Well if my Ac sells looks like i can chose between these three bikes. A snipes elemental (DJ2 fork i'd build the rest from there), a evil imperial (most expensive) and a .243. All would cost under a grand when done (imperial very hard to find if not impossible for that price). Can i get some opinions on these bikes, i'd like an evil but they're hard to find, and i can also get a sick deal on a Snipes. Also if anyone in NJ has one of these bikes please let me know so maybe i could ask you a few ?s and maybe arrange a test ride? If anyone has any other reccomendations feel free to throw them in there
Evil, Snipes, .243 HARDTAILS!
- Thread starter acair422
- Start date
Imperial hands down. By far the nicest frame I have ever owned.
acair422 said:
Well, frames are $750 so I think complete for less than $1000 is an unrealistic thought yes. I doubt you can build up any of the others rasonably well for that price as well. Maybe save up a little longer?
I've got a .243 frame that I've been collecting parts to build up for a while now.... it's burly for sure, the geometry and design is real good and it's been refined over the past couple years. I'll definitely have mine builr up for under a grand but that's using some cheap parts (Deore derailleurs, ALIVIO shifters and levers, crappy Shimano mechanical discs) but also a lot of good parts (Pig Pro, 03 DJII, DK Chopstix cranks). I bet you could build up a quality .243 if you get good deals, I know that's how I got mine.
BTW, my (new) frame might be for sale for the right price....
BTW, my (new) frame might be for sale for the right price....
.243, I got mine new for used price (and it included a Pig Pro HS). I got LUCKY with an ad on pinkbike for the frame.... actually I got really lucky with quite a few classifieds, I got a new set of DK Chopstix cranks for 50 damn dollars shipped, got the DJII on closeout for $175. It's all about hunting around and knowing the places with the lowest prices. I know there is a user on this board, I think his name is [un], with a brand new Planet X Pitbull frame for sale for cheap, it's geometry is pretty much identical to the .243 frame I've got.
i say go for the .243. i've got one built up with a dj2 and it just feels perfect. there was no getting used to it period, i sat on the bike and felt right at home on it. the rear wheel is kind of a pain to take off, but whatever. it's burly and the geometry is dialed. i use mine for dj's, drops, and dh'ing and run it in the middle dropout position.
i'm running an e13 SRS up front (36t ring) with gears in back. no ss for me, i don't do much urban so gears are pretty necessary.
If you are up for other options. Maybe look at Transition SOP. Cheap, strong and sexy.
The transition is a steel ht...thats why I meantioned it.
http://www.transitionbikes.com/TrailOrPark.cfm
http://www.transitionbikes.com/TrailOrPark.cfm
And BMWs are expensive, probably in the same range of the Imperials, due to their small volume and high desirability. The Imperials are expensive because they are aluminum and have quite a few intricate design elements. I would say go for a more basic steel frame for affordability.
I have a .243 built up right now and it ROCKS. I'm gettin into DH now though so i'm looking to get rid of it. Gonna be selling/trading the 03 243 frame (american BB horizontal drop outs) and an 03 set of hope M4's 7" front and 6" rear. Possibly even the profile BB, crank arms and crupi pedals.
Well it weighed in at 39lbs..... But that was with an 04 Z.1 FR ETA Prime bite tires (8lbs with DH tubes) profile crank Arrow DHX rims front and rear chain chain tugs and all. It was basically the heaviest of parts you could buy. weighed in at 35lbs with k-rads for street and dirt jumping
I'll be selling my Imperial very soon, probably parting it out for the most part. If you can wait a little longer I can probably put it in your price range.acair422 said:
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I have an Evil so I am biased. I love mine. I have just started riding DH, urban, park, "hucking", DJs, earlier this year & once I got my evil I had a bike that could do it all. I have ridden it at bottleg canyon, keystone, raced DH on it in Arkansas, ridden in Moab, I am still learning how to DJ on it, love riding herbun & park on it (even though i cant do $hit yet). And since I crash alot it is perfect since it is indestructable. You can scoop one up used too for a pretty good deal if you keep an eye out.
Do you have any basis for that opinion/concern or is it just pulled out of thin air? The fact is the Imp is extremely easy to jump with and it's a great street bike unless you like chainstay grinding (never good with an Al bike). It's light (6lbs) and can be set up with super-short stays that make it easy to bunnyhop, manual, and wheelie-drop.acair422 said:
Thanx.acair422 said:
If I didnt ride DH on it, it would be overkill.
Once you ride one you will see it has weird mystikal confidence inspiring powers. I have tried new stuff this year I have never done (drops over my head, doubles...i said i was new to DJing
) but this is also my first time ever owning a "freeride" frame, so....well the bike looked heavy but I finally got to test ride an evil this weekend (2 actually, one with a DC fork, one with a SC) both had dual 24s which i didn't like, but the bikes still rode nicely and were ligther then i thought. What about a 24 Bicycles Le Toy III, and i just found out i can get a good deal on a Identiti Dr. Jekyll.......Does anyone have either of those bikes ?? if so if you're from the NJ area think i could get a test ride of some sort?
evils are sick!
