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Deciding between DHR and Legend

StunZeeD

Monkey
Feb 6, 2007
381
0
PNW
Trying to decide which is best for me without a test ride. Coming from an M9, I am used to a forgiving plow bike - even though I ran the bike in the smallest travel setting.

Trails are smooth here in Oregon, I do some jumping - I'm not smooth so need something that will be forgiving with bad landings.

Both bikes seem to be fast in corners so would like to hear some feedback from you guys
 

wiscodh

Monkey
Jun 21, 2007
833
121
303
we don't have anyone in our crew with a dhr...........

rode a sunday before the session and loved it. I would argue the sunday and the dhr are going to be a close to the same feeling of ride. With there own flavors of course, but chocolate is chocolate.

If you like how your rune feels, i would go with the legend. I love jumping from the session to the remedy. I have a better feeling of what the bike will do.
 

StunZeeD

Monkey
Feb 6, 2007
381
0
PNW
for a second I was like, how ya know I got a rune - I hear ya and that's where im leaning. Figured I would get some last minute internet expertise
 

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
I have a Legend. Great bike. It is definitely low and can be a pain through slower stuff when you are trying to pedal. I love the way it corners though. Sorry, but never ridden a DHR, even though practically everyone I ride with has one. I don't think you can go wrong either way. I do plenty of jumping and it's not my forte. So far, no issues.
 
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HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
Wanna buy the large DHR frame that's currently for sale on here so I don't? K thx.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Wanna buy the large DHR frame that's currently for sale on here so I don't? K thx.
I'm gonna say the DHR is bad ass. It rides NOTHING like my Sunday though. Sunday rode like a hardtail sometimes and was super short, but pedaled great in rocks.

DHR is it's older, faster, screaming track star brother. Can't imagine anyone disliking the DHR.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,032
5,925
borcester rhymes
we don't have anyone in our crew with a dhr...........

rode a sunday before the session and loved it. I would argue the sunday and the dhr are going to be a close to the same feeling of ride. With there own flavors of course, but chocolate is chocolate.

If you like how your rune feels, i would go with the legend. I love jumping from the session to the remedy. I have a better feeling of what the bike will do.
doesn't the legend's leverage rate emulate the sunday's? And while the DHR has the Sunday's DW-link, it also has a revised leverage rate for moar progression?

i don't know if that helps or hurts...but DHRs are on sale everywhere.
 

wiscodh

Monkey
Jun 21, 2007
833
121
303
Pretty much.


About the only thing it has in common with a sunday is that neither work that great with the shock that comes on them.
seems i am off my rocker and i shouldn't talk about things i haven't ridden then. Stun: I would be happy to bike swap with you when you get your new ride :)
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
wiscodh said:
seems i am off my rocker and i shouldn't talk about things i haven't ridden then. Stun: I would be happy to bike swap with you when you get your new ride
Haha....it's all good. They do share some similarities, I'm oversimplifying a bit. That really solid level feeling pedaling that the sunday was so good at is still very much a trait of the DHR too. But the overall leverage feel that sandwich is talking about makes them ride pretty differently. I hated the way sundays felt pumping and popping off lips. The DHR is much better at that kind of thing in my opinion. That's at the sake of a little of the plow feel of the sundays however. For me, the DHR is like the hybrid I always wanted. A progressive feeling suspension that doesn't destroy you when pick a bad line and start nailing things. The sunday just kept going no matter what you hit......even if you were wanting some feedback from it on transitions.

I haven't ridden a Legend but from what everyone has described when they came out is that it's probably more similar to a sunday.

FWIW the one bike I've ridden a few times that feels like a more refined sunday to me is the new V10s.
 
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Pslide

Turbo Monkey
I'd think the Legend is more of a plow bike than the DHR. And the Legend is pretty much indestructable.

I own a Legend and love it, have played a lot with multiple rear shocks to make it more lively because that's my preference. But with a CCDB in there, softer spring, and damping set up right it will plow with the very best of them.
 
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kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
Which shocks have you tried on your Legend? I have a RC4 on mine with a 400lb spring. Feels ok, but looking to either get it pushed or try a CCDB.
 

StunZeeD

Monkey
Feb 6, 2007
381
0
PNW
I'd think the Legend is more of a plow bike than the DHR. And the Legend is pretty much indestructable.

I own a Legend and love it, have played a lot with multiple rear shocks to make it more lively because that's my preference. But with a CCDB in there, softer spring, and damping set up right it will plow with the very best of them.
Good to hear..right now leaning towards the legend. talking with my buddy who owns one leads to me to believe the legend may be better suited to my sloppy riding style.

Legend comes with a RC4, I have been running a CCDB prior, it may be hard to go back a step with the RC4 but think I'm going to give it a try..Now just need to decide on a fork which may prove more difficult then the frame...:weee:
 

karpi

Monkey
Apr 17, 2006
904
0
Santiasco, Chile
Good to hear..right now leaning towards the legend. talking with my buddy who owns one leads to me to believe the legend may be better suited to my sloppy riding style.

Legend comes with a RC4, I have been running a CCDB prior, it may be hard to go back a step with the RC4 but think I'm going to give it a try..Now just need to decide on a fork which may prove more difficult then the frame...:weee:
Stay with the fox, the ccdb is gonna feel to linear, the fox will allow you to plow thru anything. If you can though, get on the ccdb air, sounds like its a win win combination
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
Tuned and setup correctly, the RC4 should really be the best choice on the Legend frame.

If getting an RC4 tuned / modified at all, make sure the boost valve component is not removed from the shock - that's the main reason it suits the Banshee, as the frame has a reasonable amount of leverage curve regression at end of stroke. Using the RC4 means you can get away with a softer initial setup (and reasonable amount of sag) without the bottoming out (or the requirement for higher levels of compression damping and a more 'dead' setup) you would get with another shock.

The Legend also has a reasonable amount of beginning stroke progression, i.e. initial leverage ratio is higher than something like a Sunday for example - so it's not as critical to have a super free moving shock like a CCDB to get good small bump performance.
 

joemosq

Chimp
Sep 1, 2008
7
0
Stunzeed. Joe Mosquera here. I am the banshee rep for your area. I actually live in Salem. I have a couple demo Legends in the fleet you could try out to see what you think. Both are size large. One is setup with a dorado pro and CCDB coil. The other with a fox 40 and CCDB air.
mosquera_211@yahoo.com
 

wiscodh

Monkey
Jun 21, 2007
833
121
303
Stunzeed. Joe Mosquera here. I am the banshee rep for your area. I actually live in Salem. I have a couple demo Legends in the fleet you could try out to see what you think. Both are size large. One is setup with a dorado pro and CCDB coil. The other with a fox 40 and CCDB air.
mosquera_211@yahoo.com
bring a medium or a small up to pdx when you get a chance, i would love to slay ravens on one.....
 

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
2,998
702
SLO
I liked the way our Legend felt. The bike was pretty slack, stuck like glue in corners and did a good job in the rough stuff....
 

StunZeeD

Monkey
Feb 6, 2007
381
0
PNW
Stunzeed. Joe Mosquera here. I am the banshee rep for your area. I actually live in Salem. I have a couple demo Legends in the fleet you could try out to see what you think. Both are size large. One is setup with a dorado pro and CCDB coil. The other with a fox 40 and CCDB air.
mosquera_211@yahoo.com
Hey Joe, funny..just saw your pics over at Bear Cycle - I'm friends with Cliffy.

I pulled the trigger on the legend today and am stoked. Now running a rune/legend combo for the season.

Not to derail my topic but since you have both a 40 and dorado on the legend - do you have a preference? Always been rocking 40's but dorado seems to be the hot ticket right now
 

atrokz

Turbo Monkey
Mar 14, 2002
1,552
77
teedotohdot
Never thought I'd see the day where people would lean towards Banshee over Turner when it comes to DH bikes. Especialy a DW developed DHR...

I guess they have come a long way from their huckstar cracked frame roots, and that's a very good thing. :thumb:

I'm gonna start looking for DHR's now.
 
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Pslide

Turbo Monkey
Which shocks have you tried on your Legend? I have a RC4 on mine with a 400lb spring. Feels ok, but looking to either get it pushed or try a CCDB.
CCDB with 350 lbs spring / more compression damping: rear suspension is linear, plows and eats bumps, very stable, not lively, great rough terrain race setup

CCDB with 400 lbs spring / less compression damping: rear supsension more progressive (riding in earlier part of the leverage curve), more lively and poppy, minimal loss in small bump compliance - MY PREFERRED SETUP

RC4 with 300 lbs spring: feels like a blunt object compared to the scalpel-like CCDB in terms of sensitivity and tune-ability, I did like the progression that the shock added, but felt the CCDB with stiffer spring and less damping was more lively and fun to ride

NOTE: You run less spring on the RC4 because the damper has higher internal pressure.
 
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Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,032
5,925
borcester rhymes
I would think you'd want the progression at the end of the stroke, at least, though linear in the active travel range would be fine...
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Never thought I'd see the day where people would lean towards Banshee over Turner when it comes to DH bikes. Especialy a DW developed DHR...

I guess they have come a long way from their huckstar cracked frame roots, and that's a very good thing. :thumb:

I'm gonna start looking for DHR's now.
I approve this message. :thumb:


Those who know...know. ;)
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
Which shocks have you tried on your Legend? I have a RC4 on mine with a 400lb spring. Feels ok, but looking to either get it pushed or try a CCDB.
Go with the CCDB air but a properly setup RC4 is awesome on it. I'm waiting for mine (Ccdb that is)

As for DHR Vs Legend for smooth trails I'd go DHR. Legend is an awesome bike and I love mine but it's a bike for plowing rocks like a tank. It can jump but if that's all you ride the DHR is better in that account. Unless you think you are Nathan Rennie and ride very agressively since the legend likes that kind of riding.
 

joemosq

Chimp
Sep 1, 2008
7
0
StunzeeD, great to hear you have a legend and rune combo. Regarding the forks. I have not spent a ton of time on the fox 40 to be Honest. Prior to the Dorado I was on a Boxxer WC for a few years. I decided to try a Dorado on my Legend as I wanted an air fork that would be easy to adjust since this bike would used at demos and a lot of different size people trying. The Dorado also is little lighter weight than a 40 if that matters to you. The 40 is tougher to do that with since you need to change out Springs at demos to get it setup correct. The 40 seems like a great fork as well but does seem to take a lot more time to get dialed in perfectly. The Dorado is the best straight out of the box performing fork that I have personally put any substantial time on. You can set the fork up exactly like the setup guide suggests and get an amazing performing fork without much fuss or headache. Manitou also offers 1 free service the first year you own the fork which is nice if you don't want to service the fork yourself. There are a lot of great forks out there and what feels great for one person may not for the next. You are more than welcome to try out my legend with the dorado to see what you think.
 

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
CCDB with 350 lbs spring / more compression damping: rear suspension is linear, plows and eats bumps, very stable, not lively, great rough terrain race setup

CCDB with 400 lbs spring / less compression damping: rear supsension more progressive (riding in earlier part of the leverage curve), more lively and poppy, minimal loss in small bump compliance - MY PREFERRED SETUP

RC4 with 300 lbs spring: feels like a blunt object compared to the scalpel-like CCDB in terms of sensitivity and tune-ability, I did like the progression that the shock added, but felt the CCDB with stiffer spring and less damping was more lively and fun to ride

NOTE: You run less spring on the RC4 because the damper has higher internal pressure.
How much do you weigh? I'm right about 225 with the 400lb spring. The rear feels pretty good right now, but I'm not sure I want to dump $400 on a CCDB just for comparison. I did just recently go from a steel spring to a Ti and I think the Ti is a little softer. Without changing any settings the rear definitely feels like I'm getting a bit more sag. I haven't measured it though.

I've been stoked on my Banshee since I got it and haven't had any issues. I would buy another one no questions asked. Although, I think the DHR would be one of the only other bikes on my short list.
 

StunZeeD

Monkey
Feb 6, 2007
381
0
PNW
Just out of curiosity, what is wrong with the M9?
Nothing wrong with it aside from the fact they dont seem to be made to hold up for long periods of time - they are labeled as FRO for a good reason. Bike developed creaks - and anyone of my friends can tell you I maintain my bikes well so wasn't a maintenance issue - I got a solid 1 1/2 years out of it and about 5 trips to whistler before it started to really be a pain in the rear
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
CCDB with 350 lbs spring / more compression damping: rear suspension is linear, plows and eats bumps, very stable, not lively, great rough terrain race setup

CCDB with 400 lbs spring / less compression damping: rear supsension more progressive (riding in earlier part of the leverage curve), more lively and poppy, minimal loss in small bump compliance - MY PREFERRED SETUP

RC4 with 300 lbs spring: feels like a blunt object compared to the scalpel-like CCDB in terms of sensitivity and tune-ability, I did like the progression that the shock added, but felt the CCDB with stiffer spring and less damping was more lively and fun to ride

NOTE: You run less spring on the RC4 because the damper has higher internal pressure.

I came to the same conclusion as you with those shocks on a completely different frame. I have a ccdb coil and a rc4 on a yeti 303 rdh which is a linear rate frame. My preferred setup is the ccdb with a 350# spring and running less compression. I also tried a 300 on both shocks and both were too soft for me, but the 350 on the ccdb is a lot more supple off the top than the rc4 and it still gives a lively ride through the mid stroke, and never bottoms too harshly. To be honest, I think both shocks work well overall though, and I would happily run either one.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Go with the CCDB air but a properly setup RC4 is awesome on it. I'm waiting for mine (Ccdb that is)

As for DHR Vs Legend for smooth trails I'd go DHR. Legend is an awesome bike and I love mine but it's a bike for plowing rocks like a tank. It can jump but if that's all you ride the DHR is better in that account. Unless you think you are Nathan Rennie and ride very agressively since the legend likes that kind of riding.
You've never even ridden a DHR have you?