warranty. And don't go for the lightest thing out there. My personal experience with Specialized has been great. I'm sure others can chime in on brands they have had good luck with.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Try a reliable brand with a good warranty. And don't go for the lightest thing out there. My personal experience with Specialized has been great. I'm sure others can chime in on brands they have had good luck with.
Add Transition and Giant to the list to try


Something else for the OP to consider. If your riding alot it may have nothing to do with the bike, it could just be that your very well just wearing the frames out. Not unheard of to happen, from your own description your more of a plow rider, maybe its just you taking the bike past the duty cycle of the design.
 
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Iridemtb

Turbo Monkey
Feb 2, 2007
1,497
-1
If you want a frame that is stronger than a lot of frames out there on the market, and is light weight, and has an awesome suspension design look at a canfield jedi.
 

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
If you want a frame that is stronger than a lot of frames out there on the market, and is light weight, and has an awesome suspension design look at a canfield jedi.
except the jedi frame alone will probably set the OP back more than the last complete he bought. not bashin on the bros, they make top notch stuff... its just that well... thats the problem, its top notch. a more financially appealing option may be giant like mentioned above.
 

freshwire

Monkey
May 24, 2007
105
0
Roanoke Virginia
If frames on the lower price point are your thing...that's totally understandable...I feel ya...but if that's the case...you may want to be more pro-active on the bike...and get away from the "plow thru it" style of riding..

.bashing thru obstacles instead of pumping over them will beat the fvck out of any frame...pump the bike as much as possible...it will be a smoother ride as well...done correctly...DH is a workout...

Lots of flat landings will destroy even the stoutest frame...they should be avoided at times.

If the landing isn't flat and transitions well...even still...try to land either slightly front wheel first or at least both wheels at once (my personal fav) it makes the landing way smoother and is easier on your bike and your body...

DH frames are not invincible...make sure your shocks...front and back are set up correctly for your weight....sag is really important...let the shocks share in the abuse along with your frame...

On lower end frames, it especially critical to make sure all your shock pivot bolts are wel greased as well as your axle...cranks...headset bearings...etc...

Keep shreddin'...!!!
 

slowitdown

Monkey
Mar 30, 2009
553
0
If you ride like a hack, you will break frames. Even DH frames designed for abuse will fail under a 190 lbs hack.

Sorry, that's the truth that nobody is willing to say.

1) Get some skills. Running into everything is not only stupid, but it costs you money when your bikes break. It doesn't mean you're a badass when you bust a frame, it means you suck at riding.

2) Get a Banshee Scream. You'll never break that.
 

Tmeyer

Monkey
Mar 26, 2005
585
1
SLC
Get a Sinister R9 or a 08/09 Glory. Both overbuilt and can prob be found for a good price used.

Also: Ride like a bag of feathers!
 

mklie

Monkey
May 25, 2007
123
0
If you ride like a hack, you will break frames. Even DH frames designed for abuse will fail under a 190 lbs hack.

Sorry, that's the truth that nobody is willing to say.

1) Get some skills. Running into everything is not only stupid, but it costs you money when your bikes break. It doesn't mean you're a badass when you bust a frame, it means you suck at riding.

2) Get a Banshee Scream. You'll never break that.
Thanks for the above. Sorry to say I'm too old to get that much better but have been trying. I was wondering about the useful life. I agree I don't exactly do what is needed but my kids who have better skill have never broken frames.

So again OK I suck but will keep riding. Should I be changing this out every year? I already spend a bunch on the Jamis but honestly never broke a dirt bike and A CR450 is only 2 grand above a Specialized and includes a motor. Thanks again all.
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
wUrd. Demo9, turner DHR, or sinister r9. I've seen people do awful, AWFUL things to those for many many years and they still last.
 

mklie

Monkey
May 25, 2007
123
0
If you are having a hard time improving, do yourself a favour and ride a hardtail for a while. It will teach you to pick lines. A couple months on a hardtail will do wonders for you.

Then get a used R9.
That is great advice. I've done the same a few times and did notice it makes you do the right thing. Question on that though, how hard do you push it? Say drops less then 3' and stay off the rock gardens, or do all you can manage. I do like it better since its much lower to the ground. Also would you recommend I put downhill tires on it or keep with the standards so if they pop I know I'm still doing it wrong.
 

freshwire

Monkey
May 24, 2007
105
0
Roanoke Virginia
Well, uhm yeah...you will improve...you will most likely bust your A$$ in the process as well...you certainly can't use your "wreckless abandon" style on a DH trail on a hardtail or you will end up in the ER for sure...drops to flat will kill you...start out on really small jumps...you will need to nail the landings PERFECTLY on larger ones or you will get hurt...hey...I'm old too...just learn to pump the DH bike...ride it smoothly...stay away from DH trails on a hardtail...IMHO
 

skatetokil

Turbo Monkey
Jan 2, 2005
2,383
-1
DC/Bluemont VA
A steel fr hardtail with a 6-7 inch fork and at least 2.5 double ply tires should be able to make it down anything on the mountain. You might not be the fastest guy out there, but as has been said, it will teach you to pump, pick lines, and ride smooth through rocks. Also, they're generally built beefier and you can get a sweet frame for like $3-500 so even if you crack it, it won't be so painful to replace.

.243 racing makes sweet stuff, but there are lots of alternatives.
 

Hesh To Steel

Monkey
Dec 12, 2007
661
1
Hell's Kitchen
If you're old, I would say a hardtail is a terrible idea, regardless of how often you're riding. You're going to have to learn how to ride a downhill trail on a hardtail, and then when you want to go back to an actual DH bike you're going to have to learn how to ride with 8" of travel all over again.

You said you're old, do you really want to waste that kind of time? I think hardtails are a great tool for young kids who are up and coming racers and want to learn how to go faster, and actually train for that purpose.

You just need to find a more durable DH bike. Sinister R9 is a great example. I've never heard of one of them breaking (doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but it seems like a rarer incidence than most other frames). When I started riding DH I weighed about 5 lbs less than you, and I've been riding an R9 at Diablo for the past 3 years with no issues.


I'm sure people are going to have a lot of negative feedback regarding what I said about hardtails, but if you really want to enjoy the remaining years of DH you've got left, just get a proper DH bike that doesn't have a reputation for cracking.
 

4130

Chimp
Mar 23, 2010
24
2
It's not a space shuttle it's a bike. :think:

Btw fr hardtails are fun bikes not torture devices :rolleyes:
 

mklie

Monkey
May 25, 2007
123
0
If you're old, I would say a hardtail is a terrible idea, regardless of how often you're riding. You're going to have to learn how to ride a downhill trail on a hardtail, and then when you want to go back to an actual DH bike you're going to have to learn how to ride with 8" of travel all over again.

You said you're old, do you really want to waste that kind of time? I think hardtails are a great tool for young kids who are up and coming racers and want to learn how to go faster, and actually train for that purpose.

You just need to find a more durable DH bike. Sinister R9 is a great example. I've never heard of one of them breaking (doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but it seems like a rarer incidence than most other frames). When I started riding DH I weighed about 5 lbs less than you, and I've been riding an R9 at Diablo for the past 3 years with no issues.


I'm sure people are going to have a lot of negative feedback regarding what I said about hardtails, but if you really want to enjoy the remaining years of DH you've got left, just get a proper DH bike that doesn't have a reputation for cracking.

Just to be clear I'm 43. I trust I have about another 3-5 years of pushing, then just coasting down the mountain. Luckily I've only split one bike in half. The others I noticed the crack before the bike split.

I do appreciate your thoughts but cant bring my self to spend that much on a bicycle, to be frank thats what I thought the Jamis was. Again though thank you very much for all your advice.
 

milohead

Monkey
Dec 9, 2008
754
0
Johnson City, Tn
You said you haven't taken a fall that has kept you out for more than two weeks, that doesn't mean your rig hasn't taken a beating on those spills.
I'm by far not the smoothest rider and am notorious for being a bulldozer on a bike and weigh 220. I've taken some harsh falls that would make you think the bike should crumple like a beer can between a circus freaks tits. It sounds like poor quality of bikes and bad luck. Good luck to ya.
 

roel_koel

Monkey
Mar 26, 2003
278
1
London,England
2) Get a Banshee Scream. You'll never break that.
Or a demo 9. They're invincible


seen plenty of Demo 9s and Banshee Scream's crack - anything will break, given enough time and abuse

it might be worth looking at more "freeride" orientated frames, rather than "downhill race" frames if you want something a little heavier duty to accept more hack-like abuse and misuse
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,628
5,443
If you are still on the Jamis keep an eye out for cracks around the rear dropouts, they are a terribly flexy bike and because of this the tend to crack/snap the rear triangle.
I think a couple of riding classes will be your best option, if you think you are too old to learn how to ride that is just a weak copout, any decent DS frame should last if you are pickin decent lies and aren't hucking to flat.
 

rigidhack

Turbo Monkey
Aug 16, 2004
1,206
1
In a Van(couver) down by the river
FWIW, I'm 41 and roll with my hardtail - by choice -at Whistler. I have ridden just about everything on it, including In Deep, Captain Safety, Upper and Lower Joyride, big GLC drop, and pretty much any nasty trail there. I also ride it on the Shore. I'd say that the largest drop I have hit on it is in the 7' or 8' range. IT is more difficult than on an 8" bike, (especially on the second day) but is is not a death machine by any means.




Personally, I think that the advice that you are too old for a hard tail is just silly. It is THE tool you need to teach yourself to ride more smoothly. Sure you will ride slower, but only for a while. Sure you will work harder, but mostly you will ride smarter, and that is the point. Besides, they are cheap and very easy to maintain compared to a fully.

I run mine with 2.5" tires and a full FR/DH build kit. I tried light XC tires but pinch flatted at least twice every ride.

EDIT: The first pic is NOT of a big drop. That one is on Team Pangor and is maybe 4'-5', if that. Second pic is the exit to Empress.
 
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MarkDH

Monkey
Sep 23, 2004
351
0
Scotland
Just throwing an idea out there, but can anyone think of a steel frame that might be suitable? Am I right in saying that steel doesn't suffer from fatigue as much as alu?
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,195
4,419
Just throwing an idea out there, but can anyone think of a steel frame that might be suitable? Am I right in saying that steel doesn't suffer from fatigue as much as alu?
From a material property standpoint, steel has a longer fatigue life than aluminum, however too many other factors go into determining how long a part will last that there's almost no point making generalizations.

I suggest going with a framemaker that has a history of creating quality goods, will stand by their product, and will be around if anything should happen.
 

roel_koel

Monkey
Mar 26, 2003
278
1
London,England
if you want an affordable steel FR hardtail that will take a big fork, and big tires, try DMR's underated exALT frame

4130 cromoly steel, happy running a 66 or Totem up front, and 2.5" tire in the rear, comes with ISCG mounts for chain device and full cable routing mounts for front / rear derailleurs
 

roel_koel

Monkey
Mar 26, 2003
278
1
London,England
the reason the 1st gen. Screams broke?

too much metal in the wrong places..not enough in the "right" places

and issues with heat treating the massive heatsink that was the combination swingarm pivot / bottom bracket / lower shock mount


the second gen. V2 Scream had a much better durability, and the Scream's successor "the scythe" has proven much tougher

Scythe in action...

 

Kevin

Turbo Monkey
Plenty of really strong dh frames on the market. I really dont see the problem here... :S

And to improve your smootness going on a dh track on a ht may not be the best id.
Start on a BMX or pumptrack or even ride some XC, probably better for you AND the bike :)
 
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DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
STeel or alloy for DH/freeride.... wont really matter youll kill them both around the sme time frame. Nice thing with steel is its easier to repair when it cracks. As others have said, overall design will play the biggest factor, I still stand by Transition and giant for the money.
 

Uncle Cliffy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 28, 2008
4,490
42
Southern Oregon
cough, GIANT, cough...

Oh wait, 5 people already said that. Lifetime frame warranty on the front AND rear triangle, and they're cheap. (If you can find one...)