[WARider]

So I had a Norco A-line frame, loved it but landed a job as a bike shop mech. so I sold my 2004 Norco A-line to get a Giant DH with a Dorado. The bike is trick but I'm missing my front der. on my A-line as I could use it to ride trail with as well as full blown DH runs. Well I picked up a VT for the trail and I'm just not stoked on it. It's a great bike but it feels light weight compared to my Giant DH and I don't feel as stable ripping sh!t as it comes on the trail. Ran into a guy on a Kona Stinky pedaling his a$$ off to the top.

I'm thinking I want to get a frame that I can run a front der. on so I can trail ride my DH setup. I know it's a bitch to pedal a 40lb bike up but coming down is all worth the grunt. Who rides their big bikes on the trail when you have to pedal to get to the goods? And what frame and rear shock would you go with? I'll be running a Dorado up front with all my components from my Giant DH Comp. I want a ripping frame that can go up, as well as inspire me when I haul a$$ down because the Giant VT isn't cutting it and my Giant DH can't sport the front der..

BTW, if you want a great DH frame "ONLY" that's about a month old it's going on the chopping block, aka EBAY.

L8r
~WARider

 

[WARider]

I had an Iron Horse last year, was not impressed! Not sure about this year's, but last year's sucked! I'm looking for something that is worth every penny and not oriented towards one application. I'm looking to stay with at least 7 inches of travel, preferably 8.

~J

 

[edo-chan]

I don't post often, and perhaps I'm not part of the "cool club" but fit and finish have zero relevance to your post.

That said, people used to complain about Santa Cruz's powder coat, yet the bikes work fine. Fine fit, poor finish. Get a Bullit.

 

[WARider]

I don't post often, and perhaps I'm not part of the "cool club" but fit and finish have zero relevance to your post.

Damn man,

Someone has got to lighten up. No one is out to get you, just looking for other peoples opinions on a good frame. I think someone needs to pass the peace pipe to Edo-chan.

 

[edo-chan]

(cough, cough....hack!)

Sorry to seem so serious . Get a Bullit anyway! I really can't think of a more middle-of-the-road, proven-to-be-reliable, bike-I-own-and-love anyhow.


edit: forgot to pass the pipe

 

[Zaskar Rider]

Hate to sound redundant but I just pedaled my 6"x6" bullit all the way to the top of preston yesterday. super t on front and Fox RC on the back (I don't need no stinkin' platform crap) and it did just fine. Oh it weighs in at 40 pounds.

On the other hand one of the guys at my shop was talking just today about seeing a front derailleur on a giant DH bike. So I know it can be done but I don't personally know how besides the fact that you need an e-type derailleur

 

[binary visions]

What, exactly, were you "not impressed" about with the Iron Horse? That's a pretty vague statement. This year's freeride lineup looks to be one of the most versitile bikes around, with 7" front and rear, front derailleur compatible, and fairly light weight. The linkage is new and supposedly much stiffer than last year's. What model IH did you have?

If money is no issue, the Foes Fly is tops for fit and finish, bunch of guys on here have one. Seems to meet all of your criteria.

 

[dwaugh]

I'd go with a Stinky Dee-lux or a Stinky Primo frame. Four bar linkage is a good thing to have, bullit doesn't have that.

 

[binary visions]

I'd go with a Stinky Dee-lux or a Stinky Primo frame. Four bar linkage is a good thing to have, bullit doesn't have that.

Why is that 4-bar linkage any better than a standard single pivot? It has all of the exact same characteristics as a low single pivot, it's just got a linkage actuated shock. Which can be good in that it can give you a progressive suspension design, but a progressive shock like a 5th or Swinger takes care of that...

 

[Cash-Money]

one of the 7inch stinky bikes will work, so will a bullit. for a 7inch bike, not much will pedal better than a 5th/bullit combo

 

[JRB]

The dude is right - having or not having a front deraileur or the fact that the VT is too light, well that has nothing to do with fit or finish. Paint or sizing was never mentioned.

Maybe someone needs to put the peace pipe down.