[norbar]

So monkeys I want to replace my 14 year old DJ bike but I have a question about sizing.

If I want a bike more for pump tracks and some straightline jumps and not any tricks. Is going recommended sizes a good option or should I go with a long at 5'10'' for extra stability? Not doing any 4x racing or anything as I've always had reflexes of a sloth and I have snowboardcross results to prove it.

 

[Gary]

You don't really need stability on a pump track. Just good high pressure low rolling resistance tyres and a bit of skill/talent.
The new breed of longer DJ bikes are for taller folk than you. (6ft+ generally)

But... if you're used to a modern geo big wheel mtb you will almost definitely feel like a properly sized DJ bike is unstable each time you switch over. sorta like most mtbers used to feel trying their first BMX.

What bikes are you looking at? I love a nice DJ bike.

 

[Gary]

Oh... and FWIW I'm just a smidge under 6ft and rode 22" top tube DJ bikes (390-400mm reach, 400mm stays) from my 20s right up until around 7yrs ago when I swapped to a Darmoor 4X with 420mm reach and 400mm stays. I needed a new frame but went for the longer reach Dartmoor mainly because there are no dirt jumps anywhere near me now but plenty pumptracks. It's great at pumptracks but I definitely wouldn't a want it any longer. and even now I still kinda miss the shorter bikes handling at times.

Is your old DJ bike in a rideable state?

 

[norbar]

You don't really need stability on a pump track. Just good high pressure low rolling resistance tyres and a bit of skill/talent.
The new breed of longer DJ bikes are for taller folk than you. (6ft+ generally)

But... if you're used to a modern geo big wheel mtb you will almost definitely feel like a properly sized DJ bike is unstable each time you switch over. sorta like most mtbers used to feel trying their first BMX.

What bikes are you looking at? I love a nice DJ bike.

I'm looking at the Rose, YT, Canyon and Maybe Marin since those are nicely priced here. Weirdly Dartmoors are no longer super competitive.

I tried some bikes but everyone rides small here. I just don't trust them as they are people who believe a ton of weird shit. My current bike is small even by modern small standards. It's a super small, heavy AF steel frame but all the parts on it not named pedals and fork at near dead on it so I'm thinking of switching

 

[SylentK]

I'd do a size down. You can do a bmx. Do you know how tiny those things are? Maybe cruiser size if you're bigger. And relatively cheap and simple

Did you see the GMBN pump track vid? So they had a super tall, lanky dude (like me) on a bike that was probably not correct in size, given traditional measurements. . But Rich taught him things. Being a roadie, he had no idea. Or at least acted like it. Having a Velosolutions track near me, I totally get all of Rich's points.

For me? I'm on a size L Santa Cruz Chameleon (I would normally do XL). It also doubles as my indoor roller bike, like XC fitness baloney. But it's also built to pump and jump. Pretty sure SC does not recommend a 160 Fox 36 on that machine. But I'm cool with it. I also run 27.5's. Better pump/jump size. With very specific tires.

It really does pretty much everything.

 

[jrewing]

My older Spec P3 L is tiny, and i shortened the rear even more. 6’1 i am. That bike is amazingly fast. Lock the forks out, 50 psi on DTH maxxis in 2.1’s. Have a an awesome huge velosolutions track near me when im at my family. Manuals like nothing else but fast handling and the best bit super stiff.
i wouldnt like a longer frame in the tight steep bowl turns. On tamer tracks long would be fine. But shorter works everywhere. I like a lowish front bar too.

 

[SylentK]

Yeah. Shorter for realz. I'm lowering things, finding it better.

50 psi?! duuuuude. I guess I should try that.

What size wheels?

 

[jrewing]

Yeah. Shorter for realz. I'm lowering things, finding it better.

50 psi?! duuuuude. I guess I should try that.

What size wheels?

26

 

[Gary]

50? You looking for comfort? For an asphalt velosolutions track Try 70psi (or 80 if running tubes) Dth are good on pumptrack but if you ride elsewhere that fucking M inspired herringbone tread patern picks up flint, stones and glass in the slits like no other. And they're flimsy AF underneath so you'll puncture MOAR than any other tyre period.

 

[Gary]

A L chameleon couldn't be a worse choice for a pumptrack hardtail. The mk1s in small BITD made a decent versatile little jump style hardtail built with a short fork n high bars. But the modern 29er is a fucking huge cumbersome trail hardtail. (or heavy XC bike as I see those).
If you enjoy it that's cool. There are la few ittle kids that rip on my local pumptrack riding bikes that would be too big for their dads.

#264LYFYO

He says just about to head out with mates for a local ride on a horrible 27.5 modern geo hardtail. (oh well.. at least it's not a gravel bike)

 

[Gary]

Rose, YT, Canyon

Can't go wrong with any of those really. Shame they're no longer the bargain they once were price wise.

 

[sethimus]

how about the new 27.5 specialized one? they look nice

 

[jrewing]

50? You looking for comfort? For an asphalt velosolutions track Try 70psi (or 80 if running tubes) Dth are good on pumptrack but if you ride elsewhere that fucking M inspired herringbone tread patern picks up flint, stones and glass in the slits like no other. And they're flimsy AF underneath so you'll puncture MOAR than any other tyre period.

Yeah ryan gilchrist goes 80psi i think. 50 on the p-series rims, which are pretty wide is plenty, also in the smaller width DTH. But i will try 60 and see what it feels like. I dont do dirt pumptracks, but will start dirt jumping again as some goods ones have been built at Maydena. 80psi must stretch that tyre permanently!
I wish they have pumptrack racing where i live now, miss it.

 

[Gary]

80psi must stretch that tyre permanently!

Haven't noticed any stretching. The 20" version is rated to over 100psi I think.

 

[konastab01]

I have a Yeti DJ old one and it feels so short on a pump track

 

[norbar]

Can't go wrong with any of those really. Shame they're no longer the bargain they once were price wise.

Rose is still good and the cheaper bruce is discounted. Kinda hoping they will discount the more expensive one again.

@sethimus Spec has a 27.5 dj/pump bike? Why?

Also I second running high af pressures. I only run sub 60PSI for my GF as she scares easily and wants a slower rolling bike on pumptracks

 

[chuffer]

I am 6’3” and ride the larger of the two Transition PBJ frame sizes. I think I would also be fine on the smaller size.

I think as long as your toes don’t overlap (horribly) with the front tire, there is no such thing as too short. I rode and old ass .243 DH size S as my dj & pumptrack bike for a season. Toe overlap made it awkward at times, but it was fine & fun.

Bmx and DJ bikes always feel super twitchy and loopy to me after riding an mtb. That’s normal and goes away quickly.

 

[troy]

Short one for sure.